Best Nursing Schools in Nevada for 2024
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.
Keep reading to 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.
2024’s Best-in-Class Nursing Schools in Nevada
Finding a nursing school in Nevada to match your budget, academic expectations, and career outcomes can take time. To help, we’ve highlighted the best-in-class nursing programs in the state that offer affordable tuition, proper accreditation, and top-tier student support services you need to begin or advance your nursing career. See who stands out for 2024.
Nevada State College
Nevada State College provides both full-time and part-time pre-licensure BSN programs alongside a post-licensure, online RN to BSN bridge degree. Coursework covers topics like holistic health assessment, bioethics and health informatics, evidence-based practice and research, pharmacology, and care of children.
The school’s nursing department also hosts workshops throughout the year to help students navigate the nursing application. Once enrolled, students experience exciting clinical and community partnerships, membership in the NSC Student Nursing Association, and access to the Nursing Student Success Center. With a 95.36% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN for the 2020 academic year, they can also expect a stellar nursing education.
University of Nevada, Reno
Through its Orvis School of Nursing, the University of Nevada at Reno offers a traditional BSN for first-time learners, a 12-month accelerated program for those seeking a second bachelor’s degree, and an RN to BSN for those with ADNs.
MSN students can select from concentrations in adult gerontology acute care, adult-gerontology primary care, clinical nurse leader, family nurse practitioner, nurse educator, pediatric acute care, and psychiatric mental health. Doctoral programs include a BSN to DNP and an MSN to DNP, and post-graduate certificates include clinical nurse leader, nurse educator, adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, and pediatric acute care nurse practitioner.
Great Basin College
Great Basin College provides undergraduate nursing educations at the associate and bachelor’s degree levels. The AAS in Nursing can be taken at the Elko, Ely, Pahrump, or Winnemucca campuses and takes approximately two years. Tuition is about $16,500 a year plus $1,550 for books and supplies.
The college also offers an RN to BSN to help registered nurses upgrade their credentials. The program is fully online and available in a three-semester, traditional, or part-time track. Regardless of the chosen path, GBC’s program covers topics like diversity and healthcare in rural environments, nursing leadership and management theory, and evidence-based practice and research in nursing.
Find Nevada Nursing Programs in a City Near You
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
Advanced Nursing Programs in Nevada
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
Top Online Nursing Programs in Nevada for 2024
As you familiarize yourself with nursing programs in Nevada, you may notice that some programs are more likely to be online than others. You’ve also probably noticed that pre-licensure programs involve in-person attendance since licensure in Nevada requires a set number of clinical hours. When completing clinical nursing requirements, students typically either choose from a list of approved locations or complete their hours where they already work.
Programs commonly offered online by nursing schools in Nevada include RN to BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD, and post-graduate certificates. Some schools still offer these exclusively on campus, and some may require short but intensive campus visits.
The best online nursing programs in Nevada highlighted below to help you find a quality program that’s within budget and fits your busy schedule. Learn more about each below.
| # | School Name | Type | Cost | Online Programs | More Details | School Information | Online Students | Academic Counseling | Career Placement | Students w/Institutional Aid | Median Earnings 10yrs After Entry | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Nevada-Las VegasLas Vegas, NV | Public | $$ | 2 | The University of Nevada-Las Vegas offers students a program for those who have earned a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing discipline from a regionally accredited institution and who wish to earn a second bachelor’s degree to be eligible to become a licensed nurse. Students take courses in the sciences (biology, chemistry, microbiology) and in nursing (patient centered care, physical assessment skills, and emotional or mental care of patients and their families). Students may need elective credits to graduate as well. All nursing courses are evidence-based and cover advances in research and practice. All students also must complete clinical rotations. Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination, and, if successful, can practice and be licensed as a registered nurse in every state. Program Highlights: BS in Nursing – Accelerated Second Degree
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio18/1 |
AccreditationNWCCU | |||
| 2 | Great Basin CollegeElko, NV | Public | $ | 2 | Great Basin College’s RN to BSN program is for those with an associate degree who wish to further their education in nursing while still practicing in their field. Students can take courses on an accelerated or traditional full-time track or a part-time basis. Options include an accelerated 3-semester track, a traditional 4-semester track, and a part-time 6-semester track. In addition to general education courses such as the humanities and fine arts, students complete courses in professional nursing, evidence-based practice and research, nursing leadership and community health. They also study diversity and healthcare policy in rural environments and health assessment and health promotion. In keeping with the college’s mission, graduates of the RN to BSN program are prepared for roles as leaders and change agents in the transformation of health care for rural and underserved populations. Program Highlights: Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio18/1 |
AccreditationNWCCU |
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas provides several online nursing programs at different degree levels. Students with ADNs and RN licenses can pursue an online RN to BSN while those with bachelor’s degrees in unrelated subjects can complete the accelerated second-degree BSN online in just 12 months.
The online MSN program provides a nurse education focus while campus-based options include family nurse practitioner and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner concentrations. At the DNP level, distance learners choose concentrations in advanced practice, BSN to DNP family nurse practitioner, and BSN to DNP nurse executive. A post-graduate certificate in nursing education is also available fully online.
Roseman University of Health Sciences
Roseman University of Health Sciences focuses exclusively on training future healthcare professionals through both campus-based and online programs. The university’s accelerated BSN can be completed through a hybrid model in just 16 months.
At the master’s level, an online MSN in family nurse practitioner supports nurses working full-time with a unique block curriculum approach that allows students to select from two start dates in January and July of each year. Students begin as part of a cohort and progress through courses with the same classmates from matriculation through graduation. The program takes about 23 months
The nursing department holds regular virtual information sessions to help students considering Roseman decide if the university offers the right approach for them.
Touro University Nevada
Touro University Nevada provides several online nursing programs that make it possible for you never to visit campus. The popular RN to BSN pathway takes one year and provides a flexible approach to make scheduling easier with work and personal responsibilities.
Nurses who already have BSNs can pursue the online MSN with a concentration in family nurse practitioner. This option is mostly all online but does include three campus-based clinical intensives. A post-graduate family nurse practitioner certificate is also available as is a DNP.
Each nursing program at Touro provides three start dates per year to help make the transition more seamless with scheduling needs.
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
