2021 - Best Nursing Schools in Alabama

Coastal Alabama Community College is located in Bay Minette, Alabama and is known to have one of the lowest tuition rates in Alabama. It is a is a public community college with nine campuses across southern Alabama. The current nursing school was established in 2017 through the consolidation of Alabama Southern Community College, Faulkner State Community College, and Jefferson Davis Community College.  They offer a number of nursing programs - an LPN program, a nursing mobility program (LPN to RN), and an RN program. Nursing graduates from Faulkner State Community College are prepared to be critical thinkers, practicing safely and effectively in a variety of healthcare settings.

Aiming to provide quality, affordable educational opportunities through a variety of instructional strategies, the nursing school offers two highly sophisticated simulation labs and has integrated Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) and National League of Nursing (NLN) into their philosophy in order to provide quality nursing education that is in-step with the ever-changing global healthcare scenario.

By offering various nursing academic paths to earn an RN degree, Coastal Alabama Community College offers nursing students a way to earn a highly sought after nursing degree from one of the top educational institutions in the state.

Undergraduate Programs - Associate Degree Nursing (RN) is a full-time day course that runs for a total of five semesters. However, students who successfully complete the first three semesters or 45 credit hours are awarded with a Practical Nursing (PN) certificate and can take the licensure examination to become an LPN. After successful completion of the five-semester program, students will be awarded an ADN, and will be eligible to take the licensure exam to become an RN.

The Practical Nursing (LPN) Certificate Program is also a full-time day course, this program runs for three semesters, and students will be eligible to take the licensure exam to become an LPN. Alternatively, graduates of this program can also apply for the Mobility (LPN to RN) program so as to complete the associate degree in nursing after they pass their NCLEX-RN.

Their Mobility LPN and Paramedics to ADN program is a day program designed for current Alabama licensed LPNs and Paramedics who want to complete their ADN.

The nursing department at Spring Hill is significant and successful as the total nursing population is 9% of overall students. With a low faculty  to student ratio of 1:13, it is no mystery why this school is ranked among the highest schools in Alabama.

At Spring Hill, the nursing curriculum consists of two phases; the pre-professional phase consists of the courses included in the first three semesters of the program and is open to all nursing students. The second phase, the professional phase, begins in the second semester of the sophomore year and requires the fulfilment of specific criteria and a separate application. The enrollment to the professional phase is highly competitive, and students are required to apply for this phase during the semester in which they are completing their pre-professional and prerequisite courses.

Two BSN degree options are offered including the traditional BSN program and BSN program for Second Degree Students, both of which require the completion of nursing core subjects in the pre-professional phase to get selected for the professional phase.

The college’s RN to BSN degree is  designed to prepare nurses for leadership and continued competence in the health care delivery system by providing  nurses the opportunity to learn in local communities and health care settings through clinical integration with local preceptors.

In addition to the undergraduate nursing programs, Spring Hill also offers MSN programs that combine online courses, clinical practice, and site visits to prepare nurses for their role as Clinical Nurse Leaders (CNL). 

Spring Hill welcomes both Fall and Spring semester applications from freshmen, transfer students, online courses, and readmissions.

The UAB School of Nursing is located in Birmingham, Alabama, is one of the best options for aspiring nurses who cannot afford to attend college full time. The school allows the students to opt for a decelerated program which enables them to complete the course in as long as five semesters instead of the usual two. In addition, most of the coursework can be assessed online, with the professors being accessible online. 

UAB's comprehensive list of programs makes sure no nurse is left behind on their ambitions. They offer the traditional four-year BSN program, RN to BSN and RN to MSN program; on top of that, their new UAB Nursing Community College Partnership (UABCCNP) Join Enrollment Pathway allows students to earn an Associate Degree and the BSN degree at the same time. Similarly, the MSN program at UAB ranks as one of the top schools in the  nation as per US News & World Report. It offers three pathways to the master's degree: one for nurse practitioners, one for health systems leaders, and an accelerated master's in nursing pathway for entry into professional nursing practice for individuals with a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field. The school also offers Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD). 

