You can pursue different paths to become a nurse in Delaware.
Your current and prospective level of education is a crucial determinant of the type of nurse you become.
A higher level of education opens a wider path to where and how to attain your nursing career goal.
There are three categories of Nursing Licenses in Delaware:
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
In the article, we will concentrate more on becoming a Registered Nurse in Delaware.
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Becoming a Registered Nurse in Delaware
To become an RN in Delaware, you must complete an approved registered nurse program and pass the NCLEX-RN examinations.
The entry levels for the RN program in Delaware are diploma, associate, and bachelor’s degree.
A higher degree will make you more competitive in the job market.
For example, leading employers like Magnet hospitals hire nurses with relatively higher education levels.
At Bayhealth, its RN staff is nurses with nursing degrees (BSN or MSN).
A Master’s degree will allow you to work in a specialized unit.
Registered Nurse License Requirements In Delaware
You can apply for a licensing exam upon completing an approved nursing program in Delaware.
The Delaware Board of Nursing is mandated to license Registered Nurses in the state.
If you hold a license from another Nurse Compact St, you need not apply for one in Delaware unless you want to change your residency.
You will need to pay a license application fee of $156 plus another $200 for the examination.
During the application for the RN license, ensure you submit the following:
- An NCLEX-RN exam registration
- Copy of driver’s license or ID
- Your former school should send a transcript directly to the board.
- A completed Nursing Reference Form by you and the institution. The form should be sent by the institution now to the board.
- Authorization for the board to conduct a background check
5 Registered Nurse Schools In Delaware
The many paths you can take to become a registered nurse can be confusing, especially when seeking the right institution.
Look out for schools with approved Accelerated degree and Bridge programs and save time on your Registered Nurse course duration.
1. Delaware Technical Community College, Dover
Residents undertaking a course at the institution will pay $4,575, while non-residents will pay $11,437.50.
The Dover Campus offers an associate degree program in nursing and a bridge between a Registered Nurse and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Their associate program covers five semesters under the accelerated option.
The bridge program targets registered nurses, allowing them to advance their qualifications for BSN.
The school has the following MSCHE-accredited programs:
- AND
- RN
- BSN
2. Delaware State University
Students from within the state will pay $7,038, and if you are from out of the state, $16,960 for tuition.
The Wesley College of Health conducts its programs using simulation labs and smart classrooms.
They also run clinical and fieldwork to expose the students to the real world of healthcare.
Their master’s program is fully online.
The university offers ACEN-accredited bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in nursing.
3. Beebe Healthcare
Beebe Healthcare Margret School of Nursing, Wesley College, Wilmington University, and the University of Delaware have partnered to offer an accelerated BSN Program.
The program combines a hybrid model with both virtual and in-person classes.
They charge a tuition fee of $6,400 for residents and non-locals.
Beebe Healthcare has an ACEN-approved RN to BSN program for nursing.
4. University of Delaware
The University of Delaware is the leading nursing school in the state.
The university of bachelor’s to doctorate nursing programs.
The university offers various nursing courses, and you will have multiple options.
Tuition for residents in the state is $12,980. Out-of-state students will have to pay $34,840 for education.
Students here undertake CCNE-accredited nursing programs for the following qualifications:
- RN to BSN
- BSN
- Associate BSN
- MSN
- DNP
- Ph.D.
- Post Master’s Certificate Programs
5. Wilmington University
Wilmington University charges a tuition fee of $11,700 for the locals and $12,960 for non-residents.
Nursing students at Wilmington University can attend their lessons online and in person in classrooms.
The CCNE-accredited programs of nursing at the university offer a flexible path of study for working nurses.
Wilmington University offers the following nursing programs:
- RN to BSN
- MSN
- DNP
- DNP with Post Master’s Certificate
- DNP + MBA
- Ph.D., DNSc to DNP
Registered Nurse Schools in Delaware – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Delaware
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Delaware Technical Community College, Dover | 100 Campus Dr, Dover, DE 19904 |
| Delaware State University | 1200 N Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901 |
| Beebe Healthcare | 424 Savannah Rd, Lewes, DE 19958 |
| University of Delaware | Newark, DE 1971 |
| Wilmington University | 320 N Dupont Hwy, New Castle, DE 19720 |
What is the average salary of a Registered Nurse in Delaware?
The average annual salary rate in Delaware is $74,800.
In Philadelphia, Camden, and Wilmington, the average yearly wage for RN is higher than the state’s at $77,680; Dover has the lowest rate at $68,160.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Registered Nurse (RN)s in Delaware
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Wilmington | $70,790 |
| Dover | $70,680 |
| Newark | $70,740 |
| Milford | $70,840 |
| Seaford | $69,390 |
| Middletown | $70,550 |
| Bear | $70,710 |
| Smyrna | $70,600 |
| New Castle | $70,790 |
| Georgetown | $70,840 |
Regional Salary in Delaware
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover, DE | 1,410 | $90,390 | $43.46 | $124,670 | $69,810 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is renewing my RN license due?
RN licenses in Delaware expire at the end of February, May, or September on odd years.
The period on which your RN license expires depends on the issue date.
However, newly issued licenses expire on September 30th of the due year.
How is the job market for nursing in Delaware?
Delaware is tiny, but there will always be vacancies for RN jobs in the state.
Registered Nurses can find positions in hospitals, assisted living facilities, home health care agencies, and corporate organizations, and become travel nurses.
Is it possible to advance my nursing career while working in Delaware?
Employers in the state offer flexible working hours, enabling you to pursue your career.
Delaware is home to several recognized nursing schools.
These institutions also allow you to study and attain your MSN entirely online.
Are there other certifications that can boost my qualification?
Specialty certifications like medical, surgical, critical care, and neonatal intensive care home health, among others, are an asset as you progress in your career.
Are there other requirements when renewing the RN license in Delaware?
The proof is needed upon completion of continuing education.
You will also need to prove that you have been practicing for at least 1,000 hours for the past five years or 400 hours in the previous two years.
