Nursing Schools in North Carolina

Guide to North Carolina Nursing Degree Programs

If you think that being a nurse is the right profession for you, then North Carolina nursing schools are the best place to start your career path. With a population of over 9 million people, North Carolina is continuously in need of quality nurses to help provide healthcare services. The state also has top rank hospitals that can provide excellent working environment for nurses. One good example is the Mission Hospital which has been awarded for being a leading medical facility for cardiology care. There is also the VA Medical Center in Fayetteville which provides medical services to veterans living in nineteen counties located in the southeastern part of the state.

On top of excellent North Carolina nursing schools, there is also a strong and helpful community of nurses in the state. The North Carolina Nurses Association has put a collective voice to all nurses regardless of specialization or practice. The organization advances the welfare of all nurses, aiming for better safety and health for nurses in the workplace. Other nurses’ organizations in the state also provide resources for continuing education and job opportunities for members. All in all, the very active nurse community in North Carolina helps in raising the bar of the nursing profession as a whole.

North Carolina Nursing Job Outlook and Salary

But the presence of top notch North Carolina nursing schools is not enough to prevent a sharp shortage of nurses in the state. As this happens, the average age of nurses in the state is also getting older, with more than 20% of nurses expected to retire in the next 10 years. As baby boomers become older, requiring more healthcare services, there is a huge need for new nurses in North Carolina.

To help fill up the shortage of nurses, the Nurse Education Scholarship Loan Program or NESLP has been made available to deserving students. This program is managed by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority. The program grants qualified applicants anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000. The amount given will depend on the financial need and tuition fees of the student.

After graduating from North Carolina nursing schools and becoming board certified, registered nurses in the state can look forward to a rewarding career. The average hourly rate for a registered nurse in North Carolina is around $24.21, or approximately $49,500 per year. Other bonuses and perks also apply to nurses with several years of experience under their belt.