ADN Programs in Virginia

2023 Best ADN Programs in Virginia

Navigating the vast array of ADN programs in Virginia can pose a challenge to prospective students. With 63 options and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accrediting 28 of them, how does one pinpoint the best programs to apply to?

A key indicator lies in the NCLEX passing rate. This standardized exam ensures newly graduated nurses possess the necessary skills and knowledge for safe and effective practice. In Virginia, the passing rate fluctuates between 23.50% and a perfect 100.00%, painting a wide spectrum of program success.

An ideal approach starts with identifying the programs with the highest passing rates. They signify the caliber of education, preparation for real-world scenarios, and the program’s commitment to student success.

Furthermore, the duration of the program factors into the decision-making process. An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) typically takes between 18 to 24 months to complete. The prospective student should consider this timeframe when weighing the commitment against personal obligations and career aspirations.

Therefore, to find the best fit among the ADN programs in Virginia, examine NCLEX passing rates, consider the length of study, and gauge how these elements align with personal goals and lifestyle.

2025 8th Annual Best Ranked ADN Programs in Virginia

How Do We Rank The Best ADN Programs In Virginia?

First, we gather a list of all nursing schools offering ADN programs in Virginia and then rank the best school based on the following factors:

• Academic quality (admissions rate, enrollment rate, graduation rate & retention rate, NCLEX passing rates as college-wide quality): 70%
• RNCareers.org’s editorial rankings and the nursing school’s reputation: 20%
• The affordable of the programs offered by the nursing school: 10%
• Our best ranked ADN programs earn a 90% or above grade

More about our ranking methodology.

#1 Associate Degree in Nursing

Southside Virginia Community College

97.81% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  109 Campus Drive, Alberta, VA - 23821
• 
  (888) 220-7822

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 97.81%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate, RN to BSN, RN to MSN

University Information

• Total Faculty: 48
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $4,695
• Book and Supplies: $2,136
• Percent Received Aid: 92%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,215
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 33%

At Southside Virginia Community College, students get the chance to be a part of academic excellence that has had high success rates in terms of course completion and employment rates. 

According to the data, 80% of the new nursing graduates from Southside Virginia Community College found employment concurrent with their qualifications within 6 months after graduation. In addition to the rigorous and relevant coursework, the college has multiple support systems to guide the students throughout their academic and professional careers. The support system comprises faculty advisors health sciences counselor learning center (tutoring) personnel. Students also enjoy the benefits of a Simulation Lab where they learn to practice nursing skills in real-life-like conditions before moving onto clinical rotations. The simulation labs also allow for open hours for additional student practice. In addition to that, there are also multiple online resources for content enhancement, test practice, and remediation available to help students make the best out of their academic years. 

Undergraduate Programs: The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (ADN) degree provides the students with the knowledge and skills they’ll need to start their professional career as a general nurse. In addition to an ADN degree, the college also has agreements with multiple colleges which allow students to pursue an RN to BSN or MSN courses to ensure better career opportunities.

Finally, the Certificate in Practical Nursing (LPN) degree equips beginning practitioners with the knowledge and skills needed to care for clients of all ages and groups. 

 

 

#2 Associate Degree in Nursing

Bryant & Stratton College-Richmond

93.87% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  8141 Hull St Rd, North Chesterfield, VA - 23235
• 
  8047452444

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 93.87%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor

University Information

• Total Faculty:
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: N/A
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: N/A
• Average Grant or Scholarship: N/A
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: N/A

With an average NCLEX pass rate of more than 92%, Bryant and Stratton College proudly ranks among the top ten nursing colleges in the state of Virginia. The college uses an effective combination of classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences to ensure that the students are competent enough to begin a career in the rapidly changing healthcare environment. 

At Bryant and Stratton College, nursing students learn about computer-aided instruction, telecommunications technology, clinical simulations, and other technical learning strategies along with basic clinical care. These career-specific courses help them to prepare for the multitude of roles that are expected of them as nursing professionals. The classroom studies, laboratory hours, and practical clinicals are led by some of the best faculty in the state, which enables students to become highly-qualified entry-level nurses. Graduates of the course will gain experience working in hospitals, care facilities, educational institutions, as well as government and non-government organizations.

