RN Programs in Alabama
Alabama RN Programs at a Glance
RN Programs Offered in Alabama
- ADN Programs: 28
- BSN Programs: 15
ADN Program Stats
- NCLEX-RN Average: 80%
- NCLEX Rate Range: 45.45% to 98.68%
- Average Net-Price $8,286.15
- Net-Price Range: $1,565.00 to $22,526.00
- Average Student Loan : $9,534.67
BSN Program Stats
- NCLEX-RN Average: 85.70%
- NCLEX Rate Range: 59.65% to 95.88%
- Average Net-Price $17,341.20
- Net-Price Range: $10,292.00 to $27,477.00
- Average Student Loan : $19,579.07
Help You Will Find on This Page
Alabama RN Program Guide
In our Alabama RN program guide, you will find both ADN and BSN Degree program rankings, tuition costs, enrollment information, NCLEX passing rates, and more. You will find key Alabama RN Program information to help you compare programs metrics and apply to best RN program(s) for the advancement of your career.
The State of Alabama offers 41 RN programs in 28 different cities. Public institutions offer 30 of the RN programs in the state while there are 5 private, for-profit and 6 private, not-for-profit schools that make up the rest.
In the State of Alabama, nurses are helping to change the face of healthcare. To ensure that they have the best education and preparation for future health care challenges, registered nurses need to graduate from a state-approved associate’s degree in nursing program or a BSN degree program.
Nurses who graduate from an RN program are able to then obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties.
What is the best RN program for you to attend? Your sweet spot might be the least expensive school with the highest NCLEX-RN passing rate. Or, it might the school that offers the best NCLEX-RN passing rate no matter the total cost of attendance. You may also want to consider schools with the highest enrollment rate so that you can collaborate with fellow students and have a large alumni to connect with after graduation.
Find your ideal program from information and data in our guide to Alabama RN Programs.
Accredited RN Programs in Alabama
ADN NCLEX
Coastal Alabama Community College (James H Faulkner State) – 98.68% / $7,385.00
BSN NCLEX
Troy University95.88%.
$10,292.00 a year.
ADN COSTS
LOWEST
Chattahoochee Valley Community College $1,565.0080.18%.
HIGHEST
Herzing University-Birmingham $22,526.0087.13%.
BSN COSTS
LOWEST
Troy University $10,292.0095.88%.
HIGHEST
Tuskegee University $27,477.0082.75%.
ADN Programs in Alabama
Alabama’s goal is to educate competent nurses and to provide the best healthcare possible to patients. To become an RN in the state of Alabama, nurses must expand their ability to help patients and build on the knowledge they have gained from school or as a practicing CNA or LPN. Alabama RN programs require completion of the following classes:
- Community nursing in elderly populations
- Health promotion
- Nursing theories and the family
- Ethics in nursing
- Psychiatric and mental health nursing
- Nursing research
- Nursing leadership
- Medical and informational technologies
All of these classes offer unique information that will help enrich your knowledge and enhance your growth as a nurse.
NCLEX Passing Rates for Alabama ADN Programs
Coastal Alabama Community College (James H Faulkner State) has the highest NCLEX-RN rate in Alabama of 98.68%. Attending this stellar school will cost you about $7,385.00 a year.
- ADN Programs Offered in Alabama: 28
- Average NCLEX-RN Passing Rate: 80.40%
- NCLEX Passing Rate Range: 45.45% to 98.68%
How Much Do ADN Programs Cost in Alabama?
We compiled the net-price costs for RN Programs in Alabama so that you can find RN programs to meet your budget expectations.
When comparing ADN vs BSN programs, the average net-price per year for an Associate Degree in Nursing program is considerably less than for a Bachelor Degree in Nursing.
The lowest cost ADN program in Alabama is offered by Chattahoochee Valley Community College at about $1,565.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 80.18%. The highest cost ADN program is offered by Herzing University-Birmingham and it will cost about $22,526.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 87.13%.
- Average Net-Price for ADN Programs inAlabama: $8,286.15
- Net-Price Range for Alabama ADN Programs: $1,565.00 to $22,526.00
Median Student Borrowing for ADN Programs
- Average Student Borrowing for Alabama Schools: $9,534.67
- Student borrowing range for ADN programs in Alabama: $1,325.00 to $25,000.00
ADN Programs at Public or Private Institutions
- Public Institutions: 22
- Private For-Profit Institutions: 4
- Private Not-for-Profit Institutions: 2
BSN Programs in Alabama
Are you looking to become Registered Nurse with a BSN in Alabama? The school you choose is important when it comes to getting your license.Alabama>’s approved BSN schools are colleges and universities located across the state. After careful review of NCLEX-RN exam pass rates over the past several years, we can help you pick the best school among the top nursing programs offered in Alabama.
NCLEX Passing Rates for Alabama BSN Programs
Troy University wins the highest NCLEX-RN passing rate for BSN programs offered in Alabama with a score of 95.88%. Attending this influential program will cost you about $10,292.00 a year.
- BSN Programs Offered in Alabama: 15
- Average NCLEX-RN Passing Rate: 85.70%
- NCLEX Passing Rate Range: 59.65% to 95.88%
How Much Do BSN Degree Programs Cost in Alabama?
We compiled the net-price costs for BSN Programs in Alabama to give you an idea of how much nursing school will cost.
