In Delaware, there are opportunities for nurses at every level in the healthcare system. In Wilmington alone, there are numerous positions available for certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs).

Certified nursing assistants (CNAs)
Becoming a CNA is the quickest and easiest way to enter the field of nursing. Most CNA programs take as little as several weeks to a few months to complete. Nursing assistants provide much-needed services for patients every day, helping them to eat, get dressed, and with basic mobility. They can also be responsible for checking basic symptoms and taking vital signs. In Wilmington, there are approximately 3,520 nursing assistant jobs, which generally pay between $25,380 and $32,670 per year.

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs)
LPN programs usually take from 12- to 18-months to complete, and prepare nurses for more advanced levels of patient care, including administering medications and injections, providing first aid, and performing CPR. There are opportunities for LPNs in hospitals, doctors’ offices, extended care facilities, and private homes. In the Wilmington area, there are approximately 1,380 LPN jobs, which generally pay between $43,370 and $56,570 per year.

Registered nurses (RNs)
The preferred pre-licensure program for RNs in Delaware today is the bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), which is a four-year degree program. Other RN programs include the diploma nurse program, which has been rare since the 1970s, and the associate of applied science in nursing (AASN) degree, which is a two-year program. In the Wilmington area, there are approximately 7,910 RN jobs, which generally pay between $63,990 and $83,950 per year.

Major employers for nurses in Delaware include Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital, Christiana Hospital, Kent General Hospital, and Milford Memorial Hospital.

Below, for the convenience of aspiring nurses, you can find a comprehensive list of accredited nursing schools in the Wilmington area.

Wilmington nursing schools by NCLEX score

Dawn Career Institute
3700 Lancaster Pike, Suite 105 | Wilmington, Delaware 19805
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Delaware Skills Center
1300 Clifford Brown Walk | Wilmington, Delaware 19801
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Delaware Technical Community College - Stanton / Wilmington
333 North Shipley Street | Wilmington, Delaware 19801
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Leads School of Technology
Two Penn's Way, Suite 209 | New Castle, Delaware 19720
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
University of Delaware
104 Hullihen Hall | Newark, Delaware 19716
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate PhD
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
Wilmington University
320 Dupont Highway | New Castle, Delaware 19720
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
School Program NCLEX score Time period
Dawn Career Institute Nursing Assistant Certificate
Delaware Skills Center Certificate in Practical Nursing
Delaware Technical Community College - Stanton / Wilmington Associate Degree in Nursing
Nursing Assistant Certificate
Leads School of Technology Certificate in Practical Nursing
University of Delaware Accelerated Second Degree BSN
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
Master of Science in Nursing
Post-Baccalaureate PhD
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
Wilmington University Doctor of Nursing Practice
MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN: Nursing Education
Master of Science in Nursing
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Category: 
Delaware