All of these prepare highly skilled nurses that can take on the role of nurse leaders and care providers in any field; the process is further facilitated by the state's only Academic Health Science Center, which provides a concrete foundation for nurses to create a strong career while preparing them to become esteemed leaders. 

You can choose to apply in the Fall, Spring, or Summer semester.

The University of South Alabama proudly offers a variety of nursing programs including Nurse Practitioner in a number of areas. The degrees are made available in both on-campus and online formats.  

The school also provides various nursing programs such as Accelerated BSN, Accelerated MSN, APRN Certificate, Bachelor, BSN to DNP, Master, MSN to DNP and Post Master's NP Certificate level degrees. 

Most of the degrees here too have pre-professional and professional phases, and the students have to apply for the latter by themselves upon the fulfilment of the course criteria. 

The University of South Alabama offers  bachelor's courses designed to bring out the best in the students. E.g. the traditional BSN program comprises the first two years spent in meeting general university requirements with courses in science, math, arts and humanities. In comparison, the last two years are focused on professional preparation in nursing, thereby preparing nurses who are academically well rounded in both liberal arts and the hard sciences. . 

The University of South Alabama prepares critical thinkers, professionals, and care providers every step of the way, and they pave the way from BSN to Doctorate level nurses themselves.

Another strong option for nurses seeking quality education in online format is the University of Alabama. Located in Tuscaloosa, this is the first public college of Alabama.

They boast that they were the first public college of Alabama, founded in 1831.  They are also proud to say that their NCLEX-RN pass rate has been between 96% and 100% since it began in 1976.  They offer an RN to BSN program and an RN to BSN/MSN program.

They offer ACEN and CCNE accredited RN to BSN as well as RN to BSN/MSN programs. You can get enrolled at any wide variety of degrees provided for both bachelor’s and master’s levels. On top of that, the school offers both campus and online formats and a hybrid learning system.

The BSN program at the University of Alabama excels through excellent clinical facilities from hospitals, home care agencies, health departments, public schools etc. All of which work to provide the nursing students with an environment where they can exercise their critical thinking capabilities, nursing practice, and education. 

In addition to this, there are a variety of elective nursing courses available at different times throughout the curriculum that includes opportunities for independent study.

Students can opt to enroll in Fall, Spring, or Summer to learn to integrate theoretical nursing into practice and develop into competent nurse leaders.

Driven by Christian values and compassion at its core, the University of Mobile, Alabama has over 90 areas of study, with the nursing program being one of the best in the entire state. It is also currently celebrating its 60th anniversary. Offering degrees ranging from traditional BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice, this school aims to train students for any kind of scenario they might face as a nurse. 

With a team of professors having more than 100 years of combined clinical experience, the University of Mobile has formed partnerships with numerous hospitals, Alzheimer’s units, psychiatric centers, health departments, and many other areas to teach their students more than just the basics of nursing care and compassion. The school boasts that its rigorous programs will provide its nurses with all the necessary skills, knowledge, and critical thinking abilities to save lives and make a positive difference in society.

Their Centre for Excellence in Healthcare Practice or CEHP houses a state-of-the-art, high fidelity patient simulators so that the students can learn to work in real-life scenarios using the latest in medical technology. The CEHP has high-quality, realistic obstetric and medical-surgical simulation labs and skills labs that simulate real-life hospital scenarios, complete with manikins that mimic patients with multiple modalities and equipment used in hospitals. All of these work to enhance the skills of the nursing students to the point where they are highly competent and confident to work in real hospitals.

You can join University of Mobile as a freshman, transfer student, international student, or graduate student in the Fall or Spring semesters. 

Its BSN program was formed in 1979, graduating its first group of students in 1981.  Per their website, admission into their nursing program is extremely competitive; it does require a minimum GPA of 2.5 but in reality, the minimum GPA is most likely much higher.  In addition, applicants must undergo an interview process in order to be accepted into the program.

