Accelerated Nursing Program in Arkansas
The demand for registered nurses is on the rise, with more patients needing the lifesaving care that nurses provide. Now is the perfect time to answer the call and earn your Bachelor of Science in nursing through Harding University’s accelerated nursing program in Arkansas. This second-degree nursing program is designed for career changers who hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or college credits.
Why Choose Harding’s Accelerated Nursing Program in Arkansas?
The hybrid accelerated RN program blends flexible online coursework with hands-on learning and in-person clinical experiences in Rogers, AR. With a 2025 NCLEX-RN pass rate of 93.94%, the ABSN program sets students on the path to becoming confident nurses.
Harding University’s nursing education is based on our Christian heritage, which permeates class and clinical instruction. As a student in the partially online ABSN, you will complete coursework online and learn nursing skills in person with the support of instructors and nursing professionals.
This combination of online and in-person experiences will help prepare you to become an RN who will lead an extraordinary life of Christian service.
How the Harding ABSN Program Works
Harding University’s hybrid accelerated nursing program in Arkansas leverages your bachelor’s degree into a nursing career. Our accelerated BSN for non-nurses program opens the door to earning a Bachelor of Science in nursing in as few as 16 months.
The ABSN curriculum requires unwavering dedication and commitment to achieve success. It also involves a comprehensive hybrid ABSN learning model that consists of three stages: online coursework, hands-on labs and clinical experiences.
3 Learning Components
Together, these three learning components prepare you to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. After passing, you’ll be able to call yourself a nurse and practice the profession in all types of health care settings.
Online Courses
Online accelerated nursing courses build the foundation of your nursing education.
Nursing Simulation Labs and Skills Labs
Skills and high-tech nursing simulation labs put the knowledge from your online courses into practice.
Clinical Rotations
Clinical rotations provide diverse patient care experiences in a real-world environment.
ABSN Program Outcomes
The dean and faculty measure program outcomes to foster continual quality improvement. Selected program outcomes related to new graduate achievement include the first-time pass rate on the national licensing exam, the program completion rate and the employment rate after graduation.
- 2025 ABSN NCLEX Pass Rate: 93.94%
- 2025 ABSN Completion Rate: 77.08%
- 2025 ABSN Employment Rate: 100%
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the program prepare me to become a nurse?
Our dynamic curriculum guides you through comprehensive nursing coursework designed to help you confidently take the NCLEX-RN. Through our labs and clinicals, you’ll build the skills necessary for becoming a nurse and then test them in a real-world environment.
Is the program 100% online?
Though our nursing coursework is completed online, our hybrid ABSN program is not 100% online, as you are required to complete in-person labs at our Northwest Arkansas ABSN program site and clinical placements throughout the Rogers, Arkansas, area.
How long is the program and when can I start?
Harding’s accelerated RN program can be completed in as few as 16 months and offers three start dates a year. For more information, visit our admissions process page.
Is the program accredited?
Yes, our nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the Arkansas Board of Nursing.
What are the prerequisites for the ABSN program?
The prerequisites for the ABSN program are designed to build the foundation necessary for a nursing education. Courses include Fundamentals of Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology I and II and Intro to Microbiology, among others. To learn more, please visit the ABSN prerequisites page.
How much does the accelerated nursing program cost?
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Please visit the ABSN tuition and fees page to learn program costs.
Is financial aid available for the ABSN?
Students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to determine their eligibility for federal financial aid. Harding’s financial aid office is available to answer questions and help you explore your options.
What are the main components of the ABSN program?
The main ABSN components include online coursework, hands-on nursing skills and simulation labs and in-person clinical rotations at health care facilities in Northwest Arkansas.
How does the ABSN program prepare students for the NCLEX-RN?
NCLEX-RN preparation is integrated throughout the ABSN curriculum, starting as early as the first semester. Students complete clinical competency and standardized testing in their coursework and homework assignments, explore complex simulation cases during labs and are tested on a simulation case, similar to what they will encounter on exam day. Upon graduation, students are prepared to take the NCLEX-RN with confidence.
How intensive is the ABSN program?
The ABSN program is rigorous and fast-paced with minimal to no breaks between semesters. Students must be driven and self-motivated; however, Harding offers ample student support resources to help students succeed.
For More Information
Request information to learn more about our accelerated nursing program in Arkansas.
Our admissions counselors will help you plan your next steps.