The advanced preparation and education that a BSN offers invaluable. In 2007, the Council on Physician and Nurse Supply released a statement calling for all RNs to be baccalaureate educated to help improve patient safety.
Hospitals in Arkansas are dedicated to helping RNs enroll in RN to BSN programs that will help ensue their staff RNs are able to provide the best possible patient care. Further, RNs who hold BSNs are able to attain higher salaries, take advantage of career advancement opportunities, and establish the foundation for an MSN degree and APRN license.
Arkansas’ hospitals believe in advanced education so strongly that they have worked in partnership with the Arkansas Workforce Investment Board to create an organization dedicated to the educational advancement of RNs. The Arkansas Partnership for Nursing’s Future (APNF), gives tuition assistance to RNs interested in obtaining BSNs.
Just a few positions made available to BSN-educated RNs in February 2015 include the following:
- Clinical Services Manager – University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock
- Bariatric Program Coordinator – Mercy Hospital, Northwest Arkansas
- Short Stay Units Advanced Practice Partner – University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock
- Care Manager – Mercy Hospital Hot Springs, Northwest Arkansas
- Instructional Nursing Educator – University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock
RN to BSN Programs in Arkansas
RN to BSN programs are designed for ADN-educated RN’s to easily transfer credits and complete BSN-level coursework. Because of this, many courses are offered online to help RNs achieve the credential without creating conflicts with their current work life.
RN to BSN programs in Arkansas are generally open to RNs who have a current, Arkansas RN license, with some of the more competitive programs being open to RNs with a license and 1000 hours of work experience.
In general, Arkansas RN to BSN programs require the following basic admission criteria to be met:
- Hold Current, Unencumbered RN License
- Maintain Overall 2.5 GPA in ADN Program
- Hold Current CPR Card
Arkansas Board of Nursing-Approved BSN programs are available online and at campuses located in the following cities:
- Russellville
- Searcy
- Arkadelphia
- Magnolia
- Fayetteville
- Fort Smith
- Little Rock
- Monticello
- Conway
RN to BSN Program Structure and Coursework
RN to BSN programs offer online courses and reduced clinical hour requirements designed to complement an RN’s previous education. Generally, an RN will be able to have about 41 credits waived due to their previous education.
The RN-BSN program would then involve completing coursework in the following areas:
- Nursing Ethics
- Healthcare Research
- Nursing and Healthcare Delivery Theories
- Nursing Transitions
- Transcultural Health
- Pall & Gerontology Care
- Disaster Nursing and Emergency Preparedness
- Health Assessment, Promotion, and Wellness
- Community Nursing
- Leadership Principles
Clinical experience is generally reduced, and RNs are able to complete it at university hospitals close to home. Organizations that offer clinical training include, but are not limited to, the following:
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
- Baptist Health Extended Care Hospital – Little Rock
- Baxter Regional Medical Center – Mountain Home
Arkansas Hospitals Offering Incentives to Help Facilitate RN to BSN Progression
Many Arkansas hospitals are dedicated to helping their RN employees advance their education, to promote better health care and greater job satisfaction. A few of the hospitals that offer education assistance programs are shown here:
Mercy Hospital – Berryville, Fort Smith, and Northwest
Mercy strives to help its RNs provide excellent, compassionate care, and to do so, they provide tuition assistance and scholarships as part of their benefits program for eligible RN employees.
Arkansas Methodist Medical Center – Paragould
Having an Arkansas history dating back to 1907, Arkansas Methodist Medical Center hopes to be a beacon of health, hope, and healing to the state. In working to provide the very best in nursing are, the center offers a wide-array of benefits for employees, including tuition assistance for RNs who are pursuing a BSN.
Baptist Health Extended Care Hospital – Little Rock
In order to ensure the best nursing in the business, Baptist Health provides continuous education and training, as well as employ tuition assistance for RNs wanting to complete a BSN.
Baxter Regional Medical Center – Mountain Home
Since it’s beginning in 1963, Baxter Regional Medical Center has grown by a 39-bed and 4-physician hospital to a 268-bed and over 100-physicial staff. As the region’s best healthcare facility, Baxter works to recruit the very best nurses. To do so, Baxter Regional Medical Center offers RNs compensation based on experience and scholarships to further their nursing education.