Undergraduate Programs: The two-year Nursing Associate Degree (ADN) prepares students to become quality care providers upon passing their NCLEX-RN examination. The course equips the graduates with the information and literacy skills that enable them to create a framework for lifelong learning with an entry-level set of knowledge, skills, and behaviors to provide safe, effective and evidence-based nursing care. 

#3 Associate Degree in Nursing

Tidewater Community College

92.03% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  121 College Place, Norfolk, VA - 23510
• 
  (757) 822-1122

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 92.03%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate

University Information

• Total Faculty: 274
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $5,561
• Book and Supplies: $1,500
• Percent Received Aid: 73%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,051
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 25%

Tidewater Community College boasts a competitive and rewarding nursing program that enables students to begin a high-paying and rewarding career as registered nurses. The school is one of the best in the state and proudly states that almost 100% of the graduates in recent years have found employment within one year from graduation. Apart from that, the first-time licensure examination pass rates of the graduates are also well above 90% in recent years.

In Tidewater Community College, students benefit from state-of-the-art classrooms and small class sizes. The college also houses simulation labs and dedicated faculty that ensure that students are well-equipped with all the technical and theoretical knowledge they’ll need upon graduation. At the end of their education at Tidewater Community College, the students become apt in skills such as client-centered care, safety, clinical judgment, professional behaviors, quality improvement, collaboration, and other necessary skills. 

Undergraduate Programs: The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing course prepares students to start a career in different areas such as research, advanced practice nursing, teaching, and health policy, apart from clinical and bedside nursing.

There is also an LPN to RN placement available for practicing RNs who want to advance their education and career.

In addition to these, Tidewater Community College has a new course that is Paramedic/RT to RN program. The program is designed for licensed paramedics and registered respiratory therapists who want to step into a nursing career.

#4 Associate Degree in Nursing

Germanna Community College

90.89% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  2130 Germanna Hwy, Locust Grove, VA - 22508-2102
• 
  (540) 423-9030

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 90.89%
• Programs: Practical Nursing, Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate

University Information

• Total Faculty: 96
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $4,913
• Book and Supplies: $1,460
• Percent Received Aid: 61%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $3,377
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 36%

Germanna Community College is located in Locust Grove, Virginia.  They offer an ADN degree.  They also offer an LPN advanced placement option. Programs must be completed on a full-time basis.  They also offer a variety of other programs, such as an LPN program, a nurse's aide program, and a surgical nurse program, which is a program for LPNs to learn how to be a surgical scrub nurse.

Germanna Community College houses one of the state’s best nursing programs and has the NCLEX pass rates of over 95% in recent years. Students here are taught the fundamentals of quality care which they deliver in collaboration with a plethora of healthcare professionals. 

Students learn in high-tech classrooms by highly trained healthcare professionals. They are provided with the option to choose between online and in-person class options. Similarly, the students get to practice their skills in high-fidelity simulation labs and then move onto clinical facilities where they learn the ropes of healthcare under the guidance of experts. The clinical rotations take place in a variety of healthcare settings throughout the region, such as long-term care facilities, hospitals, schools, community healthcare centers, and clinics. Students here not only learn the basics of care provision but are also made capable enough to provide health promotion, counseling, and education to the patients and their family members.

Undergraduate Programs: Germanna Community College offers a two-year Associate in Applied Science Degree program for students who wish to begin a career as a Registered Nurse. The graduates are able to provide direct patient care as beginning practitioners in a variety of healthcare facilities.

There is also an Advanced Standing program for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN to RN) that allows working LPNs to complete their AAS degrees.

Similarly, Germanna Community College also prepares Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to take their NCLEX-LPN examination and start their healthcare journey.

