About ARNEC
What is arnec?

The Arkansas Rural Nursing Education Consortium is a co-operative effort of eight two-year colleges:
- Arkansas State University - Newport
- Black River Technical College, Pocahontas
- Ozarka College, Melbourne
- South Arkansas Community College, El Dorado
- University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton
- University of Arkansas Cossatot, Nashville
- University of Arkansas Hope Texarkana, Hope
- University of Arkansas Rich Mountain, Mena
Visit the Contact page for each school's ARNEC contact information.
what does ARNEC do?
ARNEC offers an LPN/LVN-to-RN transition program. Graduates receive an Associates of Applied Sciences (AAS) in Nursing, which prepares them to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. ARNEC’s program provides a high-quality, comprehensive, accessible, and affordable Registered Nursing program to students in rural Arkansas.
why was ARNEC created?
Many Practical Nurses want to advance their career by becoming a Registered Nurse (RN). There is a shortage of RNs in the state’s rural areas. But most LPNs can not stop working to travel to colleges with an RN program. ARNEC helps rural LPNs who want to become RNs meet this need, close to home. Becoming a Registered Nurse allows you to:
- Work in a wide variety of settings
- Increase opportunities for higher pay
- Allow you more leadership and responsibility
- Improve your opportunities for promotion
ARNEC is approved through the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. Below is the link to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing website.
The ARNEC Program NCLEX Education Code is US39406000 , Nashville, AR