RN Programs in New Mexico – Schools, Salary, and License Info

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

And so does your education.

It’s like recalling your first day at school back in childhood, and the fear and enthusiasm that came along.

However, the university is a more advanced type of education.

At this stage, you have other concerns to deal with and one of these is finding the right school.

So join me in this article to know about Registered Nursing in New Mexico.

And learn how to find the best nursing school there.

First and foremost, you need good criteria.

This criterion is the licensing that the school should offer you at the end of the program.

You may wonder, how will I ever know that?

Believe me, it’s not so hard.

All it takes is to check the NCLEX-RN pass rates in the schools’ around the state.

Having in a total of 21 RN programs to check, only ten of them have been ranked as an object of this analysis.

The analysis includes both the current and historical passes of the NCLEX-RN exam.

The programs analyzed were in general those which offer you an Associate Degree in Nursing.

These degrees are mainly a BSN, ADN, ASN, or MSN Degree.

The success of nursing in New Mexico however does not come for free.

The state is continually striving to increase the chances of employment for nurses who study there.

According to the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, nursing is one of the professions that is growing rapidly in the state.

In particular, registered nurses are posed as the second most employed healthcare candidates there.

While the first is healthcare practitioners and technical professions.

Apart from that, the state also offers a good salary for nurses.

You can see that from the report done by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Its average salary is $71,730.

For RN bridge programs visit:

• RN to BSN Programs in New Mexico
• RN to MSN Programs in New Mexico

ADN Programs in New Mexico

The beginning of anything can be hard.

But starting your nursing education with an ADN program is always a good idea.

How cannot be so when it takes only two years to complete!

Also, this degree is the best way to reach an RN title as well.

In New Mexico, the ADN school programs are 10.

Though the schools can be found in different areas of the state, they are precisely located in technical and junior colleges.

What to Look For in an ADN Program in New Mexico

What we want in life is a clear indicator of who we are.

If we strive for quality, it means we stand for it in the first place and vice versa.

Similarly, looking for a suitable ADN program in New Mexico depends on your criteria.

This means you should always include the following:

Accreditation

Let’s start with accreditation.

It is actually the first step to make sure you enroll in a nursing education that is qualitative.

In New Mexico, accreditation is made possible by two accrediting bodies.

One of them is the Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

While the other is the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Both of them are national organizations very popular in the state.

However, they are not the only ones.

One way to have your program accredited is to also check with the New Mexico State Board of Nursing.

Accreditation with the latter is done locally.

Licensing

Though the last step of all nursing degrees, licensing this time comes second.

Yet, this step has to be done by some effort.

This effort includes taking and passing the NCLEX exam.

In order to make sure you get the license, you have to take a look at the curriculum of the school.

And especially, to make some amends with the faculty and see if it offers you the possibility of licensure.

Yeah, you should visit the school you want to study in.

Why not!

You lose nothing if you try!

Program Outcomes

Another criteria a school should meet is program outcomes.

It is a measurement of the success of a nursing program that mostly stimulates students to go for a school.

These criteria include:

• Graduation rates
• Licensure exam pass rates
• Graduate satisfaction
• Employment rates

A role model college to check for an accredited ADN program in New Mexico is Santa Fe Community College.

ADN Program Admission Requirements in New Mexico

Admission requirements you will need to fulfill in any of the colleges of New Mexico for the pursuit of an ADN program are these:

• Send the official transcripts of all the schools you’ve attended
• Complete all pre-requisite courses with a minimum 2.75 GPA
• Complete the ATI TEAS for nursing exam and submit scores
• Make a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher

Tuition and Costs of ADN Programs in New Mexico

Money oftentimes makes us second-guess or choices.

This way, the cost of an ADN program can determine whether we attend it or not.

However, in New Mexico, this cost is divided into two categories.

One category includes paying for uniforms, equipment, and similar things which are mandatory.

While the other category includes paying for indirect costs of education, which are room and board, transport, and parking.

One way to have a general idea of the education cost of an ADN program in New Mexico is to check its schools.

Check for instance the New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs.

Its cost is $570.00 including 15 credit hours.

While a higher cost may be for students who live within the district area.

Advantages of ADN Programs

ADN programs in New Mexico are three things: fast, easy to reach, and affordable.

They are fast, which means 2 years of study.

Then, they are affordable, since they are less expensive than other nursing programs.

And finally, they are reachable since you can easily find them in small community colleges.

LPN to RN Programs in New Mexico

One way to advance your career in nursing is to go for an LPN to an RN program.

By enrolling in this program, nurses may earn an RN degree by first building their education and experience quickly and cheaply.

This program works best for nurses who want both to work and go for an RN degree.

LPN to ADN/BSN Programs

The second nursing pathway to choose in New Mexico is the LPN to ADN or BSN.

These programs, just like ADN ones solely, take 2 years to complete.

If you’re interested to pursue this career path, I suggest you visit the Central New Mexico Community College.

The college, in fact, accepts 16 students every semester.

Though this program is indeed short, it also comes with the opportunity of prolongation.

For instance, the LPN to BSN can easily help you earn a BA degree in nursing.

In turn, you will reach far more work opportunities as well as a higher salary at work.

LPN to BSN programs are also available online, so New Mexico students may pursue this option too.

BSN Programs in New Mexico

The second available nursing degree in New Mexico is the BSN degree.

If you make your mind up to pursue this degree, you will reward yourself with an RN in the end.

In addition, you will also earn the benefits of more job opportunities as well as grow in your profession.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a traditional education in the state.

The degree is a means of pursuing management positions along the way.

Apart from the traditional BSN, you may also opt for a BSN accelerated program as well.

This program is available for you if you have a BA degree in another field, in the first place.

