Online Nursing Schools in NC: Choosing Top Programs
Whether you want to become North Carolina’s newest registered nurse or build on your existing qualifications, an online nursing program can help you reach your goal. From entry-level degrees to doctorates, NC offers online and hybrid programs for every level of nursing. Read on to learn more about online nursing schools in North Carolina and see if one might be the right fit for you.
Exploring North Carolina’s Online Nursing Programs
Online nursing programs offer a convenient option for pursuing all educational levels. From certifications and associate degrees to a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) and everything in between, each type of nursing degree has an online or hybrid program option — and North Carolina is no exception.
However, even nursing programs that describe themselves as fully online may require you to complete in-person clinical rotations at a site convenient to you, and some hybrid programs may require you to come to campus for labs. That’s why North Carolina residents choose local schools for online nursing programs. Apart from location, things like accreditation, tuition, and timelines all factor into your decision regarding which school to attend and which nursing degree to pursue.
While your path forward may not be apparent yet, our breakdown of North Carolina’s various online and hybrid nursing degrees and schools will help clarify your options and set you on the correct route to becoming a nurse.
Online Undergraduate Nursing Degree Programs
Online and hybrid undergraduate nursing programs are generally the first step in your nursing education. These programs are designed for students with no prior nursing experience or education and range from certificate programs — which can be completed in a few months — to full degrees, which can take several years to complete.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
A certified nursing assistant, or CNA, assists physicians and nurses in hospitals and other clinical settings. Becoming a CNA results in a career helping patients with activities of daily life (ADLs), such as changing clothing and eating, administering medications, and checking and recording patient vitals.
Example: Carolinas College of Health Sciences
- Cost: $1,200
- Length: 2-3 Months
- Mode: Hybrid
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Like CNAs, LPNs, or licensed practical nurses, assist nurses and physicians in various clinical settings. LPNs often specialize in helping with ADLs, moving patients, and handling supply issues, such as ensuring nurse stations have sufficient bandages and other equipment.
Example: Cape Fear Community College
- Cost: $3,196
- Length: 12 Months
- Mode: Hybrid
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
Associate degrees in nursing support students who want to earn their RN license but aren’t ready to commit to a four-year bachelor’s degree. These programs, commonly offered by community colleges and vocational schools, usually take two years to complete and provide affordable tuition rates.
Example: Carolinas College of Health Sciences
- Cost: $497/credit
- Length: 2 Years
- Mode: Hybrid
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
A traditional bachelor of science in nursing also supports those looking to become RNs. These programs take four years to complete, typically leading to higher starting salaries than an ADN. Plenty of public and private colleges throughout the state offer these programs online and on campus.
Example: North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
- Cost: $120/credit
- Length: 1 Year
- Mode: Online/Hybrid
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)
Accelerated BSN programs can help you enter nursing if you already have a bachelor’s degree in another subject but want to change careers. Lasting approximately 18 months, accelerated BSNs build on existing general education knowledge and focus on targeted nursing coursework and clinical experiences.
Example: UNC Charlotte
- Cost: $1,906/semester
- Length: 4 Semesters
- Mode: Hybrid
Graduate and Post-Graduate Degree Programs
The most advanced nursing qualifications — graduate and postgraduate nursing degrees — include master’s, doctorate, and postgraduate certificates. The programs are designed for those with prior nursing degrees and potentially previous nursing experience in a professional setting and may take several years to complete.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
MSN programs exist for those who already have a BSN and individuals who earned a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated subject. Depending on previous credentials, these degrees take two to three years to complete. They can utilize both online and in-person learning.
Example: UNC Charlotte
- Cost: $66.67/credit
- Length: 2 Years
- Mode: Online
DNP and PhD Doctoral Programs
DNP programs take three to five years to complete and support nurses who want to continue in professional practice at the top of the career ladder. PhD in nursing programs usually take four to six years and build the skills needed to transition into research and/or academic positions.
Example: UNC Charlotte
- Cost: $271/credit
- Length: 2-3 Years
- Mode: Online
Post-Master’s Certificate Programs
Post-graduate certificates support graduates of MSN programs who want to gain specialized knowledge in a particular nursing area. These North Carolina nursing programs can be found online and on-campus, covering topics such as nurse administration and management, nurse education, forensic nursing, and various nurse practitioner specialty areas.
Example: UNC Charlotte
- Cost: $66.67/credit
- Length: 1 Semester
- Mode: Online
Bridge Degree Programs
If you’ve already earned some nursing qualifications but want to go to the next level, you might consider a bridge program. Nursing bridge programs are designed to build on your prior qualifications to help you complete your advanced degree quicker while saving time and money.
LPN to RN and LPN to BSN
If you’ve worked as a licensed practical nurse and feel ready to take the next professional step, these bridge programs can help. The LPN to RN leads to an associate degree and takes 18-24 months to complete. The LPN to BSN leads to a bachelor’s degree and takes three to four years to finish.
LPN to RN Example: Cape Fear Community College
- Cost: $76/credit
- Length: 3 Semesters
- Mode: Hybrid
RN to BSN
An accelerated RN to BSN program could be the right option if you already have your ADN and RN license but want to upgrade your credentials. Building on knowledge already gained in your associate degree, these North Carolina bridge programs usually take about two years to complete.
Example: UNC Charlotte
- Cost: $189.48/credit
- Length: 1 Year
- Mode: Online
RN to MSN
Designed for ADN-educated RNs, these bridge programs allow you to skip the BSN and earn a master’s degree in less time than doing both separately. You can usually find these NC nursing programs online or in person, lasting 30-36 months.
Example: UNC Pembroke
- Cost: $237.78/credit
- Length: 2 Years
- Mode: Hybrid
BSN to DNP
For BSN graduates looking to earn a professional doctorate as quickly as possible, a BSN to DNP program allows them to bypass a master’s degree and earn a doctoral degree more quickly. These programs can be highly competitive and take several years to complete.
Example: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Cost: $1,031.34/credit
- Length: 2-3 Years
- Mode: Hybrid
Direct-Entry MSN
If you already hold a bachelor’s in a non-nursing field and want a career change into nursing, you might be the right candidate for a direct-entry MSN. These advanced, competitive programs are designed to provide master ‘s-level nursing education to students who haven’t previously studied nursing.
Example: UNC Greensboro
- Cost: $8,614/year
- Length: 2 Years
- Mode: Hybrid
Licensing Information & Requirements for Registered Nurses in North Carolina
There’s more to becoming a nurse in North Carolina than simply graduating from nursing school. Given the high level of responsibility involved in nursing, licensure is a complex process. Read on for a step-by-step guide to becoming a nurse in North Carolina and keeping your license valid throughout your career.
1 – Earn an Accredited Nursing Degree
In North Carolina, all registered nurses must hold an ADN or BSN to meet minimum education requirements. Your nursing degree must come from an accredited school with institutional and programmatic nursing accreditation. Whether your degree is online, in-person, or hybrid, accreditation makes it legitimate and ensures that the state board of nursing will recognize your qualifications.
2 – Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam
One of the most important steps towards earning your North Carolina nursing license is passing the NCLEX-RN. Your nursing program will have explained the details of the NCLEX and what makes it essential, and depending on the program, it may have provided you with study sessions and/or access to prep materials. Either way, developing an independent study routine in the lead-up to your test day can be a good idea.
3 – Apply for State Licensure
After you’ve passed the NCLEX, it’s time to apply for your North Carolina nursing license. Each state has different nursing license requirements and procedures, and in North Carolina, the relevant authority is the North Carolina Board of Nursing or NCBN. They have multiple paths to licensure, and which is the best fit for you will depend on your education and experiences, so check their website for further details.
4 – Maintain and Renew Licensure
Even after earning your license, you’ll need to maintain it in good standing and renew it before it expires. In North Carolina, all nursing licenses come with an expiry date, and you must renew your nursing license within 90 days of the expiration date to maintain it. Remember, if you let your license lapse, you must repeat the entire initial licensure process, which can be expensive and lengthy.
5 – Pursue Specialty Certifications (Optional)
Even once you’ve been established as a nurse in North Carolina, your nursing education and qualifications may still have room to grow. You may pursue specializations, such as nurse midwifery, nurse leadership, and more. How you go about this will vary from specialization to specialization but may involve more education, whether a certification or another full degree, such as an MSN or DNP.
North Carolina’s Nursing Salary Trends
There will be a surge in RN jobs due to the shortages the profession has been experiencing. As a result, 7,930 new jobs will be added to the field annually in the coming years, representing a 16.40% increase in the state. This is good news for North Carolina and for you if you enroll in a nursing degree program. Nationwide, 193,100 new jobs will be created annually, reflecting a 5.60% increase. More good news is that registered nurses earn a good living. The salary range is $62,980 to $104,190 per year, with an average income of $79,580. However, salaries vary across the state. In the Durham-Chapel Hill area, nurses earn an average of $78,990, with a range from $68,800 to $112,990. Similarly, nurses in Asheville earn between $59,270 and $110,840, with an average of $79,580. Check out the tables below for more information.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | $62,980 | $79,580 | $104,190 |
| Asheville, NC | $59,270 | $79,580 | $110,840 |
| Burlington, NC | $63,140 | $83,790 | $98,830 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $64,240 | $81,190 | $103,130 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $68,800 | $78,990 | $112,990 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $58,300 | $87,190 | $110,260 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $60,980 | $76,820 | $97,070 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $62,930 | $80,950 | $101,310 |
| Greenville, NC | $66,320 | $80,100 | $107,180 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $56,350 | $71,180 | $93,280 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $60,300 | $76,240 | $95,210 |
| New Bern, NC | $57,500 | $68,430 | $86,410 |
| Raleigh, NC | $64,850 | $81,910 | $103,640 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $59,490 | $75,150 | $96,990 |
| Wilmington, NC | $63,370 | $76,440 | $98,680 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $66,470 | $83,020 | $106,970 |
Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 3,172,500 | 3,349,900 | 177,400 | 5.60% | 193,100 |
| North Carolina | 106,190 | 123,650 | 17,460 | 16.40% | 7,930 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
North Carolina’s Leading Online Nursing Programs
The “best” online nursing program in North Carolina will vary from student to student. That being said, we’ve considered programs from multiple perspectives using data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Our rankings consider the availability and ease of online learning, financial aid availability and tuition costs, student resources for online students, and graduation rates and time to completion. See the methodology tab for more, or read on for the rankings.
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina
Public
Gardner-Webb University
Boiling Springs, North Carolina
Private
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Public
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina
Public
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, North Carolina
Public
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Public
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina
Public
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina
Public
Carolinas College of Health Sciences
Charlotte, North Carolina
Public
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences
Concord, North Carolina
Private
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Pembroke, North Carolina
Public
North Carolina Central University
Durham, North Carolina
Public
Barton College
Wilson, North Carolina
Private
North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro, North Carolina
Public
Lenoir-Rhyne University
Hickory, North Carolina
Private
Campbell University
Buies Creek, North Carolina
Private
North Carolina Wesleyan College
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Private
William Peace University
Raleigh, North Carolina
Private
Davidson-Davie Community College
Thomasville, North Carolina
Public
