[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]New Mexico is experiencing a shortage of nurses, especially in rural areas. Attending nursing school in New Mexico can allow you to take advantage of this demand.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Keep reading to learn more about the top nursing programs in New Mexico, how to earn your registered nurse (RN) or nurse practitioner (NP) license, and expected nurse salaries.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The Best Nursing Schools in New Mexico[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There are fewer nursing programs in New Mexico than in many other states. However, prospective students can still find a program to match their background, experience, and career goals.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Our Methodology[/hen-ui-text]: We use a [hen-ui-link href=”/methodology/”]data-driven methodology[/hen-ui-link] to rank the best nursing schools in New Mexico, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Choose a Nursing Program in New Mexico[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Whether you’re looking for an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), important considerations include tuition and other costs, [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//financial-aid/nursing-scholarship-grants/”]financial aid for nurses[/hen-ui-link], and the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rate. Other factors are acceptance rate and program logistics. For online nursing programs in New Mexico, check to see if you can get clinical placement in your community.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This guide lists [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//what-is-accreditation/”]only accredited nursing programs[/hen-ui-link], as unaccredited programs can prevent you from getting licensure and employment.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why Become a Nurse in New Mexico[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]New Mexico is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, which means that you can earn a multistate license that lets you practice in any of the 37 participating states.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The state also offers up to $12,000 in [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/student-loan-forgiveness-for-nurses-by-state/”]loan forgiveness for nurses in New Mexico[/hen-ui-link] each year to eligible nurses. You must be a New Mexico resident (who has lived in the state for 12 months or longer), attend nursing school in New Mexico, and work in an underserved area after graduation.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The New Mexico Nurses Foundation also offers scholarships.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in New Mexico[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]New Mexico expects an additional 2,080 jobs for RNs and 90 for NPs by 2028, according to the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.nmlegis.gov/handouts/LHHS%20081721%20Item%206%20UNM%20Workforce%20Annual%20Report%202021.pdf” target=”_blank”]Health Care Workforce in New Mexico[/hen-ui-link]. The [hen-ui-link href=”https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series” target=”_blank”]cost-of-living index[/hen-ui-link] is 90.6 compared to 100 nationally, allowing salaries to go farther, depending on where you live.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for an RN in New Mexico is $75,700, just over the national median of $75,330. The average NP salary is $117,050, compared to a median $111,680 nationally.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/resources//student-loan-forgiveness-for-nurses/”]Loan forgiveness for nurses[/hen-ui-link] through the state program or federal programs can further stretch your income.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Santa Fe is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Southwest U.S., especially for art lovers. Albuquerque is also home to a strong arts scene, with both cities being popular retirement destinations, guaranteeing ongoing demand for nurses.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]New Mexico is full of outdoor recreation opportunities and Native American historical and cultural sites.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]Highest-Paying Cities for Nurses in New Mexico[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Top Paying Metropolitan Areas[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Average Salary for RNs[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Santa Fe[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$77,830[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Albuquerque[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$76,740[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Farmington[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$74,260[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Las Cruces[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$73,870[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table]Source: BLS[hen-ui-article-card title=”Nurse Salaries in New Mexico” href=”/state/new-mexico/rn-salary/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Steps to Becoming a Nurse in New Mexico[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://nmbon.sks.com/” target=”_blank”]New Mexico Board of Nursing[/hen-ui-link] issues licenses for all practicing nurses in the state. The board oversees the approval and accreditation of all traditional and online nursing programs in New Mexico, ensuring each maintains minimum standards.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The board also requires licensed nurses to engage in continuing education (CE) to ensure they consistently advance their knowledge.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/cna/”]Certified nursing assistants[/hen-ui-link] are required to complete at least 75 hours of an approved in-state nursing program, followed by passing the Nurse Aide Competency Exam. And, like nearly half of all U.S. states, New Mexico allows NPs to engage in full practice. Thus, NPs can serve as primary care providers, issue prescriptions, and provide treatment similar to the duties of a physician.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”margin-top:2em”]Other Top Nursing Programs in New Mexico[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-grid columns=”1″ columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”][hen-ui-article-card title=”Top New Mexico RN to BSN Programs” href=”/state/new-mexico/rn-to-bsn-programs/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-article-card title=”Top New Mexico RN To MSN Programs” href=”/state/new-mexico/msn-programs/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”margin-top:2em”]Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing in New Mexico[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]What is the NCLEX-RN pass rate in New Mexico?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The average first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2020 for nursing programs in New Mexico was 85.7%. The national rate was 86.6%, but many nursing schools in New Mexico had a pass rate above the national average. [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/best-bsn-programs-online/”]BSN programs[/hen-ui-link] generally have a higher pass rate than associate programs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Which schools have the highest NCLEX-RN pass rate in New Mexico?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The top five nursing programs in New Mexico (with at least 100 students taking the exam) all had an [hen-ui-link href=”https://nmbon.sks.com/uploads/files/NCLEX%20Pass%20Rate%202016-2020%203_3_2021.pdf” target=”_blank”]NCLEX-RN pass score above 96% in 2020[/hen-ui-link]. These schools are:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]San Juan College BSN and University of New Mexico BSN Aggregated (97.12%)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]University of New Mexico Taos BSN and University of New Mexico BSN Aggregated (97.04%)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]University of New Mexico Gallup BSN and University of New Mexico BSN Aggregated (96.85%)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]University of New Mexico Albuquerque/BSN (96.75%)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]New Mexico Junior College BSN and University of New Mexico BSN Aggregated (96.24%)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While smaller nursing schools in New Mexico also had pass rates above 96%, their average pass scores are not necessarily as strongly indicative of overall performance.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]How many times can you take the NCLEX-RN in New Mexico?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As of May 3, 2018, if you attended nursing school in New Mexico or elsewhere in the U.S., you may take the NCLEX-RN up to three times within three years of first becoming eligible.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]International students can take it up to three times within three years of their initial application.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]What is the salary range for nurses in New Mexico?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the BLS, half of all nurses in New Mexico earn between $65,140 and $85,070. The average salary is $75,700. Nursing salaries vary based on degree, experience, certifications, and location, with urban nurses earning the highest salaries.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Find Nursing Programs in Other States[/hen-ui-heading]