Navigating Nursing Education and Licensure in Vermont

Vermont offers a unique landscape for aspiring and current nursing professionals. This article provides a comprehensive overview of nursing education pathways, licensure requirements, and career prospects in the Green Mountain State.

The Appeal of Nursing in Vermont

Vermont presents several compelling reasons to pursue a nursing career.

Quality Healthcare System: Vermont is known for its emphasis on patient care and preventative medicine. A Forbes data study ranked Vermont fifth among the best states for healthcare. Working in Vermont means being part of a system that values quality and compassionate care.
Community and Support: Vermont's tight-knit communities offer a supportive environment for healthcare professionals, fostering collaboration and professional growth.
Job Opportunities: With a thriving healthcare sector and high demand for skilled nurses, Vermont provides ample opportunities for career advancement and specialization.
Nurse-Staffing Ratios: Vermont is one of the few states that require hospitals to publish their nurse-staffing ratios. This transparency helps nurses choose employers and informs the public about healthcare decisions.
Compact State: Vermont is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, allowing nurses to practice in other NLC states with a single license.
Quality of Life: Vermont offers beautiful scenery, year-round outdoor recreation, and a strong sense of community.
Safety: Vermont residents are among the most likely in the country to be satisfied with their safety and are among the least likely to worry about violent crime.

Educational Pathways to Nursing in Vermont

Several educational paths lead to a nursing career in Vermont, each with its own advantages and requirements.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Program Overview: ADN programs typically take two years to complete and provide an entry-level practice foundation. The ADN program at Vermont Tech takes a career ladder progression approach to support entry and advancement in the profession. The program allows for the completion of the Practical Nursing (PN) certificate, followed by the Associate of Science in Nursing (ADN), which leads to eligibility for RN licensure in the state. Graduates may choose to continue on to the BSN or stop at the ADN. Provisions are available for students to enter at any point or reenter the program at any time.
Curriculum: The associate degree in nursing program includes academics integrated with clinical practice through simulation and guided real-world experiences in multiple clinical settings. The clinical rotation is a critical part of the program. It facilitates opportunities for students to put the classroom theory into practice and develop clinical skills in the areas of medical surgical nursing, pediatrics, obstetrics, and mental health nursing. By the end of the program, the AAS graduate will be able to evaluate interpersonal skills in professional practice, practice within the legal and ethical framework of nursing, evaluate, implement and assess a plan of care to help clients achieve optimal health, assume the role of a manager of care, and deliver care which maximizes the self-care of patients with diverse health care needs.
Career Advancement: Candidates who enroll in the associate degree in nursing (ADN) program to begin entry-level practice in the shortest time can open the doors to a world of opportunities with continued education. The ADN program has long been a solution for producing a steady stream of nurses. But those considering this path to nursing must consider a growing movement to limit graduates to positions outside the hospital setting. A contingent of employees seeking Magnet status may restrict employment to those with a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), which can be calamitous to new ADN graduates and the health care system as a whole.
Affordability: Community colleges provide the most affordable pathway to prospective nurses. The affordable tuition keeps students out of debt or reduces their financial responsibilities at the end of the program.
Vermont State University Program: Earn your Associate of Science in Nursing at Vermont State University and prepare to take your Registered Nursing (RN) licensure exam in just one year. Vermont State’s associate in nursing program is the second year in our unique 1+1+2 track in nursing education. Students who enter this year of the program are already Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) and are often working in nursing at the same time. The A.S. in Nursing degree program is year two of our career ladder approach to building nursing credentials.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Program Overview: BSN programs typically take four years to complete and provide a more comprehensive nursing education.
Curriculum: The curriculum, conducted in four academic years, provides balance between general and professional education. The major components of the curriculum are: required non-nursing courses, elective courses, and major nursing courses.
Career Prospects: BSN degrees offer more career potential, especially for further education.
University of Vermont Program: The University of Vermont a public university in Burlington, Vermont, offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program that can be completed in four years. Students prepare for nursing practice through a rigorous curriculum that promotes the care of individuals with illness and emphasizes health and disease prevention. Hands-on learning opportunities are given through 594 hours of direct faculty-supervised clinical instruction, where students apply theoretical knowledge drawn from the arts and sciences of evidence-based practice.
Vermont State University Program: Vermont State University combined Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Tech in July 2023. They offer a BSN program with small classes and more than 600 hours of clinical training that teaches students clinical judgment and reasoning skills for direct patient care. Their traditional four-year BSN program gives students hands-on learning opportunities in the nursing simulation centers and clinical rotations in Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York.

LPN-to-ADN Programs

Program Overview: Vermont Technical College is a public technical college in Randolph, Bennington, Brattleboro, and Williston, Vermont, that offers a licensed practical nurse (LPN) program, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program, and an RN-to-BSN program. Students who have already obtained their practical nursing (PN) certification are eligible to advance to their ADN program.
Hands-on Learning: Students are given hands-on learning opportunities in the state-of-the-art simulation center with six high-fidelity simulation labs.

RN-to-BSN Programs

Program Overview: These programs are designed for registered nurses with an ADN who wish to pursue a BSN degree.
Vermont Technical College Program: Vermont Technical College offers an RN-to-BSN program.

Accreditation

Accreditation is important when choosing a nursing program. The Vermont State University Practical Nursing Certificate Program, Associate of Science in Nursing Program (LPN-ADN), and RN-BSN Online Degree Completion Program are pursuing accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20037; phone 202-909-2487. The Vermont State University, Practical/Vocational Nursing Program, Associate Degree in Nursing Program, and Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Program, are pursuing accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20037; phone 202-909-2487.

Admission to Nursing Programs

Admission to nursing programs is competitive. The shortage of faculty, resources, and clinical spots pose limits to admitting the hundreds of candidates who apply for a spot in nursing schools in Vermont. To get the best advantage, you should attend information sessions - if available - complete prerequisite courses before applying to the program, and look for opportunities to obtain experience in healthcare. Check the application deadline date and submit the application, fee, and documents before the deadline. Prerequisite courses may include human anatomy and physiology, college chemistry, biology, and introduction to psychology.

Read also: Your Guide to Nursing Internships

Program Costs

For full-time students, the ADN program can be completed in five semesters. Vermont Tech requires completion of 70 credits to earn the degree. Tuition for nursing students is $13,608 per year for Vermont residents. Typical additional costs for nursing students include insurance, CPR certification, uniforms and supplies, graduation costs, criminal background check and health requirements, admissions test, textbooks, licensure exam fee, and state board registration.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available in the form of scholarships, loans, awards, and employment (see the section on Financial Aid in this catalogue).

Licensure Requirements in Vermont

In accordance with the Vermont Nursing Statutes, nurses must a valid license issued by the Vermont Board of Nursing before practicing in the state.

RN Licensure by Examination

To become an RN in Vermont, you must:

Graduate from an ADN or BSN program approved by the Vermont Board of Nursing.
Complete the online application in full and answer all questions.
Complete the Verification of Education Form. The nursing school must complete the form and place it in a sealed envelope. The form must be signed, dated, and have a visible school stamp or seal. Official transcripts must be included with the Form. The school may send the documents directly to the Board of Nursing or place it in sealed envelope so you may attach it, unopened, to the application.
Register for the NCLEX with Pearson Vue. As a candidate for licensure by examination, you must register with Pearson Vue at www.pearsonvue.com/nclex or at 866-496-2539 after graduating from the nursing program. Submit the registration and $200 fee when you submit the application to the Board.
Pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Once the Board of Nursing receives the requested documents, a completed application, and fee, it will notify Pearson Vue of your eligibility to test. The ATT will contain vital information regarding the scheduling of a test date. You must schedule and take the exam within 90 days or forfeit your fee and must re-register.
Complete an FBI background check and fingerprinting process to be issued a full license. Fingerprint-supported background checks are required for nursing licensure in Vermont. If you have done a criminal background check for OPR nursing licensure and have not had a lapse in licensure you DO NOT have to complete another criminal background check.
Submit the application fee of $75.
Have a Social Security Number, which is required for licensure.
Ensure all documents for completing the application must be sent to the Board of Nursing within one year from the receipt of application.

If you’ve graduated from a nursing program outside the United States less than five years ago, you must pass the NLCEX exam within five years of the graduation date. If you graduated from a nursing education program outside the United States more than five years ago, you must take the NCLEX exam through Vermont one time only.

Read also: Getting Into Nursing School

You may check the status of your application using the Board’s online portal. The Credential Evaluation Service report, once submitted, is valid for one year only.

Provisional License

A 90-day provisional license can be issued if all application requirements are complete EXCEPT for the official verification of licensure or the results of a criminal background check. Apply online and request your 90-day provisional license today. A 90-day provisional can only be issued once per applicant and cannot be extended.

RN Licensure by Endorsement

Apply for a license to practice by endorsement if you are licensed or certified in good standing in another jurisdiction where the qualifications and standards for registered nurses are similar to those in Vermont.

Complete the online application. Provide responses to all questions.
Complete Verification of Licensure. You must verify your original as well as your most recent state of licensure. You may initiate verification online through Nursys.com if the states are members of the NURSYS.
Submit the application fee of $175.

If you have been licensed in another state for 3 or more years, you may be able to apply for accelerated licensing.

APRN Licensure

To earn an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) license, you need to graduate with a master of science in nursing or doctor of nursing practice, pass the relevant board examination, and document your valid Vermont nursing license. You must send your official transcripts and document that you have completed graduate coursework in advanced pathophysiology, advanced assessment, and pharmacotherapeutics.

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If you have fewer than 24 months and 2,400 hours of experience as an APRN, you must have a collaborative provider agreement.

Criminal Background Checks

A criminal background check is not mandatory for licensure, but applicants must respond to the Vermont Mandatory Credential and Fitness Questions. All and any felony convictions or convictions of a crime related to the practice of the profession must be reported to the Office of Professional Regulation.

License Renewal

Registered nurses’ licenses are renewed on a biennial schedule. Licenses expire on March 31 on odd-numbered years. Candidates for renewal may submit the online request online before the expiration date. The renewal fee is $140. The renewal application fee is non-refundable. A renewal penalty ($25) will be charged for late renewals submitted less than 30 days late. Thereafter, the penalty will increase by $5.00 for every additional month or fraction of a month.

You must meet the program and practice requirements for renewal. The Board of Nursing frequently conducts audits to verify information submitted by licensees for renewal. If you are selected, you must submit a letter verifying your employment.

Vermont, unlike most states, requires active practice hours for renewing a nursing license rather than continuing education.

Before renewal, you must have one of the following: satisfy the RN renewal agreement; practice in an APRN role for 400 hours in the last two years or 960 hours in the last five years; present current certification by a national APRN certifying organization; or have a current collaborating provider agreement.

Verification of Licensure

Please log in to your online services account to request a verification of licensure. There is a $20 fee. The below forms can be used but are not required. Every state is different, please contact the receiving state. Verifications must be sent directly to OPR from the licensing authority.

Telehealth

Certain healthcare professionals licensed in another state can provide telehealth services to Vermonters or work in a Vermont facility.

Career Outlook and Salary in Vermont

The job outlook for registered nurses in Vermont is positive. Currently, the state employs 5850 RNs who earn an annual mean wage of $67,780. Nurses treat, teach, and lead in patient healthcare. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average mean wage for an RN in Vermont is $79,990, and it employs 6,930 nurses.

Hospitals and health care facilities across Vermont are facing a crisis in nursing that will be compounded by the retirement of more than half the workforce in the next decade. On a national level, jobs for registered nurses are expected to grow 15 percent over the next decade, which is faster than the average for all occupations, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Since sixty-one percent of RNs work in hospital settings, it is likely that hospitals will be most affected when a substantial segment of the workforce retires. The growing baby boomer population, which is expected to increase by 20 percent by 2030 and double by 2050 will create more opportunities for nurses and health care professionals. Greater access to health care coverage through the maligned Affordable Care Act will also increase the need for the services that registered nurses provide.

The national growth rate for registered nurses (RNs) is 6% between 2021-2031. However, Vermont has an RN growth rate of 10%, with a projected 450 annual RN openings between 2020-2030.

The RN job growth rate is one of the lowest in the country, projected to grow 8% between 2018 and 2028, compared to 12.1% nationally. Similarly, the NP job growth rate is 16.1%, higher than most jobs but lower than the national projected rate of 28.2%.

Salary Expectations

In Vermont, the average salary for RNs is $72,140. NPs earn $108,280. RNs with more than 10 years of experience earn an average $146,680, according to Indeed.com as of April 2022, while those with less than one year earn $112,230.

Highest-Paying Cities

Burlington is Vermont’s only major metropolitan area. It is home to most of Vermont’s largest employers, including the University of Vermont, Fletcher Allen Health Care, Rutland Regional Medical Center, Ben & Jerry’s, Seventh Generation, and many small manufacturers.

Top Paying Metropolitan Areas: Burlington - South Burlington: $72,360 (Median Salary for RNs)

Vermont State University RN Program

This program will follow the traditional academic schedule as defined by Vermont State University. While enrolled in the RN program at VTSU, students will work their regular job 48 hours per pay period. Students are responsible for paying all tuition and fees. For graduates who commit to working at their respective partner location for two years, they will reimbursed in one-half increments for all out-of-pocket tuition, fee, and books costs beginning one year after graduation.

UVM Health Partners

Being a full-time employee in a UVM Health Vermont partner is a requirement for application and enrollment.

Each VT UVM Health partner will determine the number of seats it can support annually. Partner-specific waitlists may be utilized depending on eligible applicant numbers. Application materials and interviews will determine how employees are initially placed on the partner waitlists. Individuals who do not meet the initial program deadline for consideration may submit a complete application for their partner’s waitlist. After the initial program deadline, employees applying directly to the waitlist will be reviewed in the order that applications are received, should seats become available.

Transfer Credits

VTSU will review the courses and grades on your transcript to determine whether they meet the requirements for this program. You will need to complete the RN Program curriculum through VTSU (coursework and lab/clinical instruction) in its entirety.

Tax Implications

The amounts paid under this Program have tax implications. Amounts that are paid to your educational institution for tuition, fees, books, supplies, or other expenses constitute payments under an educational assistance program described in Section 127 of the Internal Revenue Code and are therefore excludable up to $5,250 per calendar year. These taxes will be withheld from your regular earnings, resulting in a reduction to your usual paycheck.

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