💰 LPN vs RN Salary in New Mexico
LPN Salary
$62,000
Average Annual Salary
Entry-Level: $48,000
Experienced: $72,000
RN Salary
$92,000
Average Annual Salary
Entry-Level: $75,000
Experienced: $105,000
💸 Your Earning Potential: Upgrading from LPN to RN in New Mexico increases your salary by $30,000/year (48% raise). Over 30 years: +$900,000 in lifetime earnings!
New Mexico Regional Salary Breakdown
| Region/City | LPN Salary | RN Salary | Annual Increase |
|---|
| Albuquerque | $64,000 | $95,000 | +$31,000 |
| Santa Fe | $63,000 | $93,000 | +$30,000 |
| Las Cruces | $59,000 | $88,000 | +$29,000 |
| Farmington | $60,000 | $90,000 | +$30,000 |
| Rio Rancho | $63,000 | $94,000 | +$31,000 |
🎓 Top LPN to RN Bridge Programs in New Mexico
1. Central New Mexico Community College (CNM)
Location: Albuquerque
Duration: 12-15 months
Cost: $8,000-$11,000
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2. University of New Mexico (UNM)
Location: Albuquerque
Duration: 18-24 months (BSN option)
Cost: $15,000-$22,000
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3. San Juan College
Location: Farmington
Duration: 15 months
Cost: $7,500-$10,500
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4. New Mexico State University (NMSU)
Location: Las Cruces
Duration: 15-18 months
Cost: $12,000-$16,000
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5. Clovis Community College
Location: Clovis
Duration: 15 months
Cost: $7,000-$9,500
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6. Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell (ENMU)
Location: Roswell
Duration: 15-18 months
Cost: $7,500-$10,000
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📋 Admissions Requirements
- Active New Mexico LPN License
- High School Diploma/GED
- Minimum GPA: 2.5-3.0
- Prerequisites: A&P I & II, Microbiology, Chemistry, Psychology, English, Math
- TEAS or HESI Entrance Exam
- Background Check & Drug Screening
- Immunizations: TB, Hepatitis B, MMR, Varicella, Tdap, Flu
- BLS CPR Certification
💵 Financial Aid & Scholarships
Federal Aid
- FAFSA: Pell Grants up to $7,395/year
- Federal Direct Loans
- NURSE Corps Scholarship: Full tuition + stipend
New Mexico State Aid
- New Mexico Lottery Success Scholarship: Covers tuition at public colleges
- New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship: For New Mexico residents
- NM Health Professional Loan Repayment Program: Up to $35,000 for service commitment
Top Employers with Tuition Assistance
- Presbyterian Healthcare Services
- Lovelace Health System
- UNM Hospital
- Christus St. Vincent
💻 Find LPN to RN Programs Near You --
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📈 Career Outlook in New Mexico
Growing Demand: New Mexico projects 14% RN job growth through 2034, driven by rural healthcare needs and aging population.
Top Employers
| Healthcare System | Location | New RN Salary |
|---|
| Presbyterian Healthcare Services | Albuquerque | $73,000-$98,000 |
| UNM Hospital | Albuquerque | $75,000-$100,000 |
| Lovelace Health System | Albuquerque | $72,000-$96,000 |
| Christus St. Vincent | Santa Fe | $71,000-$95,000 |
| Memorial Medical Center | Las Cruces | $70,000-$92,000 |
📜 New Mexico RN Licensing
New Mexico Board of Nursing Contact
New Mexico Board of Nursing
📞 Phone:
(505) 841-8340
📧 Email:
[email protected]
🌐 Website:
www.bon.nm.gov
📍 Address: 6301 Indian School Rd NE, Suite 710, Albuquerque, NM 87110
✅ New Mexico IS an eNLC State!
🎉 Multistate License Privilege: New Mexico participates in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC)!
- Hold ONE multistate license, practice in 40+ eNLC states
- No need for additional licenses when traveling or working in other compact states
- Telehealth nursing across state lines
- Greater job flexibility and mobility
License Requirements
- Graduate from approved program
- Application fee: $110
- NCLEX-RN exam through Pearson VUE
- Background check
- Renewal: Every 2 years, $93 fee
- CE: 30 contact hours per renewal cycle
🌅 Why Choose New Mexico?
1. eNLC Multistate License: Practice in 40+ states with one license!
2. Affordable Living: Lower cost of living compared to neighboring states
3. Diverse Practice Settings: Urban hospitals, rural clinics, tribal health, VA facilities
4. Quality of Life: 310+ days of sunshine, rich culture, outdoor recreation, no daylight saving time
5. Generous State Scholarships: NM Lottery Scholarship covers tuition for residents
💎 Return on Investment
| Category | Details |
|---|
| Program Cost | $7,000-$11,000 (Community College ADN) |
| Annual Salary Increase | +$30,000/year |
| Break-Even Point | 3-5 months |
| 10-Year Earnings Boost | +$300,000 |
| 30-Year Career Boost | +$900,000+ |
📚 NCLEX-RN Preparation
Official Resources
Top Prep Programs
- UWorld NCLEX (2,000+ questions)
- Kaplan NCLEX Prep
- HURST Review
- Saunders Comprehensive Review
- Mark Klimek Lectures (free)
Testing Centers in New Mexico
- Pearson VUE - Albuquerque
- Pearson VUE - Santa Fe
- Pearson VUE - Las Cruces
🚀 Start Your New Mexico RN Journey!
Earn $30,000+ more per year with eNLC multistate license!
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