Vermont Nursing Programs and Degrees Guide
The following guide is designed to provide you with essential information on the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs available in the state of Vermont and online. Students generally have the ability to tailor their degrees by concentrating in specific areas, including nurse administrator, nurse educator, family nurse practitioner, and adult gerontology nurse practitioner. Some traditional brick and mortar universities, like Norwich University, allow students to earn a nursing degree entirely online. Online universities may also provide a flexible alternative to earning a traditional nursing degree.
Quick Facts
- 4 schools with nursing programs in Vermont are in our database (see below).
- 2 colleges and universities offer associate’s degrees or certificates in nursing.1
- 4 colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing.1
- 2 colleges and universities offer master’s or advanced degrees in nursing.1
- 1 school 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
- No schools ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.4
Top-Ranked Schools with Nursing Programs Vermont
Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges 2018*
- University of Vermont (#80 in-state, #93 out-of-state)
*Institution-wide ranking.
US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s
- University of Vermont (#91 tie)
Read below to find out more about the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs offered in Vermont and online.
NCLEX Pass Rate and Accreditation Information for Nursing Schools in Vermont
The following table allows you to easily compare not-for-profit Vermont 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 Vermont Board of Nursing.
| 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^^ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castleton University | No | Yes | No | CCNE | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $15,826 |
| Norwich University | No | Yes | No | CCNE | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $26,733 |
| University of Vermont | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 92% | N/A | $17,297 |
| Vermont State University | Yes | Yes | No | — | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $21,253 |
*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 are for first-time undergraduates.7,8,9 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.7,8,9 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 Vermont with Nursing Degrees
Associate’s in Nursing Programs
Vermont State University
Vermont State University (Vermont State) offers a four-year career ladder nursing program that progresses from a licensed practical nursing certificate (LPN) to an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), culminating in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Students may exit the program at the associate degree level and be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam for registered nurse licensure, though students are strongly encouraged to complete the additional two years required to complete the BSN. The ASN program is offered in-person at 13 satellite campuses across the state. The BSN portion can be completed entirely online once the ASN is earned. Vermont State’s nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Accreditation (NLN CNEA).
Bachelor’s in Nursing Programs
University of Vermont
The University of Vermont’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) prepares graduates to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The four-year program combines both general college and nursing coursework. Nursing students begin their first practicum in the sophomore year and will accrue approximately 600 hours of field experience during the course of the nursing program. Students may want to join the on-campus chapter of the National Student Nurses Association or, if academically eligible, Sigma Theta Tau, the honor society for nursing students. Study abroad opportunities are also available in such diverse locations as Uganda, Bali, and Norway.
Norwich University
Norwich University confers the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to students who successfully complete the four-year, 125-credit undergraduate program. In addition to general college requirements, nursing majors must complete courses in areas such as health assessment, nursing research, statistical methods, and leadership and management for quality healthcare systems. Nursing students gain hands-on experience in the school’s high-tech simulation and skills laboratory and through practicums. Clinical practicums take place at partner facilities and include day, evening, and weekend hours to prepare graduates for real-world practice. The nursing department also offers an RN to BSN program for registered nurses who hold an associate’s degree in nursing, as well as an accelerated BSN program and an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).
Master’s in Nursing Programs
Norwich University
Norwich University affords graduate students the opportunity to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) entirely online. Concentrations are offered in nursing education and nursing administration. The 36 credit program generally takes up to two years to complete. All program requirements are completed online. However, students must travel to the campus for a residency, which includes graduation, at the end of the program. All nursing students must complete core coursework in evidence-based practice, theoretical constructs of leadership roles in nursing, and health systems analysis of policy, environment, and structure. Successful candidates must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and an active registered nurse’s license.
University of Vermont
The University of Vermont’s Department of Nursing offers two master’s-level degrees: a Master of Science in Nursing – Clinical Nurse Leader and an Accelerated Master of Science in Nursing – Clinical Nurse Leader. The MSN-Clinical Nurse Leader degree is offered for working RNs who want to attend part-time for a total of three and a half years. The program consists of 38.5 credits and requires 420 clinical hours to complete, with the final summer term being a clinical practicum. UV’s Accelerated Master’s Degree Program (AMP) allows students to receive a BSN and an MSN in only six years of study. Graduates are prepared to sit for the Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC) CNL certification examination. 38.5 credits are required to complete the program, along with an oral comprehensive exam.
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.
Castleton University
62 Alumni Dr
Castleton, VT 05735
(802) 468-5611
https://www.castleton.edu/
Student Review: “Castleton University has a wonderful nursing program. Along with small class sizes, the professors are very personable. They’re constantly sharing stories from their nursing careers to help students make the connections with the material we are learning. Part of our curriculum includes technological programming to help us excel even more. Programs such as ATI, Davis Advantage, and EHR Tutor have been used while I’ve been enrolled in school. Castleton Nursing Students also take a mission trip each year to Honduras to help those living in poverty, who do not receive the health care that we have here in the US. All in all, the teachers want to see us develop into great nurses, because one day, we may care for them!” – Student at Castleton 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. Southern Vermont College: https://southernvermontcollege.org/academics/division-of-nursing/
8. University of Vermont: https://www.uvm.edu/cnhs/nursing/nursing_bs