Nursing in Vermont
Work as a Nurse in One of the Healthiest States#4
in the U.S. for children’s healthcare
#1
Healthiest State in the U.S.
2022/2023
UVM Health Network Hospitals Recognized by
U.S. News & World Report
#18
UVM Ranks one of New England’s Best Nursing Schools
Your Path to Nursing in Vermont
Make a difference in a community that cares.
In Vermont, community hospitals focus on caring and teaching, working to keep family, friends, and neighbors healthy by combining small-town energy with cutting-edge care. Working in hospitals, care homes, schools, trauma centers, or one of Vermont’s ski areas means providing impactful care and making a difference in patients’ lives as part of a small, accessible community. Nurses can reconnect and find fulfillment in a naturally beautiful place with close access to outdoor recreation and vibrant, historic cities and village centers.
Caring for Vermont
More than 4,000 nurses work in Vermont in a range of settings, from schools to residential care to hospital and urgent care center nursing, with healthcare jobs making up 13% of Vermont’s workforce. Vermont is home to 14 non-profit hospitals, many of which are teaching hospitals, including eight small rural critical-access hospitals, one Level 1 Trauma Center, and a Veterans Administration hospital, and five inpatient psychiatric care centers. The state also has 35 certified Medicare and Medicaid nursing homes. Other settings where nurses find fulfilling work in Vermont include ski resorts, private practice, at schools, and as visiting nurses. The independent, governor-appointed Green Mountain Care Board analyzes and regulates Vermont’s health care system, while the Vermont Department of Health oversees public health policy and advocacy. Vermont hospitals are consistently acknowledged for patient safety and care and expertise in specialized procedures. Nursing in one of America’s healthiest states means you’ll be caring for a population that values your contribution.
Vermont is a Compact State
In February 2022, Vermont joined 35 other states in the Nurse Licensure Compact, enabling nurses who hold a RN, LPN, or VN license in one compact state to also hold a multistate license and practice in any other compact state, both in person and using telehealth. That means nurses with a multistate license can more easily relocate to Vermont, and those pursuing nursing education in Vermont will be able to use that education elsewhere within the Nurse Licensure Compact, providing more options. Nursing students can apply for a multistate license via exam upon graduation. Nurses who already live in Vermont are now eligible for a multistate specialty license, and for nurses who live in another compact state but have been considering relocating to Vermont, the barrier of licensure is removed.
Education
Those studying to become nurses in Vermont have a variety of options, from starting training in high school through Vermont Board of Nursing-approved programs to working toward a master’s degree or doctorate. The University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine is the state’s flagship research institution, offering medical student education, residencies, and fellowships. UVM also offers degrees in nursing and health sciences, with a nursing program ranked among the nation’s top 100 graduate programs in 2022.Vermont State University also offers programs in nursing, including a master of science program and a program designed for prospective nurse educators, as well as other allied health fields, including dental hygiene, at locations in Castleton, Norwich, and Randolph. Discover education options to become a nurse in Vermont from the Secretary of State’s office.
Funding Opportunities
Vermont colleges and trade schools offer a variety of scholarships for students entering the nursing profession, including work beyond hospital networks, such as schools and residential care facilities, from smaller grants to full tuition. Eligible fields of study include physical therapy, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, dental hygiene, and social work. Additionally, nurses studying outside Vermont, as well as MDs, dentists, APRNs, and PAs can apply for partial or complete loan forgiveness through a government-funded program administered by the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine if they work directly for a Vermont health care provider for one year for each year of forgivable loan awarded.
Resources and Tools
Get started with these resources for nurses.
Useful links for current and future nurses:
American Nurses Association Vermont
Office of Professional Regulation: Nursing Section
Vermont State School Nurses Association
Vermont State Nurses Association
Vermont State Board of Nursing
Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals
Healthcare
Vermont’s healthcare sector is an interconnected community of providers, insurers, policymakers, educators, nonprofits, and businesses serving Vermonter’s health needs. Learn more about the bigger picture nursing fits into.
Jobs
Whether you’re an individual looking for the perfect career opportunity, an employer looking for the ideal job candidate, or a training provider, check out the tools and services on Vermont JobLink and let Vermont work for you.
Regions
Vermont’s different regions offer a variety of experiences, from biggest city Burlington to the quieter, more rural Northeast Kingdom to historic southern Vermont, closer to Massachusetts and New York. Learn about which region suits you.
Further Reading
A Nursing Story by Pathways of Vermont
Pathways of Vermont is a documentary series of short career stories that examine the prevalent stereotype that a four-year college degree is the...
How to Transfer Your Nursing License to Vermont
Considering a career in nursing in Vermont? The Green Mountain State is a wonderful place for healthcare professionals to live, work, and develop...
Pandemic Helps Life Coach Narrow Her Business Focus
By Amanda Kuhnert Last summer Michelle Wiegers, a life coach based in Bennington, Vt., offered 30 hours of free coaching to 20 people suffering with...