The efforts that resulted in the formation this organization began in 2011 with a group of nursing leaders. The Arkansas Action Coalition (AR AC) was formed and consisted of four Pillars: Practice, Education, Leadership, and Workforce Data. The AR AC was awarded a state implementation grant by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to implement initiatives to promote academic progression (RN to BSN, RN to MSN, etc.) programs and new graduate residency programs, Nurses on Boards training, and 40 Nurse Leaders Under 40 recognition. The AR AC also collaborated with ARNA to remove practice barriers for APRNs. This work has continued to grow and improve nursing practice in the state.

In June 2016, the Arkansas Action Coalition became part of a new nonprofit organization, Arkansas Center for Nursing, Inc. (ACN). The ACN was created to continue the work of the Action Coalition, increase the workforce and data focus, collaborate with other organizations with similar goals, and establish sustainable funding for the work. ACN is the state’s nursing workforce center and is a member of the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers. One of the exciting new goals of the Center is to publish reports related to the supply, demand, and educational capacity of the nursing workforce in the state.