LPN to RN Bridge Programs in Arkansas
Health care is expensive—your time as a licensed practical nurse has undoubtedly proven this to you. That’s why more and more health care organizations are trying to increase their hiring of registered nurses. With your education and experience as a licensed practical nurse, you may be very close to starting your career as a registered nurse. This puts you in a great position to provide much-needed care to rural Arkansas communities.
The demand for registered nurses has increased so much in recent years that some local schools have opened up the application process for new students. Check out a list of programs in Arkansas below.
Why Should I Enter an LPN to RN Program in Arkansas?
By committing to a becoming an RN in Arkansas, you may be ready to take on the huge number of health care duties that may be shifted to registered nurses in coming years. With Medicare expanding in many different ways in Arkansas, the need for licensed care providers may continue to grow.
You may also wish to consider your long-term earning potential in both career paths. The average salary for an Arkansas LPN is $35,900 per year; for RNs, it is $55,600 per year (O*Net, 2014). By the end of your career, this could amount to a huge difference in lifetime earnings.
Curriculum of LPN to RN Degree Programs in Arkansas
Whether you decide to earn an Associate’s degree or a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, your degree should be divided into two main parts. You must meet the general education requirements of your program, which includes coursework in subjects like English, social sciences, history, and physical sciences. You must also complete an array of advanced nursing courses. These classes take what you know as a licensed practical nurse and use that knowledge to prepare you for a greater variety of nursing positions.
Your nursing courses address a number of goals, from giving you experience in different nursing specialties to developing your ability to be a leader and work independently. In your curriculum, you may find courses like Physiological Adaptation and Risk Reduction, Nursing Care Management, Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Advanced Nursing Concepts, Physical Assessment of Patients, and Gerontological Nursing.
In addition, you must bridge the gap between your LPN clinical hours and the hours required to become a registered nurse. In your clinical hours, you must demonstrate your capability to work independently, since registered nurses often take on a more prominent role in patient care. You may do rotations in different specialties, such as OB/GYN, pediatrics, medical-surgical, and oncology. This clinical work helps you develop the skills you need to pass the NCLEX-RN, the national exam required for RN licensure.
For students in LPN to RN programs, Arkansas schools and the Arkansas State Board of Nursing all provide scholarships and student loan options. Keep in mind that most of these programs are based on your financial need.
The health care industry of the Midwest is growing in many different ways, and as a registered nurse, you can help improve the state of health care in Arkansas. Contact Arkansas schools to take the next step in your nursing education.
