Explore North Carolina Nursing Schools and Educational Resources

World Class Nursing Schools: World Class Careers

North Carolina is fortunate to have a number of highly regarded university medical and nursing programs. Duke and UNC are considered world-class medical Meccas, top research hubs, as well as hectic and exciting Level 1 Trauma Centers. It’s no surprise that thousands of nurses, of every degree level, flock to jobs in hospitals like these also located in appealing metro areas that offer diversions-galore.

But there are good nursing schools dotting the state, from mountain to sea. Find a waitlist at your top pick and the best advice is to explore a few others. Don’t overlook the very good online nursing programs now offered by many of the schools on this list. Consider these convenient and flexible educational levers that allow working nurses and career changers the same opportunities at a nursing education as those of college age students.

Types of Nursing School Programs in NC

For Practical Nurse and Associates degree seekers (ADN or ASN) stick to the community colleges and technical colleges on the list. If you’re committed to earning your BSN then explore the NC colleges and universities; and for post-grad and doctoral nursing degrees, you’ll want to check out the various programs at the major medical universities.

Tip: True, the Associates degree in nursing, available from most community colleges, remains the most popular pathway to a nursing career. However, increasing numbers of NC hospitals are urging new grads to come to them with BSN degrees. Why? RN vacancies are becoming common in areas that require a bit more advanced knowledge—ED, Trauma, Critical Care. Also decision makers in nursing and healthcare believe that a cornerstone to nurse retention is education.

State Student Nursing Incentives: Loans for Service, Loan Repayment Programs

If you’re considering nursing school in NC part of your planning process should include trolling the state sources for any financial aid you can find to ease your tuition bills.

The NC Nurse Education Scholarship-Loan Program is administered directly through the financial aid offices of the state nursing schools. Qualified applicants may be pursuing RN or LPN licensure and be willing to exchange scholarship/loan money for service in a state-designated medically underserved facility. You could earn as much as $5,000 to put toward nurse loan repayment.
The NC Undergraduate Nurse Scholars Program is awarded to nursing students based on academic excellence. Again, candidates may earn up to $5,000 depending upon what degree level they’ll be studying. Recipients must be willing to exchange scholarship cash for service in a medically underserved NC nursing facility following graduation.

Educational and Career Resources

Use the North Carolina Board of Nursing as a primary resource when you need official answers to questions regarding your nursing practice:

Licensure instructions and applications for RN, LPN, and APRN
Guidelines for NC nurses’ continuing education (CE)
Patient complaints
Scope of practice guidelines
Approved list of nursing schools in NC
Information relative to specialized nursing practice
and much more

List of Accredited Nursing Schools in NC for Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees