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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

    • 5 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
    • 5 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 in 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.

    SchoolADN or LVN ProgramBSN ProgramGraduate Nursing ProgramACEN/CCNE Accred.*NCLEX-PN First Time Pass Rate**# TakingNCLEX-RN First Time Pass Rate^# TakingNet Price^^
    Castleton UniversityNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/AN/AN/A$15,826
    Norwich UniversityNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/AN/AN/A$26,733
    Southern Vermont CollegeNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/A92%N/A$19,984
    University of VermontNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A92%N/A$17,297
    Vermont Technical CollegeYesNoNoACEN94%N/A85%N/A$17,897

    *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 Technical College
    Vermont Technical College (VTC) offers a career ladder nursing program that progresses from a practical nursing certificate to an associate of science in nursing (ADN), 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. Students may complete the ADN requirements on ten of VTC’s campuses. The BSN program can be completed entirely online once the ADN is earned. VTC’s nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

    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.

    Southern Vermont College
    Southern Vermont College confers the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to students who successfully complete the four-year, 130 credit undergraduate program. In addition to general college requirements, nursing majors must complete such required nursing courses as health assessment, nursing research, statistical methods, and leadership and management for quality healthcare systems. Nursing majors gain hands-on experience in the college’s high-tech simulation and skills laboratory and through practicums. Clinical practicums take place at partner facilities such as Southwestern Vermont Health Care, North Adams Regional Hospital, and Albany Medical Center. The nursing department also offers an RN to BSN program for registered nurses who hold an associate’s degree in nursing.

    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
    stars-5

    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://svc.edu/academics/division-of-nursing-and-health-services/nursing/
    8. University of Vermont: https://www.uvm.edu/cnhs/nursing/nursing_bs
    9. Vermont Technical College: https://www.vtc.edu/program/nursing-adn/