Top Nursing Colleges in North Carolina

North Carolina, with its scenic beauty and subtropical climate, is a popular destination for aspiring nurses. The state boasts a high employment rate for nurses and is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which allows nurses to hold multistate licenses. In North Carolina, there are roughly 104,810 registered nurses (RN), which means that the state employs more nurses per capita than the national average. As nurses in North Carolina have an average age of 53, as those nurses retire, more nursing positions are going to open.

Advantages of Pursuing a Nursing Career in North Carolina

Several factors make North Carolina an attractive place to study nursing:

High Demand: North Carolina is a top employer for nurses, with an ever-increasing need for more qualified professionals. A workforce strategy and analytics firm Mercer recently reported that North Carolina will be among the five worst states for nursing shortages.
Multistate License: As an NLC state, North Carolina allows nurses to apply for a multistate license, which is honored in 37 participating states.
Accredited Programs: North Carolina offers a variety of accredited nursing programs, ensuring a quality education.
Lower Cost of Living: While RN salaries in North Carolina are slightly below the national average, the state's lower cost of living can offset this difference.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Nursing Program

Selecting the right nursing program is crucial for a successful career. Here are some factors to consider:

Accreditation: Ensure the program is accredited by a reputable organization. A school’s accreditation should be critical in your selection process. Depending on the type of accreditation a school has, you may or may not be eligible to receive federal financial aid.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rates: A program's NCLEX-RN pass rates can indicate the quality of education.
Cost and Financial Aid: Consider tuition fees, available financial aid, and scholarships.
Program Offerings: Look for programs that align with your career goals, such as BSN, MSN, or DNP programs.
Location and Clinical Placements: Choose a program that offers convenient locations and clinical placements in your community.
Admission Requirements: Each school has its own requirements not just for admission, but for admission into its BSN program. Most schools require a minimum GPA, ACT and/or SAT test scores, and multiple letters of recommendation. It isn’t uncommon for North Carolina schools to require 50+ hours of community service or work experience in a health-related field.

Featured Nursing Colleges and Programs in North Carolina

Here are some notable nursing colleges and programs in North Carolina:

Public Universities

Appalachian State University (ASU): Appalachian State University offers one of the most unique settings for a North Carolina school. In-state students can benefit from the low tuition rate, and the option of an online, or bridge program is ideal for non-traditional students or current RNs. When you earn an ASU nursing degree, you are gaining skills from a respected and accredited institution.
East Carolina University (ECU): East Carolina University is a top destination for many North Carolina natives, largely because of the in-state tuition and Greenville location. Students interested in ECU's BSN program have probably already noticed its impressive 94% NCLEX pass rate.
Fayetteville State University: Beyond the incredibly low-cost degree, there’s plenty to like about Fayetteville State University’s nursing program. The quality of the coursework matches most other nursing programs in the US, and the small class sizes give students a more personalized education.
North Carolina Central University (NCCU): North Carolina Central University is committed to providing an educational climate that is conducive to the personal and professional development of individuals. The Department of Nursing follows the University policy REG - 10.16.1 Grievance Procedure for Undergraduate Students Regulation. The Nursing B.S.N. (Traditional) is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to function as professional nurses in a variety of healthcare settings. The Nursing B.S.N. accelerated option is designed to enable students who have a four-year degree to obtain a B.S.N. in nursing in 14-15 months. The Nursing RN-B.S.N. option is designed for registered nurses who have a license to practice in the State of North Carolina.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte): The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, is an excellent low-cost option for earning a degree. At the UNC Charlotte School of Nursing, students gain hands-on clinical experience, learn from faculty actively engaged in research and practice, and thrive in a supportive learning environment. The Learning Resource Center supports student learning through safe, innovative simulation experiences that promote clinical competence. At the UNC Charlotte School of Nursing, we empower graduates to deliver compassionate, holistic care, advocate for health parity, and lead in various healthcare environments. With exceptional licensure and certification pass rates across the NCLEX, AGACNP, FNP, and Nurse Anesthesia exams, our students are well-prepared to meet the demands of today’s healthcare landscape. At UNC Charlotte’s School of Nursing, research fuels discovery, innovation, and real-world change. UNC Charlotte School of Nursing is enhancing student learning with VR technology.
University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG): One of the biggest draws for the University of North Carolina at Greensboro is its location.
UNC Wilmington: As a younger school, UNC Wilmington isn’t afraid to innovate, and its online BSN program is among the top in the nation.
Western Carolina University (WCU): Nursing students will also enjoy studying at WCU’s state-of-the-art facilities.
Winston-Salem State University: Winston-Salem State University focuses on preparing students for their nursing careers. The BSN program touches on general nursing and niche areas like mental health, newborn care, and pediatrics.

Private Universities

Chamberlain University: Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. The school offers BSN programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
Duke University: Duke is also ideal for nurses who want to pursue an advanced education. At Duke University School of Nursing, we believe in the extraordinary impact of generosity. Our Center for Nursing Research provides faculty, students, and Duke University Health System nurses with the resources to transform nursing and healthcare through impactful research. Duke University School of Nursing is committed to ending health inequities through transformative excellence in education, clinical practice, and nursing science.

Online Programs

Arizona State University (ASU): When you earn an ASU nursing degree, you are gaining skills from a respected and accredited institution.
Grand Canyon University (GCU): GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months.
The University of Texas at Arlington: The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Walden University: Walden’s online programs for nursing meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and 100% of our College of Nursing didactic faculty are doctorally trained.
Western Governors University (WGU): WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE-accredited, nonprofit university offering bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing, with the additional distinction of being named a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. Join a trusted, accredited online university to accelerate your nursing career on your schedule.

Steps to Becoming a Nurse in North Carolina

Choose a Nursing Program: Select an accredited ADN or BSN program that aligns with your career goals.
Complete the Program: Fulfill all academic and clinical requirements of the program. It typically takes 2-4 years to complete an RN program in North Carolina, depending on the degree. For full-time students, earning an ADN typically takes two years, while a BSN takes four. Part-time study extends this timeline.
Apply for Licensure: If you attended nursing school in North Carolina, apply for licensure by examination.
Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam: Successfully pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).
Criminal Background Check: Complete a criminal background check.
License Renewal: Renew your license every two years by meeting continuing competence requirements, such as 30 hours of or 15 hours of continuing education and completion of a research project as a principal investigator.

Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in North Carolina

RNs earn an average annual salary of $82,530 in North Carolina, compared to $94,480 nationally. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 16% job growth for RNs in North Carolina from 2022-2023, which is much faster than the 6% job growth for RNs nationwide.

Highest-Paying Cities for Nurses in North Carolina

Top Paying Metropolitan Areas	Average Salary for RNs
Fayetteville	$75,530
Winston-Salem	$70,640
Charlotte - Concord - Gastonia	$70,420
Raleigh	$70,110
Greenville	$68,390

Application Process

Research Schools: You may have a pretty good idea of what schools you’re interested in. Find out more about the nursing program.
Contact Admissions: Get in touch with admissions.
Begin Applications: Begin your applications. Keep in mind that you should be applying to more than one school.
Finish Your Application: Finish your application.

Read also: Computer Science College Guide

Read also: Becoming a Better Student

tags: #good #nursing #colleges #in #north #carolina