Become an RN or LPN in Vermont

Find a Nursing School That Won’t Keep you Waiting

The nursing shortage phenomenon drives various aspects of the nursing industry, including the fervor over nursing schools. The mantra seems to be: get them in and get them out with good nursing skills. Problem is that the various pathways to a nursing job in Vermont are occluded with their own obstacles. For example, in some schools of nursing eager prospective nursing students are put on a lengthy waitlist, slowing the time to work exponentially. In other situations the problem may manifest itself in a shortage of nurse faculty.

In Vermont students have a number of different kinds of nursing schools from which to choose: Practical Nursing, Associates, Bachelors and Masters degrees are all represented. The majority if new nurses prefer the Associates degree track despite the fact that it is consistently in most regions of the country the slowest pathway to a nursing license.

Consider these possible alternatives to which many nursing schools are currently turning:

  • Accelerated BSN degrees for students with previous degrees in non-nursing subjects deliver fast-track degrees and cost less than traditional BSNs
  • Online nursing degrees are being offered where they make sense. These are able to cast a wider net to remote prospective students AND provide increased enrollment, ease strain on campus facilities, etc.
  • Diploma programs in nursing where available allow students to work and study in the hospital. They are increasingly rare, but could provide a legitimate alternative if you’re faced with lengthy waitlists elsewhere.

Rural Nursing vs. Urban Nursing Careers

Of course thousands of nurses work in Burlington, one of Vermont’s larger metropolitan areas. Smaller cities like Bennington and Montpelier are popular, as well. But much of VT remains rural which small communities starved for adequate healthcare, including nursing care.

If you’re interested in rural community health nursing or pursuing an Advanced Practice Nursing degree in Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwife, Nurse Anesthetist, or Clinical Nurse Specialist, explore the curriculum offered at your choices of nursing school. You may find coursework that specifically targets the practice needs of rural nurses.

Financial Incentives for Vermont Student Nurses

The state Loan Repayment Program is administered by Vermont Student Assistance Corporation and includes financial incentives for nurse practitioners. According to the Vermont Department of Health, this program has been instrumental in luring nurses to rural communities within the state. Note: funding for this program may vary with availability of state funds.

Resources

The Vermont State Board of Nursing governs the practice of nursing in the state. As a student nurse you will become acquainted with this agency for the following:

  • Licensure requirements for RNs and LPNs
  • Licensure and scope of practice for APRNs
  • List of approved nursing schools in VT
  • Requirements for foreign nurses
  • Scope of practice for various types of nurses
  • Current legislation and news affecting VT nurses
  • and more

List of Accredited Campus-Based Nursing Schools in Vermont

  • Castleton State College
  • Norwich University
  • Southern Vermont College
  • University of Vermont
  • Vermont Technical College

Explore Your Nursing Degree Options Today!