March 2023

9 Best Nursing Schools in Las Vegas

Best Nursing Schools in Las Vegas

Nursing Schools Las Vegas

The best nursing schools in Las Vegas offer affordable and accredited programs for nurses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. If you want to become a nurse in Las Vegas, you may wonder how to choose between nursing schools.

First and foremost, when looking into nursing schools, narrow your options to only those that offer the degree program you need. For example, look for an LPN program, associate degree program, bachelor’s degree program, master’s degree program, or doctorate in nursing.

Then, we compare each of the nursing schools based on rank. You can also compare schools based on their National Council Licensure Examination results. And you can find the students’ average results from each one. As Nevada’s largest city, Las Vegas is the place to be for employment as a nurse. It offers the best opportunities for nursing careers.


Ranking Methodology for the Best Nursing Schools in Las Vegas

TopRNtoBSN editors know nursing students want to see results from their degree programs, so our ranking of the best nursing schools in Las Vegas focuses on accredited, reputable schools. Programs are ranked according to their cost, reputation, and variety of degrees. So, keep reading to find one of the top nursing schools to train you for a successful nursing career in the Las Vegas area!



1. University of Nevada Las Vegas

University of Nevada Las Vegas logo

The School of Nursing at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas offers a highly-rated master of nursing program. It ranks 11th in the US News and World Report’s best online master’s programs. The nursing school offers a traditional bachelor of science in nursing, an RN-to-BSN program that can be completed in a year, and an accelerated second-degree bachelor in nursing for students with a non-nursing degree. Students who want to earn a master’s can get a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in disciplines that include nurse educators, family nurse practitioners, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners. The school also offers PhD programs in nursing.

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is part of the public university system in Nevada and is classified as a public land-grant research university. It features educational opportunities in medicine, the arts, communication, social work, and engineering. Additionally, it is home to the William S. Boyd School of Law, the only law school in the state of Nevada.

Degrees: Traditional BSN, RN-BSN, Master of Science Direct Entry Generalist (DEMSN), MSN Nurse Educator, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing

More: Visit the school’s Las Vegas campus for more on its degrees in the nursing field


2. Roseman University of Health Sciences

The College of Nursing at Roseman University of Health Sciences offers degrees that include three BSN programs. The nursing school also offers a master of science with a family nurse practitioner (MSN/FNP) and a veteran pathway for military veterans with nursing experience. The school offers the option to attend an on-campus BSN program completed in 18 months. Students can also choose a hybrid online and an in-person BSN degree program that is 16 months. The MSN/FNP program is a 23-month-long program designed for nurses with a BSN who want to become nurse practitioners.

Roseman University of Health Sciences is a private university focusing on healthcare. It offers dental medicine and pharmacy doctorates, a master of business administration, and a bachelor of science in nursing. It has accreditation from the NWCCU, ACPE, and NLNAC.

Degrees:

  • Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
  • Veteran to BSN Pathway
  • RN to BSN
  • Master of Science in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN/FNP)
  • Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Certificate
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice

More: Visit the school’s Las Vegas campus for more on its degrees in the nursing field


3. Las Vegas College

The nursing program at Las Vegas College offers an associate of applied science in nursing (ASN) and takes two years to complete. The nursing program students learn how to accurately maintain health records and reports, take vital signs, and record patient health information. They learn to administer medications to patients and how to work with other health professionals in a team environment. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for the NCLEX and apply for their RN license from the state of Nevada.

Las Vegas College is a privately owned college that mostly offers educational programs in the health sciences. It also has some courses in accounting and business. Students can earn an associate of science for some programs and learn how to become a medical assistant, licensed practical nurse, lab assistant, EKG technician, phlebotomist, or medical insurance billing and coding professional.

More: Visit the school’s Las Vegas campus for more on its nursing education


4 College of Southern Nevada

The nursing program at the College of Southern Nevada offers education for students who want to earn their LPN or go on to earn their associate’s degree in nursing and become an RN. Students with their LPN can attend school, earn their ADN, and sit for the NCLEX to become licensed RN. The school offers the opportunity to learn nursing skills in state-of-the-art educational, clinical rotations, and laboratory facilities. These tools teach students to provide patients with the best possible health care. Nurses who have left the workforce and want to return to a nursing career can attend a one-semester refresher course and reactivate their license.

