There were 25,210 Registered Nurses working in the state of Arkansas in 2019. In addition to that, 11,810 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses were also employed in Arkansas.
Should I Become a Nurse in Arkansas?
If you want to help people in distress without getting a medical degree, then a career as a nurse can be a very good option. Nurses all across the US are paid very well and if you want to join their ranks, then keep on reading.
Education Required | Varies for RNs and LPNs |
Training | Helpful but not a compulsion |
License/Certification | required |
Key Skills/Qualities | Physical stamina, Patience, Dexterity, etc. |
Annual Mean Salary (2019) – National | $77,460 (Registered Nurses)
$48,500 (Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses) |
Job Outlook (2018-28) | 7% (Registered Nurses)
9% (Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses) |
Annual Mean Salary (2019) – Alaska | $61,330 (Registered Nurses)
$40,760 (Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses) |
Sources: O*Net Online and US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Career Outlook
The job outlook is very encouraging for RNs and LPNs across the United States. Registered Nurses will enjoy a 7% growth in job opportunities during the ten-year period of 2019 and 2029. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses are projected to enjoy even better job prospects of 9%. These estimations have been provided by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Steps to Become a Nurse in Arkansas
There are certain steps that you will have to complete to become a nurse in Arkansas.
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- Meet the Educational Requirements
- Meet the Educational Requirements
The minimum education requirements differ for RNs and LPNs. Registered Nurses need at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution to apply for a job. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses can start working with a postsecondary nondegree award. Better educational credentials will improve your chances of finding work.
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- Clear the NCLEX
- Clear the NCLEX
Both RNs and LNs have to clear the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become eligible to apply for a license. Registered Nurses have to sit for the NCLEX-RN test, while LPNs have to clear the NCLEX-PN part.
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- Get the State License
- Get the State License
If you clear the NCLEX, you will have to apply with the state authorities to get a state-issued license. You will have to clear a background check and submit fingerprints to get your license.
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- Get the State License
- Get the State License
If you clear the NCLEX, you will have to apply with the state authorities to get a state-issued license. You will have to clear a background check and submit fingerprints to get your license.
Duration to Become a Nurse in Arkansas
Since the educational requirements are different for Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses, the duration to join the respective fields varies too. LPNs can start working in 1-2 years while it will take RNs anywhere between 4 to 6 years to look for jobs.
What Are the Requirements for Becoming a Nurse in Arkansas?
In order to become a nurse in Alaska, candidates will have to fulfill the following requirements:
- Meet the minimum educational requirements.
- Clear the NCLEX stage
- Pass background check
- Enroll fingerprints
- Get the state license
- Look for jobs
How Much Does a Nurse Earn in Arkansas?
Registered Nurses earned $78,330 while Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses made $54,290 in mean annual income in Arizona in the year 2019. These figures have been taken from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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