Alabama Nursing Colleges, Degrees & Licenses
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“Nursing education demands both emotional and physical stamina, along with the ability to adapt to rapidly changing situations. These skills are required for the successful transition to nursing practice. Building strong support networks, practicing self-care, and maintaining a passion for learning will help you navigate the challenges and rewards of a nursing career successfully.”
Curry Bordelon, DNP, MBA, UAB School of Nursing
Nursing has long been a respected profession in the United States. The nursing profession and the larger healthcare industry in which it functions are currently beset by a number of challenges. Some challenges that transcend state boundaries include technological change, an aging population requiring a reorientation of care models and resource allocation, the lingering impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic health emergency, and retention of both new and experienced nursing professionals.
The state of Alabama’s nursing workforce has been experiencing significant stress since at least the 2010s. One major current issue is nursing workforce retention. A recent Alabama Board of Nursing (ABN) survey noted nearly 39,000 experienced nurses intend to leave the profession within the next five years. This number represents a substantial portion of the state’s entire nursing workforce. The predicted volume of newly trained nursing professionals completing studies in Alabama combined with the expected migration of nursing professionals from other states is not currently forecast to successfully offset the number of experienced nurses expected to leave the profession.
Several factors contribute to the issue of nursing professional retention. One issue is pay. Nurses practicing in Alabama are paid the second lowest median salary in the nation. Only South Dakota features a lower median salary. Most Alabama nurses must hold a second job to make their lives financially feasible. The demands of having two jobs, including one often featuring intensive caregiving, increases risk of burnout among nurses. Increasing pay for nurses is one strategy of many that could address the issue of retention.
But pay only tells part of the story. Retention has only been negatively impacted by the strain of the Covid-19 pandemic years. A survey of registered nurses indicates substance abuse among nurses has significantly increased in the time since the emergence of the pandemic in 2020. An increase in abusive and even violent patient behavior directed at nurses has further undermined morale and contributed to increased sick leave and workforce attrition. Finally, the departure of more experienced nursing professionals can often undermine the vital knowledge transfer and on-the-job mentoring of new nurses and thereby cause lasting deleterious impacts on the workforce.
Alabama is taking steps to confront and overcome these various difficulties. Peggy Benson, executive director of the Alabama Board of Nursing, has advocated a strategy consisting of several proposals to strengthen the state’s nursing workforce. This strategy includes revisions to elements of the state’s Nurse Practice Act, ABN funding of counseling services designed to rehabilitate nurses struggling with substance abuse and other health concerns, and legislation that would fund a practical nursing dual enrollment program for high school students. In addition, due to the pervasive issue of student loan debt, Benson has also advocated the state legislature fund the state’s Education Loan Repayment Program. Such funding could help more nurses escape the onerous burden that has sadly become a growing issue in the United States, namely the burden of immense student loan debt. These proposals are expected to be considered in a legislative session in 2024.
Read on to discover Alabama’s top undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, salary expectations, and licensing requirements for nursing careers in this state.
Meet the Expert: Curry Bordelon, DNP, MBA, NNP-BC, CPNP-AC, CNE, ANEF
Dr. Curry Bordelon is part of the faculty at the UAB School of Nursing. He has more than 28 years of experience as a nurse and nurse practitioner specializing in neonatal care of premature infants. He has extensive leadership experience as the lead nurse practitioner in three neonatal intensive care units and is a board member for various professional nursing organizations.
As an award-winning nurse educator, Dr. Bordelon specializes in innovative teaching methodologies, simulation, and nursing curricula development and evaluation. He has many publications and educational grants and speaks at national, state, and local conferences.
NursingColleges.com: What is something most people don’t know about the nursing profession?
Dr. Bordelon: The image and role of a nurse have evolved over many years. Most people don’t realize the sheer diversity and career paths available within the modern nursing profession. Beyond the traditional bedside hospital or clinic patient care roles, nurses can specialize in fields such as informatics, research, leadership, simulation, education, and public health.
Nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nurse-midwives, and clinical nurse specialists are advanced practice roles influence care manage for diverse patient populations. Nurses can also function in more unique environments such as flight nursing, forensic nursing, and even legal consultancy. This diversity allows for continuous learning and career growth, making nursing a dynamic and fulfilling profession.
NursingColleges.com: What is one piece of advice you would give to a prospective nursing student?
Dr. Bordelon: Nursing is a rewarding and sometimes challenging career with a variety of opportunities. One crucial piece of advice for prospective nursing students is to embrace the learning process. Nursing education is a time for you as a student to stumble, learn, and practice crucial skills in a safe learning environment. It is also a place to build resilience and adaptability, key traits that will serve you well in your nursing career.
Nursing education demands both emotional and physical stamina, along with the ability to adapt to rapidly changing situations. These skills are required for the successful transition to nursing practice. Building strong support networks, practicing self-care, and maintaining a passion for learning will help you navigate the challenges and rewards of a nursing career successfully. Always remember that nursing is as much about compassion and patient care as it is about clinical skills and knowledge.
Accredited Undergraduate Nursing Programs in Alabama
The University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing (CCN) offers a bachelor of science in nursing degree program open to high school graduates, transfer students, and second-degree students. CCN also strives to offer programming to registered nurses who wish to advance their careers by returning to school.
As many nursing programs throughout the United States, the CCN BSN program features lower division, pre-nursing courses and upper division nursing training once students complete their pre-nursing requirements. The CCN BSN program features several critical elements, including mentoring by nursing faculty, multi-media classrooms, human patient simulators, and a learning resource center. Students also benefit from various clinical settings in the Tuscaloosa, Alabama area.
Graduates with good academic records and motivation can expect to be actively recruited by a variety of employers both within Alabama and throughout the nation.
- Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Auburn University was ranked the best Alabama university by U.S. News & World Report in 2024 and Forbes Magazine in 2023. Originally established in 1979, the Auburn University College of Nursing (AUCON) is guided by its mission to advance health and healthcare for all via a combination of excellence in practice, teaching, research and outreach. AUCON strives to sustain a diverse and inclusive learning environment as but one of many strategies to fulfill its mission.
AUCON offers several tracks for individuals seeking to become nursing professionals. AUCON tracks include pre-licensure, transfer, traditional BSN program, and RN-BSN tracks. The pre-licensure program is designed for high school graduates.
After completing general education and prerequisite coursework, pre-nursing students become eligible to apply to the upper-division BSN program in the autumn of their sophomore year. Transfer students follow a pathway fairly similar to the pre-nursing program option. The 122-credit traditional four-year program comprises 66 pre-nursing credits and 56 upper-division nursing coursework credits. Finally, the RN-BSN track offers two pathways for registered nurses seeking to advance their careers through additional education.
The traditional RN-BSN pathway is a three-semester program. In contrast, the concurrent RN-BSN pathway is a six-semester program designed for students with completed prerequisite coursework who have been accepted to an associate’s degree in nursing program at a community college. More details about AUCONs many undergraduate and graduate-level nursing programs can be found on its website.
- Location: Auburn, AL
- Duration: Three semesters to four years, depending on the program
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The Samford University Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing has trained nursing professionals for over a century. Samford University’s traditional four-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree program offers several appealing features. To begin with, the nursing school is recognized as a center of excellence by the National League for Nursing.
The program also features low student-to-teacher ratios in clinical practice settings, a state-of-the-art patient simulation center and skills lab, and diverse clinical opportunities in all major healthcare facilities in the Birmingham metro area. Opportunities for medical mission trips and study abroad are also available. Finally, this program is located in Birmingham, Alabama, one of the nation’s most advanced health care communities.
Nursing program graduates stand out based on both employment rates as well as rates of successfully passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). In 2021, nursing graduates had a ninety-five percent pass rate on this exam. In addition, many graduates go on to complete advanced degrees.
- Location: Birmingham, AL
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The University of North Alabama (UNA) has led nursing education since 1973. UNA offers several degree options for nursing professionals. These options include traditional and accelerated BSN programs, an RN-to-BSN program, and an RN-to-MSN bridge option program. Regardless of program, students can expect to develop knowledge, skills, and competencies that will prepare them to become skilled practitioners dedicated to quality, ethical care.
UNA’s traditional and accelerated BSN programs are designed for those with no nursing education and experience. The traditional program is a 125 credit hour four-year program. It is designed for students with no existing baccalaureate degree. The accelerated BSN program is a low residency program for students who already have a completed non-nursing baccalaureate degree. Upon completing BSN prerequisites, accelerated program students advance to clinical and non-clinical professional nursing coursework. Didactic nursing training is offered online, while clinical requirements are fulfilled face-to-face.
The RN-BSN and RN-MSN bridge programs are designed for existing nursing professionals. The RN-BSN program is a fully online program designed to help RNs attain their BSN in as little as one year. After completing one semester of UNA nursing courses students may transfer up to 30 credit hours from another institution. The RN-MSN bridge program allows students to earn a BSN while simultaneously accruing credit hours applicable toward an MSN degree. This program thus enables nursing professionals to secure an advanced nursing degree more quickly. More details on admission requirements for the bridge program and other programs can be found on the university website.
- Location: Florence, AL
- Duration: 15 months to four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Spring Hill College, known as Alabama’s leading Jesuit Catholic college, was established in 1830 as the first institution of higher learning in Alabama and is also the first Catholic college founded in the Southeast. Spring Hill was named a College of Distinction for its nursing programming. The College’s Jesuit tradition of “cura personalis”, namely care for a person’s body, mind, and spirit, fosters an atmosphere that stimulates a passion for both academic learning and personal growth. The College offers a four-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree program. The program is composed of traditional classroom instruction, clinical training experience, and the opportunity to collaborate with medical experts from the Gulf Coast.
The BSN program curriculum consists of pre-professional and professional phases. The pre-professional phase is available to all students who declare nursing as their major. This phase typically lasts the first three semesters of the full program. To be admitted to the professional phase, students must successfully fulfill all requirements and receive an affirmative response to their application upon review by the nursing faculty. The Spring Hill College program is noteworthy for its small class sizes and is also recognized as being one of the most affordable private colleges in the entire country.
- Location: Mobile, AL
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Accredited Graduate Nursing Programs in Alabama
The University of Alabama offers a master’s in nursing degree program in nursing practice. Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the 7th best online MSN for family nurse practitioner training in 2022, this UA program offers options to study family nurse practice or mental health. Each concentration requires 45 to 51 credits and can be completed with five (full-time study) to eight semesters (part-time study).
Students also have the option to complete a dual concentration in which they study in both areas. Dual-concentration students must complete 66 to 72 credit hours, may only study full-time, and can expect to complete the program in eight semesters within less than three calendar years. All options include a clinical training hours requirement, with the dual option requiring double the number of hours required for a stand-alone concentration.
After successfully completing their studies, students will be able to sit for the corresponding national certification exam. Dual-concentration students will be permitted to sit for both the psychiatric mental health and family nurse practitioner certification exams.
Prospective students must meet several requirements to be offered admission. In addition to academic performance requirements, students must also hold a current unencumbered RN license and be residents in a state-approved for admission. Currently, residents of only 29 states are eligible for admission to NP concentrations. Please see the UA website for full admissions and other details.
- Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
- Duration: Two to three years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
In addition to its quality undergraduate nursing programs, the Auburn University College of Nursing (AUCON) offers a master’s of science in nursing (MSN) degree program. Graduates are trained to assume leadership roles in both nursing education and advanced practice nursing roles. The MSN program offers students options in nursing education and primary care nurse practice.
The nurse educator MSN program is a 35-credit program that can be completed in as little as one three-semester (summer-fall-spring) sequence. The primary care nurse practitioner program is a 43-credit-hour program most students can expect to complete in six semesters (two summer-fall-spring cycles) over approximately twenty-four months. Both programs feature the same 24-credit-hour core coursework requirements. The remaining coursework is then designed according to specialization. The hybrid program offering is offered almost exclusively online but does require one to two on campus course meetings each semester.
Students are not required to complete a thesis to graduate but must complete a capstone paper. This paper typically outlines a plan for an evidence-based intervention. The type of intervention plan will correspond to the student’s specialization, namely in either education or primary care.
- Location: Auburn, AL
- Duration: 12 to 24 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Jacksonville State University offers an online graduate degree program in population health nursing. Graduates of the master of science in nursing (MSN) degree program in population health nursing are prepared to meet the health needs of vulnerable populations and communities both as they exist at present as well as how they are anticipated to be in the future. Students develop skills in population and community needs assessment, data analysis, health planning, and program development, implementation and evaluation. Students may develop expertise in a particular population during their course of study. Available population specialties include women and infants, children, teens, adults with chronic illness, geriatric clients, infectious disease clients and still more. The curriculum incorporates topics such as disaster management, systems leadership, and quality and safety. A practicum is also required to graduate the program.
Students may also choose one of two concentrations to further hone their skills. These concentrations are in nursing education and emergency management. In addition to the aforementioned skills, nursing education concentration students also develop the educator skills necessary to teach in numerous settings including colleges of nursing, clinical agencies and hospitals. Nursing educator concentration students select a practicum with a teaching focus. Emergency management concentration students develop advanced knowledge in emergency preparedness, planning and management and thereby become qualified to work in nursing roles that require disaster response and management skills.
- Location: Jacksonville, AL
- Duration: Twenty-four to twenty-seven months depending on program and pace of study
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The University of Mobile describes itself as a “Christ-centered academic community” that provides liberal arts education and professional programs. The university’s mission is to provide such programs to foster both intellectual and spiritual development to fulfill students’ professional callings. A commitment to compassion and loving service infuses the entirety of its academic program offerings.
The University of Mobile offers an online master’s of science in nursing (MSN) degree program. Students may choose family nurse practice (FNP) or nurse leadership concentrations. The family nurse practitioner program graduates are prepared to create and manage patient treatment plans, diagnose patients, prescribe medication, and emphasize disease prevention and health management in patient care. FNPs are ultimately trained to work with patients in various contexts, including as individuals, groups, and family units.
FNPs also develop clinical expertise in the university’s Center for Excellence in Healthcare Practice. Nursing leadership students develop the skills necessary to provide the leadership, innovation, and analytical skills needed to work in various evolving and potentially complex healthcare settings. Nurse leadership students complete clinical practicum experiences with nursing executive leaders. The curriculum also focuses on the impact of nursing practice on both healthcare policy and financing.
- Location: Mobile, AL
- Duration: 15 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Nursing School Accreditation
Academic nursing programs are typically accredited by one of two accrediting organizations. These are the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Accreditation is a process that provides critical value to both nursing education programs and prospective and current nursing students. Accreditation authenticates the capacity of an academic program to deliver the education necessary to produce skilled professionals capable of working in a certain discipline.
Conversely, accreditation provides prospective and enrolled students peace of mind. By knowing an academic degree program is accredited, students can be confident their decision to pursue a degree will be a worthwhile investment of their time and money.
In Alabama, nursing professionals seek and renew their licenses through the Alabama Board of Nursing. Licensure requirements typically vary according to state and the type of nurse a person is. Therefore, prospective nursing professionals should clearly understand these requirements before embarking on a course of study.
Some states are considered nurse licensure compact states. Alabama is one such state. A nurse licensure compact state permits nurses to practice in multiple states using a single license they may not necessarily have obtained in the state where they seek to primarily practice. An advantage of this licensure portability model is that it reduces nurses’ time navigating bureaucracy before being permitted to practice in a state they have just moved to.
Continuing education is generally required to maintain and renew a nursing license. If a nurse decides to move out of state or pursue work in a different specialization, the nurse may need to fulfill additional education or other requirements to practice elsewhere.
How Much Do Nurses Make in Alabama?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2023—the latest data available as of August 2024. Certified nurse midwife salary data from August 2024 is available from Salary.com.
Licensed Practical Nurse Salaries
| United States | Alabama | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 630,250 | 10,250 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $60,790 | $48,320 |
| 10th percentile | $45,670 | $33,710 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $59,730 | $48,330 |
| 90th percentile | $77,870 | $61,530 |
Registered Nurse Salaries
| United States | Alabama | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 3,175,390 | 50,450 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $94,480 | $71,370 |
| 10th percentile | $63,720 | $50,310 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $86,070 | $65,900 |
| 90th percentile | $132,680 | $92,870 |
Nurse Anesthetist Salaries
| United States | Alabama | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 47,810 | 1,290 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $214,200 | $173,370 |
| 10th percentile | $139,980 | $94,230 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $212,650 | $179,790 |
| 90th percentile | >$239,200 | $221,020 |
Nurse Midwife Salaries
| United States | Alabama | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 6,960 | No data available |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $131,570 | No data available |
| 10th percentile | $87,320 | $95,664 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $129,650 | $113,041 |
| 90th percentile | $177,530 | $141,834 |
Nurse Practitioner Salaries
| United States | Alabama | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 280,140 | 4,220 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $128,490 | $110,020 |
| 10th percentile | $94,530 | $82,340 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $126,260 | $103,830 |
| 90th percentile | $168,030 | $136,190 |
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensure in Alabama
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
In order to earn a license as an LPN in Alabama, candidates must:
| LPNs must renew their licenses in Alabama every odd-numbered year by completing 24 contact hours of continuing education from a board-approved education provider, submitting an application, and paying a renewal fee of $100 plus $3.50 transaction fee. |
Registered Nurse (RN) Licensure in Alabama
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Board of Nursing | In order to earn a license as a registered nurse in Alabama, candidates must:
| In order to renew a registered nursing license in Alabama, nurses must:
If a nurse’s license is under the multistate practice privilege, they do not need to pay renewal fees or complete continuing education. However, they must maintain licensure in their original state. |
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Licensure in Alabama
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
To practice in Alabama, CNSs must:
|
In order for CNSs to renew their license in Alabama they must complete 24 hours of continuing education. of which six hours must be in pharmacology. Renewals for CNS are every two years when their RN license expires, or when their national certification expires, whichever is first. |
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) Licensure in Alabama
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
Certified nurse midwives (CNM) in the state of Alabama must:
|
Alabama licensed CNMs must renew their license when their national certification expires or when their RN license expires, whichever comes first. To renew they must have 24 hours of continuing education from an approved provider, including six hours in pharmacology. |
Nurse Practitioner (NP) Licensure in Alabama
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
To be licensed as a Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP) in the state of Alabama applicants must:
|
CNPs in Alabama must renew their license when their national certification expires or when their RN license expires, whichever comes first. Renewal requirements include 24 hours of continuing education from approved providers, including six hours in pharmacology. |
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Licenses in Alabama
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| To practice in Alabama, CRNAs must:
|
CRNAs who are licensed in Alabama must renew their license when their national certification expires or when their RN license expires, whichever comes first. Renewals must be accompanied by 24 hours of continuing education from an approved provider, including six hours in pharmacology. |
Bernd Geels
WriterBernd Geels is a Berlin, Germany-based freelance writer and artist. He holds an undergraduate degree in atmospheric science and two graduate degrees. He completed his most recent graduate degree in international environmental studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in 2011. He is interested in healthcare, climate change, marine conservation, indigenous science and refugee issues. You can reach him directly at [email protected].
Rachel Drummond, MEd
WriterAt NursingColleges.com, Rachel Drummond has applied her extensive experience in education and mindfulness to elucidate the importance of self-care for nursing students since 2022. Through her writings, she underscores the role of mental and physical well-being in fostering resilient and compassionate healthcare professionals.
Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog, inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.