A highly competitive and high-ranking school, Auburn University has been putting in great efforts to develop a practical and challenging nursing curriculum that has been attracting more and more nursing students each year. The University provides ACNE and CCNE accredited degrees ranging from bachelor’s to doctorate to train nurse leaders who go on to put their best foot forward when it comes to providing quality nursing care in the community, hospital, and other settings.

One of the best facilities at Auburn University is the state-of-art healthcare simulation center known as the EAGLES (Engaging Active Group Learning Environments in Simulation) center, where students learn from hospital-like scenarios in a hospital-like environment. The center includes units designed like real hospitals, clinics, and community health care facilities, including manikins, IV sets, medical equipment, lightings, and an environment no less than a real health care delivery center. Here, students are guided by realistic simulators where they provide care in real-life scenarios. 

The school also has a well-equipped Nursing Resource Centre where nurses can learn fundamental nursing skills like phlebotomy, CPR, distinguishing breath sounds, wound dressing, and many more. 

Furthermore, students also learn practical skills like history taking, physical examination, and patient communications with the help of Standardized Patients, who help teach these skills to the students through role-playing. 

These activities allow students to participate in practical learning in a safe, controlled environment, strengthening their practical knowledge and critical thinking abilities. Thus, it doesn’t come as a surprise that the nurses graduating from Auburn University go on to perform exceptionally in their respective fields of work.

Coastal Alabama CC (Southern State) provides ADN, LPN, and a Mobility (LPN and paramedic to ADN) degrees similar to its brethren in James H Faulkner State. 

Ranking as one of the top nursing colleges in the state, Coastal Alabama CC aims to provide quality, patient-centered nursing education to produce nurses who can effectively integrate evidence-based practices to provide compassionate, patient-centered care when they graduate. 

The school prides itself in its highly sophisticated simulation labs designed to provide guided yet autonomous learning in a safe and controlled environment. The labs allow nursing students to develop their skills in various areas like critical thinking, clinical judgment, teamwork, communication, prioritization, etc.

The highly competitive nursing program at Coastal Alabama CC encourages students to constantly better themselves and redefine new limits for themselves. The school also provides financial aid in different forms to encourage students and ensure that finance doesn’t interfere with getting a quality education.

Another high-ranking nursing school, University of North Alabama, has been a leading institution in providing quality and accessible education to nurses since 1973. The University offers traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, and MSN degrees via both on-campus and online classes. 

The courses at University of North Alabama include biology, humanities, and other subjects in the initial semesters, which changes into more complex nursing core subjects with subsequent semesters. 

University of North Alabama encourages diversity, teamwork, cooperation, and a friendly learning environment which the alumni describe as learning and living with family.

The alumni from this school have gone on to do bigger and better things worldwide, in all kinds of healthcare delivery areas.

To be a part of the University of North Alabama family, students can apply in the Fall or Spring semester and begin their journey to become quality healthcare providers who put compassion and care in every healthcare role they take.

Wallace State Community College is located in Hanceville, Alabama, and they offer both an LPN and an RN program. The Wallace State Department of Nursing's goal is to produce nursing graduates "who are dedicated and exceptional healthcare providers committed to transforming the lives of patients, families, and the community."  Wallace State Community College also has an articulation agreement with University of Alabama, which allows its graduates to pursue their bachelor's or master's degree of nursing.

The George C Wallace State Community College in Selma is a living testament of how affordable, quality education can change a person’s life for the better. Both the past and present students of this college have excellent reviews regarding the faculty, facilities, friendly learning environment, and high-quality student experiences. 

All the programs in this college, including nursing, work to support community engagement, alleviate educational gaps, and help students gain economic and social mobility. The use of modern technology with small classroom size, along with student focus activities have led this college to be ranked among the top ones in the state when it comes to its Associate Degree Nursing Program.

