Overview
The first state to ratify the United States Constitution, Delaware is the second smallest state in the nation. Its three counties are made up of small to medium size towns. Wilmington is the largest of these with a population of just under 73,000. The national nursing shortage is less acute in Delaware, but there are still more vacancies than can be filled. Registered nurses are among the top 20 professions in the state, and the number of nurses is expected to continue growing.
Nursing Education in Delaware
The state offers a choice of just under 10 nursing schools, awarding diplomas to master’s degrees. A shortage of nursing instructors makes it difficult to fill nursing vacancies in the state. Most scholarships require Delaware residency. They are available through the University of Delaware and a number of companies, health care centers, and other organizations and agencies..
Outlook for Nursing in Delaware
The state's nursing shortage means that nurses are in demand. This is especially true for bilingual nurses who speak Spanish. Currently, only about one percent of Delaware nurses are Hispanic, while the state has seen a large influx of Spanish speakers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010 edition, the mean hourly wage for RNs in Delaware is just over $34.00.
Some of the top employers of Registered Nurses in Delaware include Christiana Hospital, Kent General Hospital, Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital, and Milford Memorial Hospital.
Nursing Degree Programs in Delaware
Transition programs for nurses:
Graduate programs for nurses:
- All Masters in Nursing Programs in DE
- All DNP and PhD in Nursing Programs in DE
- All Nurse Practitioner Programs in DE
Entry level nursing programs:
