Entry-Level ADN & BSN Programs in Wilmington, DE

Nursing has evolved over the past decade with RNs being entrusted and authorized to decide on and carry out treatments for patients. You too can enter or advance your career in nursing with an LPN to RN, ADN, or BSN degree. Colleges in Wilmington have made such entry-level programs accessible to those with and without a healthcare background.

LPN to RN Programs

LPNs commonly tend to patients with chronic illnesses such as the elderly but they also provide basic nursing care to patients in doctor’s offices and medical centers. However, Licensed Practical Nurses know they can’t make patient diagnoses or decide on treatments and must instead rely on instructions from RNs or APRNs. Delaware Technical and Community College outside of Wilmington, DE offers an accelerated LPN to RN track that lets dedicated LPNs earn their Associate Degree in Nursing in just over a year.

ADN Programs

If you think you have a mind for medicine and a heart for healing, the profession of nursing may be for you. Delaware Technical and Community College, located 20 minutes outside of Wilmington, offers an Associate Degree in Nursing that readies students to provide hands-on care to patients. As nurses interact with patients more than any other healthcare professionals including doctors, the ADN gives you the training and skills to effectively carry out your duties.

Direct-Entry BSN Programs

Nurses with critical thinking, analysis, and communication skills have more confidence in performing the ordinary and difficult parts of their jobs. Those with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing have shown to produce fewer errors and provide overall higher quality of care for patients. The University of Delaware in Wilmington offers a traditional BSN program with a focus on nursing core components as well as specifics such as mental health, pediatrics, gerontology, and public health. Graduates are ready to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.

Find out more about Delaware Accelerated BSN Programs.

RN to BSN Programs in Wilmington, DE

It’s been shown that patient outcomes improve when nurses hold BSNs. Recognizing the need for more nurses with bachelor’s degrees, colleges in and around Wilmington, DE are offering more working nurse-friendly RN to BSN bridge programs.

RN to BSN Programs

Staff nurses who lack a bachelor’s degree may, despite their years of experience, be overlooked for promotions or the best positions in preferred units. Hospitals and medical centers are pressured to staff up with nurses who hold BSNs. The University of Delaware in Newark has been a pioneer in distance learning since 1993 and offers a fully online RN to BSN program for nurses looking to advance their education.

Find out more about Delaware RN to BSN Programs.

List of RN to BSN/MSN Programs

New Castle, DE

Wilmington University

  • RN to BSN - RN to BSN Pathway

    Online Learning - Website

    • 120 total credit hours
    • Transfer up to 89 credits
    • Accelerated RN-to-BSN pathway
    • Designed for RNs with prior bachelor's
    • 31-credit nursing core
    • Community learning experience
    • Holistic Health Assessment course
    • Global health care practicum
*Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2025. National Center for Education Statistics. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Wilmington, DE

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), particularly nurse practitioners, are performing tasks once limited to physicians such as administering medication and performing patient diagnoses. APRNs are also taking charge of nursing units and leading healthcare policy change to improve patient care. RNs in good standing in Wilmington, Delaware can achieve this APRN status by earning a master’s, post-grad cert or doctorate degree in less time than they may have thought.

MSN Programs

Advance Practice Nurses such as Nurse Practitioners are performing patient evaluations and assessments taking over many duties formerly limited to only doctors. If you are ready to take the next step in your nursing career, Wilmington University in Delaware has several practitioner-level MSN programs. Designed to be both flexible and affordable, the Family or Adult/Gerontology NP programs include a robust curriculum that puts graduates at the forefront of providing primary care for patients.

Find out more about Delaware Nurse Practitioner Programs.

Post-Master’s Certificate Programs

Current Advanced Practice Nurses seeking to gain practitioner competencies can do so in less time by completing a post-grad certificate rather than earning an additional degree. Offered on a part-time basis in a blend of online and on-campus modalities, Neumann University, located about 25 minutes northeast of Wilmington outside of Delaware, offers an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care post-grad cert. The curriculum is concentrated on patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, and holistic treatments.

Find out more about Delaware Post-Master's Certificate Programs.

DNP Programs

Advanced Practice Nurses are influencing national and regional healthcare policy and having a broad impact on the quality of patient care. Those who pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice, the terminal practitioner degree in the field, have the potential to have the greatest impact on policy development. Though it isn’t a career path for everyone, the University of Delaware in Wilmington has a DNP program that focuses on population health, healthcare delivery, and healthcare system management among other far-reaching topics. The program has part- and full-time options.

Find out more about Delaware DNP Programs.

