The demand for nurse practitioners is strong in Arkansas. The southern state is desperately short of primary care providers. At least seven Arkansas counties have been designated Primary Healthcare Professional Shortage areas, meaning that each of those areas has, on average, less than one physician per 5000 residents. The shortage of primary care providers is especially acute in the rural parts of the state.
According to Arkansas' Nurse Practice Act, nurse practitioners must provide care in collaboration with and under the direction of a licensed physician or under the direction of protocols developed with a licensed physician. The average annual salary of a nurse practitioner in Arkansas is $80,000. The Advanced Practice Council of the Arkansas Nurses Association provides information and support for Arkansas nurse practitioners.
Top NP programs in Arkansas include:
- The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, located in Little Rock, offers seven different nurse practitioner programs: adult acute care nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, family psych-mental health nurse practitioner, women's health nurse practitioner, gerontological nurse practitioner, pediatric acute care nurse practitioner and pediatric nurse practitioner. NPs graduate with a Master's in Nursing.
- Arkansas State University. Located in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Arkansas State has an average student to faculty ratio of 19:1. The School of Nursing offers a master's level Family Nurse Practitioner program that can be completed over three, full-time semesters.
- The University of Central Arkansas. The School of Nursing at the University of Central Arkansas, located in Conway, offers two NP programs designed for working RNs: a family nurse practitioner program and an adult nurse practitioner track. Courses for both programs are offered online. Periodic visits to the campus are required.
Accredited schools with NP programs in Arkansas:
