2021 - Best Nursing Schools in Virginia

Nurses are crucial to primary care and the conservation of patient resources in the state of Virginia. Many recent changes in Virginia healthcare have resulted in a nursing shortage in hospitals statewide while at the same time, nurses are filling higher roles in providing health care services across the state. Registered nurses are encouraged to expand their knowledge of their practice as the responsibilities of nurses increase. With increasing shortages in the nursing industry, now is a better time than ever to become a registered nurse or seek out higher education in the state of Virginia.

In our Virginia RN program guide, find rankings for both ADN and BSN Degree programs, tuition costs, NCLEX passing rates, and more. Research key Virginia RN Program information to help you compare program metrics and to apply to best RN program for your career in nursing.

In the State of Virginia, nurses are helping to change the face of healthcare. To ensure that they have the best education and preparation for future health care challenges, registered nurses need to graduate from a state-approved associate's degree in nursing program or a BSN degree program.

Nurses who graduate from an RN program can obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties, go on to earn an RN to BSN or RN to MSN degree.

BSN degree holders have options to earn an Advance Practice Register Nursing (APRN) degree and become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), or earn an advanced degree for a career in any number of nursing leadership roles such Nurse Educator or Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Virginia RN Program Comparisons: ADN vs BSN

Best Ranked RN Programs in Virginia

To help nursing students in their search for a top RN program, the education experts at RNCareers.org publish their annual findings of the best nursing schools for both Virginia and the country. Schools ranked on our list have proven their ability to educate highly competent nurses.

To create our rankings, we evaluated 25 ADN degree programs and 22 BSN degree programs in Virginia. We obtained each institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN passing rates, the number of students taking the test, the program nursing accreditation and more. We then compared the results against other nursing programs in Virginia to provide our state rankings. View our methodology. 

Become an Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Virginia

RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.

Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in Virginia

Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in Virginia offering the following high paying nurse practitioner specialties:

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.

Virginia  RN Licensing Requirements

Virginia State Board of Nursing
Perimeter Center
9960 Maryland Drive, Suite 300
Henrico, VA 23233-1463
(804) 367-4400

Fees:
Initial licensing fee, RN: $190
License renewal: Not listed on web site

Continuing Education Requirements:
None

RN Licensure by Exams

After completing an approved nursing program in Virginia, the candidate will fill out an application online and register for the NCLEX exam through the Pearson VUE website. There is a $200 fee that the candidate will pay to register. When the candidate will be able to schedule the exam only when he/she has received the authorization to test. Candidates who are unsuccessful in passing the exam will be able to retake it after filling out an application for re-examination and paying a $50 fee to the Virginia Board.

RN License by Endorsement

Registered nurses who have obtained licensure in one of the other 50 states will be able to gain licensure in Virginia by endorsement. Candidates must submit verification of licensure.

RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad

Canadian registered nurses are eligible for licensure by endorsement as long as the nursing education was completed in English and they passed the Canadian Registered Nurses Examination. Other internationally educated applicants will be required to take the CGFNS exam prior to the NCLEX. Foreign nursing candidates should call the Board as well as Puerto Rican nurses who have not taken the NCLEX exam.

RN Salaries in Virginia

It is predicted that there will be a 12.6% growth in the population of Virginia by the year 2020. Health care delivery and resources may be stretched to the limit in Virginia with a large age growth in the state. In order to cope with the growing need for services, a majority of the health care workforce growth is anticipated to be in nursing. Now is a better time than ever to pursue higher education to help nurses be prepared to take advantage of new opportunities that may arise.

Virginia Registered Nursing Salaries

The Richmond metropolitan area has the highest number of registered nurses employed along with the highest hourly mean wage and annual median wage.
Source: BLS, Department of Education, State Board of Nursing, Nursing School Websites.