Delaware Nursing Schools And Programs

Delaware ranks among the top states for NCLEX-RN pass rates, a sign of strong nursing programs. It is also a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, so a multistate license lets you practice across compact lines. This guide covers the state's nursing schools, licensing steps, salary, and job outlook.

The Best Nursing Schools in Delaware

Every program has tradeoffs. Match your choice to your professional goals, and weigh tuition, length, acceptance rate, clinical locations, and placement support.

The University of Delaware (UD), a major public college in Newark, offers graduate and undergraduate nursing education. Its MSN serves experienced nurses who already hold a bachelor's, with specializations in family/individuals, adult-gerontology, and psychiatric-mental health.

• Program: Master of science in nursing
• Campus: Newark, Delaware
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $776 per credit
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree with minimum 3.0 GPA; RN license
• Minimum Time Commitment: Three years
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 96.4%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $93,342 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard

Delaware State University (DSU), a public college in Dover, runs a BSN that emphasizes hands-on learning through simulation labs, smart classrooms, and clinical experiences. The program prepares candidates for the NCLEX-RN and registered nursing careers. DSU also offers an MSN.

• Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
• Campus: Dover, Delaware
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $7,038 per year for Delaware residents; $16,960 per year for out-of-state students
• Admission Requirements: High school diploma with minimum 3.0 GPA; ATI TEAS exam
• Minimum Time Commitment: Four years
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 92.9%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $72,022 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard

Delaware Technical Community College operates a main campus in Dover plus campuses in Georgetown, Wilmington, and Stanton. Its RN-to-BSN suits working RNs, with a primarily online format and inperson practicum placements. Delaware Tech also offers an ADN.

• Program: RN-to-BSN
• Campus: Dover, Delaware
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $153 per credit for Delaware residents; $381 per credit for out-of-state students
• Admission Requirements: Associate degree or diploma in nursing with minimum 2.5 GPA; RN license
• Minimum Time Commitment: Four semesters
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 91.4%

How to Choose a Nursing Program in Delaware

Weigh tuition, program length, acceptance rate, clinical locations, and placement assistance, and decide whether you want classes online or onsite. Check the NCLEX-RN pass rate, accreditation, and financial aid options, since pass rate signals how well a program prepares students.

Why Become a Nurse in Delaware

Known as the "First State," Delaware is small but business-heavy: more than 60% of Fortune 500 companies are incorporated there. The state offers historical landmarks, museums, and beaches, and nurses have the freedom to unionize.

Two licensing routes exist. Firsttime RN licensing is licensure by examination. Nurses relocating from another state license by endorsement. As one of the NLC states, Delaware lets nurses from other compact states practice without a separate Delaware license, and lets Delaware nurses practice in other compact states.

Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Delaware

Delaware RNs earn a median of about $92,610 a year, just below the national RN median of $93,600 [BLS May 2024]. The national median for nurse practitioners was $132,050. Cost of living in Delaware runs above the national index at 107.9.

The highest-paying metro areas for RNs include Wilmington, Dover, Newark, Middletown, and Milford. ChristianaCare in Newark has been ranked among the World's Best Hospitals by Newsweek.

Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Delaware

Every prospective nurse needs a nursing degree, a passing NCLEX score, and a clear criminal background check. Delaware adds specific prerequisites for advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) licensure.

RN Requirements

Complete an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), meet the prerequisites, and pass the NCLEX-RN. Licensure through the board of nursing also requires an FBI and state background check.

APRN Requirements

To become an APRN, earn a master of science in nursing (MSN) or doctor of nursing practice, hold a Delaware or other NLC-state RN license, become certified, and get APRN licensure from the state board. The four specialties are clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, and certified registered nurse anesthetist.

Licensure requires an application with fees, supporting documents, and a criminal background check. Delaware also requires a Delaware controlled substance registration and Drug Enforcement Administration registration if you prescribe controlled substances, plus a collaborative agreement information form.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the steps to becoming a nurse in Delaware? For an RN, choose your degree, meet the prerequisites, and pass the NCLEX. For an NP, earn an MSN, become certified in a specialty, and apply for APRN licensure.

What does nursing school cost in Delaware? It varies by program. In-state ADN tuition runs roughly $4,000 to $5,000 per year, and a BSN runs about $7,000 to $14,000 per year for residents.

How do I pick the right nursing path? Know your strengths, interests, and goals, then find a field that fits. Explore options and decide whether you need additional certifications or education.