The lowest cost BSN degree program in Alabama is offered by Troy University and will cost you about $10,292.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 95.88%. The highest cost BSN degree program is offered by Tuskegee University and will cost you about $27,477.00 and it has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 82.75%.
- Average Net-Price for BSN Programs in Alabama: $17,341.20
- Net-Price Range for Alabama BSN Programs: $10,292.00 to $27,477.00
Median Student Borrowing for BSN Programs
- Average Student Borrowing for Alabama Schools: $19,579.07
- Student borrowing range for BSN programs in Alabama: $9,500.00 to $27,475.00
BSN Programs at Public or Private Institutions
- Public Institutions: 9
- Private For-Profit Institutions: 1
- Private Not-for-Profit Institutions: 5
MSN Programs in Alabama
RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.
Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in Alabama offering the following high paying nurse practitioner specialties:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.
Online Programs in Alabama
Today there are very few disadvantages to earning an online RN degree in Alabama. With advances in online learning coupled the need to educate more nurses because of the nursing shortage, many nursing schools are offing online nursing programs.
For nurses needing to complete clinicals, nursing programs usually help a nurse to find one.
Be sure to choose an accredited program that meets quality standards set by either the ACEN or CCNE accrediting agencies. An accredited online RN Nursing program will help ensure that your units pass can transfer to another accredited college and help you in gain employment. Learn more about online RN programs.
Alabama RN Licensing Requirements
A future nurse must pass the NCLEX-RN exam through Pearson VUE while applying to the Alabama Board of Nursing. Nurses need to submit documentation to prove their U.S. citizenship and pay an $85 application fee. They must also complete twenty-four contact hours of continuing education every two years.
Each state requires an examination or endorsement in order to obtain licensure. In some cases, nurses can be trained abroad and do a number of things in order to attain licensure.
NCLEX-RN Licensing Information
The state of Alabama has strict requirements set for becoming an RN. The most important requirement is attending a State Board-approved nursing program and passing the NCLEX exam.
In addition to the completed application, the applicant must also submit:
- Official transcript from the state-approved nursing program.
- Proof of US citizenship or lawful presence.
- Receipt of NCLEX exam registration.
RN License by Endorsement
Applicants who hold a license in one of the other 50 states can apply for an Alabama license by endorsement. With the application and fee, the applicant must also provide:
- Proof (verification) of license from another state.
- Official school transcripts in a sealed envelope from a state-approved school.
- Proof of completion of 24 contact hours of continued education.
- Proof of US citizenship or lawful presence.
RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad
Applicants educated abroad can apply for a license in Alabama and must not only have passed the NCLEX, but he or she must also submit his or her official school transcripts for the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) to perform a full course-by-course review and evaluate credentials. The applicant must also be a graduate from an approved nursing program that is equivalent to the state of Alabama, the applicate must have a social security number.
RN License Renewal
Applicants who are looking to renew a relapsed license must submit the following documentation:
- A completed application for reinstatement
- Payment of the reinstatement fee
- Applicants have 24 contact hours in order to reinstate. Contact hours can be obtained in a variety of ways: workshops, seminars, classrooms, webcasts, internet, intranet, home study, continuing education journals, and podcasts. All contact hours must be more recent than 24 months from the date of the application. CE certificates can be faxed to 334-293-5201.
Prepare for to pass the NCLEX-RN exam with our NCLEX practice questions with rationales.
RN Salaries in Alabama
According to the Alabama Department of Labor, nursing is a “high demand” career field. It was listed as the industry with the largest necessity to fill, on average 1,525 jobs annually. When you obtain your RN degree, you will have a better chance of getting a job because you will have shown initiative in furthering your education. BSN nurses are commonly hired over nurses with an Associates degree. The average yearly nursing salary for an Alabama RN is over $55,000.
Hospitals are the largest employers in Alabama‘s health care industry. As of this moment, there are twenty-six licensed hospitals within twenty Alabama communities. Many other hospitals and health care networks are among the top employers in Alabama. As of 2013, Alabama has 4,860 registered nurses. Approximately half of the nurses in Alabama work in hospitals and ambulatory care. Forty-two percent of new RNs in Alabama graduate with a bachelors degree in nursing.
LPN Salary vs RN Salary in Alabama
Compare LPN to RN Salaries in Alabama in the following tables. Learn more in our LPN Salary Guide and RN Salary Guide.
| State | LPN Average Annual Wage | RN Average Annual Wage | Percentage Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $35,470 | $54,900 | 35% |
RN Salaries in Alabama
Where in Alabama can you earn the highest RN Salary? Montgomery has the highest annual median wage and hourly median wage across the state of Alabama. However, the Birmingham-Hoover metropolitan area has the highest number of registered nurses.
| Area name | Employment | Hourly median wage | Annual median wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | 930 | $23.90 | $49,710 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | 840 | $26.41 | $54,940 |
| Birmingham-Hoover, AL | 15,240 | $27.26 | $56,700 |
| Decatur, AL | 910 | $23.31 | $48,490 |
| Dothan, AL | 1,950 | $24.57 | $51,110 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | 1,120 | $21.93 | $45,620 |
| Gadsden, AL | 1,090 | $25.08 | $52,160 |
| Huntsville, AL | 4,340 | $26.97 | $56,090 |
| Mobile, AL | 4,300 | $25.99 | $54,060 |
| Montgomery, AL | 3,150 | $27.84 | $57,900 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 2,400 | $27.45 | $57,110 |
Source: http://www.dol.gov/, 2016 Data
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