Nursing Programs Offered by Virginia Nursing Schools

• Registered Nursing: 50
• Family Nurse Practitioner: 12
• Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: 4
• CNL: 4
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: 4
• Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner: 3
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner: 2
• Practical Nursing: 2
• Research or Clinical Nursing: 2
• Women's Health Nurse Practitioner: 2
• Adult Psychiatric - Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: 1
• Nurse Anesthetist: 1
• Nurse Educator: 1
• Nursing Administration: 1
• Nursing Informatics: 1
• Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: 1

Virginia Nursing Schools with the Most Degree Types

• Virginia Commonwealth University: 8
• University of Virginia: 8
• South University: 6
• George Mason University: 5
• Jefferson College of Health Sciences: 4
• Hampton University: 4
• James Madison University: 4
• Old Dominion University: 3
• Mary Baldwin University: 3
• Shenandoah University -Eleanor Wade Custer: 2

Additional Virginia ADN Programs

ADN Programs in Virginia

ADN Financial Aid and Scholarships for Virginia Nurses

Venturing into the world of nursing via ADN Programs in Virginia opens an avenue for financial assistance. What types of aid can students expect? Three categories dominate: Loans, Grants, and Scholarships. How does one tap into these resources?

Loans stand as a common form of aid, albeit one that needs repayment. Federal loans offer typically lower interest rates and more flexible repayment plans than their private counterparts. The Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans are popular options for students.

Grants, unlike loans, do not require repayment. A well-known federal grant is the Pell Grant, geared towards undergraduate students with exceptional financial need.

Scholarships, another form of aid that doesn’t need repayment, come from a variety of sources. Universities, private organizations, and governmental agencies often provide scholarships based on merit, need, or specific criteria.

The key to unlocking these resources is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It serves as a gateway to federal, state, and institutional aid. Completing the FAFSA is crucial for any student seeking financial assistance. More details can be found at the official FAFSA site here.

Below are some specific scholarships available to ADN students in Virginia:

ADN Scholarships for Virginia Nurses

• 1. Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority’s Nursing Scholarship Program
  An initiative aimed at combating nursing shortages in Virginia. Eligibility: Virginia residents admitted to a Virginia school of nursing. Award Amount: Varies. Application Deadline Month: Varies.
• 2. Nurses Educational Funds, Inc.
  A resource for registered nurses looking for further education. Eligibility: Must be a registered nurse and a member of a professional nursing association. Award Amount: Varies. Application Deadline Month: February.
• 3. Virginia League for Nursing’s Marianne Phelps Award
  Geared toward non-traditional nursing students. Eligibility: Must be admitted to a Virginia nursing program. Award Amount: Varies. Application Deadline Month: April.
• 4. Virginia Nursing Students’ Association Foundation Scholarship
  Available to members of the Virginia Nursing Students’ Association. Eligibility: Must be a member of the VNSA. Award Amount: $500. Application Deadline Month: January.
• 5. Virginia Hospital Research & Education Foundation Scholarship
  Offered to Virginia residents studying healthcare. Eligibility: Must be a Virginia resident and accepted or enrolled in a Virginia school. Award Amount: Varies. Application Deadline Month: May.

These resources provide a framework to tackle the financial commitments of ADN programs, empowering students to focus on what truly matters – their education and the subsequent impact on healthcare in Virginia.

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Virginia Resources for ADN

Aspiring nurses seeking ADN programs in Virginia have access to numerous state and organizational resources that can guide them in their educational journey. These resources provide valuable information on nursing programs, schools, and job opportunities in the state. Below are some key resources for individuals pursuing an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) in Virginia:

• The Board of Nursing for Virginia: This regulatory body oversees the licensure and practice of nurses in the state, ensuring high standards of care and professionalism.
• Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) College Navigator for Virginia: This tool helps prospective students find and compare colleges offering ADN programs in Virginia based on various factors such as location, size, and cost.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for Virginia: The BLS provides data on employment, wages, and job outlook for registered nurses in the state, helping aspiring nurses make informed career decisions.

• About the Author
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RNCareers.org Editor

After graduating with a degree in English Literature from UCLA, Jeff published four editions of the World Wide Web Yellow Pages by Barnes and Noble, and several editions of the Best of the Web. He’s worked as an executive at both startup and mature companies including CareerPath.com and Microsoft. With nearly three decades of publishing and business development expertise, he now puts that experience to use operating RNCareers.org to help future nursing students get reliable information on registered nursing careers.

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