Nursing Programs in Birmingham, AL
With the nursing shortage looming heavy over the nation, more registered nurses will be needed as the population ages. In Birmingham, a number of registered nursing programs exist to help those looking to fill these rewarding open positions in the nursing field.
To get started in nursing or to advance your nursing career, check out our accredited program listings sections below:

2027 Best Nursing Schools in Birmingham
Choosing the right nursing school is critical for your career. Rankings help students compare programs based on objective data. Registerednursing.org has created rankings for the Best Nursing Schools in Birmingham using NCLEX pass rates as the sole ranking criterion. See our methodology for details: https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL - Public 4-Year - uab.edu
Bachelor's - Nursing, BSN
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Alabama at Birmingham's BSN Pathway is a traditional four-year undergraduate program that combines academic coursework with immersive clinical experiences. Students learn foundational nursing concepts, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and public health, then apply skills in on-campus simulation labs and real-world settings at UAB's Academic Medical Center, which provides Level 1 trauma care. The curriculum covers adult health, behavioral health, obstetrics, pediatrics, and complex care, preparing graduates for entry-level registered nurse positions in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings. Distinctive features include a #1 ranking in Alabama by U.S. News & World Report, a five-semester upper-division sequence with a preceptorship, and opportunities like the Dean's Scholars Program for high-achieving high school seniors and the Nursing Honors Program for research. Students also benefit from the Veterans CAN initiative and paid student nurse roles at partnering hospitals. Small cohorts and dedicated advisors support a focused, full-time learning environment. Graduates emerge ready for professional practice and NCLEX licensure.
- $471 per credit
- Apply by 2026-09-04
- 3 start dates per year
- Starts spring/summer/fall
- 2.8 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- $40 application fee
- Military benefits accepted
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Traditional Pathway
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Alabama at Birmingham's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Traditional Pathway offers a comprehensive four-year undergraduate program designed to prepare students for professional nursing practice. Students develop clinical competence through a rigorous curriculum that combines academic coursework with hands-on clinical experiences. The program provides a strong foundation in healthcare sciences, emphasizing person-centered care, evidence-based practice, and interprofessional collaboration. Graduates are well-prepared to take the NCLEX-RN and launch rewarding nursing careers across diverse healthcare settings. Admission requires maintaining a 2.75 GPA, completing prerequisite courses, and meeting specific academic standards.
- Four-year traditional BSN pathway
- NCLEX-RN exam preparation
- Clinical competence focus
- 2.75 GPA requirement
- Comprehensive prerequisite courses
- Person-centered care approach
- Evidence-based practice training
- Interprofessional collaboration emphasis
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Alabama at Birmingham's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) offers a comprehensive four-year program designed to prepare highly skilled and compassionate nursing professionals. Students receive a rigorous academic foundation with hands-on clinical training, covering comprehensive healthcare knowledge across various patient populations. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice, technological integration, and professional development. Admission requires a 2.75 GPA, specific prerequisite courses, and competitive selection. Total program credits are 66, with tuition ranging from $458-$1,141 per semester hour for residents and non-residents. Financial aid and scholarships are available, making this an accessible pathway to a rewarding nursing career.
- Four-year comprehensive BSN program
- 66 total program credit hours
- Eligible for NCLEX-RN examination
- Multiple admission pathways
- Clinical skills and practicum experiences
- Competitive GPA requirement 2.75
- Diverse clinical training opportunities
- Technological and informatics integration
- Professional leadership development
- Scholarship opportunities available
Bachelor's - RN to BSN Pathway
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The RN to BSN Pathway offers registered nurses a flexible, distance-accessible route to complete their bachelor's degree. With convenient 3-5 semester plans, the program focuses on advanced nursing concepts, leadership, and evidence-based practice. Designed for working professionals, students can earn their BSN while maintaining their current nursing career, with affordable tuition and comprehensive curriculum that enhances clinical competence and professional development.
