Many different people are drawn to the nursing field. Whether attracted to the lucrative salaries, the reward of helping others, or the challenge of working in a dynamic healthcare setting, nursing schools in North Carolina can help aspiring RNs achieve their career goals. Find out more about where you can get proper education and training, as well as what is required to become licensed in North Carolina.
- Top Nursing Schools in North Carolina
- Search Nursing Schools
- State Licensing Requirements
- Nursing by the Numbers
- Resources & Associations
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Top Nursing Schools in North Carolina
Methodology +
BEST 4-YEAR NURSING SCHOOLS
The top nursing programs listed in this state's ranking were determined by comparison of three primary, equally-weighted criteria including
- Student-to-faculty ration
- In-state tuition
- Graduation rate
Additional details for each school were included:
- Count of programs available
- Public and not-for-profit schools
- Normalized on a 100 percent curve
The methodology used for tie-break is as follows...
- Ties are broken based on lowest average net price for full-time, first-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition (average cost of tuition and expenses after grants and scholarships).
- If necessary, the lowest in-state tuition rate is used as a second tie-break
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University of North Carolina at Chapel HillLocation
Chapel Hill, NC
Graduation Rate90%
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Duke UniversityLocation
Durham, NC
Graduation Rate95%
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Winston-Salem State UniversityLocation
Winston-Salem, NC
Graduation Rate46%
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East Carolina UniversityLocation
Greenville, NC
Graduation Rate59%
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Western Carolina UniversityLocation
Cullowhee, NC
Graduation Rate58%
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Queens University of CharlotteLocation
Charlotte, NC
Graduation Rate62%
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University of North Carolina WilmingtonLocation
Wilmington, NC
Graduation Rate71%
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Gardner-Webb UniversityLocation
Boiling Springs, NC
Graduation Rate54%
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University of North Carolina at GreensboroLocation
Greensboro, NC
Graduation Rate56%
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North Carolina Central UniversityLocation
Durham, NC
Graduation Rate47%
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Cabarrus College of Health SciencesLocation
Concord, NC
Graduation Rate38%
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University of North Carolina at CharlotteLocation
Charlotte, NC
Graduation Rate55%
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Appalachian State UniversityLocation
Boone, NC
Graduation Rate70%
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University of North Carolina at PembrokeLocation
Pembroke, NC
Graduation Rate34%
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Barton CollegeLocation
Wilson, NC
Graduation Rate44%
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Lenoir-Rhyne UniversityLocation
Hickory, NC
Graduation Rate54%
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North Carolina A&T State UniversityLocation
Greensboro, NC
Graduation Rate48%
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University of Mount OliveLocation
Mount Olive, NC
Graduation Rate43%
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Fayetteville State UniversityLocation
Fayetteville, NC
Graduation Rate35%
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Pfeiffer UniversityLocation
Misenheimer, NC
Graduation Rate35%
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Wingate UniversityLocation
Wingate, NC
Graduation Rate51%
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Lees-McRae CollegeLocation
Banner Elk, NC
Graduation Rate38%
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Methodist UniversityLocation
Fayetteville, NC
Graduation Rate34%
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McDowell Technical Community CollegeLocation
Marion, NC
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Rockingham Community CollegeLocation
Wentworth, NC
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Haywood Community CollegeLocation
Clyde, NC
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Vance-Granville Community CollegeLocation
Henderson, NC
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Blue Ridge Community CollegeLocation
Flat Rock, NC
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Wayne Community CollegeLocation
Goldsboro, NC
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College of the AlbemarleLocation
Elizabeth City, NC
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Coastal Carolina Community CollegeLocation
Jacksonville, NC
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Bladen Community CollegeLocation
Dublin, NC
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Cleveland Community CollegeLocation
Shelby, NC
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Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community CollegeLocation
Asheville, NC
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Western Piedmont Community CollegeLocation
Morganton, NC
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Craven Community CollegeLocation
New Bern, NC
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Randolph Community CollegeLocation
Asheboro, NC
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Sampson Community CollegeLocation
Clinton, NC
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Forsyth Technical Community CollegeLocation
Winston-Salem, NC
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James Sprunt Community CollegeLocation
Kenansville, NC
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Piedmont Community CollegeLocation
Roxboro, NC
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Johnston Community CollegeLocation
Smithfield, NC
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Central Carolina Community CollegeLocation
Sanford, NC
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Lenoir Community CollegeLocation
Kinston, NC
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Mayland Community CollegeLocation
Spruce Pine, NC
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Carteret Community CollegeLocation
Morehead City, NC
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Wilkes Community CollegeLocation
Wilkesboro, NC
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Cape Fear Community CollegeLocation
Wilmington, NC
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Isothermal Community CollegeLocation
Spindale, NC
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Catawba Valley Community CollegeLocation
Hickory, NC
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Pitt Community CollegeLocation
Winterville, NC
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Rowan-Cabarrus Community CollegeLocation
Salisbury, NC
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Roanoke-Chowan Community CollegeLocation
Ahoskie, NC
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Alamance Community CollegeLocation
Graham, NC
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Surry Community CollegeLocation
Dobson, NC
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Beaufort County Community CollegeLocation
Washington, NC
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Durham Technical Community CollegeLocation
Durham, NC
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South Piedmont Community CollegeLocation
Monroe, NC
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Brunswick Community CollegeLocation
Bolivia, NC
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Tri-County Community CollegeLocation
Murphy, NC
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Wilson Community CollegeLocation
Wilson, NC
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Halifax Community CollegeLocation
Weldon, NC
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Davidson County Community CollegeLocation
Thomasville, NC
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Caldwell Community College and Technical InstituteLocation
Hudson, NC
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Stanly Community CollegeLocation
Albemarle, NC
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Sandhills Community CollegeLocation
Pinehurst, NC
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Richmond Community CollegeLocation
Hamlet, NC
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Mitchell Community CollegeLocation
Statesville, NC
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Gaston CollegeLocation
Dallas, NC
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Mercy School of NursingLocation
Charlotte, NC
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Carolinas College of Health SciencesLocation
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina Schools for Nursing
With a projected shortfall in qualified nurses, nursing schools in North Carolina are stepping up to provide additional programs and more flexible opportunities for students. Entry-level, pre-licensure programs fall under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) and are offered as both two-year and four-year programs. Registered nurses may earn an associate degree or a bachelor of science in nursing to meet the requirements for state licensure. The search tool below can help you narrow your school choices to those that meet your personal and professional needs.
