Vermont Nursing Schools
There are many benefits of living in a small, tightly-knit state like Vermont. One of these benefits is the great health care system, which employs thousands and serves millions.
As the nursing field has grown in scope and size, it’s been a constant effort for schools to supply enough nursing graduates and for employers to hire enough skilled nurses. To that end, there are many choices for Vermont students to consider. One local school recently received a $250,000 endowment for nursing research and recruitment.
If you’re looking for a career with a positive job outlook and the potential to do a lot of good in Vermont, it’s time to look into nursing programs in Vermont and find out how you can become a nurse.
Vermont nurses have succeeded in many health care efforts and movements. A recent national report shows that Vermont is the healthiest state in the country for seniors. Becoming a nurse may help you keep seniors healthy.
Veteran care is a potential area of growth for Vermont nursing. The state is in the middle of attempting to build a veterans’ home. A major part of a project like this succeeding is the availability and the cost of nursing care. As a nurse, you may be able to give back to those who have given to our country.
Nursing Education in Vermont
If you’re going to be in charge of patients’ care and, in fact, their lives, you must have the right training and education. This begins with a diploma/certificate, Associate’s degree, or a Bachelor’s degree. Diploma and certificate programs lead to an LPN certification, while Associate’s and Bachelor’s degree programs lead to RN certification. Your course of study in all three should cover the same subjects—however, you dig deeper into each subject as a higher-level student.
Taking a look at each school’s nursing curriculum can help you figure out what you are expected to know and do as a nursing student. Courses that are commonly required in this field of study include Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Health Assessment, Introduction to Clinical Nursing, Contemporary Issues in Nursing, Adult Nursing, and Public Health Nursing. Many of these classes include a clinical component in which you work with real patients and learn effective nursing skills from experienced nursing staff.
Applying for scholarships each academic year can pay off when it comes to avoiding excessive student debt. The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation awards scholarships to Vermont students who display financial need. The Rural Health and Primary Care Programs of the Vermont Department of Health have quite a bit of funding for nursing students as well.
Consider applying for the President Parley Nurse Scholarship through the Vermont American Legion Auxiliary.
Nursing Schools in Vermont
Healthcare is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States, making this the ideal time to explore a nursing career and find out how you can make a difference. Whether you want to work in a hospital, nursing home, clinic, or another healthcare setting, getting the right training is key. Learn more about degree options offered at schools near you, and find the perfect nursing school in Vermont for your needs.
Vermont LPN Programs
- Admissions requirements: High school diploma, physical exam, and approved criminal background check
- Credit hour range: 30 to 40 credits
- Online degree options: Unavailable, since clinical hours are extremely important at this level
- Licensing exams: NCLEX-PN
If you have a high school diploma and no postsecondary education, a licensed practical nursing diploma or certificate could be a logical first step for you. This type of program only lasts one year, permitting you to get the training you need to take on routine nursing duties. While clinical practice is an important part of your education, you must also master core parts of nursing theory.
BSN Programs in Vermont
- Admissions requirements: High school diploma, physical exam, and approved criminal background check
- Credit hour range: 120 to 130 credits
- Online degree options: Blended degree options combine online study and in-person study
- Licensing exams: NCLEX-RN
As you look into Vermont nursing programs online, you may wonder about earning a Bachelor’s degree. A Bachelor’s degree may offer you a broad scope of practice and significantly expand your potential work environments. This program is much longer than an LPN degree, lasting approximately four years. Of the 120 credits you may earn, half come from nursing courses and half are earned in general education classes.
Vermont MSN Schools
- Admissions requirements: A Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a current Vermont nursing license
- Credit hour range: Between 30 and 60 credits
- Online degree options: Available at some Vermont schools
- Licensing exams: Dependent on your area of study and national certification board
While many nursing degrees do not have online study options, some of the best online nursing schools in Vermont offer graduate programs. Graduate degrees generally require a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and some nursing experience, so you may be able to do all of your coursework online. Those who go into clinical specialties like nurse practitioner may have to earn over 1000 hours of clinical experience prior to graduation.
DNP and PhD Nursing Programs in Vermont
- Admissions requirements: A Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a current Vermont nursing license
- Credit hour range: 80 to 100 credits
- Online degree options: Rarely available, since most programs require in-person teaching and research work
- Licensing exams: Determined by each national certification board
Doctoral programs have an intense focus on research and teaching, so they’re a popular option for those who want to go into postsecondary nursing education or research. You may enter this type of program with a Bachelor’s degree in nursing or a Master’s degree in nursing.
This is your chance to find a nursing program that can help you get closer to your goals. Browse our list of nursing programs in Vermont and request information from those that catch your eye.
Nursing Colleges in Vermont with Nursing Bridge Programs
Of course, standard nursing programs are an important part of nursing education. They cater to nurses who follow the traditional route to licensure. However, many nurses don’t follow the exact same path, and that’s where nursing bridge programs come in. Quite a few of these are online nursing programs in Vermont, since some require previous nursing experience, which minimizes clinical requirements.
The first category of bridge programs is dedicated to working nursing professionals. If you have a licensed practical nursing diploma or certificate, you may want to take your career to the next level with an RN or BSN degree. In one year, you could finish your ADN. You could also finish your BSN in just three years. Several schools have RN bridge programs for those with Associate’s-level nursing degrees. In just 18 to 24 months, you could move from an ADN degree to a BSN degree. At many institutions, RN to MSN programs are available.
If you have a Bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing, an accelerated BSN program may be a good fit for you. This type of training generally lasts 12 to 24 months, making it easy for you to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Tips for Choosing the Top Nursing Schools in Vermont
- Limit your search to accredited schools; accreditation makes the licensure process easier. In general, most schools are accredited by the ACEN or CCNE.
- Consider the coursework requirements of Vermont nursing programs. Compare required and elective courses. You can also look into the learning outcomes of different schools.
- Check out financial aid options. Tuition costs and financial aid opportunities vary significantly between schools, so this may play a big part in your school selection.
- Learn about the clinical requirements at each school. Ideally, you should get tons of clinical experience that is spread out across different specialties and settings. This feature may make it easier for you to choose a future career path.
- Ask about the NCLEX pass rate for the programs you’re exploring. A high NCLEX pass rate may indicate that a school does a lot to prepare its students for the testing process.
- Find out how many students are working in the field of nursing within six months of graduation.
- Explore networking and professional development opportunities offered to nursing students. This may include student nursing groups and access to groups for working nurses.
- Check out the student to faculty ratio at each school. A smaller ratio may allow you to spend more time interacting directly with instructors.
2018 Career Outlook for Nursing Professions
Vermont has a growing need for nursing professionals, so why not find out what the outlook is for your chosen career path? By learning about the different nursing careers in Vermont, you may be able to decide which nursing degree is aligned with your career goals. Licensure is mandatory in this field, so you should contact the Vermont Board of Nursing as you get close to graduation.
After attending a licensed practical nursing degree program and passing the NCLEX-PN, you may become a licensed practical or vocational nurse. This field is expected to remain fairly steady, with an anticipated 4% boost in job openings between 2014 and 2024 (O*Net, 2017). Currently, Vermont licensed practical nurses earn an average of $46,790 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017).
Registered nurses work in a wide variety of settings, which is why they are in such high demand in Vermont. You may start with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Registered nurses bring in a mean income of $67,780 annually (BLS, 2017). Job openings may increase 11% from 2014 through 2024 (O*Net, 2017).
Upon graduating from a nurse practitioner program, you may specialize in pediatric care, adult care, geriatric care, or psychiatric care. There is no salary data available for Vermont, but demand for nurse practitioners is expected to swell 21% by the year 2024 (O*Net, 2017).
As medicine continues to evolve, you could contribute to this field in an array of ways by becoming a nurse. Currently, there’s a major focus on expanding telemedicine throughout Vermont (Bennington Banner, 2017). This may increase patient volume and require nurses with technological experience.
The path to a nursing career starts right here. Browse our list of nursing schools in Vermont and get in touch with programs that fit your needs.
