6 Best Nursing Schools in West Virginia – 2024 Rankings
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
Registered nurses are in high demand in West Virginia. Graduates of nursing schools in West Virginia can anticipate earning average salaries of $72,230 a year, and in the next 10 years, RN employment opportunities will grow by 11.88 percent. Whether you want to attend school full-time on campus, or you need to take online courses because you have existing work or family obligations, you’ll find a West Virginia nursing program that can accommodate your specific preferences. Interested in learning more? Keep reading to get the inside scoop on the 6 best nursing schools in West Virginia for 2024.
RECOMMENDED ONLINE NURSING SCHOOLS
WHAT ARE THE BEST ACCREDITED NURSING SCHOOLS IN WEST VIRGINIA?
(After closely assessing all nursing schools approved by the West Virginia State Board of Nursing, based on our Ranking Methodology, the following are the best accredited nursing schools in West Virginia offering ADN programs.)
If you aspire to become a registered nurse, what better than earning this credential from the oldest RN program in the state. Marshall University has been offering this two-year nursing degree since 1926, and today its 4000 graduates are actively serving the health needs of the community. The program is offered in collaboration with St. Mary’s School of Nursing, requiring you complete non-nursing courses at Marshall and nursing courses from St. Mary’s. The nursing degree, however, is awarded from Marshall. The 42 credits of nursing courses include nursing fundamentals, health alteration, psychiatric nursing, and maternal & child nursing. To gain real-world experience you will undergo clinical training at area hospitals and medical centers.
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If you are someone keen on entering the field of nursing or are an LPN graduate seeking career advancement, then enrolling in the Nursing Associate program at Davis & Elkins College can be considered. This RN program in West Virginia provides a firm foundation for graduates to work as a registered nurse or even pursue baccalaureate education. The 72-credit coursework comprises of courses in liberal arts and nursing. After the first year, during the summer, you can participate in an externship program, offered at a nearby hospital. This can serve as an ideal opportunity for you to learn bedside skills under a nurse preceptor and even earn a few bucks at the same time!
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RN education at West Virginia Junior College-Morgantown is structured in a manner that allows you to graduate in the shortest possible duration of 18 to 19 months and embark on a promising nursing career. Unlike most others, the college follows a direct admission policy so you can complete the pre-nursing coursework without having to worry about acceptance into the program. The curriculum covers every aspect of nursing, including pediatrics, obstetrics, women’s health, nursing care of the aged, basic, and advanced nursing concepts and nursing process. The focus mainly lies on developing vital professional traits such as lifelong learning, compassion, and enhanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
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Fairmont State University aims at producing skilled and competent nurses who are holistic care providers, effective communicators, and efficient patient managers. One of the most flexible RN programs in West Virginia, you can either opt for a full-time or part-time traditional track or even enter this program as an LPN graduate and complete the coursework in just three semesters. Didactic courses in nursing fundamentals, nursing care of adults, maternal and child, nursing pharmacology, mental health nursing, are well supported by simulation learning at the college’s state-of-art lab, followed by clinical experiences at clinical sites in the Marion, Monongalia, Lewis, and Harrison counties.
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A career in nursing can be promising in terms of the paycheck you bring home and the personal fulfillment it provides. When you graduate from West Virginia University at Parkersburg with an RN degree, you are ready to face the real-world challenges of the ever-evolving nursing field. While admission into this program is highly selective, you can better your chances by scoring a minimum grade “C” in pre-nursing courses. This two-year nursing program in WV requires you to complete a total of 60 credits. The coursework includes two capstone courses where you will synthesize the knowledge gained in the presence of a nurse preceptor.
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If helping others towards health and wellness excites you and along with that, you have the endurance to work in stressful situations, then you can consider entry-level nursing as a career option. Nurses are required everywhere, so you will find varied employment opportunities across the nation. West Virginia Northern Community College’s nursing education prepares you with the skills and knowledge required to take the NCLEX-RN and practice as a registered nurse. The RN program mainly focuses on delivering evidence-based nursing care by honing critical thinking and clinical judgment. Furthermore, learning is enhanced by clinical experiences in acute care and community settings and mental health agencies. This well-rounded training helps you transition into the workplace with much professional readiness.
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