[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Become a nurse or advance your career in Virginia. The state offers over 60 nursing programs at the associate, bachelor, and doctoral levels. This guide can help you choose the right program for your career goals.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Learn about the best nursing schools in Virginia, how to earn your registered nurse (RN) or an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) license, and salary expectations.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The Best Nursing Schools in Virginia[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The following list includes the top nursing programs in Virginia. Because unaccredited programs offer such high risk and limited rewards, this guide [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//what-is-accreditation/”]only includes accredited programs[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Our Methodology[/hen-ui-text]: We use a [hen-ui-link href=”/methodology/”]data-driven methodology[/hen-ui-link] to rank the best nursing schools in Virginia, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including: academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.[/hen-ui-text]
We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools. from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
#1
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA
4 year
Campus + Online
Accredited
The school of nursing at the University of Virginia offers seven post-master's certificates, including an adult-gerontology acute care clinical nurse specialist (AGCNS) program. The curriculum covers advanced diagnostics and theoretical skills to prepare students for AGCNS certification.
Enrollees complete 500 clinical hours, often at the renowned UVA Medical Center. UVA also provides mentorship opportunities with palliative care experts.
10%
Online Enrollment
$16,578
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State
97%
Retention Rate
$27,770
Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
24%
Students Enrolled
25,012
Institution Type
Public
#2
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
4 year
Campus + Online
Accredited
James Madison University provides a flexible MSN curriculum for nurses looking to further their careers. The nurse administrator and clinical nurse leader concentrations hold classes almost entirely online. Other specializations include a hybrid format.
Depending on the chosen concentration, master's students must complete 400-650 clinical hours. JMU allows flexible practicum placement to accommodate the high number of working students.
8%
Online Enrollment
$10,848
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State
89%
Retention Rate
$27,888
Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
77%
Students Enrolled
21,820
Institution Type
Public
#3
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA
4 year
Campus
Accredited
The University of Mary Washington offers a nursing BSN program tailored to RNs with a hospital diploma or associate degree. The one-year program includes online and hybrid classes in a part- or full-time format.
The curriculum combines core nursing classes with three liberal arts courses. Students complete a capstone course that includes a seminar and 45 hours of field experience.
13%
Online Enrollment
$ 8,676
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State
80%
Retention Rate
$18,396
Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
75%
Students Enrolled
4,488
Institution Type
Public
#4
Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg, VA
4 year
Campus + Online
Accredited
As an affiliate of the Mennonite Church USA, Eastern Mennonite University includes core values, such as service, agape love, and empathy in its MSN programs. With many online classes and flexible practicum requirements, nurses work while studying.
EMU offers three MSN concentrations: leadership and school nursing, leadership in trauma awareness and resilience, and leadership and management. Each includes 250 clinical hours that students may fulfill at their current position.
24%
Online Enrollment
$14,400
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State
85%
Retention Rate
$14,400
Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
65%
Students Enrolled
1,358
Institution Type
Private
#5
Wytheville Community College
Wytheville, VA
2 year
Campus + Online
Accredited
Wytheville Community College's associate nursing degree program prepares students for the NCLEX-RN. The institution prioritizes affordable and accessible education.
After completing one semester of prerequisite courses, students can apply to the associate nursing program. The two-year curriculum includes healthcare concepts, microbiology, statistical reasoning, and a nursing capstone.
61%
Online Enrollment
N/A
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State
54%
Retention Rate
N/A
Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
N/A
Students Enrolled
2,450
Institution Type
Public
#6
Averett University
Danville, VA
4 year
Campus
Accredited
Averett University combines online courses with onsite labs and clinical rotations through its nursing program in Virginia. Anyone with a non-nursing bachelor's degree or 60 undergraduate credits can apply to Averett's accelerated BSN program.
The 16-month curriculum prepares students for the NCLEX-RN. Courses include global health perspectives, client-centered care, and almost 600 clinical hours.
43%
Online Enrollment
N/A
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State
68%
Retention Rate
N/A
Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
65%
Students Enrolled
894
Institution Type
Private
#7
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA
4 year
Campus + Online
Accredited
Virginia Commonwealth University provides various doctorate options to nurses who want to become leaders and executives. The primarily online classes provide professionals flexibility in their studies.
