How to Become a Registered Nurse in Nevada

Nevada map

The glimmer and lights of Las Vegas in the south and Reno in the north have pulled workers in from all over the world to work in the casino industry.

As a result, these workers need the services of medical professionals, like registered nurses (RNs), to keep them healthy.

To become an RN in Nevada, one must earn a degree from an accredited school.

Not all schools offer different degrees, which include:

  • Doctoral programs
  • Master of Science in Nursing – MSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing – BSN
  • Associate degree in nursing – AND

Please keep reading to learn more about Nevada’s different schools and offerings!

5 Registered Nursing Schools in Nevada

Nevada has a variety of fine nursing schools that will take graduates to the next level in their careers while maximizing salaries.

These include:

Great Basin College

Great Basin College Logo

Considered the top nursing school in Nevada, Great Basin College is home to over 4,000 students each year and offers an associate of applied science nursing degree.

The focus of this program is to build entry-level skills for nurses entering the workforce.

Candidates can take a hybrid format, including in-person clinical simulations, sessions, and online classes.

Most students are placed in medical offices and hospitals in their local community.

The graduation rate is 42%, meaning this is a challenging program for students.

Roseman University of Health Sciences

Roseman University of Health Sciences Logo

Roseman University is a private college located in Henderson, a suburb of Las Vegas.

As one of the best nursing schools in the state, Roseman requires students complete extensive clinical training within various practice settings.

The idea behind this approach is to prepare students for real-world situations.

Candidates can take in-person or in a hybrid format for extra flexibility and begin at one of four dates throughout the year.

Truckee Meadows Community College

Truckee Meadows Community College Logo

Truckee Meadows Community College is another top nursing school in Nevada because of its ADN program.

This degree can be completed in as little as two years and builds upon traditional nursing competencies while preparing graduates for the real world or future educational aspirations.

Candidates must complete various courses, including professional nursing behaviors, fundamentals of pharmacology, and the cultural aspects of nursing care.

The degree concludes with a capstone course to round up all the information learned over the previous two years.

Unfortunately, this program is complicated, with a graduation rate of only 31%.

University of Nevada – Las Vegas

University of Nevada – Las Vegas Logo

UNLV is probably the most well-known institution on this list.

The school offers a traditional BSN program and an RN-to-BSN transitional option.

In addition, those with a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field can pursue a second-degree option that eliminates the shared lower-level core classes so that students can focus on the nursing aspects of the degree.

UNLV has an admission rate of 81% but only a 45% graduation rate, so the program is challenging.

University of Nevada – Reno

University of Nevada – Reno Logo

UNR offers one of the top nursing programs in the state because of its various degree options, which include a traditional and accelerated BSN and RN-to-BSN path.

Each program features considerable hands-on training, including in simulation labs on campus and at clinical healthcare sites, so students can hit the ground running when entering the workplace.

The admission rate is around 88% yearly, and the graduation rate is 61%.

Registered Nurse Schools in Nevada – Summary Table

Top 5 Schools in Nevada

School NameAddress
Great Basin College1500 College Pkwy, Elko, NV 89801
Roseman University of Health Sciences11 Sunset Way, Henderson, NV 89014
Truckee Meadows Community College7000 Dandini Blvd, Reno, NV 89512
University of Nevada – Las Vegas4505 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89154
University of Nevada – Reno1664 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89557

Salary

Nursing can be lucrative, with an average national annual income ranging from $59,000 to $106,000.

In comparison, nurses in Nevada average is $85,000 per year ranging from $61,000 to $109,000.

Annual Salary Range:
$61K
$68K
$77K

Average Salary of Registered Nurse (RN)s in Nevada

City NameSalary
Las Vegas$67,840
Reno$66,670
Henderson$67,570
Sparks$66,670
Carson City$66,940
North Las Vegas$67,840
Sun Valley$66,670
Elko$56,510
Boulder City$66,910
Fallon$65,810
* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary in Nevada

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Carson City, NV730$94,350$45.36$110,960$79,390
Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV19,460$98,190$47.21$132,010$78,460
Reno, NV4,600$97,160$46.71$130,350$74,340
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Registered Nurses, OCC Code 29-1141, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common responsibilities of an RN in Nevada?

RNs assist doctors and other highest-level nurses in various medical environments, from surgery to regular check-ups.

The most common tasks include speaking with patients and their families about health-related issues, interviewing patients to help determine a root cause, recording vital signs, dealing with insurance, and other administrative functions.

What is the quickest educational path to becoming an RN in Nevada?

Earning an ADN degree can be completed in as little as two years.

However, many schools are giving students the flexibility necessary to complete it in an accelerated fashion.

This accelerated degree requires a firm commitment for a little over per year.

Most programs require students to be in class Monday through Friday, 9 am-5 pm.

The good news is this mimics a typical workweek.

Can registered nurses make six-figure annual incomes?

Not only is it possible to make a six-figure income, but many nurses currently have salaries over $100k per year.

However, your location, educational level, experience, and specialty play a significant role in reaching this milestone.

Therefore, it’s critical to determine the academic path you want to take upfront.

What is the highest in-demand nurse in Nevada?

The highest in-demand specialties include nurse advocacy, practitioner, clinical, and dialysis.

Also, neonatal nursing is making a massive rise in popularity and demand.

Once you complete your degree, a variety of specialty nursing areas will become available and can be achieved through additional education.

What is the process of becoming a nurse in Nevada?

Like most other states, there are no special extra steps to becoming a nurse.

First, you must complete a formal nursing program from a state-accredited school.

After that, students can earn an ADN and jump into the workforce or continue their education to the doctoral level.

Second, students must pay for and pass the NCLEX-RN examination, a national exam recognized by all states that the government requires for licensure.

Finally, you must submit metric fingerprints, background, check and pay the licensure fee to become licensed.

Additionally, you are required to complete 30 continuing education credits every two years.

Search Programs