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If you want to become an RN with an ADN, keep reading to find all necessary information about the programs, the fees, procedure, and other useful information.
In North Carolina, there are more and more ADN programs on various schools across the state.
The programs are getting shorter and more effective, due to a nation-wide shortage of registered nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing.
A career in nursing can be challenging, but it is very rewarding at the same time.
Follow our tips on how to manage the process of becoming an RN with ADN stress-free.
Table of Contents
Choosing the Perfect ADN Program in North Carolina – Things to Know
North Carolina has lots of ADN programs, and you have to make a decision about which educational pathway to take.
It doesn’t have to be difficult, even though it is a decision that will affect your entire future career.
The first thing you should pay attention to is to find the program that is properly accredited.
Students who finish official programs have higher chances of employment in the future.
The programs accredited through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education are the appropriate choice, as well as the colleges accredited through states Board of Nursing.
Next, make sure that you will be qualified to take the NCLEX exam after you complete the program of your choice.
Also, knowing more about the school, in general, will help you to compare programs and to decide easier.
For example, find out students’ statistic, their employment rates, NCLEX pass rates, their satisfaction rates, etc.
After you carefully review all information you have gathered, you can make a decision.
Once you are 100% sure about your choice, you can start with the admission process.
ADN Program Admission Requirements
Each school comes up with a set of requirements students must meet to be accepted.
The most common requirements include submitting transcripts from high schools and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
Only students who have achieved minimum competencies on Reading, Math, and English on SAT or ACT exams are considered for admission.
Additionally, students who completed one unit highs school biology or chemistry with at least grade C can be admitted.
The requirements change and update regularly, you should check for fresh requirement before you start the admission process.
The Costs
The fees for ADN programs vary across the schools and depend on several factors.
For example, if you choose to attend the Wake Technical Community College, you will have to pay approximately $14000 for the ADN program.
However, always check the list of additional costs and if the tuition includes the costs for appropriate footwear, nursing instruments, or learning materials.
Schools in North Carolina
There are plenty of schools in North Carolina that has high-quality nursing training.
To help you pick the perfect one, here is a short review of the best schools in North Carolina.
The Cape Fear Community College has great programs and is prepared for around 1300 nursing graduates, so you have larger chances to get in.
The graduates from Johnston Community College are known to get jobs easier than those who finish any other program.
College of the Albemarle has an extremely positive reputation, due to high-quality nursing education.
Western Carolina University has a traditional pre-licensure BSN program.
If you are looking for something short, check the Duke University, as you complete it in 16 months.
Western Piedmont Community College has a high-quality curriculum and offers an associate degree in nursing.
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute highlight a holistic approach and evidence-based practice.
If you are still in a dilemma, you can go to East Carolina University, as it has several great BSN options.
Students interested in the traditional 4-year BSN program should choose Appalachian State University.
Lastly, Surry Community College focuses on modern principles of health and holistic approach to patient care.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Cape Fear Community College | 411 N Front St, Wilmington, NC 28401 |
| Johnston Community College | 245 College Rd, Smithfield, NC 27577 |
| College of The Albemarle | 1208 N Road St, Elizabeth City, NC 27909 |
| Western Carolina University | 28 Schenck Pkwy, Ste 309, Asheville, NC 28803 |
| Duke University | 307 Trent Dr, Durham, NC 27708 |
| Western Piedmont Community College | 1001 Burkemont Ave, Morganton, NC 28655 |
| Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute | 2855 Hickory Blvd, Hudson, NC 28638 |
| East Carolina University | 1001 E 5th St, Greenville, NC 27858 |
| Appalachian State University | 287 Rivers St, Boone, NC 28608 |
| Surry Community College | 630 S Main St, Dobson, NC 27017 |
| Central Piedmont Community College | 1201 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204 |
| Wake Technical Community College | 9101 Fayetteville Rd, Raleigh, NC 27603 |
