
Olivia Chen, NP
June 26, 2025
Ohio’s nursing education offerings encompass clear pathways for professionals at every stage of their career, blending foundational training with advanced practice preparation. Whether you’re earning your first credential as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), progressing from Registered Nurse (RN) to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), obtaining licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or specializing as a Nurse Practitioner (NP), the state’s colleges, universities, and health systems deliver robust coursework alongside immersive clinical experiences. With options for hands‑on practicums in a variety of care settings and flexible online modules designed for busy learners, Ohio’s nursing programs equip graduates with the expertise, professional credentials, and competitive salary potential needed to excel across the state’s dynamic healthcare landscape.
Columbus, OH - Private 4-year - mccn.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Mount Carmel College of Nursing's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program offers an exceptional pathway for aspiring nurses without prior experience. Located in Columbus, the program distinguishes itself through intimate class sizes and a strategic partnership with Mount Carmel Health System. Students benefit from comprehensive, evidence-based curriculum emphasizing clinical competence and professional development. The Direct Admit Pathway provides qualifying students guaranteed program entry, streamlining their educational journey. Accredited by prestigious nursing education organizations, this program prepares students for dynamic healthcare environments through rigorous academic training and hands-on clinical experiences. Students can expect personalized mentorship and a strong foundation in nursing practice.
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Ascent Program at Mount Carmel College of Nursing represents an accelerated BSN pathway designed for motivated students seeking rapid nursing career advancement. Completed in just five semesters, this program targets individuals with existing nursing coursework, offering an intensive educational experience. Students engage in comprehensive, evidence-based learning that emphasizes leadership skills and clinical proficiency. The curriculum combines academic rigor with practical training, preparing graduates for diverse healthcare settings. Small class sizes ensure personalized attention, while flexible financial aid options make this accelerated program accessible. Graduates emerge as competent, well-prepared nursing professionals ready to make meaningful contributions to patient care.
Online Learning - Visit Website
Mount Carmel's Online RN-BSN Completion Program provides licensed registered nurses a flexible pathway to advance their academic credentials. Fully accredited, this program accommodates working professionals through convenient online learning formats. Students can complete the degree in 2-3 semesters, with part-time options available to suit diverse schedules. The curriculum emphasizes advanced nursing knowledge, critical thinking, and professional development. With a remarkably low student-to-faculty ratio, participants receive personalized guidance and support throughout their educational journey. This program represents an ideal solution for registered nurses seeking to enhance their qualifications, expand career opportunities, and deepen their understanding of contemporary healthcare practices.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Mount Carmel's Second Degree Accelerated Program offers a dynamic entry point for bachelor's degree holders transitioning into nursing. Available in 13 and 18-month tracks, this hybrid program combines online and on-campus learning experiences. With an impressive 91.02% NCLEX-RN pass rate and 100% employment within 12 months of graduation, the program guarantees comprehensive professional preparation. Students must complete prerequisite courses in sciences, psychology, and English. The curriculum provides intensive nursing education, ensuring graduates are thoroughly equipped for immediate healthcare practice. Small class sizes facilitate personalized learning, while flexible financial aid options make this career transition accessible and strategic for motivated professionals seeking a rapid nursing career launch.
Toledo, OH - Private 4-year - mercycollege.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Mercy College of Ohio's Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing delivers a dynamic, student-centered educational experience tailored for modern healthcare professionals. Spanning five semesters, this program distinguishes itself through flexible evening and weekend scheduling, accommodating working students and career changers. Advanced simulation laboratories and extensive healthcare partnerships ensure immersive, practical learning experiences. Graduates consistently demonstrate exceptional performance, with pass rates significantly exceeding national benchmarks. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, individual patient care, and comprehensive clinical skills. Located in Toledo, the program provides accessible nursing education with potential financial support options. While specific entrance exam requirements may vary, students can expect a comprehensive, professionally oriented nursing pathway.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Mercy College of Ohio's BSN Nursing Prelicensure program presents an innovative pathway to becoming a registered nurse, strategically designed for aspiring healthcare professionals. Located in Toledo, this comprehensive eight-semester program integrates advanced clinical training with academic rigor. Students benefit from unique advantages including paid clinical hours in the final semester and a direct admission track for high school students. The program offers multiple start dates in spring, fall, and summer, providing exceptional flexibility. ACT or SAT entrance exams are typically required for admission. With robust partnerships with Mercy Health, students can explore debt-reduction opportunities while receiving high-quality nursing education focused on preparing competent, compassionate RNs for diverse healthcare environments.
Cincinnati, OH - Private 4-year - gscollege.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
Good Samaritan College's RN-to-BSN online program provides a strategic pathway for registered nurses seeking career advancement and academic growth. Tailored for working professionals, the program delivers comprehensive coursework across 27 nursing and 3 general education credits through flexible seven-week sessions. Students engage in cutting-edge learning that emphasizes leadership development, technological integration, and interprofessional collaboration. The curriculum is strategically designed to prepare nurses for advanced academic pursuits and diverse healthcare environments. With robust financial aid options and a focus on professional skill enhancement, this program empowers nurses to expand their clinical capabilities and career opportunities while maintaining their current employment.
Kettering, OH - Private 4-year - kc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Kettering College's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program provides an innovative pathway for aspiring nurses, offering flexible enrollment with three-year full-time and five-year part-time tracks. Students benefit from early clinical immersion at Kettering Health facilities, gaining hands-on experience across 124 semester credits. The curriculum strategically integrates arts and science foundations with professional nursing preparation, emphasizing leadership development. Prospective students should note the program begins in August and January, with clear admission requirements available online. Graduates are well-positioned to take the NCLEX-RN exam, launching their professional nursing careers with comprehensive training. The Seventh Day Adventist-affiliated institution prioritizes holistic healthcare education and practical skill development.
Kent, OH - Public 4-Year - kent.edu
Concentration: LPN to ADN - Campus Based - Visit Website
Kent State University's LPN to ADN Associate of Applied Science in Nursing offers licensed practical nurses a strategic pathway to registered nursing credentials. Specifically tailored for working professionals, this ACEN-accredited program emphasizes safe patient care, advanced communication techniques, and healthcare technology integration. Students develop leadership skills while preparing comprehensively for the NCLEX-RN examination. The curriculum bridges practical nursing experience with advanced theoretical knowledge, enabling seamless professional advancement. Designed for nurses seeking efficient career progression, the program meets Ohio's rigorous licensure requirements and provides flexible learning opportunities.
Concentration: Paramedic to ADN - Campus Based - Visit Website
Kent State University's Paramedic to ADN program offers certified paramedics a specialized route to registered nursing. This unique Associate of Applied Science concentration leverages existing emergency medical expertise, transforming paramedic skills into comprehensive nursing practice. ACEN-accredited and focused on patient-centered care, the program develops advanced communication, leadership, and clinical reasoning capabilities. Students benefit from a curriculum that integrates theoretical knowledge with practical healthcare experiences, preparing them strategically for the NCLEX-RN examination and expanded professional opportunities in diverse medical environments.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Kent State University's Associate of Applied Science in Nursing provides a robust two-year pathway to registered nursing certification. Spanning four regional campuses, this program delivers comprehensive nursing education emphasizing critical thinking and hands-on patient care. Accredited by ACEN and approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing, students gain technology-integrated training applicable across patient life stages. The curriculum balances theoretical instruction with practical clinical experiences, ensuring graduates are immediately prepared for workforce entry. With a strong focus on developing versatile nursing skills, students are equipped to provide high-quality, compassionate healthcare in various medical settings.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Kent State University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing provides aspiring nurses with a comprehensive education emphasizing patient-centered care and evidence-based practice. With a remarkable 92% NCLEX-RN pass rate and 99% job placement, students benefit from rigorous classroom instruction and extensive clinical experiences. The program requires a minimum 2.750 GPA and prerequisite courses in biology, chemistry, and mathematics. Students develop critical thinking skills and cultural competency through hands-on training in diverse healthcare environments. Prospective students must submit ACT or SAT scores for admission, with the curriculum designed to prepare graduates for dynamic nursing roles across various healthcare settings.
Ohio’s LPN programs combine 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 providing compassionate patient care under professional supervision. After passing the NCLEX‑PN exam and earning Ohio licensure, graduates bolster the practical nursing workforce by easing RN workloads and expanding access to quality care across both urban centers and rural areas.
Ohio’s CNA offerings typically last six to twelve weeks, pairing interactive lessons on patient‑care fundamentals and infection prevention with supervised clinical practicums. Students master tasks like feeding assistance, hygiene support, and vital‑sign monitoring, while honing reporting skills. Upon certification, CNAs join multidisciplinary teams in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and community clinics. Their contributions help streamline care delivery and improve patient experiences.
Ohio’s RN to BSN pathways pair advanced online study, covering nursing leadership, community and population health, informatics and healthcare policy, with supervised clinical residencies at both academic medical centers and community hospitals. Offered in part-time and accelerated formats, they allow RNs to keep working while they pursue their baccalaureate credential. Completing a BSN sharpens skills in evidence-based practice and interdisciplinary coordination, satisfies employer and accreditation standards, and unlocks opportunities in leadership, specialty certification and public health roles across Ohio.
In Ohio, Nurse Practitioner education transforms a BSN into advanced-practice expertise through challenging graduate coursework paired with diverse clinical immersions, usually spanning two to four years, in specializations like family care, pediatric health, and psychiatric-mental health. Delivered via on-campus seminars, hybrid blends, and fully online options at public and private institutions, these MSN and DNP curricula prepare nurses for APRN credentialing and Ohio licensure. Graduates go on to lead patient care as primary clinicians, chronic disease specialists, and telehealth providers in metropolitan hospitals, suburban outpatient centers, and critical-access facilities in rural Appalachia. By injecting a new cadre of skilled practitioners into regions facing physician shortages and broadening care delivery models, NP programs play a pivotal role in enhancing healthcare access and quality statewide.
| Degree | Typical Length | Prerequisites | Outcome / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) | ~2 years | High school diploma or GED | Common entry route, ADN nurses often required to pursue BSN |
| RN Diploma | 2-3 years | High school diploma or GED | Rare, but a few programs remain (e.g., Aultman, Christ Hospital) |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | 4 years (12-18 months accelerated) | High school diploma or ADN transfer | BSN-in-10 requirement, BSN-prepared nurses strongly preferred statewide |
| Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | 2 years (post-BSN) | BSN + RN license | Prepares for advanced roles, NPs require physician collaboration |
| Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | 3-6 years (post-BSN or post-MSN) | BSN or MSN + RN license | Highest degree, DNP-prepared NPs limited by reduced practice authority laws |
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Concentration: LPN to RN - Online & Campus Based - Website
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Concentration: HCW to ADN - Online & Campus Based - Website
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