University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Nursing Programs

• $27,240 In-State Undergraduate Tuition*

• Program
  Format
  Tuition
  Score
• Traditional BSN
  On-Campus Program
  $27,240 In-State Tuition
  4.4 Program Score

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock) is a public institution that was founded in 1927.

University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock) Applicants and Incoming Students

To meet your fellow applicants and incoming students, view some of the most recent community discussions:

• University of Arkansas Little Rock (UALR) Nursing 2023
• UALR 2022 Nursing Program

Academic Programs

Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS) Registered Nurse (RN)

Registered Nurses (RN) who graduate from the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing program possess the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of a competent nurse. They learn through a variety of settings ranging from the classroom, campus skills and simulation laboratories, to major area hospitals, outpatient facilities, and other health care facilities.

Course requirements (not all inclusive)

1. 31 credit hours in liberal arts and sciences and 34 lower-level nursing credits
2. ESL students must have TOEFL scores of 83 (internet exam), 207 (computerized exam) or 540 (paper exam)

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at UALR differs from others because of its ability to offer a BSN program to the first-time Freshman.  The student can graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing within 4 years and have 1 year of work experience as a Registered Nurse.

Starting in year three, the student progresses from student to nurse professional.  At the completion of year three, nursing students are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) to become a Registered Nurse. Most other schools require that the student complete all four years of education before receiving eligibility to sit for NCLEX.

Instead of delaying the nurse his or her working clinical time as an RN, students at UALR use their last year as a building block year with nursing courses covering topics of leadership, research, ethics, economics, and wellness promotion.

Online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing - RN to BSN

The online RN to BSN program is ideal for the working nurse who has completed an Associate of Science in Nursing degree program.  The BSN courses cover areas of health assessment, wellness promotion, economics, research, legalities, leadership and advocacy.  Courses are usually completed between one and 1 1/2 years.

About the Courses

1. Three of the nursing courses include an integrated practice project (IPP). Projects and presentations are the focus of IPP Courses. Time utilized for development and implementation of assignments are considered IPP hours.
2. You cannot use your regularly scheduled working hours to complete IPP hours.

1. UALR offers you the opportunity to complete the program either full or part-time, while still working.
2. Our courses have been designed with you in mind ... no nonsense courses. The courses pertain to nursing, keeping you interested in the trends of healthcare.
3. The online format lets the nurse work on his or her unique time schedule.
4. You will find faculty accessible and always available to help you, so you will never feel alone.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Registered Nurse - LPN to RN

The UALR Department of Nursing Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse degree is designed for LPN-prepared nurses to become licensed as RNs. It is a one year (three terms) curriculum and will prepare students to sit for the NCLEX. Upon completion of Spring coursework you will receive an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing.  After successfully passing the NCLEX, the nurse will be able to seek licensure as a Registered Nurse in their respective state(s).

Requirements for Admission (not all inclusive)

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) who is not a recent graduate of an approved LPN program and has not worked more than 1000 hours as an LPN in the last 2 years, is required to complete the Elsevier HESI LPN-ADN Entrance Exam.

Accreditation

The UA Little Rock Department of Nursing programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Rankings and Accolades

NICHE (2019)

• Colleges with the Best Professors in America #235
• Best College Dorms in America #436
• Most Conservative Colleges in America #494
• Best College Food in America #595
• Colleges with the Best Academics in America #779
• Safest College Campuses in America #827
• Most Diverse Colleges in America #1,044
• Colleges with the Best Professors in Arkansas #2
• Best College Dorms in Arkansas #6
• Most Conservative Colleges in Arkansas #10
• Safest College Campuses in Arkansas #11
• Colleges with the Best Academics in Arkansas #12
• Most Diverse Colleges in Arkansas #12

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is ranked #230-#301 in National Universities by US News & World Report (2019).

University of Arkansas at Little Rock is ranked 315th out of 1,300 in the Overall Most Popular U.S. Colleges & Universities for International Students by College Factual (2018).

4icu.org has ranked UA Little Rock #350 in their Most Popular Universities in the United States (2018).

UA Little Rock was the first Arkansas university recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for the elective classification as a Community Engaged institution.

UA Little Rock nursing students receive professional learning experiences in one of the country's top state-of-the-art simulation hospital known as SimCare. This 22-bed facility provides training for students in all areas of care as they work with interactive manikins that simulate a variety of healthcare-related scenarios.