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The Arkansas State Board of Nursing issues credentials to the nurse practitioners.
One of the primary requirements for the advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) in Arkansas includes holding an RN license.
The licenses must be issued in Arkansas or other states, part of the Nurse Licensure Compact.
In Arkansas, APRNs are recognized in four roles and with different population focus.
The categories are:
- Certified Nurse Practitioner
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
- Certified Nurse Midwife
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
The approved population focus in Arkansas available for the ARPNs include one (or more) populations:
- Families/ individuals across the lifespan
- Pediatrics
- Adult/ gerontology
- Women’s health/ gender-related
- Neonatal
- Psychiatric/ Mental Health
APRNs in Arkansas who apply for the prescriptive authority have to meet additional requirements.
Table of Contents
APRN Education and Certification Requirements
In Arkansas, APRNs are expected to complete a graduate education program that will prepare students for the chosen specialty area.
The programs for clinical nurse specialists need to include classroom education and clinical practice, to make the student eligible for APRN licensing.
In Arkansas, aspiring APRNs are presented with multiple certifying agencies.
However, the role and population focus determine the selection of the agency.
The agency needs to have a national scope and hold appropriate accreditation.
Additionally, the agency needs to include appropriate educational standards and offer examination-based certification.
Further, the examination needs to be aligned with Board rules.
Moreover, the agency needs to set up a recertification process which will include the review of continuing education.
Additionally, nurses in Arkansas may be granted a temporary permit, pending examination.
Once the nurse earns ARPN certification, he or she needs to maintain it.
Prescriptive Authority/ Collaborative Agreements
APRNS in Arkansas may be granted prescribing authority in cases when the prescription is within their scope of practice.
In that case, an APRN needs to complete training that focuses on pharmacokinetic principles and practical application.
Three semester courseor45 contact hours are enough to meet the requirement.
Courses are acceptable only if a student completes it at the accredited school and if a course includes a competency part.
Additionally, the Board of Nursing will accept the pharmacology coursework completed in the last five years as part of the educational program.
However, if a course is completed outside the educational program, the time limit is two years.
A nurse practitioner in Arkansas needs to complete 300 hours of preceptorship.
Nurse anesthetists in Arkansas don’t have to apply for prescriptive authority
Instead, they need a DEA number to be authorized to perform certain tasks that fall within their scope of practice.
Other ARPNS need to have a collaborative agreement with licensed physicians.
Moreover, nurse midwives in Arkansans are required to have a collaborative agreement with physicians to be authorized to perform intrapartum care.
Application Process
ARPN applications can be submitted online in Arkansas, though the Board of Nursing website.
All applicants need to pass state and federal background checks.
However, candidates who completed the check and submitted the results to the Board within last year are exempted from the requirement.
Next, applicants need to submit official school transcripts and proof of verification.
Out-of-State and International APRNs
APRNs that hold licenses in other states may be authorized to practice in Arkansas by endorsement.
The endorsement application must include license and certification verification.
A temporary permit is also an option for ARPNs in Arkansas.
They can be granted temporary license pending results of the background check.
Candidates who are out of practice for more than two years need to complete a refresher course.
Additionally, they can complete 200 hours of orientation and obtain clinical experience under supervision.
Out-of-state ARPNs may be granted prescriptive authority by endorsement as well.
To achieve this, candidates need to complete a suitable three semester hours (equivalent to 45 contact hour) course and hold licensure and prescriptive authority in other states.
Additionally, candidates are expected to provide proof of 500 hours of active practice in the last year.
The Arkansas Board needs DEA registration information as well.
International APRNs may be authorized to practice in Arkansas if the Board finds their credentials equivalent to Arkansas standards.
Additionally, the Board requires English language proficiency.
APRN Renewal Requirements
APRNs in Arkansas need to renew their advanced credentials at the same time as their RN licenses.
They need to demonstrate certification and continuing education, as required by the certification agency.
Those who wish to renew the prescriptive authority need to complete five contact hours in pharmacotherapeutics related to their specialty area.
Out-of-state RNs need to document continued license.
Pursuing Additional Specialties
Advanced practice registered nurse in Arkansas is allowed to expand their credentials and become specialized in other specialty areas.
To achieve that, a nurse needs to complete post-master education related to the new specialty area and to pass a new certification examination.
The prescriptive authority related to the new specialty area can be granted after the nurse passes the certification examination.
Schools
There are several educational institutions in Arkansas that offer advanced educational programs in the nursing field.
For example, Arkansas State University has one graduate certificate and one MSN program with a Family nurse practitioner specialization track.
A similar program is available at Harding University.
The University of Arkansas offers two DNP programs that are conducted fully online.
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences has the largest number of programs, including DNP and MSN programs with various specialization tracks.
All programs are available in an online form.
The University of Central Arkansas has two programs with primary care specialization tracks.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| University of Central Arkansas | 201 Donaghey Ave. Conway, AR 72035, (501) 450-5000 |
| University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences | 4301 West Markham Street Little Rock, AR 72205, (501) 686-7000 |
| University of Arkansas | 2 East Center Street Fayetteville, AR 72701, (800) 952-1165 |
| Harding University | 915 E. Market Ave Searcy, AR 72149, (501) 279-4000 |
| Arkansas State University | P.O. Box 910 State University, AR 72467, (870) 972-3074 |
Salary
An average salary of a nurse practitioner in Arkansas is $100.924 per year.
Bear in mind that salaries vary across the state and depend on certification, experience, healthcare facility, and other factors.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Little Rock | $101,708 |
| Fort Smith | $95,161 |
| North Little Rock | $101,708 |
| Fayetteville | $98,630 |
| Jonesboro | $100,644 |
| Pine Bluff | $97,941 |
| Springdale | $98,630 |
| Conway | $100,723 |
| Rogers | $98,039 |
| Hot Springs | $100,723 |
Regional Salary in Arkansas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO | 460 | $113,830 | $54.73 | $130,210 | $92,640 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | 160 | $108,110 | $51.98 | $137,830 | $80,270 |
| Hot Springs, AR | 200 | $94,290 | $45.33 | $121,960 | $57,830 |
| Jonesboro, AR | 210 | $107,560 | $51.71 | $131,930 | $90,620 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | 930 | $107,500 | $51.68 | $125,940 | $93,380 |
| Pine Bluff, AR | 40 | $105,200 | $50.58 | $121,730 | $81,610 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Nurse Practitioner by State