Reviewing Online RN to BSN Programs in Arkansas
Arkansas is home to a number of accredited online RN to BSN nursing programs that you can complete alongside your current full-time nursing job. Use EduMed’s guide to learn how these programs work, explore the best RN to BSN online programs in Arkansas, discover financial aid opportunities, and read the hidden benefits of earning your BSN online.
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How They Work: Inside Arkansas Programs
RN to BSN programs in Arkansas are designed with working nurses in mind. Because RNs complete most hands-on training before licensure, much of the remaining BSN coursework can be finished online, making it easier to balance school, work, and personal responsibilities.
Here’s what to know as you explore your options:
- Online flexibility: Most RN to BSN coursework is delivered online, though programs may include limited in-person labs or clinical requirements.
- Program quality: Accredited online programs provide the same academic rigor and outcomes as traditional on-campus programs.
- Admission requirements: Applicants typically need an active, unencumbered RN license; some programs also require an ADN and professional nursing experience.
Below are three examples of accredited online RN to BSN programs in Arkansas. Explore details on what you can expect in terms of format, requirements, and structure.
RN to BSN Online – Arkansas State University
The online RN to BSN bridge program at Arkansas State University prepares students for hospital leadership roles and graduate programs. The curriculum consists of core courses on subjects from issues in healthcare policy to nursing leadership, as well as electives in areas like women’s health, geriatric nursing, and forensic nursing. Students also take 11 credit hours of support classes, such as statistics and anatomy.
To help students decide what position they want to pursue, the school offers online professional support services. Alumni of the program report working in roles such as nurse managers, legal nurse consultants, and nurse midwives.
Duration: 30-credit program, can be completed in as little as 12 months
Mode: Online
Cost: $8,760
Admissions Requirements:
- Online application
- Official transcripts
- Unencumbered RN license
Curriculum:
- Principles of Nursing Research
- Clinical Pathophysiology
- Issues in Healthcare Policy
- Introduction to Nursing Informatics
- Nursing Leadership
- Public Health Nursing
- Professional Nursing Practice
- RN to BSN Capstone
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Cultural Competence in Health Professions
- Women’s Health
- Aging and the Older Adult
- Forensic Nursing
Programs that might interest you:
RN to BSN – University of Arkansas at Little Rock
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s RN to BSN program empowers students to earn their BSN in as little as 12 to 18 months. The program’s curriculum focuses on health assessment, wellness promotion, economics, research, legalities, leadership, and advocacy.
In addition to core classes, students have the option to take electives in the subject areas that interest them the most like geriatrics or women’s health. Unlike other programs, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock also has a direct admission route for students finishing their associate degree in nursing who don’t yet have their nursing license. ADN graduates are also great candidates for the program.
Duration: 12-18 months
Mode: Online
Cost: $13,440 for nursing core classes
Admissions Requirements:
- Must have been enrolled in UA Little Rock at any point in the last 2 years
- Submit all college and nursing transcripts
- Have a current, unencumbered RN license OR
- be a recent associate degree or diploma graduate, or be enrolled in your final semester of either
- be a graduate of an RN program outside of the United States with an unencumbered RN license
- Must have completed at least 12 hours of RN-to-BSN required general courses outside of an AAS or RN program while maintaining at least a ‘C’ in each of the courses
- Completion and submission of official program application
Curriculum:
- Health Assessment I & II
- Professional Role Development
- Wellness Promotion and the Nurse Educator
- Health Care Economics
- Research and Evidence-Based Practice
- Ethics, Legalities, and Advocacy
- Nursing Practice: Community Health Needs
- Nursing Practice: Leadership and Management
- Nursing Practice: Integration of Concepts
RN to BSN Program – University of Arkansas
The CCNE-accredited RN to BSN program offered 100% online at the University of Arkansas focuses on strengthening students’ clinical reasoning and analytical skills to become leaders in the nursing profession.
The program’s curriculum is designed to accommodate elective courses that give students the chance to customize their degree to a specialty of interest, such as health informatics or geriatric nursing. Students also have the chance to work one-on-one with professional advisors online to discuss how to leverage their degrees for greater career opportunities, a feature unique to this program.
In addition to their meetings with advisors and professors, all courses are facilitated online.