While there are in total 5 schools that offer this type of program in New Mexico.

What To Look For in a BSN Program in New Mexico

Searching for things isn’t a problem.

But sometimes finding the right thing is.

One way to run into an adequate BSN program in New Mexico is to have the right criteria in mind.

Initially, pay attention to accreditation, location, and program outcomes.

The issue is however different when it comes to finding accelerated BSN programs.

To find a good program like this or like the RN to BSN, you should check the school options.

Since these are specialized BSN programs, not all offer them.

One place to find accredited BSN programs is the New Mexico State University in Las Cruces.

BSN Program Length in New Mexico

The length of a BSN program in New Mexico depends on the intensity of the courses and nursing training.

However, the general length is 4 years.

If you choose an accelerated BSN program, the length, of course, will shorten.

It might take 15 months from beginning to the end of the program.

While an RN to BSN program may take one to two years long.

BSN Program Admission Requirements in New Mexico

The list of the requirements to meet for admission in a BSN program in NM are various in different schools.

However, they usually consist of the following:

• Prior completion of pre-requisite courses, a grade of C or higher than that
• Having basic computer skills, such as general computer knowledge, word processing, data inquiry (databases and search engines), communication (by e-mail), and searching the World Wide Web, Internet usage
• Pass all parts of the test (reading and comprehension, vocabulary & general knowledge, basic math skills, grammar, biology, and chemistry) of the HESI A2 exam with 75% or higher percentage

Tuition and Costs of BSN Programs in New Mexico

There are two types of costs when it comes to a BSN program in the state.

One is mandatory expenses which include lab fees, transport, textbooks, and similar.

While the other is tuition, which is linked to the degree.

So it’s quite important to understand the issue of program costs before choosing the school.

But first, take a look at a program cost at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

Its costs of a BSN program is $6,250.20 for a term for 18 credits.

The cost is valid for students who live in the state.

Advantages of BSN Programs

The main advantage of a BSN program is that it grants you licensure.

These programs offer more detailed courses and are also shorter.

As a result of pursuing them, you can advance in career and job opportunities, and also earn higher pay.

The beauty of this program is that it offers another accelerated one as well.

MSN Programs in New Mexico

One of the surest ways to attain your highest potential in the nursing career is to go for a Master’s Science in Nursing.

To be able to enter this degree, you need a BSN degree in the first place.

The MSN degree will generally offer you titles in Certified Nurse Midwife, Nurse Practitioner, and Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Of course, there are other possible career titles in the long run which you can opt for.

An MSN degree also will give you a higher salary rate.

If you’re interested in this program, you will always find it in many schools throughout New Mexico.

MSN Program Length in New Mexico

Once you’ve chosen an MSN path, it will take you two to three years to complete.

However, length depends on the type of specialty you choose.

And also it depends on the number of credits.

If a specialty requires more credits, it normally demands more time.

MSN programs in general fit nurses both work and study.

In New Mexico, you may find both online and evening hours.

An MSN program has its foundation upon the courses you take during your BSN degree.

MSN Admission Requirements in New Mexico

Admission requirements for an MSN program in New Mexico include:

• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• Three letters of recommendation
• Letter of intent
• Being an RN in New Mexico with a minimum of one year of work experience in nursing

Tuition and Costs of MSN Programs in New Mexico

Not a surprise, a MSN cost will demand a considerable amount of money from you.

The price will cover tuition which includes lab fees, equipment, uniforms, and textbooks.

An example of the cost to be found in MSN programs in New Mexico is one at The University of New Mexico.

Its cost for credit is $573.18 for those who live in the state.

While those who live out of it, surely pay much more.

For NP programs visit:

• New Mexico DNP Programs
• New Mexico FNP Programs
• New Mexico Nurse Practitioner Programs
• New Mexico Post-Graduate Certificate Nursing Programs

Getting a New Mexico Nursing License

The nursing license in New Mexico can be earned two ways, through an exam and by endorsement.

If the application is done by exam, you will have to send your application and attach these documents:

• Certificate of Eligibility or official transcript – sent directly to the board from the school
• Complete Criminal Background Check paperwork for both federal and state
• Completed fingerprint card
• Register for the NCLEX – complete with passing score

If you happen to apply for a license by endorsement, you must submit an application and include the following information:

• Graduate from a state-approved education institution
• Completed Criminal Background Check
• Completed fingerprint cards
• Verification of licensure from originating state – sent directly from state to the Board or via NURSYS

Accelerated Nursing Programs in New Mexico

Having a degree in nursing, being it a BSN or MSN, is the easiest way to draw employers at your doorstep.

In fact, these degrees are the most favorite ones to have more job opportunities.

Accelerated programs in New Mexico take 12 to 18 months to complete.

The entrance requirement for these programs means having completed prerequisite courses in the first place, and by meeting a few criteria.

By fulfilling the right criteria, the student earns more time for the program as well as it helps him or her in the cost of tuition.

Tuition surely varies from program to program.

So, it is always a good idea to get in contact with the college you apply in and ask about the payment.

• New Mexico Accelerated BSN Programs
• New Mexico Accelerated MSN Programs

The Best RN Schools in New Mexico

You’ve got enough school options to consider for nursing.

If you’re serious about the studies, you have nothing else but to choose the school.

Here are some of the top-rated ones in New Mexico.

RN Salaries in New Mexico

Nursing really pays off everywhere in America.

You have seen it in many states.

But take a look at New Mexico as well.

Here the salaries are satisfactory too.

The nursing degrees that pay more in the state are BSN and MSN degrees.

While there are other factors that determine salary as well.

These include location, work experience, skills, and so on.

 Annual Salary Range:

Regional Salary in New Mexico

RN Programs by State