List of APRN (MSN, DNP, & NP) Programs in Wilmington

New Castle, DE

Wilmington University

  • BSN to MSN - MSN Leadership

    Concentration: Nurse Educator - Online Learning - Website

    • 36 credit hours required.
    • 3.0 GPA minimum.
    • Five-year completion limit.
    • Nursing Education concentration available.
    • Online program format.
    • MSN Leadership degree.
    • 21 credit core courses.
    • 9 credit concentration courses.
  • BSN to MSN - Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Leadership

    Concentration: Public Health - Online Learning - Website

    • CCNE-accredited program.
    • Online format available.
    • 36 total credits.
    • $1,653 per course.
    • 7-week accelerated classes.
    • Public Health concentration.
    • Flexible scheduling options.
    • Low tuition rates.
  • BSN to MSN - Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Practitioner

    Concentration: Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website

    • CCNE accredited
    • 2 concentration options
    • No entrance exam required
    • 3-Year program
    • 48 total credit hours
    • 1 start dates per year
    • Starts fall
    • 2.8 GPA minimum
  • BSN to MSN - Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Practitioner

    Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website

    • 48 credit hour program
    • 600 clinical hours required
    • 3 year completion timeframe
    • BSN degree required for admission
    • 3.0 GPA preferred for admission
    • 2.75 GPA minimum considered
    • Online course delivery available
    • Face-to-face course delivery available
  • MSN to DNP - Combined Post-Masters Nurse Educator Certificate and Doctor of Nursing Practice

    Online Learning - Website

    • 48 credits for Advanced Practice
    • 500 practice hours for Advanced Practice
    • 60 credits for Leadership
    • 1000 practice hours for Leadership
    • Two applications required
    • DNP project courses included
    • Nurse educator certificate courses
    • For master's-prepared nurses
  • MSN to DNP - Combined Post-Masters Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate and Doctor of Nursing Practice

    Concentration: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website

    • 60 total credit hours
    • 21 total courses
    • 750 clinical hours
    • Capstone required
    • Prepares for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner national certification
    • Dual certificate and DNP
    • Eligible for PMHNP certification
    • Designed for master's prepared nurses
  • MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice

    Concentration: Leadership - Online Learning - Website

    • CCNE accredited
    • 2 concentration options
    • 28-Month program
    • 16 total courses
    • 3 start dates per year
    • Starts spring/summer/fall
    • Cohort-based structure
    • 1000 clinical hours

Newark, DE

University of Delaware

  • BSN to MSN - Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

    Online Learning - Website

    • CCNE accredited
    • $886 per credit
    • 3-Year program
    • 42 total credit hours
    • Part-time available
    • 100% licensure pass rate
    • 3.0 GPA minimum
    • 816 clinical hours
  • BSN to MSN - Family/Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner

    Online Learning - Website

    • 3-year completion time
    • $886 per credit tuition
    • Multiple start terms annually
    • Online program format
    • Dean's Scholarship tuition discount
    • Fall, winter, spring, summer starts
    • Bachelor's in nursing required
    • Family Nurse Practitioner track available
  • BSN to MSN - Nursing Education

    Online Learning - Website

    • Online Master of Science in Nursing.
    • Nursing Education track offered.
    • 30 credit hours required.
    • 160 practicum hours included.
    • Part-time 2-3 year completion.
    • Tuition $886 per credit.
    • Dean's Scholarship reduces cost.
    • No additional university fees.
  • BSN to MSN - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track.
    • Hybrid program format.
    • Three-year completion time.
    • $886 per credit tuition.
    • Requires bachelor's in nursing.
    • Prepares for advanced practice roles.
    • Interprofessional education opportunities.
    • Evidence-based practice training.
  • MSN to DNP - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • 81 total credit hours
    • 1120 clinical training hours
    • Specialized adult/elderly care focus
    • Post-baccalaureate and post-master's options
    • Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
    • Delaware RN licensure required
    • One year nursing experience
    • Interdisciplinary healthcare preparation
  • MSN to DNP - DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

    Concentration: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website

    • 81 total credit hours
    • 1008 clinical training hours
    • Hybrid delivery model
    • Psychotherapy and medication management
    • Lifespan mental health focus
    • Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
    • Post-baccalaureate and post-master's options
    • CCNE accredited program
  • MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice DNP

    Concentration: Family Across the Lifespan - Online & Campus Based - Website

    • CCNE accredited
    • 5 concentration options
    • No entrance exam required
    • $1,116 per credit
    • 3-Year program
    • 81 total credit hours
    • Full-time and part-time options
    • 100% licensure pass rate
  • MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice

    Concentration: Family/Individual Across the Lifespan (Family Nurse Practitioner) - Online & Campus Based - Website

    • CCNE accredited
    • 5 concentration options
    • No entrance exam required
    • $1,116 per credit
    • 3-Year program
    • 81 total credit hours
    • Full-time and part-time options
    • 100% licensure pass rate
  • MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice

    Concentration: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website

    • CCNE accredited
    • 5 concentration options
    • No entrance exam required
    • $1,116 per credit
    • 3-Year program
    • 70 total credit hours
    • Full-time and part-time options
    • 100% licensure pass rate
  • MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice

    Online Learning - Website

    • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
    • 5 concentration options
    • No entrance exam required
    • $1,116 per credit
    • 3-Year program
    • Full-time and part-time options
    • Starts fall
    • 100% licensure pass rate
  • MSN to DNP - Nursing Practice

    Concentration: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website

    • 69 total credit hours
    • Three practicum experiences
    • DNP project sequence
    • Advanced neuroscience course
    • Advanced psychopharmacology course
    • Concentration in psychiatric mental health
  • MSN to DNP - Post-Master's DNP

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • 3-Year program
    • 36 total credit hours
    • 1000 clinical hours
    • Capstone required
    • Financial aid available
    • Scholarships available
    • Population health and leadership focus
    • Evidence-based decision-making and translation
*NCES IPEDS database, 2025 release. Available at: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/