Since 1975, the mission of Harding University Carr College of Nursing has been to develop nurses as Christian servants. Faculty and staff are eager to get to know new students and nurture their journey through the program. The University’s mission permeates classroom and clinical instruction taught by highly trained professionals from a Christ-centered worldview. Close faculty-student relationships and mentorships foster personal, academic and professional growth. Offering undergraduate and graduate programs prepares students to perform well in any healthcare setting.
What nursing tracks does Harding offer?
The undergraduate tracks are designed to meet the individualized needs of students, all leading to a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree.
These include:
- Four-year, full-time/part-time traditional track
- 16-month hybrid, accelerated first or second degree program located in Northwest Arkansas. Classes are online, and laboratory experiences are held on site. Clinical sites include local hospitals and community health centers.
- Individualized track for students who hold a current unencumbered nursing license without a bachelor’s degree. An individualized degree completion plan is collaboratively designed with the student (full-time/part-time available)
- Â Honors classes
The graduate tracks are designed to meet the individualized needs of professionals, resulting in a Master of Science in nursing.
These include: - Â Family Nurse Practitioner
* Full-time and part-time options
* Admissions three times a year: spring, summer or fall
* Customizable options for those who already have an Master of
Science in nursing
* Eligibility to sit for national certification exam upon program
completion
* Delivery: hybrid format, with online courses and three on-campus
intensives throughout the program -  Master’s Entry into Professional Nursing
* Traditional bachelor’s entry or accelerated bachelor’s to master’s options
* Eligible to sit for NCLEX-RN exam upon program completion
* Delivery: on campus with some online classes
What sets Harding trained nurses apart? The undergraduate nursing program has a 98.8% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate since 2017 and has been ranked the No. 1 Nursing Program in Arkansas by RegisteredNursing.org for four years in a row. This ranking is based on how well a program supports students toward licensure and beyond.
Harding’s nursing graduates are well-equipped to enter the field, with high job placement rates and a 97.5% first-time Family Nurse Practitioner National Certification pass rate since the program’s first graduates in 2017.
The first of its kind in Arkansas, the master’s entry into professional nursing program prepares graduates for eligibility to take the national licensing exam to become Registered Nurses. The program provides on-campus, state-of-the-art simulations and diverse clinical experiences in Searcy, Little Rock and surrounding areas to aid students in understanding patient clinical skills, administration and leadership in nursing. Applicants with any undergraduate degree can apply. There are Arkansas nursing prerequisites.
What if I have a degree in another field but have decided healthcare is my passion? The Master of Science in nursing – master’s entry into professional nursing option is a great path for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in another area of study. The accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing in Northwest Arkansas is a good option as well.
How do the programs interact with the community? Students assist in a variety of community clinical settings that serve diverse patient populations. They also provide health screenings at area churches and various University-sponsored events.
Does Harding offer a study abroad program? For more than 40 years, Harding has been training nurses for careers not only in traditional healthcare settings but also in health missions.
Medical mission opportunities exist locally and abroad in short-term and long-term options.
Opportunities are open to graduate and undergraduate students.
For more information visit:
https://www.harding.edu/academics/colleges-departments/nursing