The College of Southern Nevada (CSN) is Nevada’s largest public community college. CSN offers over 70 academic programs and over 180 certificates and degrees in various programs.

Degrees:

  • AAS
  • LPN to RN: AAS
  • RN to BSN: BS baccalaureate degree program

More: Visit the school’s Las Vegas campus for more on its nursing education


5. Nevada State College

The School of Nursing at Nevada State College offers multiple avenues for students to earn their nursing degree as an RN-to-BSN or a full-time or part-time pre-licensure program for a bachelor of science in nursing. The pre-licensure BSN program is designed for students who do not have an RN or experience working in the healthcare field. Students who opt for the full-time program can earn their BSN in five semesters, while the part-time program attends for ten semesters, including the summer semester. Part-time students can attend an accelerated degree program even though they only attend six to nine credit hours a semester.

Nevada State College (NSC) is a public college and part of the Nevada System of Higher Education. The school has about 3,300 undergraduate students and features a diverse student body. NSC offers 26 bachelor’s degree programs and 16 minor studies. The school was opened in 2002 to provide higher education to a historically underserved population of Las Vegas and nearby communities. It prides itself on offering quality education at a lower cost than nearby UNLV. A majority of the graduates from NSC were awarded degrees in nursing and education.

More: Visit the school’s Las Vegas campus


6. Arizona College of Nursing

The nursing program at Arizona College of Nursing in Las Vegas is an accelerated bachelor of science in nursing program that takes three years or less with qualifying transfer credits. Students without transfer credits can take the core curriculum and the required classes to earn the BSN and sit for the NCLEX exam. Nursing students learn in small classroom environments and are taught on state-of-the-art medical teaching equipment. The program is accredited by the ABHES and CCNE and has a 97% pass rate for the NCLEX.

Arizona College of Nursing in Las Vegas is a private college. It only offers one educational discipline and degree: a nursing program that results in earning a bachelor of science in nursing.

More: Visit the school Las Vegas campus


7. Chamberlain University

Chamberlain University offers a bachelor of science in nursing program that enables students to graduate with their BSN in three years. Students who wish to earn their BSN in three years can attend school year-round and will be prepared to sit for the NCLEX exam. Nursing students must take at least 122 credit hours, including 56 credits in core studies and 66 credit hours in nursing classes. The school has a 94% first-time pass rate for the NCLEX.

Chamberlain University features campuses across the US and only teaches healthcare-related topics. It offers certificate programs, bachelor of science in nursing, RN to BSN, RN to MSN, nurse practitioner, and doctor of nursing practice programs. Classes are on-campus and online, with clinical trials and hands-on experience through affiliated hospitals. The HLC and CCNE accredited nursing programs.

More: Visit the school Las Vegas campus


8. Touro University Nevada

Touro University Nevada logo

Touro University Nevada’s nursing program prepares graduates with the knowledge and skills to become successful registered nurses. The nursing programs combine classroom instruction, clinical experience, and simulation-based exercises. The university offers an online RN to BSN program for nurses with an associate degree or diploma in nursing and graduate programs.

  • RN-BSN Program for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
  • MSN-FNP Program
  • Post-MSN Graduate Certificate-FNP
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice

Students use evidence based practice and critical thinking to provide safe, quality patient care. The curriculum also emphasizes leadership, communication, cultural sensitivity, and professional development. The program has accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

More: Visit the school

Related: 50 Cheapest RN to BSN Online Degree Programs


9. Truckee Meadows Community College

Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) offers a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program that provides students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to become Registered Nurses. Additionally, the program has accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Students can complete the degree in two years or three semesters with year-round study. It consists of classroom instruction, clinical experiences, hands-on training in various healthcare settings, and a nursing practicum. The curriculum includes courses in anatomy and physiology, nutrition, pharmacology, health assessment, and nursing theory and practice. Courses in communication, critical thinking, and professional development are also required. Upon completing the program, graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensing exam to become registered nurses (RNs). Then, working nurses can enroll in the school’s RN to BSN!

Nursing Programs: Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), RN to BSN 

More: visit the school for more on its nursing education programs.


