Arkansas is well-known both for the great beauty of its landscape, earning it the nickname the "Natural State," and for being a center of industry, with large companies like Wal-Mart and Tyson Foods headquartered there. Arkansas is also a great state to work as a nurse. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nurses nationwide should have good job prospects in the coming years.
Bureau of Labor Statistics research shows 2009 mean annual salaries for nurses in Arkansas range from $57,040 for registered nurses to $33,750 for licensed practical nurses to $20,220 for nursing aides. According to a 2009 report by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing, there is a statewide lack of qualified nurses in Arkansas. This is caused by a bottleneck due to inadequate faculty at campus-based institutions of higher learning. There are not enough instructors to teach everyone who wants to become a nurse. Online nursing schools in Arkansas address this issue.
Picking Arkansas Online Nursing Schools
Online nursing schools in Arkansas offer the same coursework as traditional programs with the added bonuses of convenience and flexibility. You can work toward your degree at your own pace from anywhere with an Internet connection, making it easier to continue working while you are in school. In an online program, you might complete coursework in areas like anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and pharmacology. If you have already earned your nursing degree, online courses can be a great way to fulfill your mandatory continuing education units (CEUs), as well. Hybrid programs offering both the ease of online instruction and the social aspects of on-campus instruction are also available.