To become a Registered Nurse in the State of North Carolina, you must complete either an Associate of Applied Science Degree (ADN) or a Bachelor’s Degree (BSN) in Nursing.
Upon completing an accredited and Board approved program, students must sit and pass the National Council Licensure Examination NCLEX examination.
Students must submit fingerprints and pay the $75 application fee and $200 examination fee.
Upon completing the examination, students are eligible to become Registered Nurses in the State of North Carolina.
5 Registered Nurse Schools in North Carolina
1. Alamance Community College
Alamance Community College offers an Associate Degree program in Nursing.
The program prepares students to care for individuals or groups of people in a variety of settings.
The course material covers individual care, nursing, and the healthcare system.
After graduating, students may take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).
The program selection process is extremely competitive, and students must complete a series of steps to qualify for this program.
The program enrolls a maximum of 110 students per intake.
The curriculum comprises general education and nursing subjects, including theoretical study and clinical coursework.
The program may be completed over four semesters.
Tuition and fees are calculated on a scale but start at $87.00 per credit hour, including fees.
2. Bladen Community College
Bladen Community College offers an Associate Degree program in Nursing approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
Coursework for the program builds on three areas: nursing practice, domains of healthcare, and nursing practice.
The course material strongly focuses on the nurse as part of an interdisciplinary team and delivering individual care to the patient, which is based on evidence-based practice in a safe and caring manner.
Students may take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) upon completion.
The application process is competitive and based on selection criteria.
Only 70 students are enrolled in every intake.
The program runs over two years and has 69 credit hours.
There are 23 general education courses, 45 major courses, and one other.
Tuition is based on in-state or out-of-state status but starts at $268.00 per credit hour.
3. Central Carolina Community College
Central Carolina Community College offers an Associate Degree in Nursing program that permits 80 students per intake.
The North Carolina Board approves the nursing program.
The program is offered over five semesters at the Lee Main Campus during the day, and upon completion, students are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).
The program provides the knowledge and skills required by students to work in various dynamic working environments and settings.
The program’s emphasis is placed on safety during caregiving and providing a high level of quality care for patients.
This includes building on the knowledge and domains of healthcare, nursing practice, and the individual patient.
Students learn to work as part of a dynamic team to provide quality healthcare to needy patients.
Tuition for the program is $9,344 for in-state students and $22,016 for out-of-state students.
4. Coastal Carolina Community College
Coastal Carolina Community College offers an Associate Degree program in Nursing.
The North Carolina Board approves the nursing program.
The program is offered at the Jacksonville, North Carolina, campus and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
The nursing program runs over two years and includes a summer session.
Students learn the fundamentals of healthcare and nursing practice through theoretical study and clinical coursework.
The program prepares students to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).
Students will learn how to coordinate patient care, administer medication, educate patients while promoting healthcare, assist doctors and other critical members of the healthcare team, and manage other members.
In-state tuition and fees start at $81.00 per credit hour, while out-of-state tuition and fees start at $273.00 per credit hour.
5. Stanly Community College
Stanly Community College offers an Associate Degree program in Nursing.
The program helps students to establish safe nursing practices while caring holistically for patients and promoting health and wellness.
Students learn to communicate with team members and patients while utilizing healthcare informatics to deliver high-quality healthcare.
Students are shown how to incorporate and manage healthcare programs for clients in various settings.
The program prepares students to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.
Students also learn to apply cost-effective nursing strategies and promote quality improvement throughout their healthcare careers.
The program comprises 69 credit hours and runs over three years.
Tuition is based on the number of credit hours taken per semester.
In-state tuition is $196.25 per credit hour, and out-of-state tuition is $388.25 per credit hour.
Registered Nurse Schools in North Carolina – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in North Carolina
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Alamance Community College | 1247 Jimmie Kerr Rd, Graham, NC 27253 |
| Bladen Community College | 7418 NC Hwy 41W, Dublin, NC 28332 |
| Central Carolina Community College | 1105 Kelly Dr, Sanford, NC 27330 |
| Coastal Carolina Community College | 444 Western Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28546 |
| Stanley Community College | 141 College Dr, Albemarle, NC 28001 |
Salary
As of 2022, the average salary range for a registered nurse in the capital city of North Carolina is between $57,472 and $103,079.
This range depends on various factors, such as the exact position the nurse will take, the facility where the nurse will be working, and the amount of experience that the nurse has.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Registered Nurse (RN)s in North Carolina
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Charlotte | $65,050 |
| Raleigh | $64,260 |
| Greensboro | $63,470 |
| Durham | $63,890 |
| Winston-Salem | $63,620 |
| Fayetteville | $60,940 |
| Cary | $60,940 |
| High Point | $63,850 |
| Wilmington | $60,570 |
| Asheville | $61,050 |
Regional Salary in North Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 5,540 | $83,310 | $40.05 | $110,840 | $59,270 |
| Burlington, NC | 1,030 | $81,110 | $38.99 | $98,830 | $63,140 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 24,400 | $84,080 | $40.42 | $103,130 | $64,240 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | ** | $83,060 | $39.94 | $112,990 | $68,800 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 3,200 | $85,510 | $41.11 | $110,260 | $58,300 |
| Goldsboro, NC | 1,010 | $80,360 | $38.64 | $97,070 | $60,980 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 6,010 | $84,430 | $40.59 | $101,310 | $62,930 |
| Greenville, NC | 3,670 | $81,620 | $39.24 | $107,180 | $66,320 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 2,870 | $74,250 | $35.7 | $93,280 | $56,350 |
| Jacksonville, NC | 840 | $75,040 | $36.08 | $95,210 | $60,300 |
| New Bern, NC | 930 | $72,980 | $35.09 | $86,410 | $57,500 |
| Raleigh, NC | 11,630 | $86,110 | $41.4 | $103,640 | $64,850 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 1,040 | $78,060 | $37.53 | $96,990 | $59,490 |
| Wilmington, NC | 3,340 | $80,500 | $38.7 | $98,680 | $63,370 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 8,750 | $84,520 | $40.64 | $106,970 | $66,470 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a registered nurse in North Carolina?
Students can take the national exam after completing a two-year Associate Degree or a four-year Bachelor’s Degree.
What is the working environment of a registered nurse?
Most registered nurses work in clinical environments such as hospitals.
Is nursing a stressful job?
Nursing can be a very emotional, psychological, and physically taxing job.
Is there a demand for nurses in North Carolina?
Yes, there is a high demand in the US as there is currently a shortage of nurses.
Do you need to be licensed to practice as a registered nurse in North Carolina?
Yes.
The state requires that all registered nurses have valid and active licenses.
