2021 - Best Nursing Schools in Ohio

Overview of Nursing Schools in Ohio

About Nursing Schools in Ohio

The nursing field is distinct in that it includes scientific knowledge, technical expertise, and a seasoned intuition. Current registered nurses who are seeking to expand their practice may want to consider a bachelor of science in nursing degree. The RN programs in Ohio are expanding and offering a seamless route towards advanced practice nursing. There has been an ongoing debate and proposed legislation that would require all registered nurses to seek out higher education and obtain an RN or BSN. The Institute of Medicine has requested that the nursing profession achieves 80% baccalaureate preparation by the year 2020. There are many benefits that can be gained from earning a BSN degree in terms of long-term success and security in the nursing industry.

In our Ohio RN program guide, find rankings for both ADN and BSN Degree programs, tuition costs, NCLEX passing rates, and more. Research key Ohio RN Program information to help you compare program metrics and to apply to best RN program for your career in nursing.

In the State of Ohio, 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 can obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties, go on to earn an RN to BSN or RN to MSN degree.

BSN degree holders have options to earn an Advance Practice Register Nursing (APRN) degree and become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), or earn an advanced degree for a career in any number of nursing leadership roles such Nurse Educator or Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Ohio RN Program Comparisons: ADN vs BSN

Best Ranked RN Programs in Ohio

To help nursing students in their search for a top RN program, the education experts at RNCareers.org publish their annual findings of the best nursing schools for both Ohio and the country. Schools ranked on our list have proven their ability to educate highly competent nurses.

To create our rankings, we evaluated 40 ADN degree programs and 33 BSN degree programs in Ohio. We obtained each institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN passing rates, the number of students taking the test, the program nursing accreditation and more. We then compared the results against other nursing programs in Ohio to provide our state rankings. View our methodology. 

Become an Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Ohio

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.

Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in Ohio

Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in Ohio 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 Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.

Ohio  RN Licensing Requirements

Ohio State Board of Nursing
17 South High Street, Suite 400
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 466-6940

Fees:
Initial licensing fee, RN: $75
License renewal: Not listed on web site

Continuing Education Requirements:
RNs and LPNs: 24 contact hours per renewal period

RN Licensure by Exams

At the conclusion of a nursing program, the director or dean will send a letter to the Ohio Board to verify that the educational requirements have been met. The candidate will be required to pass a licensing exam and submit a criminal background check. Candidates are required to have their fingerprints completed through the approved vendor, Webcheck. There is a $75 application fee that will accompany the $200 fee that is required to register with Pearson VUE to take the NCLEX exam. When the candidate has received authorization to test (ATT) he/she can schedule the computer-based test.

RN Licensure by Endorsement

Candidates who have been licensed in one of the other fifty states can apply for Ohio licensure by endorsement. There will be a background check required and may request fingerprint cards if he/she lives outside of Ohio. Official license verification must be sent to the Ohio Board.

RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad

Candidates who were educated outside of the United States and are seeking licensure must first submit a credential evaluation from CGFNS. If not in English, a transcript must be translated. International candidates are required to show evidence of completing an English proficiency exam unless the school was in an English speaking country. The only exception to this rule is graduates from the providence of Quebec, Canada.

RN Salaries in Ohio

There are many schools for nurses to attend in order to obtain higher education. Schools are designed to meet the need of busy, working nurses. Registered nurses who seek out higher education are often picked over nurses who have not obtained a bachelors degree. This is because they are better prepared to work in the constantly evolving industry. Nurses are commonly employed in clinics, schools, laboratories, and hospitals and form a large section of the health care industry. The state employed approximately 124,400 registered nurses and the mean salary is $61,750.

Ohio Registered Nursing Salaries

There are more registered nurses employed in Cleveland than any other metropolitan area in Ohio. Cleveland also has the highest hourly mean wage and annual median wage.
Source: BLS, Department of Education, State Board of Nursing, Nursing School Websites.