The West Virginia University School of Nursing has been named as the 2024 Best RN Program in West Virginia by RegisteredNursing.org. This marks the second year in a row for the recognition.
“The WVU School of Nursing prides itself on academic excellence and this ranking highlights the outstanding work of our faculty and students,” said Dr. Tara Hulsey, Dean and E. Jane Martin Endowed Professor. “We take seriously our mission as a land-grant university and strive to continue leading the state in nursing education.”
On a grading scale of 100, RegisteredNursing.org scored WVU School of Nursing at a 98.54, making it the top-ranking RN program of the 26 in the state.
Rankings from the organization are based on schools that support students toward licensure and beyond, especially through the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses pass rates. Nursing graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN to become registered nurses. In 2023, the Morgantown and Keyser campus graduates boasted a 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate, with the Beckley Campus close behind at 97%.
“West Virginia University's nursing program values are that of integrity, excellence, and inclusiveness,” the RegisteredNursing.org report stated. “These values translate into a renowned BSN nursing program that is well respected in the nursing field. Graduates are groomed for successful employment as RNs through clinical experiences and state-of-the-art simulations.”
The website said West Virginia has a high demand for registered nurses with more than 30 hospitals and nearly 6,000 staffed beds. Additionally, there are 107 Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) in West Virginia, which are areas that are designated as having shortages of primary medical care, dental or mental health providers.
“Opportunities for skilled registered nurses in West Virginia are plentiful, with a competitive average salary of roughly $67,640 per year, with the potential to earn more for experienced nurses with advanced nursing degrees,” the website said.
The mission of RegisteredNursing.org is to promote excellence in nursing by enabling future and current nurses with the education and employment resources they need to succeed. To learn more about the organization or the rankings, visit registerednursing.org.
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CONTACT: Wendy Holdren

Director of Communications and Marketing

WVU School of Nursing

304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu