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Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools Alaska

Alaska is projected to be short 5,400 nurses by 2030 according to the Health Resources and Services Administration. So, Alaska needs nurses!

Alaska is also known for its nursing program at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Although Alaska may be the biggest state in the U.S., there is only one nursing program available to future healthcare workers.

In this article, you’re going to learn about the state’s top nursing school, how it’s ranked, and the nursing programs offered at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

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Alaska’s top nursing programs:

1. University of Alaska Anchorage — Score 93

Location

The University of Alaska Anchorage is the largest university in the state, perfectly placed in the largest city in Alaska.

Anchorage’s well-established college isn’t the only reason you should attend nursing school in Alaska. With the city’s abundance of wildlife, trails, parks, and nearby glaciers, you have the opportunity to gain more than a nursing degree.

You, and the 11,000 other students enrolled at the University of Alaska Anchorage can see art, listen to music, and marvel at the Northern Lights (which are best seen between August and April).  

Tuition

If you’re an Alaska native, the School of Nursing will have a tuition of $6,768 per semester. However, the out-of-state student tuition is $20,352 per semester. 

The University of Alaska Anchorage is one of the most affordable nursing school programs offered to out-of-staters. 

So when it comes to picking your nursing school, whether you live in Alaska, or have wanted to travel outside your home state, Anchorage may be the place for you. Not just because of location, or the low tuition, but also because of the school’s high NCLEX pass rate.

NCLEX pass rate 

The University of Alaska Anchorage also boasts excellent NCLEX pass rates. With a 93% NCLEX pass rate, the University of Alaska Anchorage has seen more than 400 students get their nursing degrees in the last four years alone. The school offers four different nursing programs (don’t worry, more on that soon).

Additionally, the majority of the School of Nursing’s graduates obtain jobs as RNs or NPs within nine to 12 months of graduation after they take and pass their certification exams.

The University of Alaska Anchorage offers four nursing programs to its students. The university offers a program for every aspiring nurse. The programs are as follows:

• AAS

Students applying for the Associate of Applied Science nursing program for the upcoming fall and spring courses in 2022 and 2023 will be the last to say they got their AAS degrees from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Because of the high volume of applicants seeking their BSN in Anchorage, the university will be transitioning the AAS out of these locations in order to increase the capacity of the BSN. The final class of AAS students will begin in the fall of 2022 (with a spring 2022 application deadline).

• BSN

The BSN program is offered through the University of Alaska Anchorage is based in Anchorage. Additionally, the university also admits students in Fairbanks, Kodiak, and Mat-Su. Students applying to the BSN program will be admitted as pre-majors. 

• MSN

The Master’s program offers online, hybrid, distance, and face-to-face courses. While most courses are taken online, nursing students will go to the Anchorage campus and other on-site clinical rotations throughout the state. 

Students in the clinical practice track can choose between two concentrations: family nurse practitioner (FNP) or psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). Students in the leadership track can also choose between two concentrations: leadership in nursing education or leadership in nursing administration.

DNP

The Doctor of Nurse Practice program is available to nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists. Since DNP students are expected to have extensive knowledge in nursing. Knowing how to interpret research, apply the best practices, and having clinical knowledge are all skills needed for the program.

You can attend full-time and finish in four semesters. You can also attend part-time, which could take six to seven semesters to graduate.

Graduation Rate

A school’s graduation rate indicates the school’s resources, time, and investment the program offers. The AAS graduation rate stands at 89%. The BSN graduation rate is 85%, and the MSN graduation rate is 82%.

Next steps

After graduating from the University of Alaska Anchorage, nurses make around $45 per hour or $95,000 a year on average.

If you decide to attend the University of Alaska Anchorage, you can expect to receive a great education in a unique environment. However, if you’re still trying to weigh out other options, feel free to check out other school ratings for Georgia, Texas, California and more.

Methodology

Incredible Health works diligently to get you the information you need on the top nursing schools in the country. We retrieved our data from university webpages, the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and U.S. News Best Colleges (sources provided below).

• University of Alaska Anchorage webpages
• The US Department of Education’s College Scorecard
• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 
• The National Council of State Boards of Nursing Exams Page

In other states, Incredible Health calculates the scores from the lowest-scoring schools from each individual metric. From there, we assigned it a number between 1 and 10 in order to create brackets within that range to place each college. 

The University of Alaska has a 93% NCLEX pass rate and has been an accredited school since 1974.

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When it comes to the University of Alaska Anchorage, we retrieved our data from the following locations:

Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools Vermont

Vermont is famous for its natural landscapes, such as the Green Mountains, some of the oldest rocks in the world, and for being the second-smallest state by population. 

Home of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream and the largest producer of maple syrup in the nation, the state has increasingly been attracting highly educated nurses. According to a recent survey, in 2020, there were more than 10,000 nurses in Vermont — an increase of 1,229 compared to 2019.

Many factors could explain this, including a good salary, effective healthcare policies, and top health systems. Discover the best nursing schools in Vermont and start your plan to work in the Green Mountain State.

Vermont’s top nursing programs:

1. University of Vermont
2. Castleton University

1. University of Vermont — Score 85

NCLEX pass rate: 87%

In-state annual tuition: $16,280

Out-of-state annual tuition: $41,280

The University of Vermont (UVM) is ranked one of the best national universities by U.S. News & World Report and is the top employer in the state. Its 2018-2020 report showed that 96.4% of its undergraduate nursing students were employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation and 98.5% were satisfied with their job. 

The nursing school offers opportunities for studying abroad in various countries, including Uganda and the Netherlands. It also has a free summer bridge program for incoming students of color and/or from limited-income backgrounds.

The institution is affiliated with the University of Vermont Health Network, which has six facilities, including a Level 1 Trauma Center and a children’s hospital and cancer center. It promotes high-quality education with an interdisciplinary approach.  

UVM has a wellness program with fitness and nutrition coaches, daily yoga instruction, and a mentorship program for students who want help.

Online classes: yes

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP
• PGC APRN

Graduation rate: 76%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• MSN
• DE-Clinical Nurse
• Accelerated MS
• DE-DNP
• DNP
• PDNP

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2. Castleton University — Score 65

NCLEX pass rate: 87%

In-state annual tuition: $15,456

Out-of-state annual tuition: $28,800

Considered one of the best regional colleges in the north by U.S. News & World Report, Castleton University has a relationship-based approach, which means direct access to professors in-person or online. 

The institution is affiliated with top medical centers, such as Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC) and University of Vermont Medical Center (UVM-MC), two of the best hospitals to work for in the state, according to U.S. News & World Report and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Castleton University also offers different clubs and projects to enrich your resume with extracurricular activities, such as the Multicultural Club, the Myofascial Release Club and the Active Minds. Its MSN program is flexible and 100% online, which means nurses can continue working and earning as they complete their graduate degree. 

Online classes: yes

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN

Graduation rate: 76%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• MSN

How to choose the right nursing program

Choosing a nursing program doesn’t need to be a challenge. Read about some of the key features in this decision, such as location, tuition fees, and NCLEX pass rates. 

Location

Location is not only important when taking classes in nursing labs or attending facilities to gain clinical experience, but is also essential to your well-being. Studying in an environment that makes you feel comfortable may boost your concentration and performance in studies.

For example, the University of Vermont is located in Burlington, the most-populous city in the state. Students who like fast-paced places would probably enjoy it, rather than Castleton University, which is in an area mostly made up of ranches — which, in some peoples’ opinion, is a great place to relax and to take a vacation.

Tuition

Consider the tuition costs as well as other expenses, including textbooks, lab and technology fees, scrubs, and immunizations. 

Fortunately, most colleges offer scholarships and, in Vermont, there is the The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which forgives the remaining balance on your direct loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments while you work full-time for a qualifying employer.

NCLEX pass rate

For any nursing school, a high NCLEX pass rate — meaning  above 90% —  is a successful metric. Ensure that, as a student, you are prepared for the four test categories: safe and effective care environment, health promotion and maintenance, psychosocial integrity and physiological integrity.

In addition, NCLEX tests candidates with different approaches: multiple choice questions, hot-spot items and open-ended questions. Lessons with clinical cases are examples of resources used in the prep course for the exam.

Programs offered

Another step to succeeding in nursing school is selecting the right program for you. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, you can choose the ASN or BSN program. But if you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, the ABSN or DE-MSN may be better options.

According to Fortune Education, nursing is one of the highest-paying jobs. But it depends on the program. A BSN degree offers, on average, a salary of $78,000, while a  nurse practitioner could earn almost $124,000 a year.

Graduation rate

Top nursing schools strive to maintain a graduation rate of at least 90%. This is important to prove that it accomplishes its mission of helping students become nurses by developing a supportive role in advising students and referring them for tutoring or help.

Next steps

Now that you understand the most important factors you should look for in a nursing school, including location, tuition, school ratings and degrees offered, prepare for the next steps.

With your nursing diploma in hand, you’ll need to start the license and certification processes. It can vary from state to state – you can read our guide with all the information for Vermont.

Also, after leaving school, you may continue studying and earning continuing education unit (CEU) credits. Sign up and access our free Vermont CEU courses to continue your studies after graduation. 

If you feel overwhelmed with all these processes and recommendations, ask for help from nurses in Vermont.

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Methodology

In order to determine the best nursing schools in a state, Incredible Health compared the top schools among five categories: graduation rate, tuition, NCLEX pass rate, accreditation, and the number of nursing programs offered.

Each metric was scored on a 100-point scale with 100 representing the highest total for that category. Then we compiled the individual scores to get an overall score.

We used data from: 

• University of Vermont
• Castleton University
• Vermont Board of Nursing
• U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
• U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings 

Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools Utah

Want to start your career with a competitive salary, in a state with super-efficient hospitals and one of the best-performing health systems during the pandemic, according to The Commonwealth Fund? How about skiing in a mountain range where the snow falls light and dry, after a week of intensive study? Learn about the best nursing schools in Utah and make your dreams reality.

Utah’s top nursing programs:

1. University of Utah
2. Brigham Young University
3. Weber State University
4. Westminster College (UT)
5. Joyce University
6. Southern Utah University
7. Utah Tech University
8. Utah Valley University

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1. University of Utah — Score 66.25

NCLEX pass rate: 95%

In-state annual tuition: $9,002

Out-of-state annual tuition: $30,488

The University of Utah offers a bridge program for nursing students from Salt Lake Community College (SLCC), and in addition to the traditional programs, the college provides a minor in Gerontology. The certified nurse-midwifery track in its DNP program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education. The College of Nursing also has various research centers, such as the Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence and the Center of Excellence for Exposure Health Informatics (CEEHI). The university is ranked No. 2 among the best value colleges and universities in Utah.

Online classes: yes

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP
• PGC APRN

Graduation rate: 70%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP
• PhD
• Dual DNP-PhD

2. Brigham Young University — Score 65

NCLEX pass rate: 100%

In-state annual tuition: $6,120

Out-of-state annual tuition: $12,240

Accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, Brigham Young University offers international study opportunities to countries like Ecuador, Finland and the Czech Republic. In addition to its undergraduate and graduate programs, it offers minors in gerontology and global women’s studies.

Online classes: yes

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN

Graduation rate: 76%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• Family Nurse Practitioner

3. Weber State University — Score 62.50

NCLEX pass rate: 88.43%

In-state annual tuition: $5,471

Out-of-state annual tuition: $16,164

Weber State University’s Annie Taylor Dee School of Nursing offers study abroad options to nursing students, and its job placement rate for the ADN program was 85.2% in 2020-2021. Its master’s program was named one of the Best Online Master’s Nursing Programs by Fortune Education in 2022.

Online classes: yes 

The ACEN-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• DNP
• MSN
• ADN

Graduation rate: 42%

Programs offered:

• ADN
• PN to RN
• RN to BSN
• MSN
• DNP
• BSN

4. Westminster College (UT) — Score 55

NCLEX pass rate: 97.30%

In-state annual tuition: $39,832

Out-of-state annual tuition: $39,832

The Westminster College’s DNP in nurse anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Nurse Anesthesia Programs. In addition, its accelerated master of public health program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.

Online classes: yes 

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP
• PGC APRN

Graduation rate: 65%

Programs offered:

• MSN
• BSN
• DNP

5. Joyce University — Score 55

NCLEX pass rate: 90.14%

In-state annual tuition: $12,544

Out-of-state annual tuition: $12,544

Previously known as Ameritech College, Joyce University’s RN to BSN program has a 94% job placement rate, and it’s accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Its simulation center has a standing structure, with high-fidelity robotic and realistic patient mannequins.

Online classes: yes 

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN

The ACEN accredited program for nursing students is ADN.

Graduation rate: 49%

Programs offered:

• ASN
• BSN
• ABSN
• RN to BSN
• MSN
• DE-MSN

6. Southern Utah University — Score 52.5

NCLEX pass rate: 94.92%

In-state annual tuition: $6,006

Out-of-state annual tuition: $19,822

Rated one of the top public schools by U.S. News & World Report, Southern Utah University provides rich experiences in different settings for its nursing students, including long-term care facilities, home health and hospice and intensive care care units. The institution has a graduate bridge program, in which undergraduates enroll in a graduate program while they are still completing their undergraduate degree.

Online classes: yes 

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN

Graduation rate: 53%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• RN to BSN

7. Utah Tech University — Score 48.75

NCLEX pass rate: 60%

In-state annual tuition: $5,266

Out-of-state annual tuition: $16,836

Utah Tech University is considered one of the best regional colleges in the west by U.S. News & World Report. Its CNA program gives college credit for CNA course work to students. High school students are also eligible for credit through the Concurrent Enrollment courses. In the school’s LPN to RN program, students learn concepts in the first semester as prerequisites to progressing throughout the rest of the course.

Online classes: yes 

The ACEN-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• ADN
• BSN

Graduation rate: 100%

Employment rates:

• ADN: 100% 
• BSN: 93%
• RN-BSN: 100%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• RN-BSN
• CNA
• AASN

8. Utah Valley University — Score 45

NCLEX pass rate: 88%

In-state annual tuition: $5,614

Out-of-state annual tuition: $17,174

Utah Valley University was recognized as one of the best regional universities by U.S. News & World Report. Its NCLEX pass rate was 12% higher than the national average in 2018.

Online classes: yes

The ACEN-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• ADN
• MSN

Graduation rate: 38%

Employment rates:

• ASN: 80.5%
• BSN: 90%
• MSN: 60%

Programs offered:

• ASN
• RN to BSN
• MSN

Table

How to choose the right nursing program

Nursing is a popular career choice for high school students because of its flexibility, excitement, and tangible benefits to society. It is tempting to dive in as soon as possible when you dream of becoming a healthcare professional, but it’s important to consider factors such as school ratings and courses offered to choose the right program.

Location

The nursing school location is as crucial as its faculty, ratings and accreditations. Although some courses may be taught 100% online, it’s common that students must attend labs and clinical settings several days per week.

Tuition

Somes schools are more affordable than others. But you can always apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which enables you to get federal loans for college.

NCLEX pass rate

The NCLEX exam ensures that nurses are prepared to work as entry-level workers, so it’s recommended to look for schools that have at least a 90% pass rate. In addition, find out if the program covers a NCLEX prep course with all the disciplines needed for the test, such as management of care, safety and infection control and physiological adaptation.

Programs offered

Know the programs offered in the institution and, preferably, if they are accredited by ACEN, CCNE or regional accrediting agencies. When a program is accredited, it means that it has passed a rigorous evaluation.

Graduation rate

Having a graduation rate of at least 90% likely indicates high-quality support services or guidance, allowing students to complete their degree objectives in the shortest possible time and at the lowest cost.

Next steps

Location, fees, school ratings and programs offered are some of the main criteria necessary to make the best decision when starting your higher education. 

The next step is to know what to do after you graduate, especially in relation to your first steps towards landing a job.

We’ve written an article about the temporary license and the certification processes in Utah. Read it to get off on the right foot as a recent graduate.

In addition, you’ll need to meet the state’s requirements for earning continuing education unit (CEU) credits. Access our free Utah CEU courses to continue your studies after graduation. 

Don’t forget to ask for advice from experienced nurses who are already working in Utah.

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Methodology

In order to determine the best nursing schools in a state, Incredible Health compared the top schools among five categories: graduation rate, tuition, NCLEX pass rate, accreditation, and the number of nursing programs offered.

Each metric was scored on a 100-point scale with 100 representing the highest total for that category. Then we compiled the individual scores to get an overall score.

We used data from: 

• University of Utah
• Brigham Young University
• Weber State University
• Westminster College (UT)
• Joyce University
• Southern Utah University
• Utah Tech University
• Utah Valley University
• Utah Board of Nursing
• U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
• U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings 

Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools Nevada

There’s a lot to love about Nevada. With a growing job market, no state income tax, no sales tax on home sales, food, or medicine, and some of the lowest property taxes in the country, it’s a great place to establish your roots and start a career. 

If you’re considering nursing school in Nevada, the state has numerous high quality options that accommodate entry into the profession as well as advancement to the highest levels of the career. Once you have your license, you’ll find it one of the best states for a nurse to live, with 59 different hospitals paying average salaries above the national average.

Nevada’s top nursing programs:

1. University of Nevada, Reno
2. Nevada State College
3. Roseman University of Health Sciences
4. Touro University Nevada
5. University of Nevada, Las Vegas
6. Arizona College of Nursing–Las Vegas

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1. University of Nevada, Reno – Score 73

NCLEX Pass Rate – 89.19%

Annual In-State Tuition: $7,680

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $24,222

With more than 60 years of nurse education experience and a 58% graduation rate, UNR’s Orvis School of Nursing is constantly upgrading and expanding its program offerings. The school’s BSN, MSN, post-graduate certification programs, and DNP programs are all accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and students have access to resources  including pre-nursing group advising and a robust student nurses’ association. 

In 2021, the online graduate program was ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News and World Report. 

AACN-accredited programs offered:

• BSN
• Accelerated BSN
• RN-BSN
• MSN
• BSN-DNP
• MSN-DNP

2. Nevada State College – Score 67

NCLEX Pass Rate – 93.68%

Annual In-State Tuition: $5,693    

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $14,082

The nursing programs offered by Nevada State College were designed with flexibility and efficiency in mind. The school offers both a full- and part-time pre-licensure BSN program, as well as a post-licensure RN-to-BSN program available online. 

The school, which has a graduation  rate of 28%, partners with local hospitals and clinics as well as community organizations to provide students with real-life hands-on experience. It also has a dynamic Nursing Student Success Center that offers academic success coaching and tracking, peer tutoring, alumni mentoring for career transition, and more.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• BSN
• RN-BSN

3. Roseman University of Health Sciences – Score 60

NCLEX Pass Rate – 89.57%

Annual Tuition: $22,680

Roseman University of Health Sciences has been offering healthcare education for over twenty years. The multiple paths offered by its nursing program include an accelerated BSN program that can be taken on-campus or in a hybrid format, an online RN-to-BSN program, and highly respected graduate level programs. 

The school, which has a graduation rate of 82%, has made a commitment to the advancement of America’s veterans that has led to their unique Veteran-to-BSN pathway. It allows military veterans the opportunity to receive academic credit for their military training and experience in place of prerequisites and identified nursing courses. 

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• Accelerated BSN
• RN-BSN
• MSN/FNP
• DNP

4. Touro University Nevada – Score 60

NCLEX Pass Rate – N/A 

Annual Tuition: $10,290

Unlike many other nursing programs, Touro University Nevada’s CCNE-accredited programs are only available to those who are already registered nurses who either want to earn their BSN or pursue a postgraduate degree. 

With an 88% graduation rate, the program offers online classes to help students retain flexibility with other obligations.  It also offers practicum placement for those who need it, the ability to specialize as a family nurse practitioner, and affiliation with JBI, an international not-for-profit, membership-based research institute based at the University of Adelaide in South Australia. 

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• RN-BSN
• MSN
• Post-MSN-FNP
• DNP

5. University of Nevada, Las Vegas – Score 57

NCLEX Pass Rate – 88.57%

Annual In-State Tuition: $8,893   

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $24,984

Educating nurses since 1965, the University of Nevada at Las Vegas School of Nursing has a 52% graduation rate and is the only nursing program in the state to offer a PhD in nursing. They also offer Continuing Education opportunities so nurses can continue to advance their professional skills and knowledge. 

In addition, the school offers “Nurse Camp,” a one-week interactive day-camp that places juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates alongside clinical nurses and nurse educators so they can take part in hands-on labs, take CPR and Stop the Bleed classes, learn to check vital signs, and more. 

CCNE-accredited programs offered: 

• BSN
• RN-BSN
• MSN-Nurse Educator
• MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner
• MSN-Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

6. Arizona College of Nursing–Las Vegas – Score 33

NCLEX Pass Rate – 90.91%

Annual Tuition: $18,272

Arizona College of Nursing’s Las Vegas Nursing School offers a three-year BSN program that distinguished itself with a 96% NCLEX pass rate in 2020. It offers convenient evening General Education courses, is helpfully located near St. Rose San Martin Hospital, and is CCNE-Accredited. The school offers flexible scheduling and helpful, one-on-one career support.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• BSN Program

How to choose the right nursing program

You choose a nursing school for its reputation and curriculum, but there are so many other things to consider. There’s the cost of tuition, commuting time between classes and your job, as well as the degree of flexibility the program’s schedule offers. Each factor will weigh differently on each prospective student based on their own priorities and needs. 

Location

Nevada is an enormous state, with urban and rural areas, as well as tremendous diversity in its landscapes and culture. While three quarters of the population live in the area surrounding Las Vegas, there are plenty of reasons to choose a school in Reno, with its easy access to the outdoor activities of Lake Tahoe. 

If you are currently working in one of the state’s many hospitals, you’ll want to choose a program that offers a convenient commute, or classes online and with clinicals offered nearby as well.

Tuition

Every student needs to consider the costs involved with attending a school. When investigating each program, be sure to investigate the availability of scholarships, and if you are already working as a nurse, look into whether your employer offers tuition reimbursement. Also be sure to fill out the FAFSA form as soon as you submit your applications in order to put yourself at the front of the line for federal student aid. 

NCLEX pass rate

Nursing school administrators know that their own reputation rests in large part on the success of their graduates, so they work hard to ensure that students are well prepared before they sit for the NCLEX exam. The NCLEX pass rate is an excellent measure of whether a nursing school is academically rigorous. You also may want to check to see whether the schools to which you apply offer free NCLEX prep classes as part of their curriculum. 

Programs offered

Not every nursing school offers the exact program that you are most interested in, or that you need. If you have already earned your ADN degree, make sure that the schools that you’re investigating offer RN-to-BSN programs. Likewise, if you are interested in pursuing an Advanced Placement Registered Nurse degree, make sure that the program to which you’re applying offers the Nurse Practitioner specialty that you’re most interested in.

Graduation rate 

Schools often have reputations that exceed the actual success of their students. One good measure of a nursing program’s commitment to its students’ success is their six-year graduation rate. Schools whose students leave before completing their programs may be failing to engage.

Next steps

Choosing which of the many excellent Nevada nursing programs most interests you is just the first in a long series of steps on your educational journey. Once you’ve found the program that best suits your career goals and your financial needs and fits into your day-to-day schedule, you need to be diligent and organized about filling out applications, collecting and submitting personal references and transcripts, and making sure that everything has been received in time for each school’s deadlines. It’s work, but it’s exciting too!

After you’ve graduated, you’ll be qualified to move on to bigger and better things, and Incredible Health will be there to help you with your job search. We provide you with all the resources you need to stay up-to-date on Nevada state licensing, certification opportunities, and continuing education requirements, including the ability to reach out to a community of Nevada nurses who are eager to answer all of your questions and provide you with valuable information to help you along the way.

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Methodology 

In order to determine the best nursing schools in a state, Incredible Health compared the top schools among five categories: graduation rate, tuition, NCLEX pass rate, accreditation, and the number of nursing programs offered.

Each metric was scored on a 100-point scale with 100 representing the highest total for that category. Then we compiled the individual scores to get an overall score.

We used data from: 

• University of Nevada Reno
• Nevada State College
• Roseman University of Health Sciences
• Nevada State Board of Nursing
• Touro University Nevada
• University of Nevada Las Vegas
• Arizona College of Nursing – Las Vegas
• U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
• U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings