2023 Best Community Colleges With Nursing Programs (2023)

To get your healthcare career off to a fast start, check out community colleges with nursing programs.

A community college can provide you with an associate's degree in nursing that can help you become a registered nurse. These nursing school programs can help you acquire essential nursing skills.

As a nurse, you could help people with their medical concerns and play an important role in your community.

community colleges with nursing programs

Are you aiming to become a Registered Nurse (RN)? You could earn an associate's degree at a community college, which could prepare you for this career.

Topics you are likely to study in an Associate Nursing (ADN) degree include:

• aging
• anatomy and physiology
• Illness
• guide
• Medical-surgical nursing
• Mental and Behavioral Health
• Microbiology
• care for children and families.
• pharmacology
• Psychology

If you are a licensed practical nurse (LPN), earning an associate's degree can help you pursue advanced career opportunities.

Some community colleges offer bridging programs for individuals who have already completed LPN training. If you qualify, you may be able to skip some of the classes in the ADN program.

Regardless of your previous experience, classroom work is not all you will do in a DNA program. Gaining clinical experience is also essential. Clinical hours are often integrated into many of the courses and you may be able to meet these requirements at a local healthcare facility.

After completing an accredited DNA, you may qualify for the NCLEX-RN exam. A passing score can help you meet state requirements to become a licensed registered nurse (RN). As an RN, you can qualify for jobs in hospitals, doctor's offices, and home care facilities.

Nurses also work in schools, health departments and long-term care facilities.

DNA nurses are often hired for jobs that pay decent wages. However, certain RN jobs are only available to those who have earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Fortunately, your community college nursing degree can provide an easy path to earning this qualification.

Many universities offer RN to BSN programs. By transferring your employee's coursework to one of these programs, you could likely complete your 4-year nursing degree in less time.

For many students, getting their DNA first is a strategic decision.

As an already licensed RN, you may be able to pursue a BSN degree with a reliable nursing job. Additionally, earning an ADN offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of nursing and gain a better understanding of the direction you want to take in your career.

Admission Requirements for the Associate Degree in Nursing

Many community colleges offer open admission, but their RN programs can be more selective. To be admitted to community college nursing programs, you may need to:

• references. Programs may require referrals from professional supervisors.
• Recording of previous experiences.. Previous experience includes working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
• official transcripts. You may need a minimum grade point average, plus math and English prerequisites.
• Review of hygiene requirements. This could include checking vaccinations and a tuberculosis test.

A school may also use the National League for Nursing PAX exam to assess your suitability for the program.

Associate Degree in Nursing Program Accreditation

Whether you are attending a community college or elsewhere for your associate nursing degree, it is strategic to attend a school that isregionally accredited.

What does it mean to be regionally accredited?

This means that the school has been assessed by an independent accreditation organization and meets their standards. Regional accreditation is generally a sign of a credible school.

Only graduates from accredited schools are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam. In other words, your professional success could depend on your school's accreditation status. Your future educational opportunities might also depend on it. Only accredited DNA degrees carry over to most undergraduate programs.

Accreditation Commission for Nursing Education (ACEN)

Program accreditation demonstrates that your curriculum meets national standards for nursing education. It is a sign that you are gaining the necessary skills to master this area.

IsAccreditation Commission for Nursing Education(ACCENT)issues programmatic accreditation for nursing programs.

Because ACEN-accredited programs must meet certain standards, there is consistency in coursework from school to school. This can improve your chances of transferring credits between nursing schools.

Most employers will also appreciate that you have an ACEN accredited degree. It can help them feel more confident in their preparation for the workplace.

What is a DNA maintenance program?

The Associate Nursing (ADN) degree is an undergraduate university program that prepares students for a career in nursing. Often thought of as a 2 year degree, it is the shortest academic path to becoming a Licensed Registered Nurse (RN).

DNA programs typically cover anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and microbiology, teaching clinical skills and communicating with patients. Your courses may even include working with patients from different demographics, such as children or the elderly.

Most community colleges for nursing do not only offer lectures on these topics. They also offer students hands-on experience through clinical training.

What training do you need to become a registered nurse?

There are three academic paths to becoming a registered nurse. You can earn a diploma, associate's degree, or bachelor's degree.

Diplomas are issued in non-academic institutions. These programs are fast but offer fewer credit transfer options. Today, this is the least common nursing education option.

An Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) is the fastest college path to becoming an RN. An ADN typically takes up to 2 years of full-time education.

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a 4-year graduate degree. It offers the most comprehensive approach to RN preparation and can open doors to more employment opportunities.

Some universities are now offeringFast track from RN to BSN onlineprograms although it will be necessary to spend some time on site to complete the required clinical practice sessions.

How long is nursing school?

The length of a nursing program depends on your degree and the format of your program.

It typically takes about 2 years to complete an associate degree program as a full-time student. It includes instruction over four 16-week semesters.

Online programs sometimes have a different structure, with short-form classes throughout the year. These types of programs can last anywhere from 16 to 20 months, including classroom work and clinics.

Bachelor's degrees in nursing take longer to complete than associate's degrees. It usually takes about 4 years to get a BSN.

What is the difference between an LPN and an RN?

You can enter the nursing profession as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN). What is the difference?

These salary figures are based on data fromBureau of Labor Statistics.

Is Nursing School Worth It?

Yes, nursing school is worthwhile for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a sharp increase in healthcare jobs over the next decade. Overall, the number of jobs in the healthcare sector is expected to increase by 16%. A growth rate of 9% is expected specifically for nursing jobs.

An associate's degree in nursing can help you lay a strong foundation for your future. Not only can it help you qualify as an RN, but it can also help you get into an RN to BSN program.

A career in nursing in particular can be rewarding for many. Nurses make a real difference to people, often during stressful or challenging times.

Best Community Colleges That Offer Nursing Programs

Methodology: The following list of schools is in alphabetical order. To be accepted, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online, on campus, or in a hybrid format.

western arizona university

Arizona Western College offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program designed to help students become Registered Nurses or Licensed Practical Nurses.

The program offers experiences in the classroom, laboratory and clinics. It also includes interactive computer and online elements. Courses include anatomy and physiology, computer information systems, and calculus-based pharmacology.

western arizona universityis accredited by the Higher Education Commission.

Barton Community College

Barton Community College offers a Certificate in Practical Nursing and an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing. Students may also choose to take core courses at Barton before transferring to another BSN program.

Barton has simulation labs and clinical partnerships to provide students with hands-on experience.

Barton Community Collegeis accredited by the Higher Education Commission.

Bucks County Community College

Bucks County Community College offers an Associate of Arts in Nursing degree. Students can choose to attend full-time or part-time. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the National Council for Registered Nurses Licensure Exam.

Students who are already licensed practical nurses may be admitted with Advanced Placement Position.

Bucks County Community Collegeis accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Calhoun Community College

Calhoun Community College offers an A.A.S. in nursing, which usually lasts four semesters. The practical nursing certificate can potentially be obtained in just three semesters.

Courses include Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Human Growth and Development, Evidence-Based Clinical Thinking, General Microbiology and more.

Calhoun Community Collegeis accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Cayuga Community College

Cayuga Community College's Associate of Applied Science in Nursing is designed to prepare students for entry-level nursing jobs.Cayuga nursing students have a consistently high pass rate at the NCLEX-RN. The program aims to provide students with theoretical knowledge and clinical experience.

Cayuga Community Collegeis accredited by the Commission on Higher Learning, a unit of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Central Piedmont Community College

Central Piedmont Community College offers an Associate in Nursing degree. Prospective students must first apply to the university and then specifically for the nursing degree.Central Piedmont Nursing graduates have a high pass rate at the NCLEX-RN and a high employment rate.

General education courses can be taken online to provide flexibility.

Central Piedmont Community Collegeis accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Columbus State Community College

Columbus State Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree designed to prepare students for admission as a Registered Nurse.The course can usually be completed in 5 semesters.

Applicants can apply for a traditional, fully in-person program or a blended program that includes online courses and in-person labs and clinics.

Columbus State Community Collegeis accredited by the Higher Education Commission.

Baltimore County Community College

Baltimore County Community College offers an Associate of Nursing program where classes can be taken during the day or evening, weekends, or online.Online students are required to participate in weekly seminars or laboratory sessions and clinical experiences.

CCBC also has an LPN to RN bridging program for those who are already certified as Licensed Practical Nurses.

IsBaltimore County Community Collegeis accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Davidson-Davie Community College

Davidson-Davie Community College offers an A.A.S. in nursing. Graduates are eligible to sit the National Council Licensure Exam and have a high placement rate.Students in the program are required to participate in clinical experiences and become familiar with topics such as evidence-based practice and health informatics.

The program requires the completion of 66 credit hours of courses.

Davidson-Davie Community Collegeis accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Fletcher Technical Community College

Fletcher Technical Community College has an Associate of Science in Nursing program that typically lasts 5 semesters. The first two semesters consist of prerequisite courses that can be completed online or face-to-face during the day or evening.Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN.

Fletcher Technical Community Collegeis accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Gaston College

Gaston College offers an LPN-to-RN AAS Nursing program. Evening, weekend and online course options are available to give students flexibility. Some laboratory sessions and on-campus courses are required, as is clinical experience in acute care.

The program offers students the opportunity to improve their skills in providing individualized care and making evidence-based decisions.

Gaston Collegeis accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Gateway Community College

GateWay Community College's Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program offers opportunities for clinical experience in a variety of settings. It also serves to prepare students for the national license exam.

Coursework includes Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Nursing Theory and Science I and II, Microbiology and more.

Gateway Community Collegeis accredited by the Higher Education Commission.

Guilford Technical Community College

Guilford Technical Community College offers an Associate of Nursing degree program designed to prepare students to work in a variety of healthcare facilities and RN licenses.Coursework includes Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Holistic Health Concepts, Health Systems Concepts, and more.

There is also a summer entry option for LPNs.

Guilford Technical Community Collegeis accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Hutchinson Community College

Hutchinson Community College offers an online LPN to RN bridge program where students can earn an AAS in Nursing. This program is designed to qualify students for the NCLEX-RN and prepare them for a bachelor's degree.

Courses include human anatomy and physiology, general microbiology, pathophysiology, and promoting and restoring health maintenance.

Hutchinson Community Collegeis accredited by the Higher Education Commission.

Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech Community College offers an Associate of Science in Nursing degree that can potentially be earned in under 2 years. Program graduates may apply for the NCLEX-RN. The program can also help prepare students to enroll in a BSN program.Classes are available at multiple locations on campus.

Ivy Tech Community Collegeis accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Higher Education.

Jefferson Community und Technical College

Jefferson Community and Technical College offers an Associate in Nursing program that aims to provide students with an opportunity to learn important nursing skills and practice them in real-world settings.Students are required to attend labs and clinics two evenings a week, but can listen to online classroom lectures.

The course can usually be completed in 5 semesters.

Jefferson Community und Technical Collegeis accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Johnston Community College

The Associate in Nursing program at Johnston Community College is a full-time program with some courses offered in the evenings or online.The courses include introduction to health concepts, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology I & II, holistic health concepts and more.

The program can usually be completed in 2 years.

Johnston Community Collegeis accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Kauai Community College

Kaua'i Community College's nursing program is designed to provide flexibility in educational and career planning. New students are accepted each fall semester.Most students in the program can earn the Practical Nursing License after 3 semesters and the Registered Nurse License after 5 semesters.

NO'I community collegeis accredited by the Commission on Accrediting Junior and Community Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Lorain County Community College

Lorain County Community College offers an Associate of Nursing program designed to prepare students to become a Registered Nurse.Courses include general biochemistry, organic and biochemistry I, pharmacology I and II, behavioral health care, human growth and development, and more.

Students must complete a total of 65 credit hours to graduate.

Lorain County Community Collegeis accredited by the Higher Education Commission.

Community College in Northern Iowa

North Iowa Area Community College offers an AAS in Nursing that aims to help students become licensed registered nurses. There are two tracks within the program: one for LPNs and one for beginning nursing students.