Getting a North Carolina Nursing License
Nurses must undergo rigorous training and hold a valid license in order to practice in North Carolina. And those who want to treat patients in a specialized area as a nurse practitioner or other advanced practice nurse must fulfill additional requirements. The North Carolina Board of Nursing oversees the licensure process an effort to standardize care at the highest level across the state.
Popular Programs
- Champlain College Online
Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration - Central Christian College of Kansas
B.S. in Healthcare Administration - Capella University
BS - Health Care Administration Leadership
Requirements
- Applicants whose state of residence is a Compact State other than North Carolina should apply for licensure in their home state. That license is good in all Compact States. If your home state is not a Compact State, apply for a single-state license in North Carolina.
- Complete a Board-approved RN education program
- Complete Nurse Gateway registration, which gives registrants access to license applications and other tools
- Apply to take the NCLEX-RN exam and submit the non-refundable $75 fee
- Submit the NCBON identification document
- Register to take the NCLEX-RN exam and pay the $200 fee
- Provide proof of completion of an approved education program. Graduates of an out-of-state school will need to have their institution submit official transcripts directly to the NCBON. International graduates are required to complete a Credentials Evaluation Service (CES Professional Report) or submit a CGFNS Certificate or VisaScreen. In most cases, international applicants will also need to pass an English proficiency exam.
- Take and pass the NCLEX-RN
Renewing Your North Carolina Nursing License
Nursing licenses expire on the last day of the nurse's birth month every two years and the Board of Nursing mails reminders three months prior to the expiration date. License renewals must be completed online no more than three months prior to expiration. Continuing Competence requirements must also be fulfilled on time. These include:
- 15 contact hours of continuing education and 640 hours of practice in the last two years
- National certification or re-certification
- 30 contact hours of continued education (CE)
- Completion of a refresher course that is Board approved
- Completion of at least two semester hours of post-licensure academic nursing education
- 15 contact hours of CE and completion of a nursing project as principal investigator or co-investigator
- 15 contact hours of CE and completion of CE education presentations that total at least five contact hours
- 15 contact hours of CE and publication of an article, paper, book or book chapter as the author or co-author
All nurses must meet one of the above requirements and submit a $100 fee to renew their licenses.
Becoming an Advanced Practice Nurse in NC
Advanced practice nurses are able to work in a specialized area of health care and often with minimal supervision. They are essentially registered nurses who have completed formal, advanced training to become certified nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse practitioners. Licensure requirements for these nurses are similar to the above, but also include a few additional steps:
- Complete a master's or higher degree program in a nursing specialty
- Hold national certification in the specialty
- Submit an application for licensure in the field
The North Carolina Board of Nursing website has more information about advanced practice licensing and renewal.
Nursing by the Numbers in NC
It's clear that nurses are in high demand, and that demand will only continue to grow. As baby boomers age and practicing nurses are lost to attrition, the state will need to add to its pool of qualified health care professionals. Get a better idea of what the nursing field looks like in North Carolina by reviewing the salary and employment data below:
Top-Paying Areas for RNs in North Carolina
| Area | Hourly Median Wage | Annual Median Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $31.80 | $66,140 |
| Greenville | $30.04 | $62,490 |
| Asheville | $29.41 | $61,170 |
| Fayetteville | $29.34 | $61,030 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $29.04 | $60,410 |
| Winston-Salem | $28.98 | $60,290 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $28.66 | $59,600 |
| Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill NC-SC | $28.06 | $58,370 |
| Western Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $27.38 | $56,950 |
| Other North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $27.24 | $56,660 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014
North Carolina vs. National Numbers
[statistics graphs]
Resources for NC Nurses
A number of podcasts are available for continuing education and personal development through the Board of Nursing.
North Carolina Association of Occupational Health Nurses
The North Carolina Association of Occupational Health Nurses is a group of about 300 occupational nurses in the state that works with the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses to advance the field.
North Carolina Board of Nursing
The North Carolina Board of Nursing regulates the practice of nursing and is the government agency that issues licenses and approves educational facilities.
North Carolina Nurses Association
North Carolina Nurses Association is the professional organization for nurses in the state and advocates for nurses and their patients.
North Carolina Organization for Nurse Leaders
North Carolina Organization for Nurse Leaders helps promote nursing leadership and boost public policy to strengthen the field. It partners with several other organizations in the state to also help improve patient care.
School Nurses Association of North Carolina
The School Nurses Association of North Carolina was established in 1992 to provide networking opportunities, professional resources and advocacy for school nurses in the state.