Harding University has been named the best nursing school in Arkansas by RNCareers.org. This achievement is partly due to Harding’s respected reputation for graduating highly skilled and compassionate nurses. Rankings are based on several factors, including NCLEX pass rates for the past three years and accreditation.
RNCareers.org has recognized Harding University as the best nursing school in Arkansas.
Over the years, RNCareers.org has compiled nursing school rankings for each state to help prospective students find the best fit for them. Harding University has consistently ranked among the best, receiving No. 1 recognition in 2024.
This achievement is based on Harding’s history of graduating highly skilled and compassionate nurses who have become leaders in health care. With high NCLEX pass rates, values-based traditional and accelerated BSN programs, excellent clinical partnerships and ample student support, Harding has a respected academic reputation.
What Makes Harding the Best Nursing School in Arkansas?
Harding’s BSN programs are among the best in Arkansas. With a traditional four-year and an accelerated BSN program, students from various academic backgrounds can earn their nursing degrees.
Our accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing program leverages students’ pre-existing non-nursing college credits towards a BSN, allowing them to graduate in as few as 16 months. With three start dates per year and no waitlist, students can enter the workforce sooner than if they had to return to school for another four years.
We offer a holistic, values-based, hybrid curriculum that fully prepares students for entry-level nursing jobs after graduation. Our ABSN online coursework offers students the flexibility and autonomy to complete coursework on their own time, provided they meet due dates. This lays the groundwork for the hands-on experiential curriculum components where students practice real nursing skills and learn to provide direct patient care.
Upon graduation, students are prepared to confidently take the NCLEX-RN and earn their nursing license. Equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide dignified, compassionate patient care, our students go on to work at prestigious facilities throughout the state.
Why Harding Stands Out Among Nursing Programs in Arkansas
To develop the methodology for ranking nursing schools for each state, RNCareers.org researched available data points and surveyed over 9,000 nurses. School rankings are based on several factors, including the accumulated NCLEX-RN pass rates for the past three years and accreditation. Programs accredited by the state, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education receive higher weighting in the rankings.
Other school data used in rankings include:
- Program offerings
- Institutional ranking
- Net price for attendance
- Student retention and graduation rates
Data is sourced from state boards of nursing, the U.S. Department of Education, the National Center for Education Statistics and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. After excluding schools with limited NCLEX-RN pass rate records or fewer than three students taking the NCLEX for the current year, RNCareers.org arrived at their rankings.
Harding is among the top-ranked nursing schools in Arkansas for its academic reputation and accreditation by the Arkansas Board of Nursing and CCNE.
Over the past four years, Harding has maintained a first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate of over 90%, reaching 100% in 2024. With an impressive 84% retention rate and an above-average graduation rate, Harding is committed to helping its students achieve academic success and preparing them for their careers.
Learn the difference between an ABSN and a traditional BSN program here.
Benefits of Choosing Harding for Nursing Programs in Arkansas
Harding’s accelerated nursing program in Arkansas offers a rigorous curriculum that prepares students to excel in their careers. With high-tech lab facilities, partnerships with esteemed Arkansas clinical facilities, NCLEX preparation, a values-based education and ample student support, there are many benefits to choosing a nursing education from Harding University.
Below is an exploration of the benefits of Harding’s ABSN program.
Modern Facilities and Simulation Labs
Throughout the ABSN program, students participate in nursing skills and simulation labs that allow them to practice foundational nursing skills in a safe, simulated setting. These labs help students synthesize the core nursing and science concepts learned in coursework into psychomotor skills.
Our high-tech lab facilities are equipped with the same technology and equipment you would expect in a hospital, including medical manikins, which serve as students’ first patients. These manikins can simulate various conditions, from allergic reactions to cardiac arrest. This creates a dynamic environment for students to fine-tune skills, learn to think quickly on their feet, collaborate with their cohort and develop their clinical judgment.
Valuable Clinical Partnerships
Our ABSN clinical placements allow students to gain vital experience in delivering real-world patient care while building professional networks. Harding has fostered partnerships with highly respected clinical facilities throughout the Rogers, Arkansas, area, including:
- Mercy Hospital Northwest
- Vantage Point Behavioral Health Hospital
- Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Students can explore adult, community and mental health, obstetrics and pediatrics through these clinical partnerships. They will work under the supervision of their preceptors and alongside professional health care staff. Nursing clinicals are critical to students’ future careers; they serve as a training ground and provide networking opportunities, potentially leading to employment after graduation.
NCLEX Preparation
To help facilitate our students’ success, Harding integrates NCLEX preparation throughout the curriculum. Students start preparing for the NCLEX from the moment they enter the program. Our nursing coursework includes clinical competency and standardized testing homework assignments to familiarize students with the NCLEX format and question style.
Our simulation labs also play a critical role in NCLEX preparation. Students participate in three complex simulation cases throughout the program designed to test their nursing competency. They are then tested on one of these simulation cases, similar to the type of questions that will appear on the NCLEX.
Our thorough NCLEX preparation pays off. Over the past four years, over 90% of our students have passed the NCLEX on the first try. We even assist students with registering for the exam, supporting them through every step of their academic journey.
Faith-Based Education with Strong Community Values
At the center of nursing is a commitment to serving the community. This sense of stewardship is foundational to our mission at Harding’s Carr College of Nursing. Committed to developing nurses as Christian servants, we seek to integrate faith, learning and education to encourage students from all religious backgrounds to care for the whole person: mind, body and spirit.
Our Christ-centered perspective seeks to empower our students to uplift their communities and express Christian faith and values in their profession.
Student Support and Resources
At Harding, we support our students from the application process through graduation. Our team of admissions counselors is dedicated to helping you navigate the admission process, and our academic success coaches will support you throughout your educational journey.
When you contact our admissions team, you will be assigned an admissions counselor to walk you through every admission step. They will review your eligibility, identify which prerequisites you must complete before enrolling and assist with creating an academic plan to help you meet the requirements in time for your target start date.
Once enrolled, our academic success coaches and talented faculty will offer guidance and support throughout your time in the ABSN program.
If you are open to relocating for nursing school, read more to learn why relocating to Arkansas is worth it.
Start Your Nursing Journey Today with Harding University
Harding University ranks among the best nursing schools in Arkansas because of our commitment to educating the next generation of health care leaders. We are invested in our students’ success and seek to support them throughout their education. As evidenced by our high NCLEX pass rates, student retention and rigorous, faith-based curriculum, we seek to graduate highly competent and compassionate nurses who are committed to uplifting their communities.
Contact an admissions counselor today to learn more about our ABSN program and find out how Harding can help launch your nursing career.