In Nevada, the industry sector of education and health services provided more than 100,000 jobs in August 2011, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that this was a 4.6 percent increase from August 2010. Employment prospects and the lure of recreational and entertainment opportunities are drawing students to online nursing schools in Nevada.

Nursing has become a growth market in recent years due to the aging population, as well as the industry focus on preventive care and advances in patient care. The BLS reports that the mean annual wage for Nevada's 16,100 registered nurses was $75,320 in 2010. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses had a mean yearly salary of $50,150, higher than the average for all occupations in the state, which was $41,220 as of May 2010. Salaries vary by geographic region, specialty and the level of demand.

Nevada nursing schools, online and on-campus

Anyone considering this field should have a strong sense of compassion and an aptitude for coursework in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry and psychology. In addition, all states require nursing school graduates to pass a national licensing exam to obtain a license. Here are three typical paths to becoming an RN:

• A bachelor's degree
• An associate degree
• A diploma from an approved nursing program

Aside from various Nevada nursing schools online, students can also find traditional brick-and-mortar schools such as the University of Nevada, which has Las Vegas and Reno locations, and Nevada State College in Henderson. The state has plenty of Western character, great skiing and areas with a warm climate to attract residents.

Among the large health care employers in Las Vegas, the state's largest city, are Universal Health Services and Hospital Corporation of America. Together, they operate eight hospitals in Las Vegas, which has a population of nearly half a million. Nevada's other industries include communications equipment, chemicals, pet food and gaming.