Ohio Nursing Schools And Programs

Ohio pairs top hospitals and nursing schools with a low cost of living and above-average projected job growth, which makes it a practical place to train and start a career. This guide covers the schools, the licensing steps, and the salary and job outlook.

Nursing Schools in Ohio

The programs below range from a five-semester associate degree through post-master's certificates. Compare them on accreditation, NCLEX pass rates, format, and cost.

Cedarville University (Christian) offers a traditional and a three-year BSN. Students start clinical experiences in their first year, participate in simulations, and can take part in medical missions. Post-bachelor's students may pursue a master's or a medical Spanish certificate.

Franciscan University runs one of the few distinctly Catholic nursing programs in the state. Its BSN includes a service-learning component and a recommended study abroad term in Austria, plus an advanced human patient simulator lab. The program reports a 90% job placement rate.

Aultman College is the lone associate program on this list, preparing RN candidates in five semesters. Course topics include anatomy, pharmacology, microbiology, and medical language. Students complete at least 41 of the 73 required credits through Aultman.

Case Western Reserve University offers post-master's certificates in 10 major areas, with flight nursing available to acute care majors. Programs run on a hybrid model, combining online courses with onsite learning, and can be customized to individual needs.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University offers an online RN-to-BSN with 12 start dates a year. The 43-credit degree runs in five-week courses over 18 months, accepts up to 13 transfer credits, and requires a course in biblical perspectives on healthcare.

Ohio Northern University provides direct BSN admission for first-year applicants, with clinical rotations starting in the second year. Courses include medical-surgical nursing, community health, and nursing research, plus a capstone and an optional term in the Dominican Republic.

Otterbein University reports a 100% job placement rate for BSN graduates who achieve licensure. The degree can include medical mission trips and a service-learning component, and graduates can move into Otterbein's graduate nursing programs.

University of Mount Union offers a 128-credit BSN rooted in the liberal arts, plus an accelerated second-degree BSN. Courses include human nutrition, statistics for health science, and community health, with a senior capstone.

Capital University offers an MSN for future nurse educators, administrators, or legal nurse consultants. Students complete 360 hours of field experience in eight- or 16-week blocks and can add a JD or MBA, full or part time.

Mercy College of Ohio offers a Catholic MSN taught one three-credit course at a time over seven-week sessions. Courses may include population-based healthcare, informatics, and evaluation methods in nursing education, ending with a capstone.

How to Choose a Program

Weigh admission requirements, tuition, program length, and specialization options against your goals. Two numbers tell you the most about quality: each school's NCLEX pass rate and its accreditation status. Confirm both before you apply.

Why Become a Nurse in Ohio

Several of the country's best hospitals are in Ohio, including the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, and Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and the cost of living stays low. Ohio also belongs to the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate license lets you practice in other compact states, including telehealth across state lines, without a separate license in each one.

Salary and Job Outlook

Ohio RNs earn somewhat below the national average, which the low cost of living offsets. As of May 2024, RNs in the state earned roughly $80,000 a year, against a national median of $93,600; nurse practitioners earn more and also run below national norms. Over 129,000 RNs work in Ohio, and the BLS projects RN jobs to grow about 9% through 2030. Pay runs highest in the Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Akron metro areas.

Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Ohio

Graduate from a program approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply for state licensure. Once the board accepts the application, complete state-mandated fingerprinting and pass a background check. RNs then complete continuing education to keep the license active.

RN Requirements

Earn an ADN or BSN from an accredited program, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply for an Ohio RN license. RNs complete 24 continuing education credits every two years to renew.

APRN Requirements

Hold an unencumbered RN license, then earn an MSN or DNP that qualifies you to sit for an approved certification exam. Pass a certification exam in a state-recognized specialty before applying for APRN licensure. APRNs complete 24 continuing education hours every two years for each license held, and certain specialties require at least 12 of those hours in advanced pharmacology.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become an RN in Ohio?

Most students spend about two years on an ADN or four on a BSN. Part-time study extends both. Direct-entry students with a non-nursing bachelor's often finish an accelerated MSN in 15 to 36 months.

Is Ohio a good state to be a nurse?

Salaries run slightly below the national average, but the low cost of living offsets that. The state especially needs APRNs in areas like midwifery and anesthesia, so an in-demand specialty improves your prospects.

How much does nursing school cost in Ohio?

It varies by program. Budget for tuition plus transportation, room and board, books, and fees. An RN-to-BSN at Ohio State University runs about $16,000 for residents and $17,000 for nonresidents; an MSN at Kent State University runs about $18,000 to $22,000.

How much does a new RN make in Ohio?

Nationally, the bottom 10% of RNs earn about $66,000 and the top 10% over $135,000, per the BLS. Ohio figures typically fall below the national median.