Harding University
Harding University in Searcy is a private, faith-based (Church of Christ) university, and the Carr College of Nursing is set up more like a traditional university nursing school than a community college program. They’ve got multiple pathways (BSN, Accelerated BSN, LPN-to-BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, and Family Nurse Practitioner), so it’s one of those places where people are in very different “seasons” of nursing school at the same time—brand-new pre-licensure students plus working nurses finishing degrees online/part-time. Cost-wise, it’s private-school pricing, so it usually lands higher than Arkansas public options once tuition and fees add up. People often pick it because they want the smaller-school vibe and the structured program options, not because it’s the cheapest route.
Clinicals are centered around the Searcy/White County area and the bigger Little Rock medical corridor. A lot of students talk about rotations tied to Unity Health–White County Medical Center (in Searcy) and major Little Rock systems like CHI St. Vincent and Baptist Health. Harding also has an on-campus nursing skills/sim setup (so expect check-offs, simulation days, and skills practice before going out to clinical). Searcy itself is a small town, about 45–60 minutes to Little Rock depending on where you’re headed, and the campus is right off Highway 67/167—so if someone lives in the Little Rock/North Little Rock area, commuting is doable but it’s still a real drive, especially for early clinical start times.
Teaching-wise, it follows the typical progression: fundamentals/health assessment early, then med-surg, OB, peds, psych, and leadership toward the end, with a lot of structure around skills validation and clinical paperwork. One thing that stands out on paper is NCLEX performance: their average weighted RN pass rate is 97.2%, which is running well above Arkansas’ 2024 state average of 91.1%, so the outcomes look strong for first-time testers.
Program Length & Format
- 16 months
- Total credit hours: 64
- Hybrid format: online coursework combined with onsite nursing skills labs and clinical rotations
- Three start dates per year
- Clinical experiences take place in Rogers, Arkansas, and surrounding Northwest Arkansas area
Admission Requirements
- Must have at least 64 non-nursing college credits or a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field
- Completion of required nursing prerequisite courses
- Individual academic evaluation to determine prerequisite needs and additional course requirements
Prerequisites
- Fundamentals of Chemistry or College Chemistry (4 credit hours)
- Anatomy & Physiology I and II for Nurses or Anatomy & Physiology I and II (8 credit hours total)
- Introduction to Microbiology for Nurses or Microbiology (4 credit hours)
- General Psychology (3 credit hours)
- Pathophysiology (3 credit hours)
- Lifespan Human Development (3 credit hours)
- Intro to University Writing & Research (3 credit hours)
- Nutrition (3 credit hours)
- General Sociology (3 credit hours)
- Elementary Statistics (3 credit hours)
- Total prerequisite credits: 37
Cost & Financial Aid
- Prerequisite courses cost $622 per credit hour
Clinical & Simulation Lab
- Hands-on nursing experience provided through skills labs and high-tech nursing simulation labs located at Harding’s Rogers site
- Clinical rotations conducted at health care facilities in Northwest Arkansas
- Simulation labs used to practice nursing skills and decision-making in a controlled environment
Contacts
- Admissions counselors available at 901 S. 52nd St., Rogers, AR 72758
- Dedicated admissions support for planning and application guidance
The Harding University nursing program is fully approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission Inc.
The program offers two tracks to meet the needs of students. The first track is a Traditional full time program which awards the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree, with part time student options available.
The second track is the Advanced Placement Track available to students who possess a current and unencumbered nursing license in the State of Arkansas (RN to BSN, LPN to BSN). The college designs an individualized degree plan in collaboration with the student toward the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree with full time and part time options available.
Admission Requirements:
- High School Diploma or GED equivalency certificate (Students who attain a 3.0 high school grade point average and an ACT composite score of 19 or a SAT combined critical reading and math score of 900 qualify academically for unconditional admission)
- An overall GPA of 2.0 and a 2.5 GPA in pre-nursing courses
- Two References
There are two admissions every year. Applications for admission in fall must be received by the school by the 1st of March and applications for the spring semester must be received by the 1st of October.
Successful applicants must be present health documents showing health status, completing of current of immunizations (Varicella, Hepatits A and B vaccinations, tuberculosis skin test/chest x-ray, influenza vaccination and other laboratory test), current certification CPR, health and disability coverage prior to
NCLEX-RN Pass Rates
Accreditations
Nursing Programs Accreditations
- Nursing (NUR) - Baccalaureate program Accredited by Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission)
Institutional Accreditations
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
