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According to the Nevada Health Workforce Research Center, the number of registered nurses (RNs) in the state increased by 24% in the last decade. With some of the country's highest average salaries for nurses and high National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN) pass rates, Nevada has become an attractive place to pursue the field.
This guide explores some of the best nursing programs in Nevada, the salary and job outlook for graduates, and state licensing guidelines. Keep reading to learn more about the best nursing schools in Nevada.
Learn more about the top nursing schools in Nevada and discover which programs provide the best options for prospective nurses.
Our Methodology: We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best nursing schools in Nevada, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.
#1 Nevada Nursing Schools and Programs
Serving more than 4,000 students annually, GBC offers an associate of applied science in nursing degree. Ranked among the top nursing schools in Nevada, the program builds entry-level skills for practicing nurses.
Degree candidates benefit from a hybrid format that includes online classes and in-person clinical sessions and simulations. Students can usually perform clinical requirements near their own community.
#2 Nevada Nursing Schools and Programs
One of the top nursing schools in Nevada, UNR offers several nursing degrees. Candidates can choose from a traditional BSN, an accelerated BSN, and an RN-to-BSN pathway. All three programs feature significant hands-on experience, including clinical placements at healthcare sites and simulation labs held on the UNR campus in Reno.
#3 Nevada Nursing Schools and Programs
Founded in 1957, UNLV hosts one of the top nursing programs in Nevada. The school offers a bachelor's in nursing with traditional and RN-to-BSN enrollment options. Students who already hold a bachelor's in another field can also pursue an accelerated second degree option that eliminates many lower division course requirements.
#4 Nevada Nursing Schools and Programs
A community college based in Reno, TMCC offers an associate of science in nursing program. Ranked among the top nursing programs in Nevada, the degree builds basic nursing competencies and prepares graduates to earn their RN.
Candidates complete courses, such as cultural aspects of nursing care, fundamentals of pharmacology, and professional nursing behaviors. The program ends with a capstone course.
#5 Nevada Nursing Schools and Programs
A private college based in Henderson, Roseman ranks as one of the best nursing schools in Nevada. The accelerated bachelor of science in nursing program features extensive clinical training in several different practice settings.
Candidates can take courses on campus or enroll in a hybrid format that includes some online sessions. Roseman offers four annual start dates.
#6 Nevada Nursing Schools and Programs
A public college located in Carson City, WNC ranks among the top nursing schools in Nevada. WNC offers several two-year programs and a small selection of four-year bachelor's degrees.
The school's associate of applied science in registered nursing trains students for entry-level nursing practice as RNs. The program includes lab courses in health assessment and medical surgical nursing.
There are many factors to consider as you explore nursing programs in Nevada. For example, you should limit your search to accredited nursing schools and programs.
Other features to examine include tuition rates, program length, and any available financial aid options for nurses. You can find out if a program successfully prepares students for the workforce by checking its NCLEX pass rate and graduation rate.
Nurses in Nevada enjoy some of the highest average salaries in the United States. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), RNs, and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) earn higher salaries in their respective fields than 80% of their counterparts nationwide.
Nevada nursing students also demonstrate some of the country's highest NCLEX-RN pass rates. In 2020, over 93% of first-time test takers passed the exam, ranking Nevada the 12th most successful state in preparing its students for the NCLEX-RN.
Offering high average salaries and strong nursing programs, Nevada is a great place for prospective nurses to begin their careers.
Nevada offers RNs some of the highest average annual salaries in the country. At $89,750 per year, Nevada is just ahead of New Jersey ($85,720) and right behind New York ($89,760). Nurse practitioners (NPs) fare even better than their RN counterparts, coming in just outside of the top five states with an average annual salary of $119,890.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Nevada ranks 36th in demand estimates. The state is projected to have a surplus of 8,100 nurses by the year 2030. However, these projections were calculated before the COVID-19 pandemic, when many nurses left the field due to nurse burnout.
The following table identifies the highest-paying metropolitan areas in Nevada. Geographically, Las Vegas, Henderson, and Reno are the top three most populated areas in the state.
With much of the state covered in desert, employment opportunities cluster in the state's highly populated southernmost (Las Vegas) and westernmost (Carson City) regions.
| Top Paying Metropolitan Areas | Average Salary for RNs |
|---|---|
| Las Vegas — Henderson — Paradise | $92,720 |
| Carson City | $81,930 |
| Reno | $80,310 |
Candidates must complete a program approved by the Nevada State Board of Nursing and pass the NCLEX-RN before applying for state licensure.
After becoming licensed and gaining experience, RNs who complete an approved graduate program can apply for APRN licensure.
Both RNs and APRNs must satisfy continuing education requirements for nurses to maintain their license and work as a nurse in the state.
To become an RN in Nevada:
To become an APRN in Nevada:
Nurses who work in Nevada benefit from one of the nation's higher average annual salaries. The state is ranked 5th for LPNs, who earn $59,700 a year; 9th for RNs, who make $89,750; and 6th for NPs, who draw an average annual salary of $119,890.
While the state is not projected to experience a nursing shortage in the coming decade, promising job opportunities make Nevada a good state for LPNs, RNs, and APRNs.
To transfer a nursing license to Nevada, out-of-state nurses should apply for licensure by endorsement. Licensed LPNs and RNs must have graduated from an accredited program to get endorsement. The Nevada State Board of Nursing issues qualified nurses a temporary license that is valid for six months.
The nurse must then undergo a background check before the end of the six months to receive a permanent license. Individuals who do not complete the background check before their temporary license expires cannot reapply for licensure.
Nevada does not currently participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nursing compact states agree to a set of rules and procedures that all licensed RNs must follow. The NLC makes it easier for RNs to qualify for a license in other NLC states with minimal paperwork. Nurses with an NLC license do not need to pay license renewal fees and can provide telehealth nursing care to patients across state lines.
The easiest way to become a nurse in Nevada is to enroll in an ADN or BSN program in the state. Completing an in-state program makes it easier to earn a Nevada nursing license.
Individuals who have earned their license in another state can contact the Nevada State Board of Nursing for a temporary license. As long as the nurse completes a background check before the temporary license expires, the state should issue a permanent license.
NurseJournal.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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