An accelerated BSN in Arkansas allows you to graduate with a quality nursing degree in as few as 16 months following the completion of any needed prerequisites. You’ll complete online coursework, participate in skills and simulation labs and complete clinical placements at nearby health care facilities.
Harding University is taking a stand to help address the ongoing shortage of qualified nurses, specifically in Arkansas, by delivering quality nursing education with our accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing program.
With three start dates each year in the spring, summer and fall, our ABSN program minimizes the wait applicants experience when applying to Bachelor of Science in nursing programs and allows them to graduate sooner. Through Harding’s accelerated BSN program in Arkansas, you can earn a quality BSN in as few as 16 months after completing any needed prerequisites.
If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 64 college credits and are ready to begin pursuing a career as a nurse, Harding can help you take control of your career pathway.
Before reaching out to our admissions counselors, consider the benefits of choosing our ABSN program. Learn what to expect from the program and consider your potential career opportunities after graduating and passing the nursing licensure exam.
Is a BSN worth it? Discover eight reasons why it is.
Why Choose an Accelerated BSN in Rogers, Arkansas?
An ABSN program can be a great choice for those eligible because it allows you to graduate, sit for the NCLEX and join the nursing workforce fast. Other benefits of an accelerated BSN in Arkansas include quality education and diverse nursing cohorts.
Quality Education
Harding’s accelerated ABSN allows students to earn a degree on an accelerated timeline without sacrificing academic rigor. The accelerated timeline is due to eliminating all or most general education requirements, focusing on nursing education instead.
This is only possible because ABSN students enter the program with at least 64 college credits or a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
Harding University is known for providing students with an accredited, high-quality education. Harding maintains accreditation status at the university and nursing school levels, so students gain an education and degree that meets the strict academic standards set forth by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Excellent Clinical Placements
ABSN programs generally offer enviable clinical placements, thanks to their partnerships with health systems in their area. Clinical placements provide hands-on experience for nursing students, allowing them to put into practice what they’ve learned in the classroom.
At Harding, you can expect to complete a series of clinical placements within the Allegheny Health Network. You’ll complete placements in nursing specialties such as adult health, mental health, obstetrics and pediatrics.
Mission and Philosophy
ABSN programs are generally committed to providing a quality nursing education and empowering students to achieve personal growth. Nursing schools may focus on values such as integrity, innovation and nursing leadership.
When it comes to nursing education, the Carr College of Nursing at Harding strives for excellence in nursing education, allowing students to learn how to care for the whole patient and become confident caregivers ready to serve the community.
The Carr College of Nursing focuses on developing nurses as Christian servants and is open to all students. As such, it nurtures a supportive environment that challenges professional and advanced practice nursing students to reach their full potential. Our ABSN program in Arkansas emphasizes the value of lifelong intellectual growth, compassion and service.
Diverse Culture
At traditional BSN programs, students are often recent high school graduates. At ABSN programs, students come from all walks of life and all backgrounds. Members of your nursing cohort may be in their 20s and others in their 40s, 50s or even 60s, for example. ABSN programs typically nurture diversity.
Harding University prioritizes creating a diverse community that demonstrates a Christ-like understanding and respect for all people.
What to Expect From Harding’s ABSN Program in Arkansas
Harding’s accelerated BSN in Arkansas fast-tracks your nursing education through a blended learning experience that combines online coursework, in-person skills and simulation labs at an advanced nursing facility and clinical placements inside some of Arkansas’ most respected health care facilities.
This hybrid format allows you to gain the experience and skills you need to graduate as a confident, practice-ready nurse in as few as 16 months.
Online Coursework
Online courses allow students to take control of when and where they study. Rather than physically attending a scheduled lecture inside a traditional classroom setting, Harding’s ABSN students can log in, study and complete assignments wherever they want to study.
While students must still adhere to the deadlines set by Harding ABSN instructors and physically attend the ABSN program site for scheduled exams, they can complete their online work on a schedule that works best for their lifestyle.
Hands-On Labs
It’s important to note that the accelerated nursing program is not 100% online. Students will put what they learn online into practice at our site in Rogers. Harding’s ABSN site is where students practice nursing skills and engage in simulated scenarios inside a safe, hospital-like nursing lab under the guidance of expert nursing instructors.
Clinical Rotations
To round out the comprehensive learning model of Harding’s accelerated BSN program, students apply the knowledge they gain online and in labs into real-world practice inside top hospitals around the area. Clinical placements provide ABSN students the opportunity to work with actual patients in a variety of settings.
Learn more about what to expect in an ABSN program.
Admissions Requirements
Is our accelerated BSN program right for you? One of our admissions counselors can help determine if you are eligible for the program. Even if you aren’t currently eligible, your counselor can help create a personalized plan, allowing you to meet the requirements.
Our applicants must have completed a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or have a minimum of 64 college credits. You must also demonstrate:
- Minimum of 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Minimum of 2.78 GPA in pre-nursing courses
- Completion of all prerequisites
- HESI Admission Assessment Exam test scores
- Completion of state and national criminal background check
- A minimum of one character reference from a non-family member
If your first language is not English, you’ll also need a TOEFL iBT composite score of at least 83, with a minimum speaking score of 26. You must take the exam within one year of admission to nursing school.
Career Opportunities After Completing an ABSN Program in Arkansas
There is a shortage of nurses nationwide. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the job growth rate for registered nurses will be 6% from 2023 through 2033, indicating a need for about 197,200 new nurses.
Arkansas is no exception. As of 2021, Arkansas had only 76% of the nurses it needed. By 2035, it’s expected the state will have only 88% of the nurses it needs, which is a gap of 4,700 full-time nurses. As demand for RNs continues in Arkansas and nationwide, nurses can look for work in a wide variety of settings. These include hospitals and outpatient clinics, as well as nursing homes, schools and other settings.
Nurses can pursue a variety of nursing specialties, including:
- Pediatric nursing
- Oncology care
- Dermatology
- Medical-surgical nursing
- Critical care nursing
When you earn a BSN at Harding, you’ll position yourself to pursue potential career advancement later. After gaining some experience, you might fill nursing leadership roles, such as becoming a charge nurse.
You might also return to school to earn a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing. A graduate degree, along with board certification, equips you to become an advanced practice registered nurse, such as a nurse practitioner or certified registered nurse anesthetist. Or, you might decide to pursue a non-clinical role in nursing administration. There is a world of possibilities out there for you.
Ready to Get Started?
Harding University, known for our values-based, community-minded education, invites you to learn more about our ABSN program. You could graduate in as few as 16 months and benefit from our comprehensive curriculum and hybrid learning approach.
Contact our admissions counselors today to get started.