Nursing Programs in Raleigh, NC

Johnston Community College's Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program in Smithfield, North Carolina, provides campus-based training focused on patient safety, evidence-based practice, and high-quality care. Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA, complete algebra, biology, and chemistry prerequisites, and earn proficient TEAS exam scores for admission. The program is accredited by ACEN and fully approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. NCLEX-RN pass rates are impressive, with 100% in 2024 and 2022, and 97% in 2023. Graduates are prepared for diverse healthcare environments and entry-level nursing positions. With its strong clinical foundation and consistent exam outcomes, this ADN path serves as a solid stepping stone for nursing careers in the greater Raleigh area.

• Campus-based program
• 2.5 GPA requirement
• Proficient TEAS scores needed
• 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate
• Strong job placement rates
• Full NC Board of Nursing approval
• ACEN accredited
• Focus on evidence-based practice
• Prepares for diverse healthcare settings
• Includes safety and quality care training

UNC Chapel Hill’s on-campus Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) combines evidence-based teaching with hands-on learning experiences. Students learn from dedicated faculty, engage in undergraduate research, and practice interprofessional collaboration to provide patient-centered care. Graduates pursue careers as registered nurses, administrators, educators, public health professionals, and policy advocates. The program offers an Accelerated BSN and a Military Pathway to accommodate diverse student needs. Financial aid and scholarships help support students. No specific ACT/SAT entrance exam requirement is listed for the nursing major; applicants should verify university-wide testing policies. The BSN program demonstrates strong NCLEX outcomes, with pass rates from 90% to 99% over recent years and 98% in 2024.

• Starts fall
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• On-campus study
• Registered nurse career
• Hospital administration careers
• Nursing education careers
• Health care research careers
• Public health and policy careers
• Military and veterans affairs careers

This fast-paced, four-semester Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) is designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. Delivered entirely on campus at UNC Chapel Hill, the curriculum integrates health assessment, pharmacology, evidence-based practice, and leadership development through simulation and clinical placements in diverse settings. Graduates are prepared for RN licensure and careers as nurse educators, hospital administrators, public health specialists, and researchers. The program states no additional entrance exam requirement beyond admission to the accelerated track, but prospective students must complete prerequisite coursework. Recent NCLEX-RN pass rates across the BSN program have been strong, including 99% in 2023 and 98% in 2024, reflecting excellent preparation.

• 4-Semester program
• For students with a bachelor's degree
• Time-tested and innovative teaching
• On-campus program

The Military Pathway to the BSN at UNC Chapel Hill is an on-campus alternative for veterans, active-duty service members, and military spouses, blending rigorous academics with a supportive environment. The curriculum mirrors the traditional BSN with opportunities in research, interprofessional practice, and leadership, while specifically addressing the transition to civilian nursing careers. Alumni go on to work in health care administration, public health, military and veterans affairs, or direct patient care. The pathway accepts fall 2027 applications and offers financial aid and scholarships. No explicit ACT/SAT requirement is noted in the program’s materials; contact admissions for military-specific eligibility. The BSN’s NCLEX pass rates have remained high, with 99% in 2023 and 98% in 2024.

• Starts fall
• Financial aid available
• On-campus learning format
• Military and veterans affairs careers
• Scholarships available

Wake Technical Community College offers an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program at its Perry Health Sciences Campus in Raleigh. The curriculum emphasizes patient safety, interdisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and nursing informatics. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN and pursue roles across acute care, long-term care, community health, and industrial settings. The program comprises 72 credit hours with an estimated in-state tuition of $5,472, and financial aid is available. Classes are held during the day only, with fall and spring entry options. Wake Tech's ADN students achieved NCLEX-RN pass rates of 91-98% from 2021 to 2024.

• $5,472 total program tuition
• 72 total credit hours
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Financial aid available
• Day-only class schedule
• Perry Health Sciences Campus location
• Fall and Spring entry options
• Interdisciplinary team nursing focus
• Evidence-based practice curriculum
• Quality improvement and informatics training

Licensed Practical Nurses aiming for RN licensure can enter Wake Technical Community College's Advanced Placement Associate Degree Nursing track. This accelerated pathway starts with a 10-week summer course, followed by two semesters alongside traditional nursing students. The curriculum expands LPN knowledge into broader nursing theory, critical thinking, and refined clinical skills. All 72 credits and the estimated $5,472 in-state tuition apply; financial aid is available. Day-only classes are held at the Perry Health Sciences Campus. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN. Wake Tech's NCLEX-RN performance has been solid, with pass rates between 91% and 98% over 2021-2024, including a 98% pass rate for the most recent year.

• $5,472 total program tuition
• 72 total credit hours
• Starts summer
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Financial aid available
• Designed for Licensed Practical Nurses
• Accelerated 10-week summer course
• Day only schedule
• Perry Health Sciences Campus

Durham Technical Community College's Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program is ACEN accredited and spans 70 credit hours of daytime study. Designed for aspiring registered nurses, the curriculum progresses from simple to complex concepts and integrates evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and informatics. Students gain hands-on experience through clinical rotations at hospitals and community clinics, preparing for diverse careers in acute, chronic, extended, industrial, and community healthcare. The program requires CPR certification, CNA status, an information session, and the TEAS entrance exam. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-RN, with recent pass rates rising from 87% in 2021 to 98% in 2024. Applications for the fall start must be submitted by February 1, 2026, and median earnings for graduates reach $84,282.

• ACEN accredited
• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• 70 total credit hours
• Apply by 2026-02-01
• Starts fall
• $84,282 median earnings
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Financial aid available
• Clinical experiences at various sites

Durham Tech's LPN to ADN track provides a streamlined pathway for licensed practical nurses to earn an Associate Degree in Nursing. This ACEN accredited program is limited to 50 credit hours and costs approximately $5,179 in total tuition. Building on existing LPN knowledge, students explore advanced nursing concepts, anatomy, psychology, and writing, while clinical experiences in acute, chronic, and community settings occur during days, nights, and weekends. Applicants must hold a current LPN license with at least one year of work experience, possess CPR certification, complete an information session, and pass the TEAS entrance exam. Enrollment is exclusively in the summer term. Graduates qualify for NCLEX-RN, and the college's ADN pass rates improved from 87% (2021) to 98% (2024). Financial aid options support students.

• ACEN accredited
• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• $5,179 total program tuition
• 50 total credit hours
• 1 start dates per year
• Starts summer
• Work experience required
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Financial aid available

Barton College's Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a CCNE-accredited, 120-credit in-person program blending liberal arts with biological and social sciences to develop culturally competent nurses. Students complete clinical rotations at leading facilities such as Duke Health and WakeMed, followed by a senior preceptorship. High-achieving freshmen can enter via the Nursing Direct Pathway, while the Wilson Medical Center Fellows Program offers tuition assistance and guaranteed employment. Recent BSN graduates achieved NCLEX pass rates of 87% (2021), 81% (2022), 100% (2023), and 94% (2024). With study abroad options, a Nursing Career Day, and Sigma Theta Tau membership, the program provides strong clinical partnerships and a supportive learning community.

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
• 120 total credit hours
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Nursing Direct Pathway for freshmen
• Wilson Medical Center Fellows Program
• Annual Nursing Career Day
• CCNE accredited program
• Clinical partnerships with Duke, WakeMed