For our 2024 rankings, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac collected data on nearly 3,000 nursing schools and campuses throughout the United States. We evaluated each school on three dimensions:
North Carolina
We've organized a comprehensive list of North Carolina nursing schools. Below you'll find information on specific nursing programs such as LPN diplomas and ADN, BSN, and MSN degrees. You'll also find a profile of nursing education and careers in each major North Carolina city.
For our 2024 rankings of prelicensure BSN programs, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac compiled an extensive database of student performance on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Aspiring registered nurses in the United States must pass this examination before they may commence practice. Thus, student performance on the NCLEX-RN exam provides an excellent benchmark for comparing the relative quality of bachelor’s degree programs.
Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow seven percent over the next decade, faster than the overall job market. Many aspiring RNs choose to enroll in an associate degree program so that they can enter the workforce quickly. An ADN curriculum is less time-consuming than a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree, and it adequately prepares students for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and subsequent employment.
The first step towards a career as a licensed practical nurse is enrolling in an LPN diploma program at one of North Carolina’s community colleges or vocational schools. These programs are fairly brief, typically requiring twelve months of fulltime study. The North Carolina Board of Nursing has approved more than forty LPN diploma programs across the state, providing students a broad menu of options from which to choose.
Charlotte’s aspiring nurses can achieve licensure through a variety of education pathways. Each pathway is specific to one of the four major nursing roles.
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) attain licensure through a brief certificate program. CNA certificates are most frequently offered at community colleges, although several private schools also offer these programs. The CNA role is very popular in Charlotte; over 7,000 CNAs are currently employed in the metropolitan area. This is primarily due to the relatively small time and financial investment required to become a CNA.