Registered nurses are in high demand across many states, including Las Vegas, Nevada. Thanks to rising opportunities, pursuing a nursing career in the state can be a thriving undertaking for those who have the will, patience, and dedication to embark on a nursing journey.
It also helps to know that Nevada is one of the top two states (other being Texas) for nurses to work in, based on the annual wage and cost of living. With the Department of Labor projecting “23% job growth for registered nurses in the state of Nevada between 2020 to 2030”, this clearly signifies a promising future for every prospective nurse out there.
If you’re considering starting or expanding your nursing career, the schools below have various Nursing programs, each one considered an excellent training ground for future nurses in Las Vegas, Nevada.
1. University of Nevada – Las Vegas School of Nursing
The university offers a traditional Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN), which lasts 16 months consisting of a year-round program with three semesters per year, plus a full-time summer program. It provides exemplary academic and training courses that competitively prepares students for entry level nursing practice, as well as for graduate study if considered in the future.
University of Nevada’s Las Vegas School of Nursing also has exemplary graduate studies, including: Master of Science in Nursing – Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM), Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Educator, Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Master of Science in Nursing – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), and Master of Science – Direct Entry Generalist (DEMSN).
Since the school offers a variety of options to further your nursing career, they also offer Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing, Advanced Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education (Post Master’s), and more. You can visit their official website to find out the best degree that suits your career goals.
Requirements for admission involve filling out application forms for both university and the Nursing school. An appointment with their Health Sciences Advising Center is also required to talk about coursework and GPA, among other important discussions before starting your journey with them.
Located at 4505 S. Maryland Parkway Las Vegas, this school, according to the US News and World Report, is among the top ten best schools that offer online graduate degrees.
2. College of Southern Nevada
College of Southern Nevada only offers the Bachelor of Science Degree Completion Program (RN to BSN) designed for ADN educated Registered Nurses. It’s an online program to offer utmost convenience, with the added clinical experience, which is community-based. Their clinical training may also be customized based on the student.
It’s worth noting that College of Southern Nevada’s Nursing degree is a limited entry program, meaning it only accepts a limited number of students. Applicants are also required to attend a health programs orientation and counseling with a health programs advisor before applying for a slot.
Applicants who wish to enroll here should submit a completed and signed Limited Entry Application form. Check their website for more details about the requirements.
The school is located at 6375 W Charleston Blvd., City of Las Vegas and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
3. Pima Medical Institute
Located at 3333 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, this school offers a Nursing Associate Degree Program where students are trained to complete the coursework in just about 20 months. After finishing this program, you’ll be qualified to sit for the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses.
Pima Medical Institute also offers options for continued education. Even more convenient, these programs can be taken online. If you’re a graduate of the Nursing associate degree program, you may be eligible to enroll in the online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN), which takes approximately 16 months to complete.
Interested applicants are required to meet an online admission specialist to discuss program details, as well as your career goals and educational background. Potential students should have a high school diploma or recognized GED equivalent.
Pima Medical Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
4. Arizona College of Nursing
Arizona College of Nursing offers a 3-year BSN Program, enabling aspiring nurses to pursue nursing with no prerequisite coursework. For those with eligible transfer credits, you can even finish the program in less than 3 years. For convenience and flexibility, the school offers evening classes as well for general education coursework. The school also provides competitive curriculum and advanced simulation facilities that prepare students for their NCLEX-RN Exam from Day 1.
To apply, you need to have a GPA of 2.75 and a weighted composite score of 60% on the HESI A2 Admissions Exam. You’ll then need to reach out to one of their admission advisors to get started either via their website or phone. Since their classes begin every eight weeks, six times per year, you can start your nursing education faster than when going to other schools.
Arizona College of Nursing’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
5. Nevada State University
Nevada State’s RN to BSN Online Program offers comprehensive coursework and training designed for licensed professionals to further improve their analytical, clinical, and management knowledge and skills in healthcare.
The program is ideal for registered nurses who are looking to finish their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree faster. Graduates of an associate degree who have just gotten their license within 7 weeks of starting the program are also eligible to take the school’s BSN Online program.
With the class set up entirely online, Nevada State’s nursing students can keep working while taking their classes at the comforts of their homes. Ensuring that you get a thorough nursing education, course topics you’ll be taking on as part of your new career journey include theory of Caring Science, nursing in the global environment, bioethics and informatics, just to name a few.
To qualify for an admission, you’ll need to have an Associate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and a nationally accredited nursing program. Of course, they’ll also require your official transcripts and a Registered Nurse (RN) license. A cumulative GPA on all coursework of 2.0 or higher is also required to get into their nursing program.
Nevada State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
6. Chamberlain University College of Nursing – Las Vegas
Chamberlain’s Las Vegas campus also offers an accelerated BSN degree with students finishing their degrees in just three years; that’s one year faster than traditional BSN programs. The classes here are also more flexible as the school introduces evening and weekend options. Even when you opt for the evening classes, you’ll be given the same resources as those taking the classes during the day.
When you apply at Chamberlain, you won’t be required to have prerequisites to begin taking the BSN program. You’ll also get your money’s worth with cutting-edge nursing labs and experienced faculty to guide you all throughout your academic life at the university.
The coursework is delivered through a combination of online and in-person classes, plus a variety of student activities. To get started, the university hosts an Open House so you can have a glimpse of the student life at Chamberlain’s Las Vegas campus.
Requirements for admission include a high school diploma with a 2.75 grade point average or higher, a GED test score of 551 if taken between 2002-2013, or a minimum score of 600 if taken in 2014 onwards. For those who took the Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) Admission Assessment (A2) Exam, the minimum score required for admission is 73. As of this writing, the tuition fee for the BSN program at the Nevada campus is $705 per credit hour. You can visit the website to check other fees and rates.
Chamberlain’s nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
7. Roseman University of Health Sciences – College of Nursing
Roseman’s College of Nursing offers an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, which students can either take on campus or hybrid-online. Unlike other schools, there are prerequisites to get into Roseman.
Applicants must also take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), a pre-admission test, and get a minimum 58.7% score. Once admitted and beginning your education at Roseman, you can expect to finish your nursing degree sooner, in less than 18 months to be specific.
You can reach out to one of their Admissions Advisors to begin your application. You will also be required to submit your transcripts and attend an interview, in addition to submitting your application and paying all necessary fees. You need to have a minimum 2.75 GPA and 49 semester credits completed to apply. You can apply via their Supplemental Application Information or through the College of Nursing Paper Application. View more admission requirements here.
The school also offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia (DNPNA program), designed for graduates who want to pursue a career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Roseman University of Health Sciences’ BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
This school is located at 11 Sunset Way, Henderson and is known to be one of the most demanding schools that requires students to obtain a 90% rating on all of the assignments and examinations.
8. Great Basin College
Great Basin College offers an RN to BSN Nursing Program made for those with an associate degree looking to enhance their nursing career. Since it’s entirely online, students have the flexibility to continue their education while working.
Admission to the RN to BSN Program, which only accepts a limited number of students, is a separate process from admission to the university. To be eligible for a spot, requirements include your associate degree program transcripts and an active RN license.
Your associate degree must come from an ACEN accredited program and regionally accredited college. You’ll also need to attend an advisory meeting with a nursing faculty. As for the accepted GPA, you need to have a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4-point scale. The estimated program costs as per the website is $10,100 on tuition and $200 per semester for books.
Great Basin College’s RN to BSN program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). This school also offers an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program.
Kickstarting a career in nursing, or taking your existing one to the next level needs the best education you could get. These eight schools are some of the top colleges and universities that offer the best nursing programs in Nevada. Take your time and assess each one very carefully before making a decision. Hope this list helps!