- Distance-accessible hybrid format
- Flexible 3-5 semester plans
- 30 total upper division credits
- Resident tuition $557 per credit
- Requires active RN license
- Minimum 2.5 GPA required
- Block credit for previous nursing coursework
- Online technology-based delivery
- Focus on leadership and evidence-based practice
Lawson State Community College
Birmingham, AL - Public 2-Year - lawsonstate.edu
Associate - Associate Degree Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Lawson State Community College's Associate Degree Nursing program prepares students for a rewarding career in healthcare. The two-year, 72-credit curriculum covers anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and nursing fundamentals. Students develop critical thinking and clinical skills through hands-on training. Graduates are ready to take the NCLEX-RN and pursue roles as registered nurses, traveling nurses, or nurse practitioners. The program boasts high NCLEX pass rates and 100% job placement. With day and evening options, it accommodates diverse schedules. Lawson State's nursing program is consistently ranked among the top 10 in Alabama, reflecting its commitment to excellence.
- ACEN accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: ACT
- 2-Year program
- 72 total credit hours
- 2 start dates per year
- Starts summer/fall
- 90% licensure pass rate
- 100% job placement rate
- 2.0 GPA minimum
Entry Level ADN & BSN Programs in Birmingham, AL
For those with no prior nursing experience, an entry-level nursing program is a great jumping-off point and can poise RNs for future educational growth. Entry-level options at Birmingham schools include Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs.
LPN to RN Programs
For licensed practical nurses who want to earn higher salaries and increase their patient care responsibilities, there are LPN to RN bridge programs that build upon their previous coursework and professional experience to prepare them to take the NCLEX licensing exam and become RNs.
ADN Programs
The 2-year ADN program is the most basic registered nursing degree available. Enrolled students learn nursing concepts through theoretical and practical instruction to eventually act as members of an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
Direct-Entry BSN Programs
The traditional 4-year BSN option is excellent for those who want maximum employment options, as BSN-educated nurses are often preferred at hospitals. Samford University's Ida Moffett School of Nursing offers a standard BSN degree and accelerated options. Classes include Foundations for Clinical Nursing Practice, Community Health Nursing, and Childrearing Family.
Find out more about Alabama Accelerated BSN programs.
RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Birmingham, AL
For current RNs who hold an ADN or diploma, bridge programs allow them to advance their education in a shortened time-frame. RN to BSN and RN to MSN programs are the most common bridge programs available.
RN to BSN Programs
The RN to BSN pathway is a great way for licensed RNs to earn a coveted baccalaureate nursing degree. The University of Alabama at Birmingham offers an online RN to BSN program which requires a total of 125 semester hours. Courses taken include Microbiology, Leadership and Management for RNs, and more.
Learn more about Alabama RN to BSN programs.
RN to MSN Programs
Licensed RNs who want to enter more advanced practice can opt for an RN to MSN program pathway. In addition to their RN to BSN offering, the University of Alabama at Birmingham also offers an RN to MSN program for those who hold an ADN in nursing as well as a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field. This program is delivered online, with part-time and full-time schedule options.
List of RN to BSN/MSN Programs
Birmingham, AL
University of Alabama at Birmingham
- RN to BSN - RN to BSN Pathway
Online Learning - Website
- No entrance exam required
- $573 per credit
- Typically completed within three to five semesters
- 30 total credit hours
- 9 total courses
- Apply by 2026-10-15
- Part-time available
- Starts fall/spring
APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Birmingham, AL
Advanced nursing degrees can catapult RNs into high-level practice in a number of nurse practitioner specialties. Program options in the Birmingham area include Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN), post-master's certificates, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and even a Ph.D. in Nursing.
MSN Programs
This traditional graduate nursing degree is designed for BSN-educated nurses and takes around two years to complete. The University of Alabama at Birmingham, for example, offers an MSN degree with numerous specialty options, including Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Leader, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and many more.
Find out more about Alabama MSN Programs and Alabama Nurse Practitioner Programs.
Post-Master's Certificate Programs
For MSN-educated RNs looking to switch specialties, the post-grad certificate pathway is an excellent choice. These programs are typically a fraction of the cost and take much less time to complete versus pursuing an additional nursing degree. Samford University offers a post-master's Family Nurse Practitioner certificate, as well as a post-FNP Emergency Nurse Practitioner certificate.
Find out more about Alabama Post-Master's Certificate Programs.
DNP and Ph.D. Programs
Doctoral nursing programs are the highest degree programs available to RNs. Some choose the DNP, which has a clinical focus, while others opt for the Ph.D., which has an educational/research focus. The University of Alabama at Birmingham offers both post-BSN and post-MSN DNP pathways, as well as a Ph.D. program to give students maximum doctoral options.
