10 Best Nursing Vocational Schools in 2024

Are you interested in becoming a burse and you are looking for a list of the best nursing vocational schools that are affordable with quality nursing programs, this article will provide you with the information you need to start your journey.

We have used this article as a medium to discuss some of the things you need to know about the nursing field, how you can begin your career and some of the qualification requirements.

The National Council Licensure Examination is an exam that nurses who wish to be licensed need to take, and some of the programs offered by the institutions on this list will prepare you for this exam.

Furthermore, we have included links that will take you to the official program page of each school on this list in a bid to make it easy for you to apply for any of the programs you find to suit you.

Vocational Nursing programs

LVN programs are often offered at nursing trade schools and community colleges. Vocational nursing schools or other two-year institutions may also offer associate degrees. If you are interested in acquiring a bachelor’s degree in nursing then you need to attend a 4year college or university as this is the only place where you can get such a degree.

If you want to study nursing online, then you will need to become a licensed vocational nurse first as it will open you up to many options. After completing a one-year vocational nursing degree, you may be eligible for a fully online transition program. These programs build on your experience as an LPN or LVN, becoming an RN, or earning a BSN.

Also Read: 11 Nursing Schools With High Acceptance Rates in 2024

Nursing Degree Programs Needed to Become a Nurse

There are several ways to become a nurse. If this is your interest, you can attend Nursing trade schools, community colleges and universities. At any of these schools, you can a different types of degrees such as the following;

Certificate/Degree

At LVN schools you will be able to take up programs that you can complete in a short time (one year or even less). After your completion of the program, you can be awarded a diploma or certificate which is a great option for those looking to get into the industry quickly. See the LVN or LPN program for more information.

Associate Degree in Nursing

Associate Degree usually takes two years. This is a degree that has been seen to be pursued mostly by prospective RNs. Some LVN schools offer special programs (LPN + LVN – RN bridge) in a bid to make it easier that make it easier for currently licensed practical nurses or vocational nurses to become registered nurses.

Bachelor’s or Graduate Degree

Bear in mind that you do not need this degree to get into the nursing field but as a nurse who aspires to go far in this medical field – some RNs earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or BSN. Just as there are LVN programs for RNs, there are LPN+LVN programs for BSNs. This way, students can quickly start their careers in nursing school and then hone their skills.

If you are thinking of a graduate degree in nursing – you should know that it is only required for individuals who want to be midwives, nurse practitioners and advanced practice registered nurses.

List of Best Nursing Vocational Schools

Below are some of the best vocational nursing schools where you can kickstart your nursing career. They are affordable and offer quality nursing programs.

Also Read: How to Pass Nursing School Exams

#1. Coastal Pines Technical College (Waycross, GA)

Average Net Price: $2,933
# Online Programs: 3
Graduation Rate: 60%
Retention Rate: 60%
% Receiving Aid: 84%
Placement Services: Yes
Career Counseling: Yes

With over 3,400 students enrolled each semester, Coastal Pines Technical College has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1. This southeast Georgia institution also offers low tuition for qualified nursing students.

Core-taught courses in all three programs are offered evenings and weekends, and some courses may be offered online.

Some of the programs obtainable in this institute include a nurse aide certificate, a licensed practical nurse (LPN) diploma and an Associate of Science in Nursing (A.S.N.) degree.

#2. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College (Valdosta, GA)

Average Net Price: $1,551
# Online Programs: 4
Graduation Rate: 43%
Retention Rate: 62%
% Receiving Aid: 92%
Placement Services: Yes
Career Counseling: Yes

This is one of the nursing vocational schools with the lowest average cost of attendance in the country. Average Net Cost is a measure of the cost of college by adding the average cost of tuition, fees, books, housing, transportation, etc. and subtracting each student’s estimated financial aid and scholarships from the total

The nursing vocational school offers a variety of program options. The two associate degrees offered by the school are prepared in a way that will equip students to be able to sit and pass the National Council Licensure Examination.

Some of the nursing programs offered by this institution include Associate of Science in Nursing, also you can opt for an LPN to ASN bridge program. Certificate and/or diploma

#3. Ogeechee Technical College (Statesboro, GA)

Average Net Price: $2,009
# Online Programs: 3
Graduation Rate: 46%
Retention Rate: 58%
% Receiving Aid: 89%
Placement Services: Yes
Career Counseling: Yes

If you want to take advantage of the flexibility of an online nursing education program, this East Georgia institution will provide you with all the resources you need to excel. Ogeechee Technical College has one of the highest distance learning rates of any school on this list, reporting that more than half of the students who choose to attend this school opt to take some of their courses online.

The school offer quality nursing programs that will prepare students for LPN and other entry-level nursing positions.

The school offers a practical nursing diploma that embodies 57 credits, and the school’s certificates for healthcare assistants programs and nurse aides require 30 and 13 credits, respectively.

Also Read: List of the Best Free Nursing Schools in the World that Charge No Tuition

#4. South Georgia Technical College (Americus, GA)

Average Net Price: $3,418
# Online Programs: 3
Graduation Rate: 57%
Retention Rate: 69%
% Receiving Aid: 96%
Placement Services: Yes
Career Counseling: Yes

On this list of nursing vocational schools, no other school has a higher freshman retention rate than this Georgia school, which has about 2,000 students and a graduation rate in the 93rd percentile of all nursing schools nationally surveyed.

The vocational school offer a nurse aide certificate that is designed to provide students with a general understanding of health care and teaches students about nutrition, medical terminology, and the basics of nursing.

Also, the school offer a practical nursing diploma that includes several clinical components to equip students with knowledge of medical-surgical nursing, maternity nursing, leadership positions in nursing and more.

#5. Central Georgia Technical College (Warner Robins, GA)

Average Net Price: $2,325
# Online Programs: 3
Graduation Rate: 30%
Retention Rate: 55%
% Receiving Aid: 88%
Placement Services: Yes
Career Counseling: Yes

Central Georgia Technical College’s median net price makes It one of the best in terms of net price in the nation, and it ranked in the top 10 for affordability among the more than 400 offering the same program. When it comes to flexibility, this school is also among the best as it has been recorded that more than 49% of students choose to student some of their courses online.

The vocational school offer an A.S.N. program that requires 65 credits for completion and includes laboratory courses in microbiology, anatomy, and physiology. There is also a diploma plan in practical nursing available for study which is open for anyone who is untested in sitting for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

Also Read: 16 Best Schools of Nursing in Nigeria and Their Requirements

#6. West Kentucky Community and Technical College (Paducah, KY)

Average Net Price: $5,440
# Online Programs: 3
Graduation Rate: 45%
Retention Rate: 67%
% Receiving Aid: 98%
Placement Services: Yes
Career Counseling: Yes

Western Kentucky Community and Technical College may be a good choice for someone who values the camaraderie of studying with a large group of nurses. This school in 2017 awarded over 400 nursing degrees and—about one-sixth of all graduates—make up the largest cohort of nurses of any of the nursing vocational schools on this list.

WKCTC offers a nursing assistant program that provides a platform for three certifications. The three certification options are Nursing Assistant (ANA), Kentucky Medication Aide (KMA) and Medicaid Nurse Aide (MNA).

The school also has an LPN-RN accelerated program that makes it possible for an associate degree in nursing students with LPN experience to be able to start and finish their program within a year of study.

#7: West Georgia Technical College (Waco, GA)

Average Net Price: $3,535
# Online Programs: 2
Graduation Rate: 34%
Retention Rate: 60%
% Receiving Aid: 87%
Placement Services: Yes
Career Counseling: Yes

Alumni success in the workplace is an important measure of the value of a college degree program, and West Georgia Technical College has a strong track record in this measure. More than 8% of students at this Waco, Georgia School graduate and find gainful employment in less than six years after their first year.

The associate degree plan at West Georgia Technical College can help spiring RNs train for NCLEX-RN status which requires a 70-credit to complete. For those who want to start their career as an LPN, the school offer a diploma program as well as a nurse aide certificate that will help you achieve this goal.

#8. Georgia Northwestern Technical College (Rome, GA)

Average Net Price: $2,587
# Online Programs: 4
Graduation Rate: 43%
Retention Rate: 61%
% Receiving Aid: 91%
Placement Services: Yes
Career Counseling: Yes

Georgia Northwestern Technical College has demonstrated the flexibility of distance learning for nursing students. In addition to having the highest online enrolment of 54% of any school on our list, students with LPN experience are offered the opportunity to be able to take the associate degree transition program and students can take half or more of their credits online.

The LPN to A.S.N. transition program offered by this nursing vocational school can be taken online and it consists of a minimum of 62 credits- which include courses in lifespan nursing care, dosage calculations and care for childbearing families.

You can also study for an A.S.N. plan or a practical nursing diploma.

Also Read: 20 Nursing Scholarships for International Students in Canada 2024

#9. Olney Central College (Olney, IL)

Average Net Price: $2,522
# Online Programs: 2
Graduation Rate: 56%
Retention Rate: 67%
% Receiving Aid: 99%
Placement Services: Yes
Career Counseling: Yes

Olney Central College’s graduation rate ranks in the 93rd percentile in the whole of the United States, and only one school on this list of nursing vocational schools has a higher freshman retention rate. It is on record that graduates of Olney Central College become employed within six years of enrolment

OCC’s associate degree in nursing in nursing requires 72 credits and provides advanced preparation for qualified transfer students. You can earn a practical nursing certificate that you can complete within two regular semesters and one summer term – also you need 44 credits to complete this program.

#10. Oconee Fall Line Technical College (Sandersville, GA)

Average Net Price: $410
# Online Programs: 3
Graduation Rate: 39%
Retention Rate: 67%
% Receiving Aid: 100%
Placement Services: Yes
Career Counseling: Yes

Students looking to get the most out of every dollar spent on college tuition should be pleased to know the average net price of Oconee Fall Line Technical College. This is a small Nursing vocational school with about 1,400 students and considering the out-of-pocket cost of this school it is the most affordable in the United States.

The pathway to the OFTC nurse’s aide degree requires students to obtain either an LPN license or a paramedic credential prior to admission. Full-time students are expected to complete the ADN Bridge program in six semesters. The nursing degree consists of 60 credit courses.

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Nursing Licensure and Certification

It is required that all nurses must be licensed in each state, and the process will depend on the states where you reside Generally, a license is obtained by completing a state-approved training program and passing a National Council Licensure Examination.

Also if you are one of the nurses who choose to pursue voluntary certification – you can do that through recognised professional organizations such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Certifications are important because they will help to tell the world about the expertise of a nurse in a specific area, such as case management, gerontology, paediatrics, etc.

Nursing Career Paths

Nursing work has different levels that make it easier to climb the career ladder. An LVN program can be a good start. It is a program that can make one qualify for jobs that are in demand where you can be paid more than average.

If along the line you decide to advance and become a registered nurse –since there are a lot of programs you can take online, you can decide to work during the day and study during the night hours.

If you are motivated and you wish to reach the peak of nursing, you can complete a master’s degree to become an advanced practice registered nurse. Are this level you will now be able to perform physical exams – you will also be able to diagnose conditions – many states in the United States will allow nurses at this level to write prescriptions for patients.

10 Best Nursing Vocational Schools in 2024

Vocational Nursing programs