[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nursing schools in Vermont boast above-average National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rates. The state also requires employers to disclose nurse-staffing ratios — a major potential benefit for nurses once they enter the workfoce.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This guide can help you select the right nursing school in Vermont for your career goals, explains how to earn your license, and describes salary and job growth prospects.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Keep reading to find the best nursing program in Vermont for you.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The Best Nursing Schools in Vermont[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As a smaller state, Vermont does not have many nursing schools, but you can still take into account your preferences, background, and goals when choosing a program. [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/adn/”]Associate degree in nursing[/hen-ui-link] (ADN) programs include easier admission requirements, and students typically graduate in two years. [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/”]Bachelor of science in nursing[/hen-ui-link] (BSN) degrees take four years but offer more career potential, especially for further education.[/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 Vermont, 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 Vermont[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]When choosing a nursing school in Vermont, consider the total cost and financial aid, the NCLEX pass rate (which indicates how prepared students are to practice nursing), and the program graduation rate. Admission requirements, program quality and reputation, and the logistics of attending are also factors.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you plan to attend an [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/online-nursing-programs-overview/”]online nursing program[/hen-ui-link] in Vermont, find out if you can get local placement for clinical hours and what kind of support the school offers for placement. Because [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//what-is-accreditation/”]nursing school accreditation is fundamental[/hen-ui-link] to quality and value, this guide lists only accredited nursing programs in Vermont.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why Become a Nurse in Vermont[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Vermont is one of the few states that require hospitals to publish their nurse-staffing ratios. This information helps you choose among potential employers, as well as allowing the public to make healthcare decisions.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In addition, Vermont is a [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nursing-compact-states/”]Nurse Licensure Compact[/hen-ui-link] (NLC) state, so once you graduate from nursing school in Vermont, you are eligible to apply for a multistate license. Nurses are not required to complete [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nurses-continuing-education-guide/”]continuing education for nurses[/hen-ui-link] to renew their licenses, giving nurses less paperwork than other states.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Vermont offers a high quality of life, with beautiful scenery, year-round outdoor recreation, and, of course, Ben and Jerry’s ice cream and Cabot Creamery’s headquarters. If you’re not a dairy fan, you can still enjoy Vermont’s wealth of maple syrup.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Vermont residents are the most likely in the country to be satisfied with their safety and are among the least likely to worry about violent crime.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Vermont[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for registered nurses (RNs) in Vermont is $72,140, compared to $82,750 nationally. Nurse practitioners (NPs) earn $108,280, also lower than the national average of $118,040. The 117 [hen-ui-link href=”https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series” target=”_blank”]cost-of-living index[/hen-ui-link] in Vermont is higher than the national index of 100. Learn more about RN salaries in Vermont.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Job growth for nurses in Vermont is also below national levels. The [hen-ui-link href=”https://projectionscentral.org/” target=”_blank”]RN job growth rate[/hen-ui-link] is one of the lowest in the country, projected to grow 8% between 2018 and 2028, compared to 12.1% nationally. Similarly, the NP job growth rate is 16.1%, higher than most jobs but lower than the national projected rate of 28.2%.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]However, a 2021 [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.vermonttpm.org/_files/ugd/e92786_0446b68c1c854d21ae0390ebe7b843d5.pdf” target=”_blank”]report from Vermont Talent Pipeline Management[/hen-ui-link] projects 2,610 new or replacement job openings for RNs and 115 NP jobs by 2023, factoring COVID-19 workforce departures into account.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Highest-Paying Cities for Nurses in Vermont[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Burlington is Vermont’s only major metropolitan area. It is home to most of Vermont’s largest employers, including the University of Vermont, Fletcher Allen Health Care, Rutland Regional Medical Center, Ben & Jerry’s, Seventh Generation, and many small manufacturers.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]Highest-Paying Cities[/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”]Median 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”]Burlington — South Burlington[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$72,360[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table]Source: BLS[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Vermont[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Vermont, like[hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/rn-licensing-requirements-by-state/”] all states, requires RNs[/hen-ui-link] to graduate from nursing school, pass the relevant examinations (NCLEX for RNs and board certifications for[hen-ui-link href=”/careers/advanced-practice-nursing/”] advanced practice nurses[/hen-ui-link]), and complete a criminal background check. Vermont recently added background check requirements, which are being phased into the process.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Unlike most states, Vermont requires active practice hours for renewing a nursing license rather than continuing education.[/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 Vermont and Resources[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-grid columns=”1″ columns-md=”2″ columns-lg=”3″ gap=”md”][hen-ui-article-card title=”The U.S. Nursing Shortage: A State-by-State Breakdown” href=”/articles/the-us-nursing-shortage-state-by-state-breakdown//” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-article-card title=”Registered Nursing Requirements by State” href=”/registered-nursing/rn-licensing-requirements-by-state/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-article-card title=”Top Vermont Nursing Schools and Programs” href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/vermont/” 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 Vermont[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]How much do nurses make in Vermont?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In Vermont, the average salary for RNs is $72,140. NPs earn $108,280. RNs with more than 10 years of experience earn an average $146,680, [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.indeed.com/career/registered-nurse/salaries/VT?from=top_sb” target=”_blank”]according to Indeed.com[/hen-ui-link] as of April 2022, while those with less than one year earn $112,230.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Are nurses in demand in Vermont?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses are in demand in Vermont, and employers anticipate a need for more than 2,600 new RNs and more than 100 NPs (for new jobs or to replace workers who retire or leave) from 2021-2023. The BLS [hen-ui-link href=”https://bhw.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/bureau-health-workforce/data-research/nchwa-hrsa-nursing-report.pdf” target=”_blank”]projected a surplus of nurses[/hen-ui-link] from 2014-2030, but these estimates were developed before COVID-19.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]How long does it take to become an RN in Vermont?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It takes at least two years to earn an ADN degree and four years to earn a BSN. Once you graduate and apply for the NCLEX-RN, it takes about 3-5 business days to receive authorization and another 3-5 days to get the results after completing the exam.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]How do I get a nursing license in Vermont?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You need an ADN or a BSN from an accredited nursing program in Vermont or another state. You must also pass the NCLEX-RN examination to get licensure and complete a criminal background check.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you have a multistate license, you can practice in Vermont, which is an NLC state.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Find Nursing Programs in Other States[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”34472,34273,34011″][/hen-ui-article-row]