Jake Flannigan, NP
June 26, 2025
Vermont’s nursing education offerings provide clear, accessible pathways for professionals at every stage of their career, from foundational preparation to advanced practice specialization. Whether you’re beginning as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), advancing from Registered Nurse (RN) to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), obtaining licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or training to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), the state’s colleges, universities, and and health systems blend rigorous academic coursework with immersive clinical training. Through hands‑on practicum placements at accredited care facilities and flexible online modules designed for diverse learning styles, Vermont’s nursing programs equip graduates with the expertise, credentials, and competitive salary potential needed to excel across the state’s varied healthcare environments.
Randolph, VT - Public 4-Year - vermontstate.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Vermont State University's hybrid A.S. in Nursing is tailored for LPNs seeking RN licensure, featuring a blend of in-person and remote learning with state-of-the-art simulation labs. It boasts a 95% NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2023 and includes clinical internships, allowing students to work while studying. Financial aid and scholarships are available, and as an associate-level program, it does not require an ACT or SAT entrance exam, facilitating an affordable and flexible path to career advancement.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Vermont State University's B.S.N. program offers a comprehensive, hands-on education with over 600 clinical hours at top medical centers, leading to a 92.98% NCLEX pass rate. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and person-centered care, with flexible tracks for traditional and working students. Annual tuition ranges from $15,816 to $27,624, and over 80% receive financial aid. This bachelor's program does not require an ACT or SAT entrance exam, focusing on preparing graduates for leadership roles in nursing.
Burlington, VT - Public 4-Year - uvm.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Vermont's B.S. in Professional Nursing is a comprehensive on-campus program requiring 123 credit hours, with 594 hours of clinical instruction and state-of-the-art simulation technology. It emphasizes a blend of sciences, humanities, and specialized nursing practices, starting clinical experience in the sophomore year. Admission follows general criteria, and it may require an ACT or SAT entrance exam. Graduates benefit from high NCLEX pass rates (96.15% in 2023) and partnerships with top healthcare organizations, supported by financial aid options.
Campus Based - Visit Website
UVM's Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing is an accelerated on-campus program for non-nursing bachelor's degree holders, leading to RN licensure in one year and online master's completion. It offers specializations in Business Leadership, Education, and Public Health, with a 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2023. Admission requires a 3.0 GPA in prerequisites and may require an entrance exam like the GRE. Scholarships up to $20,000 are available, focusing on advanced clinical expertise.
Northfield, VT - Private 4-year - norwich.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Norwich University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is a four-year, campus-based course accredited by CCNE, preparing students for the NCLEX-RN exam. It emphasizes hands-on learning through simulation labs and clinical affiliations with top medical centers, integrating technology like iPads for patient care. Admission requires meeting Norwich's general requirements, which may include ACT or SAT exams for bachelor's level programs. Graduates are trained as globally minded nurse leaders, equipped for modern healthcare complexities.
Vermont’s LPN programs blend classroom instruction in anatomy, pharmacology, and nursing fundamentals with supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, long‑term care facilities, and rural community clinics. Students gain hands‑on experience administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and supporting patient recovery under professional supervision. After passing the NCLEX‑PN exam and earning Vermont licensure, graduates bolster the state’s practical nursing workforce, enhancing access to quality care from Burlington to its most remote communities.
Vermont’s CNA courses generally last six to twelve weeks, combining classroom modules on infection control, patient comfort, and safety protocols with supervised practicums. Learners practice feeding, mobility assistance, and hygiene support, while refining vital‑sign monitoring and reporting skills. Once certified, CNAs become valued members of care teams in hospitals, nursing homes, and community clinics. Their efforts ensure consistent, high‑quality bedside care across the state.
Vermont’s RN to BSN pathways blend advanced online modules in nursing leadership, rural and community health, informatics and policy with supervised clinical rotations at district hospitals and community clinics. Offered in both part-time and accelerated tracks, these bridge programs let RNs continue working while they earn their bachelor’s degree. Completing a BSN enhances competencies in evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary coordination and systems-level thinking, aligns with employer and accreditation standards for baccalaureate-prepared nurses, and unlocks opportunities in leadership, specialty certification and public health roles statewide. By advancing their education, Vermont’s nurses are better equipped to meet the state’s unique rural healthcare challenges.
Vermont’s Nurse Practitioner programs build on a BSN with two- to four-year MSN and DNP tracks that blend advanced coursework and hands-on clinical rotations in family practice, pediatric care, and psychiatric-mental health. Available on-campus, online, and in hybrid formats at the state’s universities and health centers, they prepare nurses for APRN certification and Vermont licensure. Graduates serve as primary care clinicians, chronic disease coordinators, and telehealth providers in Burlington hospitals, rural community clinics, and Northeast Kingdom practices. By expanding advanced-practice capacity in underserved areas, these programs strengthen Vermont’s healthcare network.
| Degree | Typical Length | Prerequisites | Outcome / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) | ~2 years | High school diploma or GED | Still available, BSN preferred statewide, especially at major employers |
| RN Diploma | 2-3 years | High school diploma or GED | No longer offered in Vermont |
| 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 employers 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, NPs practice independently with full authority |
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website