Are you a resident of North Carolina and wish to pursue a career as a registered nurse (RN)? Are you looking for the fastest route to earning a degree that makes you eligible to work as an RN in the state? If you answered “yes” to these questions, the best option for you may be completing an associate degree in nursing, or ADN, program. Not only can an ADN program prepare you for the national licensing exam for RNs (NCLEX-RN), but it will also enable you to complete your training and earn your degree in just two years!
- 16.4% RN Job Growth
- $82,530 Yearly Salary
- 104,380 RNs Employed
Source: Projections Central, BLS
In addition to the advantages described above, choosing to complete an ADN program and obtain employment as an RN offers many benefits as well. For one thing, as an RN in North Carolina, you will earn a highly competitive salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for registered nurses in the Tar Heel state is $82,530 per year. Another great benefit to becoming an RN in North Carolina is that after you gain experience in your field, you can easily advance in your career by completing an ADN to BSN bridge program.
Finally, after passing the licensing exam, RNs in North Carolina, like in other states, can choose to work in many different work environments including hospitals, nursing homes, public health centers, and private medical clinics.
Related: General Admission Requirements for an ADN Program
The Best ADN Programs in North Carolina
Choosing a good ADN school in North Carolina can be confusing. However, if you choose one of the following ones, you can be sure that you made a great choice, as these are considered some of the best.
Alamance Community College
1247 Jimmie Kerr Rd, Haw River, NC 27258 (336) 578-2002Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
340 Victoria Rd, Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 254-1921Beaufort County Community College
5337 US-264, Washington, NC 27889 (252) 946-6194Bladen Community College
7418 NC-41, Dublin, NC 28332 (910) 879-5500Blue Ridge Community College
180 W Campus Dr, Flat Rock, NC 28731 (828) 694-1700Brunswick Community College
50 College Rd NE, Bolivia, NC 28422 (910) 755-7300Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute
2855 Hickory Blvd, Hudson, NC 28638 (828) 726-2200Cape Fear Community College
411 N Front St, Wilmington, NC 28401 (910) 362-7000Carolinas College of Health Sciences
1200 Blythe Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203 (704) 355-5043Carteret Community College
3505 Arendell St, Morehead City, NC 28557 (252) 222-6000Catawba Valley Community College
2550 US Hwy 70 SE, Hickory, NC 28602 (828) 327-7000Central Carolina Community College
1105 Kelly Dr, Sanford, NC 27330 (919) 775-5401Central Piedmont Community College
1201 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204 (704) 330-2722Cleveland Community College
137 S Post Rd, Shelby, NC 28152 (704) 484-4000Coastal Carolina Community College
444 Western Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28546 (910) 455-1221College of the Albemarle
1208 N Road St, Elizabeth City, NC 27909 (252) 335-0821Craven Community College
800 College Ct, New Bern, NC 28562 (252) 638-7200Davidson County Community College
297 Davidson Community College Rd, Thomasville, NC 27360 (336) 249-8186Durham Technical Community College
1637 E Lawson St, Durham, NC 27703 (919) 536-7200Edgecombe Community College
2009 W Wilson St, Tarboro, NC 27886 (252) 823-5166Edgecombe Community College
225 Tarboro St, Rocky Mount, NC 27801 (252) 823-5166Fayetteville Technical Community College
2201 Hull Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28303 (910) 678-8400Forsyth Technical Community College
2100 Silas Creek Pkwy, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 (336) 723-0371Gardner-Webb University
S Main St, Boiling Springs, NC 28152 (704) 406-2361Gaston College
201 US-321, Gastonia, NC 28052 (704) 922-6200Guilford Technical Community College
601 E Main St, Jamestown, NC 27282 (828) 286-3636Halifax Community College
100 College Dr, Weldon, NC 27890 (252) 536-7242James Sprunt Community College
133 James Sprunt Dr, Kenansville, NC 28349 (910) 296-2400Johnston Community College
245 College Rd, Smithfield, NC 27577 (919) 934-3051Lenoir Community College
231 North Carolina Hwy 58, Kinston, NC 28501 (252) 527-6223Mayland Community College
200 Mayland Dr, Spruce Pine, NC 28777 (828) 765-7351Mitchell Community College
500 W Broad St, Statesville, NC 28677 (704) 878-3200Nash Community College
522 N Old Carriage Rd, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 (252) 443-4011Piedmont Community College
1715 College Dr, Roxboro, NC 27573 (336) 599-1181Pitt Community College
1986 Pitt Tech Rd, Winterville, NC 28590 (252) 493-7200Randolph Community College
629 Industrial Park Ave, Asheboro, NC 27205 (336) 633-0200Richmond Community College
1042 W Hamlet Ave, Hamlet, NC 28345 (910) 410-1700Roanoke-Chowan Community College
109 Community College Rd, Ahoskie, NC 27910 (252) 862-1200Robeson Community College
5160 Fayetteville Rd, Lumberton, NC 28360 (910) 272-3700Rockingham Community College
215 Wrenn Memorial Rd, Wentworth, NC 27375 (336) 342-4261Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
1333 Jake Alexander Blvd S, Granite Quarry, NC 28146 (704) 216-3602Sampson Community College
NC-24, Clinton, NC (910) 592-8081Sandhills Community College
3395 Airport Rd, Pinehurst, NC 28374 (910) 692-6185South College
140 Sweeten Creek Rd, Asheville, NC 28803 (828) 277-5521South Piedmont Community College
680 US-74, Polkton, NC 28135 (704) 272-5300Southeastern Community College
4564 Chadbourn Hwy, Whiteville, NC 28472 (910) 642-7141Southwestern Community College
447 College Dr, Sylva, NC 28779 (828) 339-4000Stanly Community College
141 College Dr, Albemarle, NC 28001 (704) 982-0121Surry Community College
630 S Main St, Dobson, NC 27017 (336) 386-8121Vance-Granville Community College
200 Community College Rd, Henderson, NC 27537 (252) 492-2061Wake Technical Community College
9101 Fayetteville Rd, Raleigh, NC 27603 (919) 866-5000Wayne Community College
3000 Wayne Memorial Dr, Goldsboro, NC 27534 (919) 735-5151Western Piedmont Community College
1001 Burkemont Ave, Morganton, NC 28655 (828) 438-6000Wilkes Community College
1328 S Collegiate Dr, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 (336) 838-6100Wilson Community College
902 Herring Ave E, Wilson, NC 27893 (252) 291-1195
Job Outlook & Salary for RNs in North Carolina
RNs in North Carolina are in high demand, with a projected 16.4% job growth from 2022 to 2032, according to Projection Central. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are 104,380 RNs in the state, earning an average annual salary of $82,530, or $39.68 per hour.
Use our RN salary calculator to estimate your potential earnings based on location, experience, and education.
Explore salary trends for RNs in North Carolina's metro areas below:
| Area | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | $41.40 | $86,110 |
| Fayetteville | $41.11 | $85,510 |
| Winston-Salem | $40.64 | $84,520 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $40.59 | $84,430 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia-SC | $40.42 | $84,080 |
| Asheville | $40.05 | $83,310 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $39.94 | $83,060 |
| Greenville | $39.24 | $81,620 |
| Burlington | $38.99 | $81,110 |
| Wilmington | $38.70 | $80,500 |
| Goldsboro | $38.64 | $80,360 |
| Rocky Mount | $37.53 | $78,060 |
| Jacksonville | $36.08 | $75,040 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $35.70 | $74,250 |
| New Bern | $35.09 | $72,980 |
Source: BLS
North Carolina Board of Nursing
For questions about nursing programs and licensure in North Carolina, please contact the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
North Carolina Board of Nursing
- Address: 4516 Lake Boone Trail, Raleigh, NC 27607
- Phone: (919) 782-3211
- Fax: (919) 781-9461
- Website: ncbon.com
Conclusion
In conclusion, North Carolina offers some of the best ADN programs that cater to aspiring nurses. With a variety of accredited institutions available, students can find programs that fit their educational and career goals. By exploring these options, you can take the first step toward a rewarding nursing career in a state known for its quality healthcare education.