| Forsyth Technical Community College | 2100 Silas Creek Pkwy, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 |
| Carolinas College of Health Sciences | 2110 Water Ridge Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28217 |
| Mitchell Community College | 500 W Broad St, Statesville, NC 28677 |
| Queens University of Charlotte | 2025 Selwyn Ave., Charlotte, NC 28274 |
| Fayetteville State University | 1200 Murchison Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28301 |
| Wayne Community College | 3000 Wayne Memorial Dr, Goldsboro, NC 27534 |
| ECPI University | 4101 Dodie Cope Rd, Raleigh, NC 27613 |
| University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill | UNC Chapel Hill Carrington Hall, CB#7460, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 |
| Campbell University | 143 Main St., Buies Creek, NC 27506 |
| Gaston College | 201 Highway U.S. 321 S, Dallas, NC 28034 |
| Richmond Community College | 1042 W Hamlet Ave, Hamlet, NC 28345 |
| Wingate University | 315 E. Wilson St, Wingate, NC 28174 |
| University of North Carolina - Wilmington | 601 S College Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403 |
| Cabarrus College of Health Sciences | 401 Medical Park Drive, Concord, NC 28025 |
| Brunswick Community College | 50 College Road, Bolivia, NC 28422 |
| Stanly Community College | 141 College Dr, Albemarle, NC 28001 |
| Gardner-Webb University | 110 S Main St, Boiling Springs, NC 28017 |
| Fayetteville Technical Community College | 2201 Hull Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28303 |
| Chamberlain University College of Nursing | 2015 Ayrsley Town Blvd. Suite 204, Charlotte, NC 28273 |
| University of North Carolina - Greensboro | 237 McIver St, Greensboro, NC 27412 |
| Randolph Community College | 629 Industrial Park Ave, Asheboro, NC 27205 |
| Catawba Valley Community College | 2550 US Highway 70 SE, Hickory, NC 28602 |
| Lenoir-Rhyne University | 625 7th Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28601 |
| University of North Carolina - Pembroke | 1 University Drive, Pembroke, NC 28372 |
| Foothills Nursing Consortium | 137 South Post Road, Shelby, NC 28150 |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28223 |
| James Sprunt Community College | 133 James Sprunt Dr, Kenansville, NC 28349 |
| Robeson Community College | 5160 Fayetteville Rd, Lumberton, NC 28360 |
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | 340 Victoria Rd, Asheville, NC 28801 |
| Rockingham Community College | 215 Wrenn Memorial Rd, Wentworth, NC 27375 |
| Sandhills Community College | 3395 Airport Rd, Pinehurst, NC 28374 |
| Watts College of Nursing | 2828 Croasdaile Dr #200, Durham, NC 27705 |
| Carteret Community College | 3505 Arendell St, Morehead City, NC 28557 |
| Rowan-Cabarrus Community College | 1333 Jake Alexander Blvd South, Salisbury, NC 28146 |
| North Carolina A&T State University | 1601 E Market St, Greensboro, NC 27401 |
| Roanoke-Chowan Community College | 109 Community College Rd, Ahoskie, NC 27910 |
| Alamance Community College | 1247 Jimmie Kerr Rd, Graham, NC 27253 |
| South Piedmont Community College | 3509 Old Charlotte Highway, Monroe, NC 28110 |
Salary
The salary is based on complex calculations which include several factors.
For example, nurses earn a different salary in different cities and different working facilities.
An annual median salary of a registered nurse in North Carolina is $60500.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Charlotte | $62,130 |
| Raleigh | $60,850 |
| Greensboro | $60,610 |
| Durham | $60,510 |
| Winston-Salem | $60,760 |
| Fayetteville | $58,200 |
| Cary | $60,850 |
| High Point | $60,970 |
| Wilmington | $57,850 |
| Asheville | $58,260 |
Regional Salary in North Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 5,540 | $83,310 | $40.05 | $110,840 | $59,270 |
| Burlington, NC | 1,030 | $81,110 | $38.99 | $98,830 | $63,140 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 24,400 | $84,080 | $40.42 | $103,130 | $64,240 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | ** | $83,060 | $39.94 | $112,990 | $68,800 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 3,200 | $85,510 | $41.11 | $110,260 | $58,300 |
| Goldsboro, NC | 1,010 | $80,360 | $38.64 | $97,070 | $60,980 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 6,010 | $84,430 | $40.59 | $101,310 | $62,930 |
| Greenville, NC | 3,670 | $81,620 | $39.24 | $107,180 | $66,320 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 2,870 | $74,250 | $35.7 | $93,280 | $56,350 |
| Jacksonville, NC | 840 | $75,040 | $36.08 | $95,210 | $60,300 |
| New Bern, NC | 930 | $72,980 | $35.09 | $86,410 | $57,500 |
| Raleigh, NC | 11,630 | $86,110 | $41.4 | $103,640 | $64,850 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 1,040 | $78,060 | $37.53 | $96,990 | $59,490 |
| Wilmington, NC | 3,340 | $80,500 | $38.7 | $98,680 | $63,370 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 8,750 | $84,520 | $40.64 | $106,970 | $66,470 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
ADN Programs by State