Top Nursing Schools & Programs in North Carolina

Fayetteville State University's Generic BSN program is a five-semester, campus-based curriculum that prepares students for RN licensure through NCLEX readiness. It emphasizes primary and preventative care, with hands-on training in state-of-the-art simulators and clinical experiences in diverse settings like community nursing and pediatrics. This HBCU and military-friendly program requires a Kaplan entrance exam, a personal statement, and prerequisites, focusing on ethics and a capstone project for advanced nursing roles.

• Five-semester Upper Division.
• Hands-on simulator training.
• Clinical experience included.
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN.
• Focus on primary care.
• Diverse healthcare settings.
• State-of-the-art facilities.
• Faculty support emphasized.
• Community Nursing focus.
• Pediatrics included.

Fayetteville State University's Accelerated BSN track is a hybrid program designed for individuals with a non-nursing bachelor's degree, offering a fast path to nursing with online and in-person components including simulation labs and clinicals. It prepares graduates for the NCLEX exam and careers in various healthcare settings, requiring a 3.0 GPA, bachelor's degree, and prerequisites, with no specified entrance exam mentioned for admission.

• Hybrid learning format.
• Prepares for NCLEX exam.
• For degree holders in other fields.
• Combines online and in-person learning.
• Includes clinical experiences.
• Accredited nursing program.
• 3.0 GPA requirement.
• Bachelor's degree required.
• Focus on nursing fundamentals.
• Fast-track to nursing career.

North Carolina A&T State University's Traditional BSN program is a four-year, campus-based curriculum for aspiring nurses, requiring a high school GPA of 3.5 for freshmen or 3.0 for transfers, plus SAT or ACT scores. It integrates core and specialized nursing courses with innovative clinical learning, preparing graduates for diverse healthcare roles. As an HBCU and military-friendly institution in Greensboro, it offers a solid foundation in nursing education.

• Four-year BSN program.
• Combines core and nursing courses.
• High school GPA 3.5 required.
• Transfer students need 3.0 GPA.
• Prepares for diverse healthcare roles.
• Innovative classroom and clinical learning.
• Admission requires SAT/ACT scores.
• Located in Greensboro, NC.

The Accelerated BSN at North Carolina A&T State University is a rigorous 12-month, full-time program for second-degree students, requiring a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA, TEAS test, CNA I certification, and competitive admission. It emphasizes hands-on learning and comprehensive coursework, preparing graduates for nursing careers quickly. Located in Greensboro, this military-friendly HBCU program focuses on high achievement and practical experience.

• 12-month intensive program.
• Full-time study required.
• Bachelor's degree prerequisite.
• 3.0 minimum GPA needed.
• TEAS test required.
• CNA I certification needed.
• Competitive admission process.
• Hands-on learning focus.
• Located in Greensboro, NC.
• Comprehensive nursing curriculum.

North Carolina A&T State University's online RN-to-BSN program allows registered nurses to advance their careers with up to 56 transferable hours and 34 proficiency credits for an associate degree and RN license. Admission requires an associate degree, current license, and meeting GPA standards; it's flexible, permitting post-enrollment general education courses. This military-friendly HBCU program enhances skills for leadership roles in healthcare without requiring entrance exams.

• Online program flexibility
• 120 semester hours for graduation
• 56 transferable semester hours
• 34 proficiency credits awarded
• Current RN license required
• Associate degree prerequisite
• GPA meets university requirements
• Up to 3 general education courses post-enrollment
• Criminal background check required
• 12 Panel Drug-Screen

The University of North Carolina Wilmington offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program with prelicensure, RN-BSN, and ABSN tracks, emphasizing client-centered care, lifelong learning, and quality improvement. It requires a combined GPA of 2.7, TEAS Assessment, and five prerequisite courses for admission, with no concentration specified. As a bachelor's level program, it may require ACT or SAT for prelicensure admission, but details are not explicitly stated.

