Relocating for nursing school can open new opportunities. Discover why attending nursing school out of state, especially in Arkansas, could be a smart move. Learn about the benefits of affordable living, strong job growth and Harding University’s accelerated BSN program that helps you become a nurse in as few as 16 months.
If you’re considering attending nursing school out of state, Arkansas is a great place to study and launch your career as a nurse. Dubbed “The Natural State,” Arkansas boasts a blend of parks, urban growth, top-tier health care facilities and southern hospitality.
Relocating for nursing school could be a wise decision if it allows you to attend a program that fits your needs. For example, nursing programs in Arkansas include Harding University’s accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing (ABSN) program. If you have earned 64 college credits or hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you could earn your nursing degree in as few as 16 months.
Reasons to attend nursing school in Arkansas include affordability, employment opportunities, proximity to nature and more.
Why Arkansas Is a Top Choice for Out-of-State Nursing Students
If you are looking at nursing schools out of state and want to attend a program that combines a high-quality education with job opportunities and quality of life, Arkansas should be on your list.
Cost of Living in Arkansas: A Smart Choice for Nursing Students
Arkansas is an affordable state in which to live and study. The state was ranked No. 1 for cost of living and No. 2 for housing affordability by U.S. News and World Report.
The state’s cost of living is 4% lower than the national average. The cost of living in Bentonville, which is near Harding’s ABSN program site in Rogers, is 6% lower than the rest of the U.S.
If you are deciding whether to rent or buy in Arkansas, the median rent is $1,394, and the median home price is $234,167, according to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
You’ll also spend less money on food, transportation and monthly utilities in Arkansas than many other places in the U.S.
What is nursing school really like? Read more about what to expect.
Arkansas Job Growth Supports New Nursing Graduates
Arkansas has a growing population and economy. Harding’s ABSN program site in Rogers, in the northwest corner of the state, is located just three hours from the region’s second-fastest growing economy, Little Rock.
Employment has grown in Arkansas over the past five years, and Northwest Arkansas has been pacing faster than other areas of the state, according to the Arkansas Economist. A tighter job market means that newly licensed nurses will have more opportunities when they enter the workforce.
As of July 2024, Rogers had a population of 75,639, up 8.2% from 2020, much higher than the state and national growth rates of 2.6%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
This growth helps create a dynamic place to live and start a nursing career.
Nursing School in Arkansas Connects You to a Thriving Health Care Industry
Attending nursing school in Arkansas will connect you to the booming health care industry here. In Northwest Arkansas, organizations have invested more than $529 million in expansions since 2018, the Democrat Gazette reported.
Harding ABSN nursing students have the opportunity to work in some of those facilities as part of their training. During clinical placements, they will provide direct patient care under supervision at one or more of these hospitals:
- Arkansas Children’s Hospital
- Mercy Hospital Northwest
- Vantage Point Behavioral Health Hospital
The real-world situations students encounter in clinicals enable them to gain practical experience across a variety of specialties like adult health, obstetrics, pediatrics and more.
In-Demand Nursing Jobs and RN Career Growth in Arkansas
Strong economic progression means more employment opportunities. Registered nurse is one of the top 10 occupations in Arkansas in terms of growth, according to the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services.
In 2023, there were about 40,000 registered nurses in Arkansas. RN employment is projected to increase 13.5% from 2018-2028, which is much higher than the national rate. RNs are in demand in every region of the state.
Registered nurses in Arkansas can expect a mean annual salary of $72,897. While this is lower than other states, remember that it is an average. With Arkansas’ lower cost of living, your dollars will stretch further than in some other locations.
Earn Multistate Licensure Through Arkansas’s Nurse Compact Membership
Earning your nursing degree, passing the NCLEX-RN and becoming licensed in Arkansas opens the door to working in other states. Because Arkansas is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), graduates of the Harding University ABSN program are eligible to apply for multistate licensure, allowing them to work in any of the 39 NLC states without having to apply and pay any fees separately.
Student Loan Forgiveness Programs for Nurses in Arkansas
The nursing shortage across the U.S. and in Arkansas, due partly to an aging population, means nurses will continue to be in demand, particularly in rural areas. Nurses could be eligible to take advantage of the state’s student loan forgiveness program. This requires working two years at a designated hospital.
Student Life in Arkansas: Culture, Entertainment and the Outdoors
Whether you’re planning to move to Arkansas for nursing school or to stay and work as an RN, you’ll find that the area offers plenty to do and see. Some of the popular cultural attractions in the Rogers area include:
- Arkansas Public Theatre
- Butterfield Stage (live music)
- Daisy Airgun Museum
- Railyard Park
- Rogers Historical Museum
- Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion
If you enjoy outdoor recreation, you can visit picturesque Beaver Lake in the Ozark Mountains. You’ll find excellent fishing spots, hiking trails and camping sites. You can also enjoy water sports on the lake.
Harding University’s nursing school was named the best in Arkansas. Find out why.
Make the Move Toward a Rewarding Career in Nursing with Harding
Attending nursing school out of state in Arkansas could offer affordability and opportunity and help you launch a rewarding career.
Harding University’s ABSN program accepts applications from aspiring nursing students eager to graduate in as few as 16 months. The program offers three start dates per year, in January, May and August.
Our hybrid online nursing program in Arkansas includes three main components:
- Online coursework
- On-campus experiential skills and simulation labs
- Clinical placements at nearby health care facilities
Contact the Carr College of Nursing today to speak with our friendly admissions team. You’ll be assigned your dedicated admissions counselor to help you navigate the process step by step.