RNs with a bachelor's degree can pursue the post-BS-to-DNP track, which takes three years to complete. Those with a master's degree may opt for the two-year post-master's-to-DNP program. No matter the path, enrollees can select one of three nurse practitioner concentrations: psychiatric mental health, family, or adult-gerontology.
31%
Online Enrollment
$12,701
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State
83%
Retention Rate
$26,039
Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
87%
Students Enrolled
29,757
Institution Type
Public
#8
New River Community College
Dublin, VA
2 year
Campus + Online
Accredited
New River Community College's associate nursing program prepares enrollees to become RNs. Graduates may work in hospitals, physician offices, clinics, and school systems. NRCC offers advanced placement to LPNs seeking an associate degree.
The curriculum covers professional nursing and healthcare concepts with extensive supervised fieldwork. The program finalizes with a practicum nursing capstone experience.
49%
Online Enrollment
N/A
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State
60%
Retention Rate
N/A
Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
N/A
Students Enrolled
4,332
Institution Type
Public
#9
Lord Fairfax Community College
Middletown, VA
2 year
Campus + Online
Accredited
Students at Lord Fairfax Community College can take nursing courses at either the Middletown or Fauquier campus. LFCC has offered nursing programs since 1995 and currently provides practical nursing and ASN programs.
Aspiring RNs can complete the associate program to prepare for the NCLEX-RN. Registered LPNs can apply for the advanced placement ASN program and complete it in four semesters rather than five.
41%
Online Enrollment
N/A
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State
65%
Retention Rate
N/A
Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
N/A
Students Enrolled
6,716
Institution Type
Public
#10
Germanna Community College
Locust Grove, VA
2 year
Campus
Accredited
Germanna Community College helps students launch their health careers through short, focused programs. Aspiring nurses can choose the online general studies pre-BSN program or the two-year RN program.
Students can also pursue several certificate programs. The practical nursing certificate prepares graduates for the LPN licensure exam. This curriculum covers applied pharmacology, mental health, and practical nursing trends.
40%
Online Enrollment
N/A
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State
64%
Retention Rate
N/A
Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
N/A
Students Enrolled
7,225
Institution Type
Public
[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Choose a Nursing Program in Virginia[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]When choosing from the many nursing schools in Virginia, consider how well the school matches your needs and background. The NCLEX-RN pass rate, for example, is an excellent measure of program quality.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Financial aid and costs, including tuition, make up important considerations, as do the logistics of attending. If you plan to attend an online nursing program in Virginia, find out about getting clinical placement in your community.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why Become a Nurse in Virginia[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]More than 70,000 nurses work in Virginia. While annual earnings may rank slightly below national figures, the [hen-ui-link href=”https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series” target=”_blank”]cost-of-living index[/hen-ui-link] is 100, which is at the national level.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Virginia is a [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncsbn.org/nurse-licensure-compact.htm” target=”_blank”]Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)[/hen-ui-link] state, which means your nursing license can transfer to all participating states.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Virginia is also full of beautiful scenery, outdoor recreation, and charming cities. The close proximity to Washington, D.C. allows for access to its many historical attractions as well.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Virginia[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The average annual salary for an RN in Virginia is $88,350, which is slightly lower than the national average of $94,480 for RNs, according to BLS data. For NPs, the average salary increases to $120,870, which is also slightly lower than the national average NP salary of about $128,000, reports the BLS.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]RN jobs in Virginia are projected to grow 4% from 2022-2032, which is slightly below national average projections. Since Virginia is an NLC state, you can attend nursing school in Virginia, earn your license, and work in another participating state if you choose.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The highest-paying cities for nurses in Virginia vary greatly in total population and number of nursing positions available. More than 12,000 nurses work in Richmond alone, while Charlottesville has just 3,440, by comparison. The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area offers the highest average salary for nurses at $83,490, though the cost of living in this area is much higher.