Nursing Schools in West Virginia

West Virginia, nicknamed “The Mountain State” because of its rugged highlands and lush forests, is home to more than 17,000 nurses who enjoy the outdoor recreational activities that this state offers. They also get to render excellent patient care to the state’s quite homogenous patient population. But this lack of ethnic diversity has not prevented nurses from other states to start their careers here.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the state has the third-lowest per capita income in the country. It is also the state with the fewest number of adults with bachelor’s degrees. But these somewhat discouraging facts may work well for nursing graduates. The shortage of nurses, especially those who are BSN-prepared, means that they are highly in demand in the present West Virginia economy. Because they are highly-educated, there are very good jobs waiting for them as soon as they pass the NCLEX.

There are over 30 nursing schools in West Virginia offering many nursing programs. Traditional nursing assistant, LPN, diploma, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate in nursing programs are offered. Innovative bridge programs are: LPN to RN – Alderson Broaddus College, LPN to BSN – Mountain State University, LPN to AD – Fairmont University, and the BSBA to BSN – West Virginia University.

Several of these schools offer in-campus, online, and mixed-method learning options for students. West Virginia nursing schools have been hampered by a shortage of qualified nursing instructors. Along with other reasons, this problem has resulted to having fewer slots for many applicants to compete for. Many students are either denied or put on waiting lists for long periods of time.

It is recommended that applicants to these nursing schools find the best way to qualify as students. Despite efforts by nursing educators in West Virginia, the state’s NCLEX passing rate is just 85.08 percent, much lower than the national rate of 88.43 percent, according to 2008 data from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).

Nursing schools in West Virginia have had mixed results with their nursing graduates. While some schools consistently register 100 percent passing rates, others have dismal rates as low as 33 percent. Because of the varying quality of nursing instruction, students need to do some careful research about the passing rates and the overall quality of prospect schools.

Nurses here may earn less than their counterparts in other states. But the cost of living in West Virginia is much less too. Plus, they may be a little less stressed than other nurses in the country. There is a state law that allows nurses to refuse overtime unless it is an emergency situation. Also, there is a mandatory eight-hour rest period for those who work for 12 straight hours. This measure was passed to lessen errors in nursing care and to achieve positive patient outcomes.

For nursing students and established nurses, West Virginia can be an enjoyable place to be a nurse. The nursing shortage ensures that they will have plenty of nursing positions to choose from.

Employment: 17,340
Hourly Mean Wage: $25.50
Annual Mean Wage: $53,030
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

State Nursing Board: West Virginia RN Board
State Nurses Association: West Virginia Nurses Association
State Hospital Association: West Virginia Hospital Association

West Virginia Nursing Schools