Learn more about Alabama DNP Programs.
List of APRN (MSN, DNP, & NP) Programs in Birmingham
Birmingham, AL
Samford University
- BSN to MSN - MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Hybrid online program.
- 660 clinical hours required.
- Eligible for national certification.
- ADN/ASN to MSN pathway.
- BSN to MSN pathway.
- 3.0 GPA admission requirement.
- Unencumbered RN license needed.
- One to two campus intensives.
- BSN to MSN - MSN to DNP Emergency Nurse Practitioner
Concentration: Emergency Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
- Online 2-year DNP program
- 660 clinical practice hours
- ENP national certification prep
- Minimum 3.5 GPA required
- One on-campus intensive
- Flexible clinical placement
- 100% FNP certification pass rate
- MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Nurse Anesthesia - Online & Campus Based - Website
- COA, CCNE accredited
- 36-Month program
- 2000 clinical hours
- Prepares for National Certification Examination (NCE)
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Nine-semester curriculum plan
- Online courses first two semesters
University of Alabama at Birmingham
- BSN to MSN - MSN Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: GRE, GMAT
- $723 per credit
- Complete in six or seven successive semesters
- 45 total credit hours
- Apply by 2026-10-08
- Part-time available
- Starts summer/fall
- BSN to MSN - MSN Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with RNFA
Concentration: RNFA - Online & Campus Based - Website
- Hybrid program format.
- 45 credit hours total.
- Part-time study option.
- RNFA concentration available.
- BSN degree required.
- 3.0 GPA minimum.
- Unencumbered RN license needed.
- GRE may be required.
- BSN to MSN - MSN Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Exams: GRE, GMAT
- $723 per credit
- 45 total credit hours
- Part-time available
- Starts summer/fall
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- 3 letters of recommendation (minimum)
- Prerequisite courses required
- BSN to MSN - MSN Family Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 45 credit hours required
- Part-time program of study
- Hybrid distance accessible format
- Online classes with on-campus intensives
- 6 or 7 semester completion
- 3.0 minimum GPA required
- Three professional references needed
- GRE required for GPA below 3.2
- BSN to MSN - MSN Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Part-time distance accessible format
- 45 total credit hours
- Requires 2+ years NICU experience
- Synchronous online classes
- On-campus intensive sessions
- Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
- BSN from accredited program
- Six semester curriculum
- BSN to MSN - MSN Nurse-Midwifery
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Hybrid distance-accessible format
- Pre-accredited ACME program
- 54 credit total program
- 780 clinical training hours
- Comprehensive women's healthcare focus
- Certification exam preparation
- Advanced practice nursing pathway
- Patient-centered care approach
- BSN to MSN - MSN Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Concentration: Pediatric Primary Care - Online & Campus Based - Website
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: GRE, GMAT
- $723 per credit
- Complete in six or seven successive semesters
- 45 total credit hours
- Apply by 2026-10-08
- Part-time available
- Starts summer/fall
- BSN to MSN - MSN Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Hybrid program format.
- 45 credit hours total.
- Part-time study option.
- Distance-accessible delivery.
- Clinical practice included.
- BSN degree required.
- 3.0 GPA minimum.
- Unencumbered license needed.
- BSN to MSN - MSN Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Website
- MSN Women's Health Care NP.
- Hybrid program format.
- 45 credit hours.
- Six semester program.
- 10 clinical practicum hours.
- Distance accessible format.
- Part-time study option.
- BSN degree required.
- BSN to MSN - MSN/MBA Dual Degree
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 66 credit hours total.
- Three-year program length.
- Hybrid online and campus format.
- Requires BSN degree for admission.
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required.
- GRE or GMAT may be needed.
- Tuition $723 per credit hour.
- Additional technology fees apply.
- BSN to MSN - Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Family Nurse Practitioner and Emergency Nurse Practitioner dual-option specialty
Concentration: Emergency Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website
- Emergency NP subspecialty track
- Hybrid/distance education format
- Interdisciplinary instruction
- Certification exam preparation
- Requires 1+ year emergency experience
- Dual-option MSN specialty
- Expert faculty leadership
- BSN to MSN - Master of Science in Nursing
Concentration: Nursing Health Systems Administration - Online & Campus Based - Website
- Hybrid program format.
