Best RN Programs in New Mexico for 2024

SJC BSN & UNM BSN Aggregated School of Health Sciences Nursing School is a public institution in Farmington, New Mexico. The nursing program at SJC BSN & UNM BSN Aggregated is ranked in the top five in the state and in the top 30 in the entire country. Its three-year average NCLEX-RN passing rate is 96% which is a major reason for its high ranking.

Nursing students are prepared to jump-start their careers in healthcare by receiving instruction from expert faculty in multiple settings such as classrooms, simulation labs, as well as local clinical settings.  Under the guidance of these faculty and other healthcare professionals, students also learn to work directly with patients in nursing homes, hospitals, home care agencies, and skilled facilities.

San Juan College takes pride in being a challenging yet affordable place to earn an associate degree or certificate. As part of that commitment, they work to provide financial assistance to anyone in need. 91 percent of San Juan College's first-year students receive financial assistance in the form of grants, scholarships, student employment, federal student loans, and private student loans.

Undergraduate Programs: The nursing program at San Juan College provides three convenient routes to a rewarding and in-demand career. Their 8-week, 2-year, and 4-year programs will help students begin their nursing careers, depending on their goals.

The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program takes two years to complete over five semesters. The curriculum consists of classroom instruction as well as practical simulation laboratories and healthcare facilities.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is delivered in 8 semesters in the traditional semester format. Students will receive both an associate degree and a bachelor's degree in nursing as a result of a collaboration with the University of New Mexico. San Juan College also offers a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program that can be completed in as little as eight weeks.

Students who complete the ADN or BSN nursing programs are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become registered nurses.

Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Campus nursing school is a public institution in Roswell, New Mexico. The University proudly states its high NCLEX-RN pass rates and high ranking among similar institutions in New Mexico as well as the country.

At ENMU, nursing students are taught to focus on improving health outcomes and patient conditions through education, practice, and service. The practical hours in clinical simulation labs allow students to practice their skills to perfection before moving on to real-life patients. Similarly, the clinical practice in multiple healthcare facilities across the area allows students to engage in professional nursing practice that is client-centered, compassionate, culturally appropriate, and ethical for individuals, families, and diverse communities.

Students attending ENMU-Roswell can apply for a variety of scholarships. Scholarships are given out for a variety of reasons, such as academic achievement, financial need, campus/community involvement, leadership positions, and work experience. Several outside organizations also provide scholarships to area students to help with educational expenses.

Undergraduate Programs: ENMU-Nursing Roswell's Associate of Science in Nursing Program typically takes three years to complete. This includes a year of prerequisite classes as well as two years of nursing. Entry-level nursing positions are well compensated and in high demand.

After graduating, candidates take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and begin a career as entry-level nurse generalists.

New Mexico State University Carlsbad's school is a public institution in Carlsbad, New Mexico. With its three-year average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 97% percent, New Mexico State University-Carlsbad is one of the best nursing colleges in the state and a prime destination for out-of-state students as well.

NMSU Carlsbad provides a wide range of high-quality educational opportunities. Nursing provides mobility, flexibility, and a wide range of opportunities across the United States. NMS U's nursing curriculum uses a career mobility format to prepare students for entry-level nursing positions in a variety of health care settings. Nursing education at this university is highly affordable and is provided by highly trained healthcare professionals. Graduates of this university are known to have a solid foundation for entry into practice at the appropriate level. The university also boasts high employment rates of its previous graduates as well as high program completion rates in the past few years. Acute care hospitals, physician's offices, clinics, long-term care settings, health departments, home health care agencies, and hospice care units are some examples of nursing opportunities for the graduates of NMSU.

Undergraduate Programs: New Mexico State University Carlsbad's nursing program provides two degree options.

The first is a one-year Practical Nursing certificate that allows students to the National Council Licensure Exam, which leads to licensure as a Practical Nurse. Similarly, students can also go for an Associate Degree in Nursing, which prepares them for their NCLEX-RN examination. 

Additionally, New Mexico State University also offers a fully RN to BSN program that is coordinated through the Las Cruces campus.

New Mexico State University- Doña Ana CC's nursing school is a public institution in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The college is a leading community college that provides transformative educational opportunities that meet the transfer and workforce needs of Doña Ana County.

Intentional and creative use of technology, a focus on "real-world" practical experience, diverse perspectives and viewpoints, and informed risk-taking practices of the college allow nursing students to find their path and excel in patient care. Doña Ana CC’s nursing graduates are trained to be professionally and academically skilled and valued by transfer institutions and leading employers.

Grants, Loans, Work-Study, and Scholarships are the four major types of financial aid provided by the college. DACC also provides FAFSA Workshop Sessions to assist students with completing their FAFSA applications. These events are available to both new and returning students.

Undergraduate Programs: Registered Nursing is one of the degree types available at New Mexico State University- Doña Ana CC, and the school offers its services to students on campus. Nursing students can pursue Associate, Bachelor, BSN to DNP, RN to BSN level degrees.

Graduate Programs: Graduate programs offered by DACC include BSN to DNP, Doctor of Nursing, Master, MSN to DNP level degrees. All of these programs intend to produce a specialized workforce in nursing that can become a part of the rapidly advancing health delivery system of the present and the future.