Las Vegas NV

How Do You Choose a Nursing School in Las Vegas?

Start by researching the nursing schools in Las Vegas to see which ones have the best programs and meet your specific needs. You can find information about the schools online or by contacting the schools directly. 

Consider your program options: Once you have a list of potential schools, consider their programs. For example, some schools may specialize in a particular area of nursing, such as gerontology or pediatrics. Additionally, some may have in-person classes, while others offer online coursework.

Consider your budget: It is essential to consider your budget when selecting a nursing school. Many schools offer financial aid and scholarships to help reduce the cost of tuition.  Prospective students should also consider the price when comparing the different options for a nursing school in Las Vegas, NV. You’ll want to ensure that whichever nursing school you pick is affordable.

Compare graduation rates: The higher the graduation rate, the more support a student can expect.

Accreditation: The nursing program should have accreditation from either the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The program should also have approve from the Nevada State Board of Nursing.

Visit the campus: When you have narrowed your school list, visit each. This will give you a better sense of the school’s atmosphere and quality.  

Ask questions: Be bold and ask questions about the school and its programs. This is your opportunity to get all the information you need to make an informed decision.


How Is the Job Market for Nurses in Las Vegas?

In terms of the job market for nursing jobs in Las Vegas, the job market is pretty strong and expected to grow. Las Vegas has hospitals, nursing homes, doctors, and other healthcare facilities that offer Las Vegas nursing jobs.

The number of Las Vegas nurse jobs doesn’t rank the highest in the number of nurse jobs, but a person can still look for Las Vegas nurse jobs for either LPN or RN positions and find a job fairly easily.

Although Las Vegas nurse jobs aren’t noted as a city with the highest quotient of nurse jobs, the state of Nevada, in general, is known for its nursing jobs. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that there were 22,940 jobs for nurses in the state, and some of those positions were Las Vegas nurse jobs.


Las Vegas Nurse Practitioners Jobs

The BLS has neither reported information about nurse jobs in Las Vegas for nurse practitioners. In fact, not only do they not report the nurse jobs in Las Vegas and the Las Vegas nurse practitioner’s jobs, the state doesn’t report their Las Vegas nurse practitioner jobs number or the number of nurse practitioners in Las Vegas in general. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t Las Vegas nurse practitioner jobs because there is Las Vegas nurse practitioner jobs. Nevada also has jobs for nurse practitioners, not just in Las Vegas.

These nurse practitioner jobs in Las Vegas and Nevada, in general, are available in practices and hospitals, or a person can choose to open a practice in Las Vegas, as allowed by the state of Nevada in terms of their regulations for nurse practitioner jobs in Las Vegas and their nurse practitioner jobs in Nevada.


How Much Do Nurses Make in Las Vegas?

Las Vegas nursing salaries are often a concern people have. They want to ensure that the salary is worth the cost of tuition and the time it takes to earn a degree. Las Vegas nursing pay varies based on the type of position a person takes on. For instance, Las Vegas nursing salaries for an RN in Nevada are $88,380 annually. This nurse’s salary in Las Vegas is the same as $44.19 per hour.

Although this isn’t the exact Las Vegas nursing salaries average, it’s for the state. The nurse’s salary in Las Vegas is similar to that of the state. However, a person may notice minor differences between the state average and the Las Vegas nursing salaries.


Nurse Practitioner Salary in Las Vegas

Remember that the average isn’t necessarily the highest nurse’s salary in Las Vegas a person can earn. A person can earn a higher nurse’s salary in Las Vegas if they become a nurse practitioner. The Las Vegas nurse’s salary is higher if a person decides that he or she wants to focus on a specific specialty. A person will need to research which specialties have the highest salary and which are closer to the average.

The Las Vegas nurse’s salary is also higher if a person takes on a leadership role as a nurse. The Las Vegas nurse’s salary is higher in certain types of facilities. For instance, the nursing salaries in Las Vegas are higher in outpatient care centers. Hospitals are also known for having higher wages.


Resources and Professional Organizations

  • Nevada Board of Nursing BON
  • NNA Nevada Nurses Association
  • Nevada Nurses Foundation NNF
  • NCN Nevada Center for Nursing

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