New Mexico Nursing Programs and Degrees Guide
The following guide to nursing schools in New Mexico contains important information, including several program profiles, on undergraduate and graduate nursing programs offered throughout the state. Students pursuing a bachelor’s or a master’s in nursing may choose from a plethora of concentrations, such as nursing education, adult gerontology nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, nurse midwifery, and pediatric nurse practitioner. A viable alternative to a traditional nursing program is an online nursing program, an option that is offered by a growing number of schools.
Quick Facts
- 23 schools with nursing programs in New Mexico are in our database (see below).
- 19 colleges and universities offer associate’s degrees or certificates in nursing.1
- 6 colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing.1
- 4 colleges and universities offer master’s or advanced degrees in nursing.1
- No schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges in 2018.2
- No schools ranked in the Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Nursing Majors in 2018.3
- 1 school ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s programs.4
- 1 school ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.4
Top-Ranked Schools with Nursing Programs New Mexico
US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s
- New Mexico State University (#146 tie)
US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
- New Mexico State University (#136 tie)
Following you will find more in-depth information about the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs offered in New Mexico’s colleges and universities.
NCLEX Pass Rate and Accreditation Information for Nursing Schools in New Mexico
The following table allows you to easily compare not-for-profit New Mexico nursing schools on a variety of factors. Click on the arrows in the top row to sort the table. In addition to seeking a program that leads to licensure in your desired area of nursing, it’s advisable to consider accreditation as a factor in your decision. If you are considering education beyond the associate’s level, know that a degree from a school that holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is a common requirement for admission to master’s degree, ADN/LVN and RN to BSN, and specialized certificate programs. You should also check to ensure that the school you are considering is approved or accepted by the New Mexico Board of Nursing (https://www.bon.nm.gov/).
| School | ADN or LVN Program | BSN Program | Graduate Nursing Program | ACEN/CCNE Accred.* | NCLEX-PN First Time Pass Rate** | # Taking | NCLEX-RN First Time Pass Rate^ | # Taking | Net Price^^ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central New Mexico Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 81.5% | N/A | $3,846 |
| Clovis Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $9,229 |
| Dona Ana Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | 100% | N/A | 70% | N/A | N/A |
| Eastern New Mexico University-Portales | Yes | Yes | Yes | ACEN | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $10,562 |
| Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 100% | N/A | $6,772 |
| Luna Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | 90% | N/A | 80% | N/A | $6,499 |
| New Mexico Highlands University | No | Yes | No | CCNE | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $9,003 |
| New Mexico Junior College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 95.65% | N/A | $6,676 |
| New Mexico State University-Carlsbad | Yes | No | No | ACEN | 100% | N/A | 87.5% | N/A | $7,679 |
| New Mexico State University-Las Cruces | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 81.58% | N/A | $10,501 |
| Northern New Mexico College | Yes | Yes | No | CCNE | 50% | N/A | 93.75% | N/A | $5,680 |
| San Juan College | Yes | Yes | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 100% | N/A | $5,724 |
| Santa Fe Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 79.66% | N/A | $9,575 |
| University of New Mexico-Albuquerque | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 87.27% | N/A | $11,107 |
| University of New Mexico-Gallup | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 88% | N/A | $6,998 |
| University of New Mexico-Taos | Yes | Yes | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $7,539 |
| University of New Mexico-Valencia | Yes | No | No | No | N/A | N/A | 91.67% | N/A | $5,726 |
| Western New Mexico University | Yes | Yes | No | ACEN/CCNE | N/A | N/A | 86.67% | N/A | $11,332 |
*The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredits ADN/ASN/BSN programs. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits BSN/MSN/DNP programs.5,6
**NCLEX-PN pass rates reported are for first-time undergraduates testing between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016.7 You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
^NCLEX-RN pass rates reported are for first-time undergraduates testing between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016.7 You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
^^The National Center for Education Statistics calculates net price from the total estimated cost of attendance, including includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses, for in-state students minus the average financial aid award (such as grants and scholarships).
Schools in New Mexico with Nursing Degrees
Associate’s in Nursing Programs
Northern New Mexico College
Northern New Mexico College is home to an associate degree nursing program that can be completed in five semesters after general education requirements are met. The nursing curriculum includes such courses as Pediatric Nursing, Medical/Surgical Nursing, and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing. Students complete clinical experience in each major practice area as part of the program. In addition to preparing graduates for entry-level nursing careers in a variety of healthcare settings, this program also prepares graduates to continue their education by pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). Northern New Mexico College offers an RN to BSN program that is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
University of New Mexico-Taos
The University of New Mexico-Taos offers an associate degree nursing (ADN) program that emphasizes clinical judgment, professionalism, and diversity. Admission is competitive and is based on the student’s GPA, pre-admission test scores, and completion of prerequisite courses. Once accepted into the program, core nursing courses include Nursing Pharmacology, Health and Illness Concepts, and Care of Patients with Chronic Conditions. Many courses in the curriculum combine seminar, laboratory, and clinical learning to promote a well-rounded and hands-on education. Students who intend to earn a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) may be interested in UNM-Taos’ partnership BSN curriculum, which allows students to earn an ADN from UNM-Taos and BSN from the University of New Mexico main campus while studying on the Taos campus.
Bachelor’s in Nursing Programs
New Mexico Highlands University
New Mexico Highlands University’s RN to BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program is designed for current registered nurses who already possess an associate’s degree in nursing. The program is offered entirely online with students permitted to fulfill degree requirements on a full-time or a part-time basis. A part-time accelerated option is also available. The full-time option takes two years to complete while the part-time program spans three years. The accelerated part-time option requires two full years. The nursing curriculum covers health assessment, community health nursing, nursing research, and nursing informatics. Several clinical practicums are mandatory. Successful applicants must possess an associate’s degree in nursing, generally from a local community college.
Western New Mexico University
Students fulfill degree requirements for Western New Mexico University’s RN to BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program entirely online. The program generally takes two years to complete full-time. Nursing coursework encompasses family systems, leadership roles, utilizing resources, and nursing informatics. Courses are not held every semester with individual classes being offered in a regular rotation. Nursing majors must also engage in 135 hours of a clinical practicum. Practicums can be completed in the student’s local community. Successful applicants must already possess a current registered nurse’s license and must hold an associate’s degree in nursing or a diploma in nursing.
Master’s in Nursing Programs
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program prepares registered nurses for advanced positions in the healthcare field. Concentrations available include adult gerontology nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, nurse midwifery, nurse administration, and nursing education. All nursing students must complete, in addition to concentration-specific courses, such core classes as research in nursing, evidence-based practice in nursing and healthcare, and theoretical foundations of nursing. Clinical practicums are mandatory in some courses. Successful candidates to the program must already hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and possess a current registered nurse’s license.
Eastern New Mexico University
Eastern New Mexico University allows students to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a nursing education concentration. The program consists of 36 credits; 12 credits are in required nursing courses with the remaining 24 credits focused on nursing education. Students who take two classes a semester (fall, spring, and summer) can fulfill degree requirements in two years. Applicants to the MSN program must be current registered nurses, possess a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), provide three letters of recommendation and a letter of intent, and submit GRE scores. The program is competitive with only 20 students accepted each year.
Student Reviews
Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.
Central New Mexico Community College
525 Buena Vista Dr SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
(505) 224-3000
https://www.cnm.edu/
Student Review: “My time in the nursing program was mostly well spent. There were some teachers that I liked more than others. Something that I was not a big fan of was that the cohort that I started in was the ‘guinea pig’ group for a lot of new programs/strategies/material that had never before been part of the curriculum. Although many students voiced their opinions, nothing was changed in my cohort, some policies were simply changed for future students. Something else that was a little frustrating was that the teachers kept encouraging us students to volunteer and take on externships and do more things than was required for the program itself. Many of us nursing students (myself included) have work, children, and home lives to deal with as well. I felt as if I was never doing as well as was expected. Other than that, I made many new friends that I will stay in contact with.” -Student at Drake State Community and Technical College
New Mexico State University
1780 E University Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88003
(575) 646-0111
https://nmsu.edu/
Student Review: “I enjoy the NMSU nursing program. I believe that for students with prior experience, the program is a bit slow and does not give the student enough complex experience. The advising department is a bit lackluster, but the actual nursing advisors are spot on and very informative, honest, and easy to work with. The program at the satellite school/community college is a bit more intense and many students prefer that program over the university program. I am still in the middle of deciding whether or not I would like to transfer. Teachers are great overall and I am having a great experience.” -Student at New Mexico State University
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-best-college-values-college-finder/index.php#Tile
3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges, 2018 Edition. New York, Penguin Random House, 2018.
4. US News Top Graduate Nursing Schools: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-nursing-schools
5. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN): http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
6. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE): https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp
7. New Mexico Board of Nursing: https://www.bon.nm.gov/