Best Nursing Schools in North Carolina

Best Nursing Schools in North Carolina – Overview

North Carolina is not just known for its incredibly scenic views, but it is one of the major centers for medical education too. The Tar Heel State is slowly becoming a significant hub in healthcare training, especially when there is a lack of sufficient healthcare professionals.

A study by Georgetown University predicts that by 2025, North Carolina will have the 2^nd largest nursing shortage in the US. Currently, 70 out of 80 rural counties in NC are designated “medical deserts” – a term used to describe a community area that is over an hour’s drive from an acute-care hospital.

The growing demand for healthcare professionals has created incredible opportunities for licensed nursing staff. If you are too looking to pursue a career in nursing, then here are the best nursing schools in North Carolina in 2023:

Best nursing schools in North Carolina in 2023

5 Best Nursing Schools in North Carolina

1 – University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill)

The University of North Carolina’s School of Nursing is defined as one of the best in the United States by the American Health Council. Regardless if you want to enter into research or clinical practice, the UNC School of Nursing teaches you all you need to know about patient care.

The school was one of the first academic centers in the country to pursue nursing research as a field of study. Currently, students here are engaged in numerous research studies, including maternal/newborn nursing care, health disparities in minority populations, and health literacy.

The UNC School of Nursing is located in Carrington Hall, in the Chapel Hill campus’s Health Education Center. Here, students are taught about clinical assessments and basic nursing skills in the advanced Education-Innovation-Simulation Learning Environment.

This allows nursing students to train in real-life hospital situations. You can choose to do clinical rotations at hospitals, community agencies, ambulatory care clinics and various other healthcare facilities across Durham and Orange Counties.

To learn more, such as admission criteria and other details of the University of North Carolina’s School of Nursing, you can simply check their official website at https://www.unc.edu/school/nursing/.

2 – Duke University (Durham)

According to US News and World Report, the Duke University School of Nursing is ranked one of the best in the United States. It is the first nursing school in the country to receive three Center of Excellence designations simultaneously from the National League for Nursing. The school offers nursing aspirants them to pursue their interests in clinical research and patient care.

The Duke University’s Center for Nursing Discovery is an innovative simulation system where nursing students get hands-on experience in a supportive and safe environment. Besides this, you will also have clinical rotations at some of the most prestigious healthcare facilities in the Raleigh-Durham metropolitan area.

Students also get the opportunity to work in public health nursing within the US and abroad. To learn more details about the admission criteria and enrollment in Duke University’s School of Nursing, you can check their official website here https://nursing.duke.edu/.

3 – East Carolina University (Greenville)

East Carolina University’s College of Nursing is another excellent choice for a nursing school in North Carolina. As part of its Health Science Division, nursing students at the college learn alongside students aspiring to be doctors, dentists, and other allied health science professionals.

The college is renowned for being one of the first to offer the Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurse model, which allows concurrent enrollments to students in nearby community colleges. The National League for Nursing has designated the East Carolina University College of Nursing as a Center for Excellence in Nursing Education.

Here, students can access the immense Learning Resource Center with advanced educational software specifically programmed to teach nursing skills. There are eight Concepts Integration Labs where students learn basic evaluations and procedures in a safe and supportive environment using the latest technology.

To learn more about the nursing courses and enrollment procedure at ECU College of Nursing, you can check out their official website at https://nursing.ecu.edu/.

4 – University of North Carolina (Wilmington)

The University of North Carolina Wilmington’s School of Nursing is one of the best learning institutions in New Hanover County. Nursing students here are known for offering health education and health screenings at popular community events and the Myrtle Grove Middle School. It is one of the best ways for nursing students to witness the positive impact that an active nurse can have on the overall community.

The School of Nursing is part of UNC Wilmington’s College of Health and Human Services. It is located in the sophisticated McNeill Hall, which has a 10,000-square-foot simulation learning center. Here, students are trained in a variety of medical situations using the most advanced technology, such as a virtual hospital and ambulatory care service.

Upon completing their basic learning, students get opportunities for clinical rotations at hospitals, ambulatory care clinics, and numerous community health centers across coastal southeastern North Carolina.

To learn more about the admission criteria and enrollment process in UNC Wilmington’s School of Nursing, you can visit their official website here https://uncw.edu/chhs/son/.

5 – University of North Carolina (Greensboro)

The UNC Greensboro School of Nursing is one of the oldest and most prestigious nursing education institutes in the state and trained female World War II veterans with a diploma to serve in the nursing corps. The U.S. News and World Report rank the nursing school top in its list of the best nursing schools in North Carolina and the country.

Currently, nursing students are taught at four buildings across the UNCG campus. The School of Nursing Simulation Center for Experiential Nursing Education in the Moore Building has customized simulation systems and five high-fidelity simulators.

The new and immense Nursing and Instructional Building has 14 classrooms, nine research suites, and 39 high-tech labs. Clinical rotations are offered at Caswell Family Medical Center and other prestigious healthcare facilities across northwestern North Carolina.

If you want to know more about the admission criteria, enrollment process and other details for UNCG School of Nursing, you can visit the official website at https://nursing.uncg.edu/.

Conclusion

This is our list of the best nursing schools in North Carolina in 2023. These nursing education institutes have been ranked according to the variety of nursing courses offered, as well as other facilities that ease access to nursing education, such as scholarships and grants offered. It is highly recommended to contact the specific nursing college or school and learn all the details you need before applying for a spot to earn your nursing degree.

Shubham Grover

I am a dedicated healthcare researcher and an enthusiast specializing in medical grants, medical education and research. Through my articles, I aim to empower healthcare professionals and researchers with valuable insights and resources to navigate these critical aspects effectively.

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