Utah is home to about 25 public and private higher education institutions, and many nursing students are also turning to online studies to kick off their careers. While hospitals remain the largest employer of nurses in the country, there are many other areas of health care to explore and various career paths to pursue.

Living and studying in Utah

Licensed practical nursing degrees from online or on-campus schools are the first step for those who dream of advancement to registered nurse status. Among the many Utah nursing schools online are the following:

• University of Phoenix
• Kaplan University
• Walden University
• Grand Canyon University

Another option is to earn a bachelor's or master's degree at schools such as Brigham Young University, Weber State University, Utah Valley University and the University of Utah. One can continue with the University of Utah's RN-BS online program, which is specifically designed for nurses continuing their education, and available as a part-time program.

In their free time, students can enjoy the Beehive State's seven national monuments, five national parks and two national recreation areas. The top urban areas are Salt Lake City--the state capital, West Valley City, Provo and Sandy. The U.S. Census Bureau reports a rapid increase in the state population, with 23.8 percent growth between 2000 and 2010, compared to the national average of 9.7 percent.

Careers for graduates of Utah nursing schools online

Nursing graduates may consider specializing in teaching and training, health care administration, or perhaps follow steps to become a nurse practitioner or doctor of nursing practice. The forensic nursing field is an often-overlooked choice in the nursing industry.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics data for 2010 shows that RNs in Utah earned a mean annual salary of $60,530, while the mean yearly wage for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses was $40,160, just above the figure of $40,120 for all occupations in the state.