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Highest Paying Cities for Nurses in Virginia[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Top Paying Metropolitan Areas[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Median Salary for RNs[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Washington-Arlington-Alexandria[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$83,490[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Richmond[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$77,210[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$70,620[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Winchester[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$70,550[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Staunton-Waynesboro[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$69,590[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Charlottesville[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$68,940[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] Source: BLS [hen-ui-article-card title=”Nurse Salary in Virginia” href=”/state/virginia/rn-salary/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Virginia[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Virginia only accepts [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Nursing/ApplicantResources/ApplyforLicense/RegisteredNurse/” target=”_blank”]online applications for a new RN license[/hen-ui-link]. You must have a nursing degree, pass a criminal background check, submit an application fee of $190, and pass the NCLEX-RN examination.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]RN Requirements[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/rn-licensing-requirements-by-state/”]RN requirements[/hen-ui-link] in Virginia remain similar to other [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/rn-licensing-requirements-by-state/”]state requirements[/hen-ui-link]. You need either a license from an NLC state or a Virginia license, an [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/adn/”]ADN[/hen-ui-link] or a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/”]BSN[/hen-ui-link] degree, a passing score on the NCLEX-RN exam, and a criminal background check. Include evidence of at least 500 direct-care hours from your clinical placement or experience as an RN in another state. The [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/nursing/” target=”_blank”]Virginia State Board of Nursing website[/hen-ui-link] includes the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.license.dhp.virginia.gov/apply/Forms/Nursing/RNLPN_Exam_Instr.pdf” target=”_blank”]full process and licensure requirements[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]APRN Requirements[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To become an [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/advanced-practice-nursing/”]APRN[/hen-ui-link] in Virginia, you need an existing Virginia RN license or a multistate license from an NLC state. You must also have an [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/msn/”]MSN[/hen-ui-link] or a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/dnp//”]DNP[/hen-ui-link] degree.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you attended nursing school in Virginia, your school should send an attestation that you graduated. If you didn’t attend a nursing program in Virginia, your school must send a full transcript. Submit proof of your board certification as well.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you are applying for prescription authority, include evidence that you took the required pharmacology courses or continuing education. The [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/nursing/” target=”_blank”]state’s board of nursing[/hen-ui-link] lists the full requirements and process.[/hen-ui-text]
[/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Other Top Nursing Programs in Virginia[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-grid columns=”1″ columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-article-card title=”Top RN to BSN Degree Programs in Virginia” href=”/state/virginia/rn-bsn-programs/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card] [hen-ui-article-card title=”Top Virginia BSN Degree Programs” href=”/state/virginia/bsn-programs/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card] [/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing in Virginia[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-separator /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How do I get a Virginia nursing license?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You must apply to the Virginia [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/nursing/” target=”_blank”]State Board of Nursing[/hen-ui-link]. Applicants need a BSN or an ADN, at least 500 fieldwork hours, a clear criminal background check, and a passing score on the NCLEX-RN exam. If you have a multistate license from an NLC state, you can practice in Virginia. However, if you establish residency in Virginia, you need to apply for a Virginia license.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How do I get a temporary nursing license in Virginia?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you have a multistate license from an NLC state, you can practice in Virginia. Although, if you move permanently to Virginia, you must apply for a Virginia license (you can work while your application is being processed). Because of COVID-19, Virginia offers temporary waivers for certain licensing requirements. Check the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Nursing/AbouttheBoard/News/COVIDI19/Content-579044-en.html” target=”_blank”]board of nursing website[/hen-ui-link] for details.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How many nursing programs does Virginia have?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Virginia offers more than 50 nursing programs that offer ADN or BSN degrees and even more offer nursing certificates.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Who Issues Virginia nursing licenses?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Virginia [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/nursing/” target=”_blank”]State Board of Nursing[/hen-ui-link] issues nursing licenses. You must have an ADN or a BSN, receive a clear background check, pass the NCLEX-RN examination, and have at least 500 hours of clinical fieldwork (or experience as an RN in another state). You can review the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.license.dhp.virginia.gov/apply/Forms/Nursing/RNLPN_Exam_Instr.pdf” target=”_blank”]full process and requirements[/hen-ui-link] online.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Find Nursing Programs in Other States[/hen-ui-heading]
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