Undergraduate Programs: Graduates from all the nursing programs from this college, namely Practical Nursing, Associate Degree Nursing-Generic, and Associate Degree Nursing-Mobility have gone on to work in their respective fields in reputed institutions all over the country and even outside the USA.

As mentioned before, the George C Wallace State Community College in Selma strives to make education affordable and accessible to all individuals. Which is why they have a wide variety of financial aid options available that include Federal grants, Institutional grants, and State/Local grants. Almost a thousand students have received some kind of financial aid in the fall semester of 2020, which says a lot about the commitment to affordable education that this college strives towards.

At Jacksonville State University or JSU, the department of nursing strives to deliver evidence-based nursing education to both undergraduate and graduate students. They emphasize on practice, service, and scholarship as they prepare nurses who can engage within the global healthcare environment. The rigorous practical education at JSU aims to empower exemplary nurses that can provide quality care to anyone, anytime, and anywhere. The university also offers a number of financial aids to students who really need them. The aids include Federal State Grants, Federal Stafford Loans, Federal PLUS Loans, Federal Workstudy Program, and various scholarships so that finance doesn’t become a barrier to quality education.

The department of nursing offers BSN, MSN, and DNP courses, each with their own specifications and roles in the global nursing care and leadership scenario. 

Undergraduate Programs: Available to apply for in Fall and Spring Semesters, JSU offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, upon completion of which the students are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam and start practicing as registered nurses.

In addition to that, the university also has a Step RN-BSN program which is one year long and is completely online. This program has no waiting list, is flexible, convenient, affordable, and is specially designed with the working RN in mind. You can choose to enrol in the Step RN-BSN program in the Fall, Spring, or Summer semester for full-time or part-time courses.

Graduate Programs: JSU also has a MSN degree that mainly focuses in Population Health Nursing. This course too is completely online and is offered in three concentrations.

Doctorate Programs: You can choose to further advance your career and leadership in terms of clinical practice, informatics, technology, etc. with JSU’s Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) program. There is a Post-Master’s DNP available along with two BSN-DNP options (FNP and AGACNP).

Established in 1965, the Jefferson State Community College Nursing aims to provide full and equal access to opportunities for education so that the graduates go on to practice safe, competent, patient-centred care in the ever-changing global health care system.

Jefferson State CC uses educational methods that are current and supportive of the students in the teaching and learning environment. The nursing students here are guided by the values and philosophy that reflect the competencies from the QSEN and NLN.

The college houses a state-of-the art simulation lab where students learn to practice the real-life skills they learnt in the classroom, ranging from giving injections to patient handling and communication. They also go on to practice at actual hospitals under the guidance of experienced facilitators to ensure that they are competent enough to tackle most if not all kinds of situations pertaining to healthcare.

Undergraduate programs: The college offers the Associated Nursing Program at four locations; Birmingham, Hoover, Clanton, and Pell City, Alabama.

In addition to that, they also offer a traditional BSN program and also a joint enrolment program with UAB which allows you to graduate with a double degree from a single course.

This community college also believes that finance should not act as a barrier between a great mind and quality education. Jefferson State CC offers a wide variety of aid, grants, scholarships, loans, and work studies to assist students overcome their financial barrier and focus on learning to serve the community better.

This non-profit, private institution has committed itself to meet the growing demand for credible registered nurses in the state of Alabama. With its state-of-the art technologies that nursing students use to garner competence nursing skills, and high-fidelity simulation labs, Herzing University is well on its way to bridge the gap between demand and supply of skilled nursing personnel in the area. The simulation labs mimic real-life scenarios so that students learn to develop nursing core competencies in a controlled environment before moving on to clinical practice.

The university also offers clinical education opportunities at multiple sites for the students so that they can put the skills they learn in labs and knowledge they get in class to use in real health care sites under the guidance of skilled instructors. They also offer grants and financial aid to help students attain quality education without financial burden.

Undergraduate programs: Herzing offers an Associate of Science in Nursing degree in addition to its two year Birmingham Associate in Nursing Program. The Associate in Nursing Program allows students to take both online general education classes with core on-campus courses to prepare for the NCLEX-RN and become a licensed RN. Along with that they also have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing course. All of these courses prepare students to become highly skilled and credible licensed RNs.

The University also has a 16 months long LPN-to-RN bridge program that elevates the competency level of LPN nurses so that they can get their license to practice as RNs as well.

This community college is fueled by the need of competent nurses in the community. It was estimated that the need for RNs is expected to grow by 15% in the next five years, and the recent pandemic has taught us exactly how important it is to have adequate nurses working to save lives every day. 

The nursing program at John C Calhoun Stat CC is designed to teach the students how to think critically and adapt to the ever-changing healthcare environment. They are taught life-saving skills that enable them to provide the best compassionate care possible. The nursing graduates from this college have gone on to work in several healthcare settings including hospitals, physicians’ offices, schools, home health, and community. The multiple courses comprising a plethora of subjects and skill sets enable the students to tackle any kind of situation and bring out the best in them.

Undergraduate programs: The college has teamed up with the University of Alabama in Huntsville to create a dual degree program (ADN/BSN) which awards the students with both the degrees in a span of nine semesters if they are eligible to enroll at both the colleges.

There is also a Practical Nursing (PN) certificate that is awarded to students who successfully complete the first three semesters of the ADN curriculum plan and they are eligible to give the NCLEX-PN exam.

The associate degree takes a total of five semesters, upon the completion of which the students can give the NCLEX-RN exam and practice as licensed RNs.

In addition to this, they also offer a RN bridge program for registered LPNs who wish to get their RN license.

Offering a wide range of nursing degrees and specializations, South University guides its students in a warm and supportive learning environment that encourages students to actively engage with the faculty and play a part in self-learning. The University offers both- online and on-campus classes, depending on the degree. From nursing leadership to educator to nurse practitioners along with the traditional RNs, South University takes pride in the competent nurses that it educates with the mission to deliver quality healthcare and further develop the global nursing scenario. 

The alumni of South University marvel at the institute for providing them with a challenging yet safe learning environment that enabled them to bring out the best in them. They are now working at multiple high-end health care facilities all over the world and thank South University for the knowledge, perseverance, and skill that has been provided to them so as to become successful, critical thinking nurses. 

Undergraduate Programs: The BSN program is taught by experienced nurses who motivate and train nursing students to enhance their management capabilities like critical thinking, delegation, prioritization, and decision making.

Similarly there is also a RN to BSN degree for those who are looking to advance their nursing career. This course can be taken online or both online and on-campus.

Graduate programs: There is also a RN to MSN program with a specialization in Family Nurse Practitioner degree program for nurses who do not currently have a BSN degree. The graduates of this program are prepared to work in either a healthcare or educational setting.

Another master’s degree available at South University is the MSN with specialization in Family Nurse Practitioner. 

In addition to that the university also offers Nurse Administrator, Nurse Informatics and Nurse Educator as MSN specializations. There is also an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner specialization that focuses on providing compassionate care to the elderly.

Post Graduate Certificate Programs: The Post Graduate Certificate programs at South University include Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Educator.

Doctorate Programs: The highest nursing degree that South University offers is the Doctor of Nursing Practice.

Coastal Alabama CC (Jefferson Davis) is passionate when it comes to developing quality nursing professionals who provide compassionate, patient-centered care and can lead the way when it comes to developing nursing practice. The educational programs here are supportive of the students, inclusive, and affordable.

The high-fidelity simulation labs help students develop high competencies when it comes to nursing skills before they go out to the field. The students also practice in hospitals with highly-trained faculties and further perfect their skills and knowledge before attaining their degree as nursing professionals.

The alumni praise the small class sizes and close knit community at Coastal Alabama CC that helped them develop the much needed confidence and gave them a safe space to learn. Small class sizes mean that the instructors know most if not all the students, and everyone is treated equally, and everyone is welcomed and cared for.

Undergraduate Programs: The college offers an Associate Degree Nursing program that prepares students to practice as competent RNs after successfully completing their NCLEX-RN exam.

There is also a Practical Nursing (LPN) program that can either be studied on its own or students can take their Practical Nursing Certificate upon the completion of their third semester. The students with this certificate are eligible to take the practical nursing licensure exam for LPNs.

What’s more is that Coastal Alabama offers a mobility LPN to ADN degree for those with a LPN or other paramedic license who want to take a chance and become RNs.

Samford University’s nursing program was the first nursing program in Alabama to be accredited by the National League of Nursing. Since then, it has been striving to instruct its students in a Christian environment that prepares caring, competent, and compassionate graduates who are committed to providing service, scholarship, lifelong learning, and professional practice in the field of healthcare and nursing.

One of the best features of Samford University is its impressive simulation lab. Standing at about 22,000 sq. ft. the simulation lab allows students to engage in a variety of clinical situations and enable them to become competent critical thinkers and problem solvers.

This university has also teamed up with some of the best and most reputable clinical agencies in the country to ensure that their students get the best knowledge when it comes to clinical practice and that they develop enough practice and confidence to pursue a clinical practice.

The university offers a plethora of degrees when it comes to nursing so that you find your calling and work to achieve it. Most of the postgraduate programs are offered online as well.

Undergraduate Programs: Samford University offers four different pathways to becoming a BSN.

They have a traditional BSN degree and a transfer BSN degree. They also offer a second-degree BSN degree for those who have already completed an undergraduate program but wish to become a RN. 

In addition to this, they have a Veteran’s BSN program which is designed specifically to meet a veteran’s or militant's skill set.

Graduate Programs:  The university offers a ADN/ASN to MSN degree specializing in Nurse Practitioner. There is also a BSN to MSN program for Family Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner with Emergency Specialty, and Family and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Doctorate Programs: If you wish to advance your career further as a nurse then they offer a BSN to DNP program with specialization in Nurse Anesthesia. Their MSN to DNP program provides students with a number of options including Nursing Administration, Advanced Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner, Emergency Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

At Troy University, students are instructed by highly professional faculty members who have years of clinical practice and who still consistently work in the clinical area so that they can impart real-time, relevant knowledge to the students. The programs offered by this university consistently rank high in both the state and the nation and the university itself is very competitive yet nurturing. 

The courses combine both online and on-campus classes making it convenient for the students to attend the lectures and work part-time if they want to. The college provides ample amount of cultural activities, sports, financial assistance, and even preparation for graduate study so that the students are developed in all aspects including academics. With its well experienced instructors, friendly environment and family atmosphere, Troy University will help you become the kind of nurse you always wanted to be, and most of the alumni agree with this statement.

The nursing programs here assist nursing students in becoming leaders, care providers, as well as instructors who constantly work for the betterment of the field of nursing.

Undergraduate programs: Troy University offers a Nursing ASN program along with the traditional BSN program. It also offers a RN mobility program for registered nurses.

Graduate Programs: The university offers MSN in three specialties which are Family Nurse Practitioner, Healthcare Informatics and Nursing Leadership, and Nursing Education.

The MSN programs are offered online and they provide students to develop advanced knowledge and skills that they require in order to take on the roles of nurse leaders in the areas they work in.

Post Graduate Programs: In addition to that, Troy University has three specializations in Doctor of Nursing Practice- Family Nurse Practitioner (Post Bachelors), Nursing Leadership (Post Bachelors), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (Post Masters).

The DNP programs qualify nurses to take on the roles of learners, specialized clinical practitioners, and advanced educators.

The programs also prepare nurses for clinical practice, directing clinical programs, leading health care organizations, taking on the role of faculty, and managing quality initiatives.