Launch Your Nursing Career in Ohio

Online ABSN for Ohio Residents

Ohio is the place to become a Registered Nurse.

Jobs for Registered Nurses (RNs) are expected to increase 9.6 percent in Ohio by 2028, with an average of 8,360 openings each year.

The Huntington-Ashland area is one of the top ten metropolitan areas in the country for highest concentration of RN jobs, offering an annual mean wage of $64,240 according to the BLS. In nonmetropolitan areas, Northeastern and Southern Ohio have the fourth and fifth highest employment of RNs, and Southern Ohio has one of the top concentrations of RN jobs.

Buckeyes have a lot to brag about—including all the possibilities for your career. Engage next-level education, create new opportunities, improve patient outcomes as an RN in Ohio.

Ready to make a change? Let’s find the online ABSN program that’s right for you.

Get Started on Your Ohio Nursing Career Sooner

An Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program can be completed in under two years.

Nurses with a BSN are becoming the industry standard, with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing strongly encouraging nurses to obtain bachelor’s degrees. Employers are also seeking to fulfill the Institute of Medicine’s recommendation of an 80 percent bachelor-holding workforce.

Universities nationwide are offering a host of accredited, online ABSN programs with various specializations open to residents of Ohio. More than ever before, you can choose a career path that best suits your interests, background, and career goals.

How to Get Your Nursing License in Ohio

According to the Ohio State Board of Nursing, the state’s nursing licensure requirements are*:

• Graduation and transcripts from an approved ADN or BSN program 
• Passing score on the NCLEX exam
• Application and application fee of $75
• Criminal background check

Ohio is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. Nurses with an NLC license can practice in their home state and any other Compact state or US territory that honors the Compact.

* The information in this resource is up to date as of March 2024. Remember that state-specific requirements for licensure change often, so you should also check the official nursing board website for your state to verify the current standards.

Find Your Passion and Your Specialty as a Nurse in Ohio

Specializing gives nurses the opportunity to focus on a specific area of care and hone their clinical skills. Nurses who specialize can also choose from a wide variety of work environments.

Here are just a few examples of available nursing specialties:

• Clinical Development Specialist
• Geriatrics Specialist
• Hospice Nurse
• Home Health Care
• Infection Control
• Labor and Delivery Nurse
• Nurse Educator

With nearly 3 million nurses nationwide, those who pursue a specialty are in prime position to receive top pay in their field—especially as experience is gained.