The Best Arkansas Online Nurse Practitioner Programs and Requirements
Nurse practitioners (NPs) operate in advanced practice capacities, assuming more extensive responsibilities than registered nurses (RNs). These healthcare professionals are involved in patient diagnosis and medication prescription. In Arkansas, NPs specialize in diverse areas such as gerontology, pediatrics, and women’s health. This comprehensive guide elucidates the pathway to becoming an advanced practice nurse in Arkansas, offering insights into various nurse practitioner programs and the specific requirements for NPs in the state.
Nurse practitioners (NPs) function in advanced practice roles, taking on heightened responsibilities compared to registered nurses (RNs). These practitioners engage in patient diagnosis and medication prescription, with specializations in areas like gerontology, pediatrics, and women’s health in Arkansas. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN) not only approves certified nurse practitioners but also other advanced practice nurses, including certified registered nurse anesthetists, certified nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists.
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Arkansas Online Nurse Practitioner Programs and Requirements
Due to the increased responsibilities, NPs undergo a more extended period of education compared to RNs. Attaining at least a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a bachelor’s degree is essential for these professionals, while some opt for a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) based on their specialization and certification requirements.
This resource provides a comprehensive overview of the steps to becoming an NP in Arkansas, detailing specific prerequisites for aspiring professionals, along with insights into salary trends and employment prospects. Continue reading to explore the finest nurse practitioner programs available in Arkansas.
Requirements for Nurse Practitioner Licensure in Arkansas
The essential steps to become a nurse practitioner in Arkansas encompass:
1. Possessing RN licensure and accumulating a minimum of 2,000 hours of RN work experience.
2. Attaining a graduate degree or completing an advanced practice nursing program post-graduation. ASNB-approved NP programs in Arkansas must possess national accreditation. Arkansas legislation doesn’t specify the necessity of a master’s or doctorate, with the degree level dependent on certification requirements. Core curriculum in physiology, pharmacology, and health assessment is recommended.
3. Obtaining certification from a nationally recognized certifying body approved by ASBN. Certification is achieved through an examination administered by the certifying body, focusing on a specific concentration such as family practice, gerontology, acute and critical care, pediatrics, psychiatry, neonatal care, or women’s health.
4. Submitting a comprehensive application, including completion of an application form, submission of educational transcripts, and undergoing a background check. Applicants must verify both their RN licensure and advanced practice certification.
5. For those seeking prescriptive authority, a separate application is required, involving the submission of a collaborative practice agreement, a quality assurance plan, and obtaining a registration number from the Drug Enforcement Agency for legal prescription of controlled substances.
6. Advanced practice nurses relocating to Arkansas with licensure from another state can apply for licensure by endorsement, submitting their education history and certification information for ASBN evaluation.
7. Renewal of advanced practice licensure, alongside RN licensure, is mandatory every two years, expiring on the last day of the nurse’s birth month. Online renewal is available up to 60 days before expiration. Completion of continuing education (CE) hours, as stipulated by the specific certification agency, is essential for successful renewal.
8. Nurses with prescriptive authority must fulfill additional CE requirements, including at least five contact hours covering pharmacotherapeutics every two years. Two of these hours should focus on state regulations and laws pertaining to professional boundaries and prescriptions for advanced practice nurses. ASBN provides specialized CE courses in these areas.
9. Failure to renew results in license expiration, requiring professionals with lapsed licenses for more than two years to undergo a refresher course with ASBN approval. This course, comprising at least 200 hours and including a supervised clinical component, reinstates the license.
In-Demand Nursing Specialization Eligibility Criteria in Arkansas
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGPCNP-BC)
Experience Requirements: Candidates are required to possess an RN license; however, specific years of experience are not explicitly stated by the certification agency.
Clinical Hours Requirement: A minimum of 500 faculty-sponsored clinical hours, completed during the graduate degree, is necessary.
Continuing Education: Completion of 75 CE hours during each five-year period before renewal is mandatory.
Other: The graduate-level curriculum must encompass courses in advanced physiology, health assessment, and pharmacology, with a focus on health promotion or maintenance, along with differential diagnosis and disease management.
Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care (CPNP-PC)
Experience Requirements: Candidates must hold an RN license, but the certification agency does not specify the years of experience needed.
Clinical Hours Requirement: At least 500 clinical hours in primary care pediatrics, completed during the graduate degree, are required.
Continuing Education: Annual completion of 15 CE hours is necessary.
Other: The graduate-level curriculum must include courses in advanced physiology, health assessment, and pharmacology.
Board Certified-Advanced Diabetes Management (BC-ADM)
Experience Requirements: Licensure as an RN, registered dietitian, pharmacist, or physician is necessary.
Clinical Hours Requirement: A minimum of 500 clinical practice hours in advanced diabetes management is required.
Continuing Education: Completion of 75 CE hours during each five-year period before renewal is required.
Other: Not Applicable (N/A)
Salary and Career Information
In 2018, Arkansas reported a mean salary of $104,300 for NPs, exceeding the RN mean salary in the state by over $40,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, this figure is slightly below the national average of approximately $110,030 for NPs.
NPs employed in larger metropolitan areas in Arkansas, such as Fayetteville, earn salaries comparable to the national average, with mean salaries exceeding $116,000.
Additionally, the job outlook for nurses in Arkansas surpasses national projections, with the U.S. Labor Department anticipating a 37% increase in the number of NPs in Arkansas from 2016 to 2026. In contrast, the national growth rate for these nursing professionals is projected at 36%.
Comparison of Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner Data:
| Registered Nurse | Nurse Practitioner | |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Mean Salary | $60,780 | $104,300 |
| U.S. Mean Salary | $75,510 | $110,030 |
| Arkansas Job Growth | 15.7% | 37.3% |
| U.S. Job Growth | 14.8% | 36.1% |
Source: BLS, Projections Central
| Salary | Employment | |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville – Springdale – Rogers, Arkansas – Missouri | $116,180 | 280 |
| Pine Bluff, Arkansas | $112,770 | 40 |
| Texarkana, Texas – Arkansas | $111,080 | 50 |
| Fort Smith, Arkansas – Oklahoma | $110,940 | 110 |
| Memphis, Tennessee – Mississippi – Arkansas | $107,210 | 1,280 |
Source: BLS
Best Arkansas Online Nurse Practitioner Program
1. Harding University
Location: Searcy, AR
Founded in 1924 in Searcy, Harding University enrolls over 5,000 students from around 50 countries. Embracing Christian beliefs and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the university offers a Master of Science in Nursing for family nurse practitioners. Degree requirements include 45 credits and 720 hours of clinical experience completed in five semesters. Utilizing synchronous and asynchronous online classrooms, the program mandates campus visits each semester for assignments like presentations and workshops. Graduates are eligible to take nurse practitioner certification exams.
Campus: Searcy, Arkansas
Type: Private
Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Tuition: $9,307 for nine credits; $1,034 per credit for students taking less than nine credits
Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s in nursing; minimum 3.0 GPA; RN license; 2,000 hours of RN experience; immunization record; prerequisite courses in nursing research, health assessment, and statistics
Minimum Time Commitment: 5 semesters
On-Campus Requirements: Intensives for 3-5 days each semester
Program: Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner
School Site: Tuition | Financial aid
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