Overview of Nursing Schools in Virginia
- There are 52 nursing schools in Virginia. The CCNE accredits 18 nursing schools and the ACEN accredits 28 schools in Virginia.
- Typically, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) will take between 18 to 24 months to complete, and a Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN) will take about 4 years to complete.
- The average NCLEX passing rate range for ADN students in Virginia is between 44.54% and 100.00%.
- The average NCLEX passing rate range for BSN students in Virginia is between 72.13% and 98.27%.
- The average annual salary for registered nurses is between $52,080 to $111,220 a year.
- Registered Nurses (RN) throughout the country and in Virginia can expect a favorable job growth of 15 percent from 2016 to 2026 which much faster than the average for all occupations.
Recommended Nursing Schools for Virginia
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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
Compare RN Programs | ADN | BSN |
---|---|---|
Number of Nursing Programs | 28 | 24 |
Average NCLEX Passing Rate | 83.57% | 87.31% |
NCLEX Passing Rate Range | 44.54% to 100.00% | 72.13% to 98.27% |
Nursing Programs Offered by Virginia Nursing Schools
- Registered Nursing: 52
- Family Nurse Practitioner: 12
- CNL: 4
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: 4
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: 3
- 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 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
- Hampton University: 4
- Jefferson College of Health Sciences: 4
- James Madison University: 4
- Shenandoah University -Eleanor Wade Custer: 3
- Old Dominion University: 3
- Germanna Community College: 2
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 28 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.
- Radford University (Roanoke)
- Southside Virginia Community College
- Longwood University
- Liberty University
- James Madison University
- Shenandoah University -Eleanor Wade Custer
- Hampton University
- Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing
- Bryant & Stratton College-Richmond
- Jefferson College of Health Sciences
- Tidewater Community College
- Marymount University
- Germanna Community College
Radford University (Roanoke)
Pass Rate
- 801 East Main St., Radford, VA - 24142
- (540) 831-5000
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 98.00%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: APRN Certificate, Bachelor, BSN to DNP, MSN, MSN to DNP, Post Master's NP Certificate
View More
University Information
Total Faculty: 507
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $11,542
Book and Supplies: $1,260
Percent Received Aid: 94%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $7,431
Percent Admitted: 79%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 11%
Graduation Rate: N/A
Southside Virginia Community College
Pass Rate
- 109 Campus Drive, Alberta, VA - 23821
- (888) 220-7822
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 98.00%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate, RN to MSN
View More
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%
Longwood University
Pass Rate
- 201 High St, Farmville, VA - 23909
- (434) 395-2000
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 97.23%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Bachelor
View More
University Information
Total Faculty: 264
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $14,334
Book and Supplies: $1,230
Percent Received Aid: 95%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $8,142
Percent Admitted: 87%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 14%
Graduation Rate: 67%
Liberty University
Pass Rate
- 1971 University Blvd, Lynchburg, VA - 24515
- (434) 582-2000
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 96.33%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Bachelor, BSN to DNP, LPN to BSN, MSN, MSN to DNP
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University Information
Total Faculty: 1051
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,374
Book and Supplies: N/A
Percent Received Aid: 99%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $8,175
Percent Admitted: 50%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 17%
Graduation Rate: 54%
James Madison University
Pass Rate
- 800 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA - 22807
- (540) 568-6211
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 96.20%
- Programs: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, CNL, Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Bachelor, MSN, MSN to DNP, RN to MSN
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University Information
Total Faculty: 1060
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $12,638
Book and Supplies: $1,098
Percent Received Aid: 60%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $8,202
Percent Admitted: 80%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 23%
Graduation Rate: 82%
Shenandoah University -Eleanor Wade Custer
Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing
Pass Rate
- 1460 University Dr, Winchester, VA - 22601-5195
- (540) 665-4500
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 95.73%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, APRN Certificate, Bachelor, BSN to DNP, MSN, MSN to DNP, Post Master's NP Certificate, RN to MSN
University Information
Total Faculty: 252
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,500
Book and Supplies: N/A
Percent Received Aid: 100%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $15,734
Percent Admitted: 74%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 26%
Graduation Rate: 61%
Hampton University
Pass Rate
- 200 William R. Harvey Way, Hampton, VA - 23668-0099
- (757) 727-5000
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 95.37%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Administration, