[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”schools”]Nursing Schools Near Me[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]We rank the top nursing school in each U.S. state and include information on state licensing options, job growth outlook, and median salaries. Our [hen-ui-link href=”/methodology/”]ranking methodology[/hen-ui-link] considers affordability, online program availability, and potential return on investment. Rankings also feature the accreditation status of each program — an important consideration when researching your nearest nursing schools. Many state nursing boards require a degree from an accredited program for licensure, and accreditation ensures adherence to academic standards.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”text-primary-900 not-prose pt-8″ id=”rn-to-bsn”]RN-to-BSN Programs by State[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some states or places of employment may require more than just an [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/adn/”]ADN[/hen-ui-link] to find work as an RN — depending on your location, you may need to complete a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) before going on the job market. ADNs often become licensed RNs and gain 1-2 years of work experience before pursuing a BSN through an RN-to-[hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/nursing-bridge-programs/”]BSN bridge program[/hen-ui-link]. However, some future RNs enter a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/four-year-bsn-degree/”]four-year BSN program[/hen-ui-link] directly. The advantages to a BSN include a wider field of employment opportunities and [hen-ui-link href=”/ask-a-nurse/how-to-negotiate-a-higher-salary/”]higher salary[/hen-ui-link] potential.[/hen-ui-text]

• Best California RN Programs
• Best San Diego Registered Nurse RN Options
• Best Florida RN-to-BSN Degree Programs
• [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/illinois/”]Top Illinois RN-to-BSN Degree Programs[/hen-ui-link]
• Top New Mexico RN-to-BSN Programs
• [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/north-carolina/”]Best North Carolina RN-to-BSN Programs[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/ohio/”]Top Ohio RN-to-BSN Options[/hen-ui-link]
• Best Oregon RN-to-BSN Programs
• Top South Carolina RN-to-BSN Degree Programs
• [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/south-dakota/”]Top South Dakota RN-to-BSN Degree Programs[/hen-ui-link]
• Best Texas RN-to-BSN Degree Programs
• Top Utah RN-to-BSN Degree Programs
• Top Washington RN-to-BSN Programs

[/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”text-primary-900 not-prose pt-8″ id=”bsn”]BSN Programs by State[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Students can complete a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/four-year-bsn-degree/”]bachelor of science in nursing[/hen-ui-link] (BSN) in four years (two years for those with an ADN). While state licensing requirements vary, most BSN programs require 120 credits and prepare graduates to become registered nurses (RNs) or enter graduate nursing programs. Common admission requirements consist of a high school diploma, minimum 2.5 GPA, 2-3 references, and a personal essay, along with college-level prerequisite courses that include anatomy, human growth and development, and statistics.[/hen-ui-text]

• Best BSN Programs in New Jersey
• Best BSN Programs in New York
• Top Virginia BSN Degree Programs
• Top BSN Degree Programs in Washington
• Best South Carolina BSN Degree Programs
• Top Alabama BSN Degree Programs
• Top West Virginia BSN Programs

[/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”text-primary-900 not-prose pt-8″ id=”msn”]MSN Programs by State[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/msn/best-direct-entry-masters-in-nursing-programs/”]master of science in nursing[/hen-ui-link] (MSN) prepares graduates for advanced practice nursing roles. In most states, these consist of nurse practitioners, [hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-midwife/”]certified nurse midwives[/hen-ui-link], and certified registered nurse anesthesiologists. While specific programs vary, most students graduate within 2-4 years; the timeline also depends on the specialty area. Admission requirements also vary but often include a [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/”]registered nurse[/hen-ui-link] license, GRE scores, and prerequisite coursework.[/hen-ui-text]

• [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/florida/msn-programs/”]Best MSN Programs in Florida[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/california/msn-programs/”]Best MSN Programs in California[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/new-york/msn-programs/”]Best MSN Programs in New York[/hen-ui-link]
• Best MSN Programs in Tennessee
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/new-jersey/msn-programs/”]Best MSN Programs in New Jersey[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/mississippi/msn-programs/”]Best MSN Programs in Mississippi[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/pennsylvania/msn-programs/”]Best MSN Programs in Pennsylvania[/hen-ui-link]
• Best MSN Programs in South Carolina
• Best MSN Programs in Iowa
• Best MSN Programs in Kansas

[/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”text-primary-900 not-prose pt-8″ id=”np”]Nurse Practitioner Programs by State[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While state requirements differ, most [hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-practitioner/how-to-become-a-np/”]nurse practitioners[/hen-ui-link] (NPs) earn at least an MSN. The program length often depends on the students’ specialty and population focuses, but averages two years. NPs concentrate on areas like [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/acute-care/”]acute care[/hen-ui-link], family practice, gerontology, or pediatrics. NP programs provide preparation for applicable licensing exams and include around 500 hours of [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//clinical-experience-for-online-nursing-students/”]clinical experience[/hen-ui-link]. Most require applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an RN license, and work experience.[/hen-ui-text]

• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/florida/nurse-practitioner-programs/”]Best NP Programs in Florida[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/new-york/nurse-practitioner-programs/”]Best NP Programs in New York[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/texas/nurse-practitioner-programs/”]Best NP Programs in Texas[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/california/nurse-practitioner-programs/”]Best NP Programs in California[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/massachusetts/nurse-practitioner-programs/”]Best NP Programs in Massachusetts[/hen-ui-link]
• Best NP Programs in Tennessee
• Best NP Programs in Pennsylvania
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/maryland/nurse-practitioner-programs/”]Best NP Programs in Maryland[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/virginia/nurse-practitioner-programs/”]Best NP Programs in Virginia[/hen-ui-link]
• Best NP Programs in Indiana

[/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”text-primary-900 not-prose pt-8″ id=”dnp”]DNP Programs by State[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/dnp//”]doctor of nursing practice[/hen-ui-link] (DNP) is the highest-level nursing degree available. Curriculum focuses depend on the program, but graduates train to become nurse educators, advanced practitioners, or administrators. Students typically earn an MSN prior to entering a two- to three-year [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/dnp//best-online-msn-to-dnp-programs/”]DNP program[/hen-ui-link]. Some, however, opt for a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/dnp/best-online-rn-to-dnp-programs/”]BSN-to-DNP[/hen-ui-link] bridge program, which spans at least four years. All candidates must hold a registered nurse license.[/hen-ui-text]

• DNP Programs in California
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/new-york/dnp-programs/”]DNP Programs in New York[/hen-ui-link]
• DNP Programs in Texas
• DNP Programs in Florida

[/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”licensure”]Licensure Requirements by State[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Virtually all states require a license or certification to practice nursing. While requirements vary by jurisdiction, nursing boards typically require graduation from a training or degree program at a state-approved school or organization and passage of the appropriate-level national examination. Once applicants complete education and testing, the licensing process usually takes a few weeks.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Entry-level nurses earn diplomas or certificates, while registered and advanced practice nurses must hold an associate degree in nursing or higher. Licensure boards impose specific clinical hour requirements for each type of license they issue.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”View all state licensing requirements”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”]

• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/alabama/nurse-licensing-requirements/”]Alabama Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/alaska/nurse-licensing-requirements/”]Alaska Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/arizona/nurse-licensing-requirements/”]Arizona Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/arkansas/nurse-licensing-requirements/”]Arkansas Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/california/nurse-licensing-requirements/”]California Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/colorado//nurse-licensing-requirements/”]Colorado Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/connecticut/nurse-licensing-requirements/”]Connecticut Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/delaware/nurse-licensing-requirements/”]Delaware Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/florida/nurse-licensing-requirements/”]Florida Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/georgia/”]Georgia Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/hawaii/nurse-licensing-requirements/”]Hawaii Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/idaho/nurse-licensing-requirements/”]Idaho Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/illinois/”]Illinois Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/indiana/nurse-licensing-requirements//”]Indiana Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• Iowa Licensing Requirements
• Kansas Licensing Requirements
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/kentucky/nurse-licensing-requirements/”]Kentucky Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/nevada/#becoming”]Nevada Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/new-hampshire/#becoming”]New Hampshire Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/louisiana/nurse-licensing-requirements/”]Louisiana Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/maine/#becoming”]Maine Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/maryland/nurse-licensing-requirements/”]Maryland Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/massachusetts/nurse-licensing-requirements/”]Massachusetts Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/michigan//#becoming”]Michigan Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• Minnesota Licensing Requirements
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/mississippi/nurse-licensing-requirements/”]Mississippi Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/missouri/nurse-licensing-requirements/”]Missouri Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/montana/#becoming”]Montana Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/nebraska/nurse-licensing-requirements/”]Nebraska Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/new-jersey/#becoming”]New Jersey Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/new-mexico/#becoming”]New Mexico Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/new-york/#becoming”]New York Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/north-carolina/”]North Carolina Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/north-dakota/#becoming”]North Dakota Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/ohio/”]Ohio Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/oklahoma/nurse-licensing-requirements/”]Oklahoma Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/oregon/nurse-licensing-requirements/”]Oregon Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/pennsylvania/nurse-licensing-requirements/”]Pennsylvania Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/rhode-island/nurse-licensing-requirements/”]Rhode Island Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/south-carolina/#becoming”]South Carolina Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/south-dakota/#becoming”]South Dakota Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/tennessee/#becoming”]Tennessee Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/texas/nurse-licensing-requirements//”]Texas Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/utah/#becoming”]Utah Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/vermont/#becoming”]Vermont Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/virginia/nurse-licensing-requirements/”]Virginia Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/washington/#becoming”]Washington Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/west-virginia/nurse-licensing-requirements/”]West Virginia Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”/state/wisconsin/nurse-licensing-requirements/”]Wisconsin Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]
• [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/wyoming/”]Wyoming Licensing Requirements[/hen-ui-link]

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