University of Vermont Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
The Department of Nursing in UVM’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences sits in Burlington alongside the University of Vermont Medical Center and UVM Health Network—pairs that shape simulation, acute care, and community clinical experiences for Traditional BSN, Direct Entry, and DNP students.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
UVM emphasizes simulation, VR-enabled labs, and more than 594 hours of faculty-supervised clinical instruction in the Traditional BSN, with senior public-health immersion and a 126-hour practicum in a chosen focus area—while graduate students rotate through UVM Medical Center partnerships and rural sites that often require reliable transportation.
Overview & Why Students Choose University of Vermont
Thousands of aspiring nurses eye Vermont for its tight-knit communities and nationally visible academic health system. The University of Vermont anchors both: a public flagship on the shores of Lake Champlain that houses the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and collaborators across the University of Vermont Health Network.
UVM educates students across a Traditional BSN, Direct Entry (MEPN/DEPN) accelerated tracks for prior-degree holders, and Doctor of Nursing Practice pathways—pairing classroom instruction with community health, acute care, and advanced practice experiences that reflect northern New England’s population needs.
According to the outcomes table on UVM’s Professional Nursing program page, the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2024 was 96.49%, with national comparison data sourced alongside the University of Vermont and NCSBN. Confirm the newest cohort with UVM and the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation — Nursing Program.
Reasons students choose UVM
UVM Health Network integration
The Professional Nursing program highlights faculty clinicians and clinical access tied to Vermont’s largest academic health network.
Simulation & technology-forward labs
UVM markets high-fidelity simulation and virtual reality plus immersion experiences in acute care, public health, and global tracks approved by faculty.
Direct Entry for career changers
Accelerated pre-RN coursework feeds either MSN (MEPN) or DNP primary-care tracks (DEPN) once licensure is achieved—purpose-built for bachelor’s graduates outside nursing.
DNP with rural-ready NP training
FNP and AGNP concentrations include 69.5–76 credits, 800–1,000+ clinical hours, hybrid delivery options, and partnerships such as Appletree Bay Primary Care.
Transparent NCLEX reporting
UVM publishes multi-year NCLEX-RN outcomes beside national benchmarks, which helps applicants benchmark program performance while still confirming data with regulators.
Nursing Programs Offered
The listings below mirror UVM’s Department of Nursing and Graduate Catalogue pages as of this review. Separate degree_level, program_type, pathway, and delivery fields help clarify scope: UVM combines pre-licensure (BSN, Direct Entry pre-RN year) with graduate APRN education (MSN/DNP) rather than mixing them into one undifferentiated list.
Pre-licensure & undergraduate professional nursing
Traditional BSN (Professional Nursing, B.S.)
degree_level: BSN · program_type: pre-licensure · pathway: Traditional · delivery: on-campus, full-time. 123 credits; clinical starts sophomore year with 594 faculty-supervised hours; senior public-health immersion plus 126-hour practicum.
Direct Entry MEPN / DEPN (accelerated pre-RN)
degree_level: ends at MSN (MEPN) or DNP (DEPN) · program_type: pre-licensure year + graduate · pathway: second-degree / MEPN-DEPN · delivery: full-time, year-round coursework. For DEPN, UVM awards a certificate after year one (no BSN) before DNP coursework; verify credit/clinical totals with the catalog.
Graduate & doctoral nursing
Doctor of Nursing Practice (FNP / AGNP)
degree_level: DNP · program_type: graduate, post-licensure APRN · pathway: BSN-to-DNP · delivery: on-campus + hybrid/online mix. 69.5–76 credits, 800–870 clinical hours plus DNP project practicum; March 30 application deadline listed on the DNP page.
Post-Master’s DNP
degree_level: DNP · program_type: post-master’s · pathway: Primary Care NP or Executive Nurse Leader · delivery: hybrid components per course.
The University of Vermont Graduate Catalogue states that the Nursing Accelerated Master’s Program, MSN – Clinical Nurse Leader, and Direct Entry Clinical Nurse Leader (DCNL) were not accepting applications at the time of that page’s publication. Confirm whether those pathways have reopened before you plan prerequisites or NursingCAS submissions.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
The Vermont Office of Professional Regulation licenses RNs, but the most detailed public table located during this review came directly from UVM’s Professional Nursing outcomes disclosure (multi-year NCLEX-RN percentages with NCSBN national comparisons). A separate UVM graduate page references a different 2024 aggregate; when sources differ, treat board filings and the program’s official disclosures as the tie-breakers you verify in real time.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (2024) | 96.49% (UVM-reported; Professional Nursing outcomes table) |
| National comparison noted by UVM (2024) | 89.7% (UVM cites NCSBN national data in the same table) |
| Additional recent years (UVM table) | 2023: 96.15% · 2022: 89.52% · 2021: 87% (all UVM-reported) |
| Source | University of Vermont — Professional Nursing (Outcomes); Vermont Office of Professional Regulation — Nursing. Confirm the latest cohort with both. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and reporting methodology. Always confirm the newest school-specific rate with UVM and the Vermont nursing regulator before making application decisions.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
UVM’s materials underline that nursing applicants from outside the United States must coordinate English proficiency, credential evaluation, Vermont RN licensure rules, and visa limitations simultaneously—requirements evolve, so treat this list as guidance only.
- English-language proficiency: Submit TOEFL/IELTS or other proof that meets UVM International admissions thresholds for your academic level.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Use evaluators accepted by UVM Graduate Admissions or the Office of International Education.
- Vermont OPR Nursing: Internationally educated nurses must follow Vermont’s licensure-by-endorsement or NCLEX eligibility steps documented by the Office of Professional Regulation.
- F-1 employment & clinical training: The DNP page explains that UVM generally cannot authorize off-campus paid nursing employment through CPT due to curricular structure; on-campus work may be limited and UVM Medical Center is not considered on-campus employment. Post-completion OPT is referenced, but the program is not STEM-OPT eligible—email internationalstudents@uvm.edu for authoritative guidance.
- New York clinical restriction: UVM warns that students cannot complete licensure-track clinical preceptorships in New York because of NYSED rules—plan alternate states if you live near the border.
Policies change frequently. Verify with UVM Global Programs, Graduate Admissions, and Vermont OPR Nursing before you invest in relocation.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Undergraduate Professional Nursing applicants must satisfy general UVM admission criteria and should attend CNHS information sessions for prospective transfers or graduate students when exploring pathways. Graduate DNP applicants apply through NursingCAS, must hold (or obtain prior to clinicals) a Vermont RN license, meet GPA thresholds, and submit recommendations; practice experience is preferred.
Application timeline
| Program | Deadline / resource | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional BSN | UVM Undergraduate Application Deadlines | Deadlines vary for first-year vs transfer; confirm the catalog year you are targeting. |
| Doctor of Nursing Practice | March 30 (listed on UVM DNP page) | Submitted via NursingCAS; supplemental materials per checklist. |
| Direct Entry (MEPN/DEPN) | Not publicly disclosed on the pages reviewed | Monitor Graduate Catalogue — Nursing and NursingCAS for reopen dates. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA (DNP) | ≥ 3.0 college GPA (per UVM DNP admissions list) |
| TEAS / HESI | Not stated on Professional Nursing overview; confirm with Undergraduate Admissions if exams are required for your applicant type. |
| GRE | Not required for DNP; optional if submitted (per UVM DNP page) |
| Prerequisites (DNP sample) | Statistics and basic physical assessment cited on DNP page—complete per catalog year. |
Honest tips
Document patient-care exposure and leadership in your essays even if formal acceptance stats are unpublished. Direct Entry candidates should map finances for year-round accelerated study and NCLEX timing. DNP seekers should confirm Vermont RN licensure timing before clinical courses and plan travel for rural practicums if they lack a vehicle.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
UVM publishes semester-based tuition, a comprehensive fee, and—important for nursing students—a $500 College of Nursing and Health Sciences program fee per semester when enrolled in 9–11 or 12–19 credits. Housing, meals, travel, books, insurance, and graduate tuition are billed separately.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Nursing (12–19 credits, 2026–27, VT resident) | $8,469 tuition + $1,529 comprehensive fee + $500 CNHS program fee = $10,498 per semester (~$20,996 academic year subtotal) |
| Undergraduate Nursing (12–19 credits, 2026–27, non-resident) | $23,327.50 tuition + $1,529 comprehensive fee + $500 CNHS program fee = $25,356.50 per semester (~$50,713 academic year subtotal) |
| Average on-campus food & housing (2026–27, UVM table) | $7,342 per semester (if living on campus) |
| Prior-year comparison (2025–26) | VT: $8,303 + $1,454 + $500 = $10,257/sem; Non-VT: $22,323 + $1,454 + $500 = $24,277/sem (still on UVM’s published table) |
| Graduate nursing (DNP, etc.) | See UVM’s program costs & funding link referenced on the DNP page; graduate per-credit rates differ from undergraduate. |
| Source | University of Vermont — Undergraduate Tuition and Fees. Confirm current amounts with Student Financial Services. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Vermont’s hospitals, federally qualified health centers, and long-term care networks recruit nationally but often prioritize clinicians willing to serve rural catchment areas—UVM’s network strengths can help graduates transition into those roles, though placement percentages are not publicly disclosed in the sources reviewed.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (2024) | 96.49% (UVM Professional Nursing outcomes table) |
| APRN certification exams (UVM-reported snapshot) | UVM’s DNP page references strong FNP/AGNP exam performance for a recent year; confirm cohort size and methodology on the live DNP site before quoting externally. |
| Job placement / employment rate | Not publicly disclosed in the inputs reviewed; see UVM career services or consumer information if published. |
| Source | UVM Professional Nursing; UVM DNP. |
Is University of Vermont the Right Fit for You?
UVM rewards planners: nursing students juggle rigorous science prerequisites, high clinical hour expectations, and—at the graduate level—travel across Vermont’s rural counties.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want a public flagship beside an academic medical center verified as a Level I adult trauma center (and related pediatric trauma resources—confirm current ACS verification with UVM Health).
- Prefer hands-on simulation plus a senior-year public-health immersion and customizable practicum block.
- Are second-degree learners targeting Direct Entry programming that feeds an MSN or DNP.
- Hope to practice in northern New England or similar rural systems after licensure.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need the lowest total cost of attendance without scholarships—non-resident tuition crosses $50K in academic charges alone before housing.
- Require fully online pre-licensure nursing (UVM’s Traditional BSN is on-campus/full-time).
- Expect paid clinical employment on an F-1 visa during the DNP—UVM outlines major CPT limitations.
- Need clinical placements in New York State—UVM states many licensure-track preceptorships cannot occur there.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Burlington functions as Vermont’s clinical capital: tertiary care, air-ambulance receiving centers, pediatric specialty hubs, and community clinics fan out along I-89 toward Montpelier and the Champlain Valley. That density lets UVM rotate students from high-acuity inpatient units to public-health fieldwork in smaller towns.
| Facility / system | Details |
|---|---|
| University of Vermont Medical Center | Flagship academic hospital in the UVM Health Network; referenced throughout UVM nursing clinical marketing. |
| UVM Health Network affiliates | Regional hospitals and ambulatory sites across Vermont and the adjacent region supply longitudinal experiences. |
| Community & public health partners | Professional Nursing curriculum includes dedicated public-health nursing and practicum partnerships with agencies statewide. |
| Primary care training (DNP) | UVM cites collaborative learning with NP-led practices such as Appletree Bay Primary Care for DNP students. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing department offices and mailboxes sit in the Rowell Building on Carrigan Drive, adjacent to other CNHS disciplines. Beyond class, students join professional associations, pursue faculty-led travel immersion in the senior public-health sequence, and plug into Burlington’s outdoors-oriented culture between Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains. Sigma Theta Tau and wellness collaborations (such as UVM Osher’s Compassionate Care for Nurses initiative) round out co-curricular life.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Burlington, VT
- Address
- 216 Rowell Building, 106 Carrigan Drive, Burlington, VT 05405, US
- Telephone
- (802) 656-3830
- Contact email
- nursing@uvm.edu
- Website
- uvm.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Visit the official University of Vermont Department of Nursing hub and download the current undergraduate or graduate handbook.
- Review the prerequisite course list in the school catalog and compare it to your transcripts.
- If required, register for the TEAS, HESI, or other entrance exam. Confirm on the admissions page which test and minimum scores apply for your target semester.
- Draft a list of questions for an admissions counselor or the nursing program advising office.
- Reach out to current nursing students or alumni (e.g. via LinkedIn) to ask about clinical experiences and satisfaction.
- Begin outlining your personal statement (graduate programs) or prepare interview talking points (pre-licensure applicants).
- Check the application deadline for your target term and set reminders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the University of Vermont CCNE-accredited for nursing?
UVM states its baccalaureate, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate nursing programs hold CCNE accreditation. It also notes the Master of Nursing program is newer and remains under accreditation review on the Professional Nursing page. Confirm current status with CCNE and UVM.
How long is the Traditional BSN at UVM?
The Professional Nursing curriculum is a 123-credit, on-campus, full-time BSN spanning four years of full-time study including summers as laid out in the catalog sample sequence.
What GPA do I need for UVM’s Doctor of Nursing Practice?
The DNP admissions page lists a college GPA of 3.0 or higher, Vermont RN licensure before clinical coursework, three recommendation letters, prerequisite coursework in statistics and physical assessment, and optional GRE submission.
Does UVM require TEAS for nursing?
Neither the Professional Nursing overview nor the DNP page reviewed here stated a TEAS requirement. Always confirm with Undergraduate Admissions for your applicant category.
What is University of Vermont’s latest published NCLEX-RN pass rate?
UVM’s Professional Nursing outcomes table lists a 96.49% first-time pass rate for 2024 with national comparison data attributed to NCSBN. Re-check UVM and Vermont regulators for the next reporting cycle.
Can I complete UVM nursing clinicals while living in New York?
UVM warns that NYSED rules prevent it from offering licensure-track clinical placements in New York for certain programs. If you reside near the border, plan rotations in Vermont or another approved state.
How much does a semester cost for a College of Nursing and Health Sciences undergraduate?
For 2026–27 at 12–19 credits, add tuition, comprehensive fee, and the $500 CNHS program fee (≈$10,498 in-state or ≈$25,356.50 non-resident per semester before housing). See Student Financial Services for your residency classification.
Does University of Vermont offer an accelerated BSN separate from Direct Entry?
UVM’s primary accelerated pathway for non-nursing bachelor’s graduates is the Direct Entry MEPN/DEPN structure rather than a stand-alone one-year ABSN conferring a BSN at completion; DEPN issues a certificate after the pre-RN year. Verify details in the Graduate Catalogue.
Where do I apply for UVM’s DNP?
UVM routes applicants to NursingCAS with a March 30 deadline on the program page—confirm whether the date moves for your entry term.
References
- University of Vermont — Department of Nursinguvm.edu/cnhs/nursing
- University of Vermont — Professional Nursing (BSN overview & NCLEX table)uvm.edu/cnhs/nursing/program/professional-nursing
- University of Vermont — Doctor of Nursing Practiceuvm.edu/cnhs/nursing/program/doctor-nursing-practice
- University of Vermont Catalogue — Graduate Nursingcatalogue.uvm.edu/graduate/nursing
- University of Vermont — Undergraduate Tuition & Feesuvm.edu/studentfinancialservices/undergraduate-tuition-and-fees
- Vermont Office of Professional Regulation — Nursing Programsos.vermont.gov/nursing
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for clinical-placement claims, CCNE wording, UVM tuition tables, and NCLEX sourcing consistency.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation — Nursing Program.
Published: April 1, 2026 · Last reviewed: April 1, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy