Best Nursing Schools in Nevada: Online & Campus
Get to know the top nursing schools in Nevada, the online and in-person degrees they offer, and where to find financial and academic support in your studies.
Whether you’re a high school senior thinking about a career in nursing, an RN who wants to earn a bachelor’s degree, or an APRN deciding to go for a doctorate, nursing schools in Nevada have you covered. Pursuing a nursing degree makes a lot of sense if you live in Nevada: jobs for registered nurses are projected to grow by an astonishing 22.3% in the coming years — nearly 10% higher than the national average. And other types of nurses are expected to see similarly high job demand.
Learn about accredited online and campus programs from the best nursing schools in Nevada and how they can help you reach your academic and career goals. Continue reading to see which schools made it onto our list as the best choices for prospective students like you.
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Public
Roseman University of Health Sciences
Henderson, Nevada
Private
Types of Nursing Programs Available in Nevada
Nursing schools in Nevada provide a spectrum of educational programs to meet students where they are in their nursing education and careers. We’ve overviewed some of the most common options currently available to help you make an informed and confident decision on the right program type for you.
Pre-Licensure Nursing Programs in Nevada
ADN Programs
ADN programs often serve as the first stop for students aspiring to become nurses and are found in Nevada’s community colleges and vocational schools. In addition to coursework, students participate in a clinical component to qualify for licensure. Most students spend two years completing ADN graduation requirements.
Examples of Nevada Nursing Schools with this Program
Traditional BSN Programs
Students who know right away they want to work as an RN with a bachelor’s degree rather than an associate degree often pursue this path. Offered by public and private colleges, these programs require four years of full-time study or six years of part-time study. Like the ADN, they also require an in-person clinical component.
Examples of Nevada Nursing Schools with this Program
Accelerated BSN Programs
Accelerated BSN programs support students who already possess bachelor’s degrees in unrelated subjects but now want to move into the nursing profession. Requiring 12-18 months of study, these programs are either campus-based or hybrid, and they typically include summer semesters to help students graduate more quickly.
Examples of Nevada Nursing Schools with this Program
Nursing Bridge Programs in Nevada for Current Nurses
LPN to RN and LPN to BSN Programs
Individuals who started their careers as LPNs may decide to update their credentials at some point. Both ADNs and BSNs lead to RN licensure. These programs usually take 2-4 years depending on scheduling and degree type.
Examples of Nevada Nursing Schools with this Program
RN to BSN Programs
Many ADN-educated RNs decide to upgrade their degrees to help them earn higher salaries, move up the career ladder, and take advantage of leadership positions. Schools often provide online RN to BSN bridge programs for these individuals since they don’t require any clinical training. Most take 12-18 months to complete.
Examples of Nevada Nursing Schools with this Program
RN to MSN Programs
An RN to MSN bridge program allows students to bypass a BSN and move directly into an MSN. Most of these programs take 30-36 months with both in-person and online options available. Common concentrations include family nurse practitioner and nurse leader.
Examples of Nevada Nursing Schools with this Program
MSN Programs
There are two types of MSN programs. The first supports those who already possess BSNs, while the second caters to non-nurses looking to enter the field with unrelated bachelor’s degrees. The traditional MSN is usually completely online, but direct-entry programs require some in-person components.
Examples of Nevada Nursing Schools with This Program
DNP and PhD Doctoral Programs
Pursuing a DNP provides graduates with the credentials to work in professional clinical nursing roles at the highest echelons of the discipline. The PhD provides training for research and academic positions. Students spend three to six years enrolled, depending on which path they choose.
Examples of Nevada Nursing Schools with This Program
Post-Graduate Certificates
Post-graduate certificates take less time than a degree but help nurses build niche skills. Many schools offer graduate certificates fully online with specializations like psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, nurse leader, nurse educator, and family nurse practitioner.
Examples of Nevada Nursing Schools with This Program
Financial Aid Opportunities for Nursing Students in Nevada
Given the rising cost of nursing education, finding a way to lessen the financial burden is on the minds of most nursing students. Several state-specific nursing scholarships exist that can help cut costs, including the Nevada Nurses Foundation & Legacy Scholarship provided by the Nevada Nurses Foundation.
In terms of loan forgiveness opportunities, the state participates in the National Health Service Corps and Nurse Corps programs that allow for substantial loan repayment in exchange for working in a medically-underserved area for a set amount of time after graduating.
Begin your search for funding early to ensure you understand how financial aid works, where to find the best nursing scholarships, and how to graduate from nursing school debt-free.
How to Become an RN in Nevada: Licensing Information and Requirements
The Nevada State Board of Nursing sets rules for nursing graduates to earn RN licensure in the state, making it important that individuals considering this path understand the rules even before enrolling in a program. Below is a step-by-step look at the process for becoming a licensed RN in Nevada.
Complete a state-approved RN degree
Failing to attend a school from the list of approved nursing education programs provided by the Nevada State Board of Nursing may result in issues getting a license. You may graduate from either an ADN or BSN program to seek RN licensure.
Submit an application
After graduating, submit a completed application alongside a $105 application fee. You must also supply a copy of your diploma or official transcripts and a completed fingerprinting card for a background check. Additionally, you’ll need to supply evidence of a U.S. social security number or individual taxpayer ID Number and pass an English proficiency examination.
Pass a nursing examination
The State Board of Nursing allows applicants to supply passing scores from either the NCLEX-RN or, if they previously held a license in a different state, a State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE) approved by another state’s board of nursing.
Renew your license and complete continuing education requirements
RNs must renew their licenses via the Nevada Nurse Portal every two years based on their birthday and pay a $100 fee. The Nevada Nurse Practice Act requires all RNs to complete 30 credits of continuing education per renewal cycle. In addition to completing a cultural competency course every cycle, first-time licensees must also complete a four-hour course on bioterrorism.
Job Outlook for RNs in Nevada
Registered nurses can expect to see substantial job growth throughout Nevada in the coming years. Projections show the state is on track to see a 22.3% increase in positions as compared to the national average of 12.1%. In addition to adding nearly 5,500 new roles, there should be an average annual opening of approximately 2,000 positions due to RNs retiring or changing careers.
Large RN employers in Nevada include Renown Health, Kaiser Permanente, Sunrise Hospital, and MountainView Hospital. Check the table below for more details about the job outlook for Nevada-based RNs.
Employment Projections for RNs in Nevada
| New Jobs (2018-2028) | Job Growth Rate (2018-2028) | Average Annual Openings (2018-2028) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 5,420 | 22.3% | 1,980 |
| United States | 371,500 | 12.1% | 210,400 |
Source: Projections Central
Nursing Salaries in Nevada: How Much You Could Make as an RN
Registered nurses working in Nevada as of May 2020 earned median annual wages of $87,960, nearly $12,000 more than the national average. Reasons for this include a demand for nurses and a higher cost of living than other states. A smaller city like Reno pays less than a larger city like Las Vegas, and nursing graduates should keep this in mind when considering where to work in the state.
Annual Earnings for Registered Nurses in Nevada
| 10th Percentile | Median Earnings | 90th Percentile | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | $66,130 | $87,960 | $121,100 |
| United States | $53,410 | $75,330 | $116,230 |
| Carson City, NV | $66,690 | $80,620 | $101,780 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV | $67,950 | $91,870 | $124,130 |
| Reno, NV | $60,530 | $79,280 | $103,060 |
Source:Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2020