Students are required to participate in clinical experiences that can be scheduled during evening or weekend hours.

Community College in Northern Iowais accredited by the Higher Education Commission.

Community College in Northwest Iowa

Northwest Iowa Community College offers an Associate of Nursing program on campus. The goal is to prepare students for the NCLEX, Registered Nurse Licensure, and move into a 4-year BSN program.

The program includes comprehensive courses and laboratory sessions as well as clinical experiences in collaborating health centers.

Community College in Northwest Iowais accredited by the Higher Education Commission.

Folk High School Piedmont

Piedmont Community College offers an Associate of Nursing program. Includes courses such as Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Concepts of Health and Disease, Concepts of Family Health, Concepts of Health Systems and more.

The full program consists of 67 credit hours. Courses are available in on-campus, online, and hybrid delivery formats.

Folk High School Piedmontis accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Pima Community College

Pima Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing. The course can usually be completed in 5 to 6 semesters. It's full-time and starts in the fall. Entry is competitive.The program aims to prepare graduates for the NCLEX and Registered Nurse Licensure.

Pima Community Collegeis accredited by the Higher Education Commission.

Pratt Community College

Pratt Community College offers a licensed practical nursing program designed to help students prepare for the NCLEX-PN.In addition to the traditional on-campus program, Pratt offers a hybrid program where lectures are streamed via Zoom. Clinical courses must be attended in person.

Pratt Community Collegeis accredited by the Higher Education Commission.

Quinsigamond Community College

Quinsigamond Community College offers an Associate of Science in Health with a pre-nursing option. The program can be completed entirely on the main campus or partially online. It covers topics such as medical terminology, safety and infection control.

Courses include introductory public health, medical microbiology, statistics and more.

Quinsigamond Community Collegeis accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education, Inc.

Rappahannock Community College

Rappahannock Community College offers an associate's degree with a pre-BSN major.This program is designed for students who intend to progress to a 4-year nursing degree. It requires the completion of 62 credit hours of courses and typically takes 2 years to complete.

Rappahannock Community Collegeis accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges Commission on Colleges.

Solano Community College

Solano Community College offers an Associate of Nursing program designed for those planning to become a Registered Nurse. It usually takes 2 years to complete.The curriculum is designed to develop students' knowledge in the biological, physical, and behavioral sciences and prepare them for the NCLEX-RN.

Solano also has an LVN-to-RN program for licensed professional nurses.

Solano Community Collegeis accredited by the Commission on Accrediting Junior and Community Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

South Puget Sound Community College

South Puget Sound Community College offers Associate Degrees in Nursing and Pre-Nursing primarily intended for transfer to 4-year BSN programs. There is also a certified nursing assistant program that can usually be completed in a matter of months.Some courses are available online or in the evenings.

South Puget Sound Community Collegeis accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Surry Community College

Surry Community College offers an Associate in Nursing degree. Graduates can apply for the NCLEX-RN. The program includes courses such as Pharmacology, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, and Developmental Psychology.

Surry's nursing program has additional admissions requirements in addition to general admission, and nursing applicants are required to take an examination called the PSB.

Surry Community Collegeis accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges.

Truckee Meadows Community College

Truckee Meadows Community College offers an Associate in Nursing program aimed at helping students become Registered Nurses.The program is full-time and students are encouraged to complete as many general education courses as possible before beginning the nursing courses.

Courses cover fundamentals of pharmacology, cultural aspects of nursing, and principles of pathophysiology.

Truckee Meadows Community Collegeis accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Earn your Nursing Degree online

You want to be a nurse? If so, you may want to explore several community colleges with associate degrees in nursing programs. Earning your associate's degree in nursing could be a strategic way to begin your career in healthcare.

With an ADN, you may be eligible to become a registered nurse. This associate's degree can also provide a solid foundation for future college nursing courses.

If you are ready to take the next step, you may consider an online nursing degree. Online courses are flexible yet rigorous and can help you better balance your studies with other life responsibilities.

Whether you attend online or in person, there are many accredited community colleges where you can be assured of a solid nursing education.