Nursing Schools in North Carolina, NC

From diploma programs in Licensed Practical Nursing all the way up to Registered Nursing education programs with an ADN or a BSN and even the PhD level, North Carolina is well-equipped to meet student needs. Precisely, there are 36 state-approved LPN programs , which are mostly offered at community colleges, 48 approved two-year AND programs which lead to an RN , and 14 BSN programs that lead to Registered Nurse licensure. With this many offerings, it would be a shame to choose one based upon convenience—rather, it is well worth looking into multiple nursing education programs as they vary in student pass rates on the NCLEX, course offerings, tuition fees, class sizes, and a number of other factors that should be considered when selecting a suitable education program.

From diploma programs in Licensed Practical Nursing all the way up to Registered Nursing education programs with an ADN or a BSN, and even programs at the PhD level, North Carolina is well-equipped to meet student needs. There are precisely 36 state-approved LPN programs , which are mostly offered at community colleges, 48 approved two-year AND programs which lead to an RN , and 14 BSN programs that lead to Registered Nurse licensure. With this many offerings, it would be a shame to choose one based upon convenience—rather, it is well worth looking into multiple nursing education programs as they vary in student pass rates on the NCLEX, course offerings, tuition fees, class sizes, and a number of other factors that should be considered when selecting a suitable education program.

Nursing Schools Through Online Programs in North Carolina

With so many options, it can be overwhelming to decide which North Carolina nursing program is best for you. Fortunately, there are several straightforward factors that you can consider when deciding on where to earn your nursing degree.

Advantages of Online Nursing Courses
There is a misconception among the general public that taking online courses is a breeze. On the contrary, online courses, require focus, determination and sacrifice that many traditional classroom-based programs do not. However, there are numerous advantages to taking the course through distance education that, for many, outweigh the advantages of traditional nursing programs.

• Transportation and Time. The only place you need to transport yourself when you enroll in online nursing courses is to your computer. This means saving time and money that would’ve otherwise been spent sitting in traffic, paying for gas, parking, and/or bus fare. This allows you to spend your time more wisely and gives you the opportunity to schedule your schooling around your life instead of the other way around.
• Unique Communication. Online courses often require some aspect of classroom discussion. In the absence of the walls of a classroom, this discussion takes place in a designated online forum. This means that you’ll have to communicate solely through words, without the use of body language or facial expressions to fall back on. For this reason, online discussions will provide you with an excellent opportunity to hone your writing and communication skills.
• Instant Feedback. Submitting assignments and exams online, means you will almost always receive instant feedback as to your performance. This is beneficial to nursing students, because it allows them to see which topics they need more training in or have an adequate grasp on.

Selecting an Online Nursing Program
There are several factors to consider when selecting a program for you and some steps to follow before applying to an institution. These simple, yet essential steps will help ensure that you start off your education on the right foot.

• Research and Compare. Select several schools that look intriguing to you and compare various aspects of their programs including cost, timeline, prerequisites, and required equipment.
• Gather Your Transcripts. You will need transcripts from your high school and/or college(s) that you have attended, even if it was only for one class. Ensure that you have completed the required prerequisite courses before going through with the application process.
• Plan for the Future. Choose a school that not only offers the nursing degree that you wish to pursue, but also a possible course that you may wish to pursue in the future. Doing so will create a smoother application process, should you decide to work toward an advanced degree later.
• Apply. Once you are satisfied that your enrollment questions have been answered and you are comfortable with your decision, select one or two institutions to apply for. The application process is online and fairly cut-and-dry.

Online Nursing Degrees
In North Carolina, there are nearly as many online nursing degree options as there are traditional options. Here are several of the more common degrees offered:

• Diploma in Licensed Practical Nursing (1 year)
• Associate’s Degree in Nursing (2 years)
• Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (4 years)
• Master’s of Science in Nursing (7 years)
• PhD in Nursing Education (8-9 years)

Career Expectations for Nurses in North Carolina

The healthcare field as a whole is expanding thanks, in large part, to technology. Because of continual technological advances, healthcare professionals have been able to take on more patients and more extensive cases more effectively than ever before. The field of registered nursing is not exempt from this growth and it is predicted that nursing jobs, particularly in doctors’ offices, will expand for quite some time.[1]

Registered nurses in North Carolina earn an annual median wage of $53,110-60,860, depending upon the area within the state.[2] To compare, the annual median wage for the entire state is $43,754.[3] These statistics alone prove that registered nurses in North Carolina earn a wage that is comparable to the training and education required of the job.

It is also helpful to look at the wages of registered nurses in North Carolina who earned an income that was reported in the 90th percentile. These individuals likely hold advanced nursing degrees in addition to their registered nurse licensure. In North Carolina, these individuals earned an annual wage of $71,310-87,620.[2] This helps to prove that an advanced nursing degree can mean an equally advanced wage.

Cities in North Carolina, NC Most Likely To Have Nursing School Programs:  Looking for a nursing school program or course in your area? Chances are there is a campus close by. If not, don’t give up too soon.  Nursing Degrees and Schools in North Carolina can be available via online programs, which are accredited and very useful to enter the health care sectors in North Carolina, NC.  Commonly nursing schools are available from or in the following cities: Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Durham, Fayetteville, Cary, Wilmington, High Point, Greenville, Asheville, Concord, Gastonia, Jacksonville, Rocky Mount, Chapel Hill, Burlington, Wilson, Huntersville, Kannapolis, Hickory, Apex

[1]BLS.gov Registered Nurse Overview
[2]BLS.gov Registered Nurse Earnings in North Carolina
[3] US Census Bureau: North Carolina Quick Facts