Hannah Pierce, BSN
June 26, 2025
Utah’s nursing education landscape provides clear, accessible pathways for both new and seasoned healthcare professionals. Whether you’re starting 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 for advanced practice as a Nurse Practitioner (NP), the state’s community colleges, universities, and health systems blend rigorous academics with hands‑on clinical training. Through immersive practicum placements at accredited healthcare facilities and flexible online coursework designed for diverse schedules, Utah’s nursing programs equip graduates with the expertise, credentials, and competitive salary potential needed to thrive across the state’s evolving care settings.
Draper, UT - Private 4-year - joyce.edu
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Joyce University's Associate of Science in Nursing is a 20-month hybrid program blending online coursework with clinical experiences in Draper, Utah. It requires no prerequisites and includes 472.5 clinical hours, preparing students for the NCLEX-RN exam. Accredited by ACEN, this program offers a flexible and rigorous path to an RN career, featuring a state-of-the-art simulation center for hands-on practice.
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The Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Joyce University is a 3-year hybrid program with online components and in-person clinical training in Draper, Utah. It has no prerequisites and a high 94.31% NCLEX pass rate, supported by 517.5 clinical hours and hands-on simulations. Accredited by CCNE, this program is accessible to students in multiple states, offering flexible learning options for aspiring registered nurses.
Murray, UT - Private 4-year - eaglegatecollege.edu
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Eagle Gate College-Murray offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in a hybrid format, blending online coursework with on-campus and clinical experiences. Ideal for busy adults, it starts with a fully online first year and emphasizes small classes, experienced instructors, and career support. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED, previous transcripts, and the HESI entrance exam. The program prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam, with financial aid available for eligible applicants.
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Eagle Gate College-Murray's Direct Entry MSN (MEPN) program is designed for non-nursing bachelor's degree holders, offering a hybrid format that combines online learning with early clinicals starting in week one. Completed in about 20 months, it includes free prerequisites and boasts a 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate. The curriculum covers evidence-based practices, patient-centered care, and healthcare technologies, with no entrance exam required as per the program's promotion. Financial aid and job placement assistance are provided, leveraging proximity to top healthcare employers.
Salt Lake City, UT - Private 4-year - westminstercollege.edu
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Westminster University in Salt Lake City offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that blends liberal arts with clinical training, fostering critical thinking and ethical care. With small class sizes and mentorship from experienced faculty, students gain hands-on experience in simulation labs and diverse clinical settings. Accredited by CCNE, the program boasts high NCLEX-RN pass rates and strong employment outcomes. Entrance exams such as ACT or SAT are required for admission. The curriculum includes courses like Pathophysiology and Transitional Care Nursing, preparing graduates for leadership roles in nursing.
Layton, UT - Private 4-year - eaglegatecollege.edu
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Eagle Gate College-Layton's hybrid Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program combines online and in-person learning, with the first year fully online for flexibility. It prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam through evidence-informed practice and interdisciplinary teamwork training, accredited by CCNE. Small class sizes, hands-on labs, and career support enhance the experience. Admissions require a high school diploma or GED, the HESI entrance exam, and FAFSA completion, making it ideal for busy adults seeking a comprehensive nursing education.
Salt Lake City, UT - Private 4-year - nightingale.edu
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Nightingale College offers an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, designed for completion in under three years. It blends online coursework with hands-on field experiences across the U.S., featuring virtual simulations and at-home lab kits to prepare students for the NCLEX-RN exam. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and practical skills, with a concept-based approach. Tuition is $645 per semester credit, and financial aid is available. Start dates are offered in spring, summer, and fall, and the program is accredited by CCNE. No entrance exam is required for admission.
Utah’s LPN programs combine classroom instruction in anatomy, pharmacology, and foundational nursing techniques with supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, long‑term care facilities, and community health centers. Students gain hands‑on experience administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and assisting with patient recovery under professional supervision. After passing the NCLEX‑PN exam and obtaining Utah licensure, graduates step into roles that alleviate RN and physician workloads. By strengthening the practical nursing workforce across both Salt Lake City’s urban centers and the state’s rural communities, these programs help ensure reliable access to quality care statewide.
Utah’s CNA programs deliver six to twelve weeks of training in core care techniques, such as patient hygiene, infection control, and vital‑sign monitoring, alongside supervised practicums. Students practice assisting with daily living, observing conditions, and reporting findings to nursing teams. Following certification, CNAs integrate into multidisciplinary care settings, providing essential support in both clinical and home‑health environments. Their role strengthens Utah’s capacity to deliver compassionate, efficient care.
Utah’s RN to BSN programs pair self-paced online coursework in nursing leadership, population and rural health, informatics, and healthcare policy with supervised clinical rotations across urban hospitals and rural clinics. Offered in flexible part-time and accelerated formats, they let RNs balance work shifts with their studies. Earning a BSN sharpens evidence-based practice and care-coordination skills, meets employer and accreditation standards for baccalaureate-prepared nurses, and unlocks specialty certifications and leadership roles. By advancing their credentials, Utah’s nursing workforce is better equipped to serve communities from metropolitan centers to remote mountain areas.
Utah’s Nurse Practitioner programs expand a BSN into advanced practice through two- to four-year MSN and DNP tracks that blend rigorous coursework and hands-on clinical rotations in family practice, pediatrics, women’s health, and psychiatric-mental health. Available on-campus, online, and in hybrid formats at institutions like the University of Utah and Brigham Young University, they prepare nurses for APRN certification and Utah licensure. Graduates serve as primary care providers, chronic care coordinators, and telehealth clinicians in Salt Lake City hospitals, rural mountain clinics, and underserved Wasatch Front communities. By boosting advanced-practice capacity statewide, these programs strengthen Utah’s healthcare system.
| Degree | Typical Length | Prerequisites | Outcome / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) | ~2 years | High school diploma or GED | Common in rural areas, RN-to-BSN pathways widely used to meet BSN-in-10 requirement |
| RN Diploma | 2-3 years | High school diploma or GED | No longer offered in Utah |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | 4 years (12-18 months accelerated) | High school diploma or ADN transfer | BSN-in-10 state, BSN strongly preferred by major employers statewide |
| Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | 2 years (post-BSN) | BSN + RN license | Prepares for advanced roles, NPs practice independently with full authority |
| Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | 3-6 years (post-BSN or post-MSN) | BSN or MSN + RN license | Highest degree, DNP-prepared NPs also practice independently statewide |
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Concentration: Paramedic to RN bridge - Campus Based - Website
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