Jake Flannigan, NP
June 26, 2025
Nevada offers a range of nursing pathways suited to both entry‑level learners and seasoned professionals, reflecting the Silver State’s dynamic healthcare landscape. Whether you’re beginning as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), advancing from Registered Nurse (RN) to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), pursuing licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or training to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), Nevada’s community colleges, universities, and health systems deliver carefully structured curricula. With hands‑on clinical rotations at leading hospitals in Las Vegas, Reno, and Carson City alongside flexible online coursework, these programs equip graduates with real‑world experience. Upon completion, nurses are poised to step confidently into Nevada’s diverse medical settings with the credentials and competitive salary potential they need to succeed.
Las Vegas, NV - Private 4-year - lvcollege.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Las Vegas College's Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing is a campus-based program that equips students with essential practical nursing skills and patient care knowledge through hands-on training. Ideal for those entering the healthcare field quickly, it requires a high school diploma or GED for admission and does not mandate an ACT or SAT exam. The supportive learning environment fosters a family-like atmosphere, preparing graduates for rewarding nursing careers.
Online Learning - Visit Website
The RN-to-BSN program at Las Vegas College is an online offering designed for registered nurses seeking career advancement, focusing on leadership and practical skills development. This flexible program accommodates working professionals and requires a high school diploma or GED; no entrance exam is specified. It provides a pathway to enhance qualifications in nursing without the need for on-campus attendance.
Las Vegas, NV - Private 4-year - arizonacollege.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Arizona College of Nursing-Las Vegas offers a CCNE-accredited BSN program that can be completed in three years, combining classroom instruction with hands-on labs and clinical experiences. Evening general education classes provide flexibility, and the curriculum includes NCLEX-RN preparation from the start. With an 83.09% NCLEX pass rate, clinical partnerships in Nevada, and simulation labs, students are well-prepared for nursing careers. Financial aid, scholarships, and military benefits are available, and no ACT or SAT is required for admission.
Elko, NV - Public 4-Year - gbcnv.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Great Basin College's Associate of Applied Science in Nursing is an ACEN-accredited program preparing students for entry-level nursing roles across Nevada's rural areas through campuses in Elko, Ely, Pahrump, and Winnemucca. It emphasizes evidence-based, patient-centered care with hands-on clinical and simulation experiences, requiring the TEAS exam for admission. Graduates are well-equipped for further baccalaureate education, with an estimated total cost of around $18,050 including tuition and books, and financial aid is available.
Concentration: Paramedic/LPN Bridge - Campus Based - Visit Website
Great Basin College's AAS in Nursing: Paramedic/LPN Bridge program is designed for certified paramedics or LPNs seeking to become registered nurses, focusing on acute and complex health conditions. This 60-credit campus-based program includes courses in microbiology and psychology, requiring national or state certification and a degree from an accredited institution for admission. It prepares students for RN licensure with hands-on training and professional development, without a specified entrance exam mentioned.
Reno, NV - Private 2-year - carrington.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
Carrington College-Reno's online RN to BSN program offers a flexible path for registered nurses to advance their education without an entrance exam requirement. This accelerated 15-month program focuses on developing leadership, evidence-based practice, and advanced clinical skills, enhancing career opportunities in complex healthcare settings. Accredited and military-friendly, it supports working professionals with financial aid options, emphasizing technology-driven education to improve patient outcomes.
Las Vegas, NV - Private 2-year - carrington.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
Carrington College-Las Vegas offers an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program, designed for licensed RNs seeking to advance their careers. This 15-month program enhances skills in leadership, evidence-based practice, and patient care management, with a focus on cultural competency and innovative technologies. Accredited by CCNE, it provides a flexible learning environment and does not require an ACT or SAT entrance exam for admission, as it is a post-licensure program. Graduates are prepared for diverse healthcare settings, with financial aid options available.
Nevada’s LPN programs blend focused classroom instruction in anatomy, pharmacology, and nursing fundamentals with supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, long‑term care facilities, and community clinics. Students gain hands‑on experience administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and supporting patient recovery under professional guidance. After passing the NCLEX‑PN exam and earning Nevada licensure, graduates bolster the state’s practical nursing workforce, enhancing care delivery from urban centers like Las Vegas and Reno to its most remote communities.
Nevada’s CNA tracks last six to twelve weeks, combining patient‑care theory, covering infection control and anatomy basics, with supervised practicums in health facilities. Learners develop skills in bathing, dressing, feeding, and vital‑sign checks, honing their ability to observe and report changes. Upon certification, CNAs join care teams in acute and long‑term settings. Their support enhances patient comfort and aids nursing efficiency statewide.
Nevada’s Nurse Practitioner programs build on a BSN foundation by blending rigorous graduate-level coursework with extensive clinical residencies, usually completed over two to four years, in specialties such as family practice, pediatrics, and psychiatric-mental health. Offered through on-campus cohorts, hybrid formats, and fully online tracks at institutions across the state, these MSN and DNP pathways ready nurses for APRN certification and Nevada licensure. Graduates step into critical roles as primary care providers, chronic disease management specialists, and telehealth clinicians in Las Vegas and Reno medical centers, community health clinics, and rural frontier outposts. By supplying skilled advanced-practice nurses to regions with provider shortages and enhancing access to comprehensive care, NP programs are instrumental in strengthening Nevada’s healthcare system.
| Degree | Typical Length | Prerequisites | Outcome / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) | ~2 years | High school diploma or GED | Common entry path, rural hospitals depend on ADN nurses, but BSN preferred in cities |
| RN Diploma | 2-3 years | High school diploma or GED | No longer offered in Nevada |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | 4 years (12-18 months accelerated) | High school diploma or ADN transfer | Not a BSN-in-10 state, but most employers require/encourage BSN within a few years |
| Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | 2 years (post-BSN) | BSN + RN license | Prepares for advanced roles, NPs have full practice authority |
| Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | 3-6 years (post-BSN or post-MSN) | BSN or MSN + RN license | Highest degree, DNP-prepared NPs practice independently statewide |
Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Paramedic/LPN Bridge - Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online Learning - Website
Concentration: LPN to RN Bridge - Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online Learning - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online Learning - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website