Nurses provide essential services within the healthcare system, and there are opportunities available in Arkansas for every type of nurse. In the Little Rock area there are numerous positions available for certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs).
Certified nursing assistant (CNA) programs
The quickest and easiest way to work in the nursing profession is to pursue a CNA program, which only takes several weeks to a few months to complete. Nursing assistants provide support for the entire medical staff, performing everyday duties involving constant patient contact. In the Little Rock area, there are approximately 4,710 working CNAs. The average salary for CNAs in the Little Rock area is between $20,250 and $24,540 per year.
LPN programs usually take between 12- to 18-months to complete, and prepare nurses for more advanced patient care, like taking vital signs, monitoring basic symptoms, administering medications and injections, performing CPR, and much more. There are opportunities for LPNs to work in hospitals, doctors’ offices, extended care facilities, and private homes. In the Little Rock area, there are approximately 3,060 working LPNs. The average salary for LPNs in the Little Rock area is between $32,740and $42,550 per year.
Registered nurse (RN) programs
There are multiple educational options available for aspiring RNs. The most common routes to becoming an RN are the two-year associate of applied sciences in nursing (AASN) program and the four-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program. In the Little Rock area, there are approximately 9,550 working RNs. The average salary for RNs in the Little Rock area is between $48,190 and $70,020.
There are plenty of employment opportunities for nurses in Little Rock, with large employers like CHI St. Vincent, Arkansas State Hospital, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, and the VA Hospital North Little Rock.
For aspiring nurses in Little Rock, below you’ll find a comprehensive list of accredited nursing schools in the area.