North Arkansas College
North Arkansas College in Harrison is a community college setting, with nursing coursework delivered on campus rather than online. Students typically move through one of three pathways: the 11 month Practical Nursing (PN) technical certificate, the 2 year Associate of Applied Science in Registered Nursing (ADN/RN), or the LPN to ADN bridge (RN Bridge), which begins each January and is designed for licensed practical nurses and paramedics who are moving into RN practice.
Plan for nursing school to function like a full-time job. In both the RN and RN Bridge options, the department discourages full-time employment because courses and clinical hours require a flexible schedule and may include days, evenings, or weekends. Progression is structured, with NURS courses taken in sequence; if a required nursing course is not passed, students cannot continue to the next term until requirements are met. Admission is a two-step process, requiring both a general college application and a Health Professions application. The RN program application deadline is April 1, and the PN program admits twice a year with April 15 (August start) and October 15 (January start) deadlines.
Clinical education is paired with classroom instruction, including experiences at a local hospital and nursing homes. Before clinical placement, students should expect items such as required immunizations, CPR for healthcare providers, and program-arranged background checks and drug screening once accepted, since clinical sites set participation requirements.
NorthArk operates across multiple local sites, including the South Campus at 1515 Pioneer Dr and the North Campus at 1320 N Spring Rd in Harrison, plus the Carroll County Center at 804 W Freeman in Berryville, which can matter if you are commuting from surrounding towns.
For licensure readiness, the RN programs are approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and accredited by ACEN (continuing accreditation status). Recent outcomes from state board data show an average weighted NCLEX-RN pass rate of 92.0%, slightly above the 2024 Arkansas RN average of 91.1%. The average weighted NCLEX-PN pass rate is 95.8%, compared with the 2024 Arkansas PN average of 92.4%.
The North Arkansas College Practical Nursing program has been fully approved by the Arkansas State Board of nursing and has a tradition of a close to 100% passrate on the National Council Licensure Exam.
The program offers two enrollment periods- January and August for 11 month long classes.
The Basic Admission requirements are:
- ACT, ASSET or COMPASS test results
- High School Transcript or GED Scores
- All College Transcripts
The application information must be submitted by April 15th for August enrollment and October 15th for January enrollment to be considered for that year.
Accepted applicants will be required to submit the following information on beginning classes.
- Health Statement Form
- Immunizations
- Hepatitis B Vaccine Series
- MMR or Positive Rubella Titer for antibodies
- Tubercuin Skin Test
- Tdap
- Varicella Verification
- Current CPR certification
- Criminal Background Check
Students will be entered into the student immunization tracer and certified record review upon enrollment. Successful applicants will be required to attend an all day orientation session prior to the launch of the program.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rates
NCLEX-PN Pass Rates
Accreditations
Nursing Programs Accreditations
- Nursing (ADNUR) - Associate degree programs 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
Nearby Nursing Schools
