Jake Flannigan, NP
June 26, 2025
New Mexico’s nursing programs span every stage of professional growth, offering clear pathways from entry‑level certification to advanced clinical practice. Whether you’re earning your credential as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), advancing from Registered Nurse (RN) to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), pursuing licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or training to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), the state’s community colleges, universities, and health systems blend rigorous academics with hands‑on clinical learning. With flexible online coursework paired with immersive practicum experiences at accredited healthcare facilities, New Mexico’s nursing programs equip graduates with the knowledge, credentials, and competitive salary potential needed to excel across diverse care settings.
Portales, NM - Public 4-Year - enmu.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
Eastern New Mexico University's 100% online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Completion Program offers working professionals a flexible pathway to advance their nursing career. Designed for registered nurses, this streamlined program allows full-time students to complete their degree in just 16 months. With ACEN accreditation and 8-week courses, students can enhance their critical thinking, clinical judgment, and professional development. The program boasts an impressive 98% employment rate for graduates and provides comprehensive learning outcomes focused on ethical, high-quality patient care across diverse healthcare settings.
Albuquerque, NM - Public 4-Year - unm.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of New Mexico's Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program prepares aspiring nurses for dynamic healthcare careers. Designed for students without an RN license, the program offers five unique entry paths, including freshman direct-entry, campus-based options, and an accelerated second-degree track. Students complete comprehensive prerequisites in biology, chemistry, psychology, and nursing-specific courses. The rigorous curriculum combines in-person learning with advanced simulation experiences, equipping graduates with critical skills for modern healthcare environments.
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN Option at the University of New Mexico-Main Campus is designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree and are looking to transition into nursing. This 16-month program offers a fast-paced curriculum with a focus on hands-on learning through clinical experiences and state-of-the-art simulation labs. Students benefit from a low student-to-faculty ratio and diverse clinical placements, including opportunities within the UNM Health System. The program prepares graduates for a rewarding career in nursing, with a strong emphasis on interprofessional learning and community engagement.
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Freshman Direct-Entry BSN Option at the University of New Mexico is designed for high school seniors meeting specific criteria, offering a direct path to a nursing career. This program combines rigorous academic coursework with hands-on clinical experiences, preparing students for the challenges of modern healthcare. Admission requires meeting pre-established criteria, with a focus on students ready to commit to nursing early. The program emphasizes patient care, leadership, and evidence-based practice, setting a solid foundation for future healthcare professionals. Financial aid and scholarships are available to eligible students, making this an accessible option for aspiring nurses.
Albuquerque, NM - Private 4-year - brooklinecollege.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Brookline College in Albuquerque, NM, is designed for aspiring nurses seeking a comprehensive education. This hybrid program combines online coursework with hands-on clinical experiences, preparing students for the NCLEX-RN exam. With a focus on patient care across various settings, the curriculum covers adult health, pediatrics, and mental health nursing. The program boasts year-round enrollment, no wait lists, and personalized academic support. Financial aid options are available to help manage the cost of $102,429.33, including NM Gross Receipt Tax. Start your nursing journey in a supportive environment that values your career success.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Brookline College in Albuquerque, NM, offers an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program designed for individuals with a non-nursing bachelor's degree or completed general education credits. This hybrid program blends online coursework with hands-on training, allowing students to earn their BSN in as little as 16 months. The curriculum covers essential nursing topics, including pharmacology, adult health, and leadership in healthcare, preparing graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam. With personalized tutoring, career services, and a tuition forgiveness program for eligible students, Brookline College supports your journey into nursing. Admissions require a HESI exam and specific prerequisite courses, with financial aid options available to help manage costs.
Las Cruces, NM - Public 4-Year - nmsu.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
New Mexico State University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) prepares students for a dynamic healthcare career, offering comprehensive training across multiple campuses. The rigorous four-year, 124-125 credit program equips students with advanced clinical skills and theoretical knowledge, positioning graduates for successful registered nurse licensure through the NCLEX-RN exam. With competitive admission standards and a statewide curriculum, students benefit from high-quality nursing education, practical clinical experiences, and multiple pathway options for diverse student backgrounds.
Espanola, NM - Public 4-Year - nnmc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Northern New Mexico College offers an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program designed for those passionate about making a difference in healthcare. This program, accredited by ACEN, prepares students for a rewarding nursing career in just five semesters. With a focus on hands-on learning, students gain experience in various healthcare settings. The program boasts exceptional faculty, personalized support, and strong community partnerships, ensuring graduates are ready to meet the high demand for skilled nurses. Prerequisite courses can be completed in one semester, making the path to your nursing career faster and more accessible.
New Mexico’s LPN programs combine targeted coursework in anatomy, pharmacology, and nursing fundamentals with hands‑on clinical rotations in hospitals, long‑term care facilities, and community health centers. Students gain practical experience administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and supporting patient recovery under professional supervision. After passing the NCLEX‑PN exam and obtaining New Mexico licensure, graduates step into roles that alleviate RN and physician workloads and expand access to care. By strengthening the practical nursing workforce across both urban centers like Albuquerque and rural communities throughout the state, these programs help ensure consistent, quality healthcare for all New Mexicans.
New Mexico’s CNA pathways span six to twelve weeks, combining classroom training on infection prevention and cultural‑competency in care with practical practicums. Students develop hands‑on expertise in daily‑living assistance, vital‑sign monitoring, and patient communication. After certification, graduates support diverse care teams, from urban hospitals to tribal health centers. Their presence is vital for extending quality care into all corners of the state.
New Mexico’s RN to BSN programs blend self-paced online learning in areas like nursing leadership, rural and community health, informatics and policy with supervised clinical experiences at both regional hospitals and frontier clinics. Designed for flexibility, these bridge pathways offer part-time and accelerated tracks so you can juggle work shifts alongside coursework. Completing a BSN enriches skills in evidence-based practice and interdisciplinary coordination, meets employer and accreditation standards, and unlocks leadership, specialty certification and public health roles across New Mexico.
New Mexico’s Nurse Practitioner programs build on a BSN foundation by blending advanced graduate coursework with hands-on clinical residencies, typically completed over two to four years, in areas such as family health, pediatric care, and psychiatric-mental health. Delivered through on-campus cohorts, hybrid schedules, and fully online tracks at universities and tribal health systems statewide, these MSN and DNP pathways equip nurses for APRN certification and New Mexico licensure. Graduates assume roles as primary care providers, chronic disease coordinators, and telehealth specialists in urban centers like Albuquerque and Santa Fe, frontier community clinics, and reservation health facilities. By supplying expertly trained practitioners to regions with physician shortages and extending high-level care into rural and underserved areas, NP programs are vital to bolstering New Mexico’s healthcare infrastructure.
Degree | Typical Length | Prerequisites | Outcome / Notes |
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Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) | ~2 years | High school diploma or GED | Common entry in rural/tribal areas, many transition to RN-to-BSN programs |
RN Diploma | 2-3 years | High school diploma or GED | No longer offered in New Mexico |
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | 4 years (12-18 months accelerated) | High school diploma or ADN transfer | BSN-in-10 state, BSN-prepared nurses strongly preferred statewide |
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 |
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Concentration: LPN to RN Mobility - Campus Based - Website
Concentration: NMNEC - Campus Based - Website
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