Nursing Programs at Vermont State
When you enroll in a nursing program at Vermont State, you’ll be part of a learning community that’s passionate about healthcare. Here, you will work with faculty and fellow students who share the same goal: to help improve health and enrich lives throughout their communities.
Prospective nurses often have questions about which nursing program is best for them. Knowing this, we seek to provide information about our program options and entry requirements. We hope that it is helpful, and we also encourage you to connect with any questions.
Vermont State’s Nursing degree and certificate programs prepare you for fantastic in-demand jobs right from graduation. You’ll gain in-depth clinical experience in simulation labs and with real patients in clinic and hospital settings. And, with our 100% job placement rate, you’ll be able to start work in the nursing field right away.
We offer two unique nursing pathways each with student-centered faculty and strong career outcomes.
Option 1
Our four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing located at the Castleton campus. This program follows a four-year degree plan culminating in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing allowing you to sit for the NCLEX exam and become a Registered Nurse.
Program admission considerations:
- First-year students need no prior nursing experience but must have B- grades or above in high school math and science courses to be considered for admission.
- Transfer students must have completed their science courses within 10 years prior to enrollment for credits to be considered for transfer.
Option 2
Our career ladder progression approach for students to enter and advance in a nursing career. The career ladder approach is provided in a 1+1+2 model which allows for the completion of the Practical Nursing Certificate, followed by the completion of the Associate of Science in Nursing (A.S.) leading to eligibility for RN licensure, and culminating with the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.).
- Year 1: 3 semester, 10 month Practical Nursing Certificate program; once completed you are eligible to sit for the NCLEX exam to become a Licensed Practical Nurse
- Year 2: 2 semester Associate of Science degree program; once completed you are eligible to sit for the NCLEX exam to become a Registered Nurse
- Years 3 & 4: online Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree completion program for practicing Registered Nurses; fully online with local precepted experiences; attend full or part-time.
Determine if you need to apply to the Practical Nursing, Associate Degree Nursing or Bachelor of Nursing Degree Completion program:
- If you are not currently a Licensed Practical Nurse, you must begin with our Practical Nursing Certificate program.
- Students need to have taken or have equivalent credits in the following courses: BIO-1030 Intro to Nutrition, BIO-2011/2012 Anatomy & Physiology 1 and 2, PSY-2070 Lifespan Development.
- If you are currently a Licensed Practical Nurse, you may apply directly to our Associate of Science in Nursing program.
- If you are a current RN, you may apply directly to our B.S.N. Online Degree Completion program.
Our Practical Nursing Certificate and Nursing A.S. programs are located at multiple campuses and learning sites around Vermont and New Hampshire.
Our Admissions Counselors are ready to assist you in determining the best nursing pathway to reach your goals.
Why Choose the Nursing Program at Vermont State?
- Highly ranked programs: Our B.S.N. Online program was ranked #5 out of 500 in the nation for Best Online RN to BSN Programs by RegisteredNursing.org.* And our traditional B.S.N. program is one of the longest-standing and most respected nursing programs in Vermont.
- 100% placement rate: 100% of Vermont State B.S.N. students work in the field (or pursue higher education) within six months of graduation.
- Easy advancement to your next step: All of our Nursing programs will qualify you for the next level of nursing education, whether that’s an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree. Vermont State makes it easy for you to transition to more advanced programs. We also offer a graduate-level M.S.N. program.
- High pass rates: Our students have high pass rates for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX Exam). Most of our pass rates are much higher than the national average and some programs have a 100% pass rate.
- Expand your career options: According to a 2019 survey by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 82% of employers “expressed a strong preference for a bachelor’s degree.” Your B.S.N. will open doors to clinical leadership positions and graduate school, too.
- Work with top clinical affiliates: Gain clinical experience with top medical centers across the region, including Rutland Regional Medical, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), University of Vermont Medical Center, and others.
Registerednursing.org “Best Online RN to BSN Programs in 2022”
Clinical Affiliates
At Vermont State, you’ll gain leading-edge skills for nursing jobs through clinical experiences, career coaching, and more. Placements with our clinical affiliates are guaranteed to grow your professional network. Some of our affiliates include:
Acute Care
- Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC), Rutland, VT
- Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC), Lebanon, NH
- University of Vermont Medical Center (UVM-MC), Burlington, VT
- Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), Bennington, VT
Long-Term Care
- Genesis Mountain View Center (Genesis), Rutland, VT
- Rutland Health and Rehabilitation Center (RHH), Rutland, VT
Community Health
- Vermont Department of Health
- Local elementary and high schools
- Doctor’s offices or clinics
- Senior residential centers
- Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice of the Southwest Region
- Bayada Home Healthcare
- Addiction and recovery centers
- Outpatient diabetic centers
Career Outcomes
100% of Vermont State B.S.N. students work in the field (or pursue higher education) within six months of graduation.
Sample Employers
- Affiliates in OB/GYN
- VNA & Hospice of SVHC
- Berlin Health & Rehab Center
- Kindred Care-Birchwood Terrace
- Brattleboro Memorial Hospital
- Brattleboro Retreat
- Central Vermont Medical Center
- Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility
- Copley Hospital
- Correct Care Solutions
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
- Richmond Family Medicine
- Rutland Regional Medical Center
- Rowan Court Health & Rehabilitation Center
- Saint Albans Health and Rehab
Sample Job Titles
- Charge Nurse
- Clinical Admission Director
- EMT
- ER Nurse
- Lab Technician
- Labor and Delivery Assistant
- Licensed Nurse Assistant
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Operating Room Technician
- OR Intern
- Personal Care
- Pharmacy Technician
- Phlebotomist
- Private Care Provider
- Registered Nurse
Financial Aid
Vermont State University is providing high-quality, affordable degrees in Nursing to students across Vermont and Beyond. More than 80 percent of Vermont State students are awarded financial aid, including new students, transfer students, international students, out-of-state students, and first-generation students.
Many of our clinical affiliates offer tuition assistance for nursing students who agree to work for the facility as an LPN or RN after graduation. Several facilities offer additional scholarship programs to help their employees pay for nursing school including:
- Central Vermont Medical Center
- Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.
- Southwestern Vermont Health Care
- University of Vermont Medical Center
We encourage you to reach out to your local facilities to learn about available opportunities. You can also contact Admissions@VermontState.edu for assistance.
Accreditation
Practical Nursing Certificate
This program is approved by the Vermont State Board of Nursing and the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Accreditation (NLN CNEA).
Nursing A.S.
This program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Accreditation (NLN CNEA) and approved by the Vermont State Board of Nursing.
Nursing B.S.N.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing program at Vermont State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001. Phone: 202.887.6791.
The Bachelor Degree in Nursing at Vermont State University is approved by the Vermont State Board of Nursing. Email: SOS.OPRLicensing1@Vermont.gov.
Office of Professional Regulation, 89 Main Street, 3rd Floor Montpelier, VT 05620-3402. Phone: 802.828.2396.
Nursing B.S.N. Online
This program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Accreditation (NLN CNEA) and approved by the Vermont State Board of Nursing.
Student Stories
“I love nursing. It has helped me be a better mother, a better wife, and a better person. I think I get as much out of caring for my patients as they do, and that feeling is tough to beat!”
Patricia Dudley, ’16
“Vermont Tech makes it so that I can be a parent and a nursing student. I don’t have to choose.”
Tonah Clairmont ‘17
