How to Become a Registered Nurse in Ohio

Ohio map

The Ohio Board of Nursing oversees around 300,000 health practitioners, including 129,270 registered nurses.

The Board’s oversight protects Ohio residents from medical errors caused by improperly trained or uncredentialed nursing staff.

Because Ohio has a system of delegated nursing, registered nurses must perform at the highest standards while supervising these tasks.

The Ohio Board of Nursing’s initial RN license fee costs $75 for initial licensure, according to their fee schedule.

Job Description

Ohio employs 129,270 registered nurses as of May 2021.

Because it is a delegated nursing state, registered nurses in Ohio oversee licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants, and home health aides.

In addition, Ohio RNs spend their day training other health professionals on specific procedures, such as using a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope, assisting a patient with drawing and injecting their insulin shot, or using an epi-pen.

Unlike an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), an RN in Ohio cannot write medication prescriptions.

However, RNs can administer emergency overdose medications like naloxone if trained in its use, and physicians, physician’s assistants, or APRNs prescribe it.

First, however, the RN must immediately attempt to summon emergency services.

Education Requirements

Military members and their spouses in Ohio receive expedited processing when they apply to become an RN.

However, they must first document their service member status and provide a marriage license.

In addition, Ohio requires that registered nurses attend two years of full-time study over a minimum of 30 weeks each year, including time spent preparing for and taking the NCLEX-RN nursing exam.

Accelerated programs must provide 52 weeks of clinical education.

Applicants have one year from their submission date to meet all requirements, including the background check.

Consequently, complete your coursework and clinical labs before submitting your paperwork.

Applications with missing information remain viable for one year, after which the applicant forfeits their application fee.

Registered Nursing Schools in Ohio

Aultman College, Canton Ohio

Aultman College, Canton Ohio Logo

Located at 2600 Sixth Street SW in Canton, Ohio, Aultman has no application fees.

The college has trained nurses for more than 120 years.

Their Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Program prepares students to become registered nurses in Ohio in five semesters.

Students have access to Aultman Hospital during their training, including working in the hospital’s renowned Oncology department.

Tuition and fees cost $9105 per 12 to 18-credit hour semester.

You may choose work study to reduce costs.

Students must submit the application form before 4:30 PM on the last day of each semester’s drop/add period and remain employed for the duration. V

Visit the Apply Now page to begin your academic career.

Ohio University School of Nursing, Athens, Ohio

Ohio University School of Nursing, Athens, Ohio Logo

Students may enroll in the Associate in Applied Science-Nursing degree program at OU’s Chillicothe, Southern (Ironton), and Zanesville campuses.

OU’s commitment to nursing began in 1968.

Currently, students may select in-person or online instruction.

Use a laptop to access online course content because the software does not support tablet devices.

Expect long commutes during clinical rotations and arrange your transportation.

Tuition and fees for the AAS-N run at $3302 per semester.

Financial aid through the Ohio Regional Promise program allows you to attend for free if you qualify.

American Institute of Alternative Medicine, Columbus, Ohio

American Institute of Alternative Medicine

American Institute of Alternative Medicine Logo

At 6685 Doubletree Avenue in Columbus, Ohio 43229, AIAM uses a holistic approach to medical practice.

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) LPN to RN degree program takes 15 months to complete and costs $335 per credit hour over five semesters.

Contact (614) 825-6255info@aiam.edu to enroll.

Mercy College of Ohio

Mercy College of Ohio Logo

The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing program costs $7610 per 12-credit-hour semester.

With campuses in Youngstown and Toledo, students must pass a background check and drug screening.

RN program participants must also provide their vaccination records before day one of class or complete religious exemption forms.

Students without the required vaccines may do online coursework.

Achieve LPN to RN Program Online

Achieve LPN to RN Program Online Logo

The Achieve program helps students master skills, test for completed courses, and receive credit for their work experience.

Textbooks are free, and Achieve provides job placement assistance.

You receive a supply kit, you connect with an RN instructor via webcam, which Achieve will supply if you do not have one.

The program helps you select the college or university with the least expensive, shortest path to your degree.

Achieve costs vary, so schedule an evaluation today.

Registered Nurse Schools in Ohio – Summary Table

Top 5 Schools in Ohio

School NameAddress
Aultman College, Canton Ohio2600 6th St SW, Canton, OH 44710
Ohio University School of Nursing, Athens, Ohio Grover Center, 89 Richland Ave, Athens, OH 45701
American Institute of Alternative Medicine6685 Doubletree Ave, Columbus, OH 43229
Mercy College of Ohio2221 Madison Ave, Toledo, OH 43604
Achieve LPN to RN Program Online

Years of Experience and Salary

Ohio’s current annual mean wage, $71,640 for registered nurses, lies $5,960 below the national average.

However, because Ohio participates in reciprocal licensure, you can head to a higher-paying state after graduation.

As of May 2021, these states include California, Hawaii, Oregon, the District of Columbia, and Alaska.

Although you must be at least 18 as an RN in Ohio, early high school graduation at 16 or 17 would make you 18 or 19 when you complete your nursing program.

Take advantage of dual or concurrent enrollment programs in high school.

You could earn an RN salary when you have your license, gaining a two-year jump in lifetime salary.

Annual Salary Range:
$58K
$64K
$74K

Average Salary of Registered Nurse (RN)s in Ohio

City NameSalary
Columbus$65,510
Cleveland$65,730
Cincinnati$64,940
Toledo$64,280
Akron$63,760
Dayton$64,560
Youngstown$63,080
Canton$63,670
Lorain$64,660
Euclid$65,680
* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary in Ohio

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Akron, OH8,380$82,520$39.67$97,250$65,330
Canton-Massillon, OH3,580$78,600$37.79$92,690$63,150
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN25,830$85,920$41.31$109,120$65,280
Cleveland-Elyria, OH30,650$89,190$42.88$105,380$69,210
Columbus, OH24,510$86,140$41.41$99,770$66,300
Dayton, OH10,190$85,860$41.28$99,350$65,050
Lima, OH1,520$78,120$37.56$93,200$63,490
Mansfield, OH1,000$77,200$37.12$90,550$62,010
Springfield, OH980$80,270$38.59$96,200$60,000
Toledo, OH6,880$81,350$39.11$95,030$63,910
Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA4,380$76,860$36.95$90,390$59,960
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Registered Nurses, OCC Code 29-1141, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I begin training to become a registered nurse in Ohio?

You can take prerequisite courses via dual or concurrent enrollment while still in high school.

What are the limits of Ohio's delegated nursing regulations?

Registered nurses cannot perform tasks that require a physician’s judgment.

What are the annual fees for holding my Ohio license?

The Ohio Board of Nursing license fee costs $75 for initial licensure, according to their fee schedule.

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