• Three program options available.
• Prelicensure requires secondary application.
• RN-BSN mostly online.
• ABSN fast-track in four semesters.
• Emphasizes professional nursing values.
• Admission requires UNCW enrollment.
• Combined GPA of 2.7 needed.
• TEAS Assessment completion required.
• Five prerequisite courses specified.
• Curriculum integrates core concepts.

UNCW's online RN-BSN program is accredited and designed for licensed registered nurses, allowing degree completion in as few as 12 months with six annual start dates. It focuses on practical skills for high-demand roles and aging population care, preparing for graduate education with experienced faculty. No concentration is specified, and as a bachelor's level program, it does not require ACT or SAT for admission since it's for RNs with existing licensure.

• Accelerated online format
• Degree in 12 months
• Six annual start dates
• For licensed RNs
• Prepares for graduate education
• Experienced faculty
• Focus on aging population care
• Continuous admission process
• Real-world nursing experience
• High demand healthcare roles

The Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program at UNCW is a fast-track option for bachelor's degree holders, completed in four semesters with rigorous coursework and hands-on clinical experiences. It prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam, emphasizing client-centered care and quality improvement. No concentration is specified, and as a bachelor's level program, it may require ACT or SAT for admission, but details are not explicitly stated.

• Four semesters to completion
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam
• For bachelor's degree holders
• Emphasizes client-centered care
• Includes hands-on clinical experiences
• Rigorous coursework
• Focus on quality improvement
• Lifelong learning approach
• Diverse nursing roles preparation
• Specific prerequisite courses required

Gardner-Webb University's Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) is a 2-year on-campus program emphasizing compassionate care and Christian principles. It requires 72 credit hours, with 42 in nursing, and provides clinical experience through local healthcare partnerships. Graduates are prepared to take the NCLEX-RN and pursue various nursing roles, with options for advanced placement for LPNs and a seamless transition to BSN programs. Financial aid is offered, and the program requires an ACT or SAT entrance exam for admission.

• 2-year program
• On-campus learning
• 72 credit hours
• 42 nursing credits
• Christian values integration
• Real-world clinical hours
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Financial aid available
• Focus on compassionate care
• Evidence-based practices

Gardner-Webb University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is a 4-year on-campus degree that integrates Christian values into nursing education. Students complete 120 credit hours, including 60 in nursing, and gain practical experience through 120 hours of clinical care in their final year. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam and can transition seamlessly into MSN or DNP programs. Financial aid options like the Hunt Sisters Scholarship and forgivable loans are available. This program requires an ACT or SAT entrance exam for admission.

• 4-year program
• On-campus learning
• 120 credit hours
• 60 nursing credits
• 120-hour clinical experience
• NCLEX-RN eligible
• Christian values focus
• Seamless MSN/DNP transition
• Hunt Sisters Scholarship
• Forgivable loans available

The Associate of Science in Nursing at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences in Concord, NC, is a two-year program leading to RN licensure, boasting a 95% NCLEX-RN pass rate and 95% employment rate. It offers an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio, clinical experience starting in the first month, and part-time study options. Affiliated with Atrium Health, it provides affordable tuition with financial aid and scholarships. As an associate-level program, it may require entrance exams such as ACT or SAT for admission.

• Finish in two years.
• 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
• Clinical experience starts first month.
• 95% NCLEX-RN pass rate.
• Affordable with financial aid.
• Part-time options available.
• 95% employment rate post-graduation.
• Affiliated with Atrium Health.
• Hospital-based campus.
• Individualized instruction.

Cabarrus College of Health Sciences in Concord, NC, offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program that provides a direct path into nursing over four years. It combines general education with nursing curriculum, featuring small class sizes, early clinical experiences, and high-tech simulation labs on a hospital-based campus. With affordable tuition, financial aid, and strong NCLEX-RN preparation, graduates benefit from a pipeline to jobs at Atrium Health. This bachelor's program may require ACT or SAT entrance exams for admission.

• Four-year nursing degree
• Direct admission into program
• Small class sizes
• Early clinical experience
• High-tech simulation labs
• Affordable tuition
• Financial aid available
• Pipeline to Atrium Health jobs
• NCLEX-RN preparation
• Hospital-based campus