Nursing Schools in North Carolina

Western Carolina University (WCU) is a public university in Cullowhee, North Carolina. It is part of the University of North Carolina, which operates a total of ten campuses. It was established in 1889 and is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the University of North Carolina system. The university was originally founded to teach students living in the mountains of western North Carolina. It now serves students from 48 states and over 35 countries. Annual enrollment exceeds 11,000 students. The university is in Jackson County, in the valley of the Tuckasegee River, which is about 52 miles west of Asheville and near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Nursing programs are taught at the WCU School of Nursing. CCNE-accredited programs at WCU include traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, RN to BSN, and MSN programs. Students enrolled in the traditional BSN program complete their liberal arts education during their freshman and sophomore years before starting their nursing curriculum. During the last two years, students also complete clinical experiences at healthcare agencies located throughout the western North Carolina region. The accelerated BSN program is designed for working nurses and includes both online courses and traditional classroom learning. This program should be completed in just four semesters.

Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. CPCC was established back in 1963 as the result of a merger between Mecklenburg College and the Central Industrial Education Center. There are various workplace learning programs where students can gain the professional skills that they need to achieve success in their desired career paths. There will be associate’s degree programs for students to pursue as well as certificate programs. Students can also expect a very thorough online learning experience when signing up for this school. The virtual campus at CPCC is highly renowned and the school also has six satellite campuses in the Charlotte area for the convenience of all students.

The CPCC nursing program is an associate’s degree in nursing program. Nursing students are taught how to work individually and they are also taught how to be an important part of a team of medical professionals. All nursing students will gain the necessary skills and knowledge to provide dynamic health care to patients in a number of different medical environments. Graduates of this two-year program will be ready to apply for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. This nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). 

College of the Albemarle (COA) is located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. COA was established back in 1960 and it now serves around 2100 students. This school has the distinction of being the first school to be a part of the North Carolina Community College System. The school offers the community both credit and non-credit courses. Students can earn associate’s degrees and certificates by taking credit courses at this school. Students regularly transform their lives for the better while attending COA.

The COA nursing program is a very popular option among students. Students will be able to pursue the practical nursing program or the associate’s degree in nursing program. There will be advanced placement options for current LPNs who wish to continue their education in the pursuit of an associate’s degree. COA also has programs to help ADN graduates to move on to a bachelor’s degree in nursing program. The nursing program at COA is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). 

Lenoir Community College (LCC) is located in Kinston, North Carolina with satellite institutions in Greene County and Jones County as well. LCC was established back in 1958 and it now serves around 3500 curriculum students and around 12,000 extension students annually. LCC offers students several different associate’s degrees in 46 different programs as well as college transfer programs for students who want to continue their academic pursuits at four-year universities. LCC students will also be able to pursue certificate programs and many diplomas while attending courses. LCC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The LCC nursing program offers students both practical nursing and associate’s degree in nursing focuses. Nursing students will be prepared for life as professional nurses and will also be receiving practical experience along the way. Upon graduation from one of the programs, nursing students will be eligible to apply for the appropriate NCLEX licensure exam for their field. The varied education that LCC nursing students receive serves them well when it comes time to perform under pressure, making them a valuable commodity in many medical facilities.