Are you interested in pursuing a nursing career in West Virginia? Take a look at the different nursing career paths highlighted below, as well as the list of accredited local nursing schools.
Certified nursing assistant
West Virginia
We've organized a comprehensive list of West Virginia nursing schools. Below you'll find information on specific nursing programs such as LPN certificates and ADN, BSN, and MSN degrees. You'll also find a profile of nursing education and careers in each major West Virginia city.
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) make up about 20% of West Virginia’s nursing workforce. They earn a median annual salary of $33,710 in the state. LPN certificate programs are relatively short, typically requiring 12 months of fulltime study. Aspiring LPNs must also successfully pass the NCLEX-PN national licensure examination. We highlight below a few of the best LPN programs in West Virginia.
Salem International University
West Virginia nursing programs and careers
West Virginia is home to a large nursing community of more than 35,000 professionals. Approximately 10% of these nurses work in the Morgantown metropolitan area. The most common local nursing roles are registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), and certified nursing assistant (CNA). Many of these nurses earned their certificate or degree at a local university, college, or education center.
The Huntington-Ashland metropolitan area is home to more than 8,000 nursing professionals. Most nurses in this metro area earned their degree or certificate at a local college or university. The region is full of top-notch nursing schools, including Kentucky Christian University, St. Mary’s School of Nursing, Marshall University, Ohio University Southern, and Ashland Community & Technical College. Collectively, these schools offer nursing programs at all degree and certificate levels.
Beckley, West Virginia, is home to approximately 1,200 registered nurses (RNs), 650 licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and 500 certified nursing assistants (CNAs). Beckley RNs typically hold an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), or a master of science in nursing (MSN). A valid license is also required to practice. Local schools such as West Virginia University Institute of Technology and Bluefield State College offer BSN programs that prepare students to take the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN).
A master of science in nursing (MSN) degree is an advanced qualification for nurses furthering their careers in specialized fields like nursing administration, nursing education, and family practice nursing. Upon graduation, students can fill advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) roles such as nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, and nurse practitioner. Below we share some of the best MSN programs in West Virginia.
Wheeling Jesuit University
West Virginia has two types of bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs: prelicensure programs that prepare students for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam, and RN-to-BSN programs that enable existing registered nurses (RNs) to earn a bachelor's degree. While the state’s RNs earn a respectable median income of $54,000, BSN-holders often earn top-quartile pay in excess of $65,000 per year. Employers frequently preference BSN-educated nurses for hiring and promotion due to their deeper technical skills. Below we have highlighted three of the top BSN programs in West Virginia.
All associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) programs in West Virginia are focused on initial registered nursing (RN) licensure. These programs are relatively short, spanning just two to three years, and some campuses offer evening classes for students juggling work and school responsibilities. Below we have profiled several of West Virginia’s top ADN programs in depth.
University of Charleston
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) make up about 20% of West Virginia’s nursing workforce. They earn a median annual salary of $33,710 in the state. LPN certificate programs are relatively short, typically requiring 12 months of fulltime study. Aspiring LPNs must also successfully pass the NCLEX-PN national licensure examination. We highlight below a few of the best LPN programs in West Virginia.
Salem International University
The all-in cost of attending nursing school includes not only tuition fees but also books and supplies, room and board, and other living expenses. We profile below the educational expenses incurred at several of West Virginia’s nursing schools.
Wheeling Jesuit University
A private college or university is an independent institution of higher learning that does not depend on state funds. As a result, these schools usually charge higher tuition fees than public colleges. However, private institutions offer their students several unique perks, particularly smaller class sizes and a prestigious academic reputation. Below we profile three of the best private nursing schools in West Virginia.
University of Charleston
A public college or university can be very attractive to in-state residents, since it offers lower tuition than a comparable private institution. Public nursing schools close the gap by receiving a significant amount of direct funding from the state government. Below we profile several of the most prominent public nursing schools in West Virginia.
West Virginia University