- Two-year program length.
- 36 total credit hours.
- BSN degree required.
- 3.0 GPA minimum.
- Unencumbered nursing license.
- GRE or GMAT may be needed.
- Three reference letters.
- BSN to MSN - Nursing Health Systems Administration
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Nationally ranked No. 5 program.
- Hybrid online and on-campus format.
- 36 credit hours total.
- Two-year part-time completion.
- Requires BSN degree for admission.
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required.
- Unencumbered nursing license needed.
- Tuition $723 per credit hour.
- BSN to MSN - Nursing Informatics
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 40 credit hour program
- Hybrid distance-accessible format
- Part-time study option
- Advanced practice nurse preparation
- Technology-focused curriculum
- Synchronous online classes
- On-campus intensives included
- BSN required for admission
- MSN to DNP - DNP Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Website
- CCNE accredited
- $723 per credit
- Complete in completed in nine or ten successive semesters
- 79 total credit hours
- Apply by 2026-10-08
- Part-time available
- 2 start dates per year
- Starts summer/fall
- MSN to DNP - DNP Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Website
- CCNE accredited
- $723 per credit
- Complete in nine or ten successive semesters
- 79 total credit hours
- Apply by 2026-10-08
- Part-time available
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- 3 letters of recommendation (minimum)
- MSN to DNP - DNP Family Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Website
- CCNE accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: GRE, GMAT
- $723 per credit
- 79 total credit hours
- Apply by 2026-10-08
- Part-time available
- Starts summer/fall
- MSN to DNP - DNP Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Concentration: Pediatric Primary Care - Online & Campus Based - Website
- CCNE accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: GRE, GMAT
- $723 per credit
- 9-Semester program
- Complete in completed in nine or ten successive semesters
- 79 total credit hours
- Apply by 2026-10-08
- MSN to DNP - DNP Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Website
- CCNE accredited
- $723 per credit
- Complete in nine or ten successive semesters
- 79 total credit hours
- Part-time available
- 2 start dates per year
- Starts fall/summer
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- MSN to DNP - DNP Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
Online & Campus Based - Website
- CCNE accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: GRE, GMAT
- $723 per credit
- Complete in completed in nine or ten successive semesters
- 79 total credit hours
- Apply by 2026-10-08
- Part-time available
- MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 12 concentration options
- Ranked 9th nationally by U.S. News
- Practice-focused terminal degree
- Academic Health Science Center setting
- MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Nurse Anesthesia - Online & Campus Based - Website
- Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: GRE
- 3-Year program
- 114 total credit hours
- Starts summer
- 96% licensure pass rate
- 100% job placement rate
- MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Nurse Practitioners - Online & Campus Based - Website
- 8 concentration options
- Ranked 9th in the nation
- Located in Academic Health Science Center
Comprehensive List of Nursing Schools Near Birmingham, AL
Birmingham, AL
Lawson State Community College
- Associate - Associate Degree Nursing
Campus Based - Website
- ACEN accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: ACT
- 2-Year program
- 72 total credit hours
- 2 start dates per year
- Starts summer/fall
- 90% licensure pass rate
University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Traditional Pathway
Campus Based - Website
- Four-year traditional BSN pathway
- NCLEX-RN exam preparation
- Clinical competence focus
- 2.75 GPA requirement
- Comprehensive prerequisite courses
- Person-centered care approach
- Evidence-based practice training
- Interprofessional collaboration emphasis
- Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Campus Based - Website
- Four-year comprehensive BSN program
- 66 total program credit hours
- Eligible for NCLEX-RN examination
- Multiple admission pathways
- Clinical skills and practicum experiences
- Competitive GPA requirement 2.75
- Diverse clinical training opportunities
- Technological and informatics integration
- Bachelor's - Nursing, BSN
Campus Based - Website
- $471 per credit
- Apply by 2026-09-04
- 3 start dates per year
- Starts spring/summer/fall
- 2.8 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- $40 application fee
- Military benefits accepted
- Bachelor's - RN to BSN Pathway
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Distance-accessible hybrid format
- Flexible 3-5 semester plans
- 30 total upper division credits
- Resident tuition $557 per credit
- Requires active RN license
- Minimum 2.5 GPA required
- Block credit for previous nursing coursework
- Online technology-based delivery
