Becoming an LPN in Arkansas
Doctors and nurses have to attend many years of school in order to earn the degrees necessary to work in hospitals, nursing homes, and mental health care facilities, but they aren't the only ones needed to provide a high quality of care. Someone who wants to gain experience that will help them to become a registered nurse but needs to be working as soon as possible should consider Arkansas LPN training.
Arkansas LPN training is a specialized course designed to help an individual to become a licensed practical nurse. Most accredited LPN training courses can be completed in one year. LPNs are responsible for assisting doctors and nurses in health care settings by providing a superior level of bedside care and facilitating better communication between patients and their health care team.
Becoming an LPN in Arkansas
As required by the Nurse Practice Act, anyone who wants to work as an LPN in Arkansas must be licensed by the Arkansas Board of Nursing. Individuals can become licensed either by examination or by endorsement.
In order to become licensed by examination, one must first complete an approved nursing education system. In addition, he or she must be subject to a criminal background check. The exam used for licensure is the NCLEX-PN.
In order for a foreign educated individual to qualify for licensure by examination, he or she must have an education equivalency evaluation done by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). In addition, he or she must submit evidence of English Proficiency.
In order to become licensed by endorsement, an individual must have completed an education program that is considered to be comparable to that offered in Arkansas. Individuals must submit verification from the original state of licensure. Those who have not been actively practicing for a period of
5 or more years must have:
- Active practice of a minimum of 1000 hours within the year immediately prior to application
- A refresher course within the last year
- Completion of an approved nursing program within a year of applying.
Licensure of Foreign-educated Individuals
LPNs who were educated in a foreign country must present proof that:
- He or she has graduated from approved school of nursing
- He or she is licensed as an LPN or eligible to be licensed in another country
- Theory and practice in medical, surgical, pediatric, obstetric and psychiatric nursing which is equivalent to the Arkansas Board of Nursing approved programs
- He or she has a background check on file with the Arkansas Board of Nursing that was performed within the past year
- A credentials review that includes verification of the candidate's education, training, experience and licensure with respect to the statutory and regulatory requirements for the nursing profession, as well as oral and written competence in English
- He or she has passed the required licensure examinations
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