Duration: 3 semesters
Mode: Online
Cost: $9,876
Admissions Requirements:
- Completed application
- Completion of an RN program from an accredited institution
- Unencumbered RN license in Arkansas or state that also covers Arkansas
Curriculum:
- Pathophysiology and Pharmacology I
- Math and Medical Terminology for Nurses
- Nursing Care for Chronic Conditions
- Holistic Nursing Care
- Health Assessment Throughout the Lifespan
- LPN-BSN Capstone Practicum
- Acute Nursing Care
- Advancing Clinical Judgement
- Theories and Frameworks for Practice
- Wellness and Disease Prevention
- Nurse Think and Inquiry
- Leading in Wellness, Chronic, and Palliative Care Practicum
- Navigating and Managing Health Systems
- Leadership and Role Preparation
- Elevating Professional Nursing Practice
- Leading in Acute Care and Quality Improvement Practicum
Arkansas BSN Bridge Program FAQs
Whether you’re curious about how long an RN to BSN online program takes or what financial aid options are available, you most likely have some questions. To make your research easier, we’ve compiled the answers to the most asked questions by prospective online RN to BSN Arkansas students like you.
How will an RN-to-BSN program in Arkansas prepare me for more opportunities?
To address the need for improved outcomes, hospitals are seeking to hire more BSN-educated nurses. More education means more responsibility, and in the case of nursing, it also means higher-quality care and greater preference from employers.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) reported that in 2019, 40.6% of hospitals and other healthcare settings required new hires to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing, while 77.4% of employers expressed a strong preference for BSN program graduates. This shows that BSN-prepared nurses are preferred not only for clinical nursing roles but also have an advantage when it comes to management and non-traditional nursing positions.
Expert Insight
Because employers prefer RNs with a bachelor’s degree, inquire if your current employer offers tuition assistance to help you earn a BSN. Once you earn your bachelor’s, you may be able to move into a managerial position at your job.
How long is an RN-to-BSN program in Arkansas?
Online RN to BSN programs in Arkansas typically take about 1-2 years to complete, though this can differ from program to program. Since students in bridge programs are already licensed nurses, they can complete their degrees more quickly than those who are new to the field.
For a better idea of how long a program might take, below are the average timelines for five RN to BSN online programs in Arkansas:
- Arkansas Tech University: 12 months
- University of Arkansas Little Rock: 12-18 months
- University of Central Arkansas: 12-24 months (full-time or part-time)
- Arkansas State University: 12-15 months
- Ouachita Baptist University: 9-12 months
How much do RN-to-BSN programs cost in Arkansas?
Students across three of the best online RN to BSN programs in Arkansas pay an average of $277 per credit hour. See the exact breakdown below:
- Ouachita Baptist University: $275 per credit hour
- University of Arkansas Little Rock: $280 per credit hour
- Arkansas State University: $276 per credit hour
Like the average program length, the cost of getting an RN to BSN online in Arkansas differs from school to school. Additionally, these numbers only include tuition. You may also be responsible for distance learning fees, books, and course materials, among other costs.
What requirements do I need to meet to apply for admission to RN to BSN programs in Arkansas?
The general requirements to get your RN to BSN online in Arkansas include an unencumbered nursing license in the state of Arkansas, an associate degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited school or university, and an application fee. You must also have a computer that meets school specifications.
Like everything else, the exact requirements will vary from program to program. For example, the University of Central Arkansas also requires applicants to have worked 1,000 hours as a nurse in the previous 12 months. Be sure to check each program’s admissions requirements before applying.
What should I look for in an RN to BSN degree program in Arkansas?
When looking at online RN to BSN programs in Arkansas, there are some objective traits of a good program, such as accreditation, a high-quality curriculum, affordability, and student support resources. However, you also want to determine how well a program’s format corresponds to your preferred learning style.
For example, all classes are asynchronous at the University of Arkansas. For some students, this format would provide the flexibility and independence they need to balance work, school, and family obligations. For others, that lack of real-time, face-to-face interaction with their professor and peers could cause confusion, a lack of motivation, and even a lower GPA.
Arkansas Salary Expectations for BSN Holders
Nurses in Arkansas without a BSN can expect to land in the lower half of this table, though demand stays strong, especially in rural facilities, so solid staff and bedside work is rarely hard to find.
Bachelor's-prepared nurses have a real edge at bigger employers like Arkansas Children's Hospital, where BSN staffing carries more weight in hiring decisions. The biggest upside for a BSN here isn't the paycheck alone. It's that bachelor's-prepared nurses working in Arkansas's underserved counties often qualify for state loan-repayment programs on top of the raise.
Registered Nurses
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | $60,780 | $78,940 | $103,660 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $64,440 | $77,910 | $103,790 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $58,540 | $79,870 | $98,500 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $59,760 | $78,590 | $122,360 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $64,520 | $78,940 | $100,250 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $60,270 | $81,070 | $114,190 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $65,280 | $81,500 | $112,310 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $60,960 | $80,610 | $99,370 |
Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025
Data does not reflect school-specific information.
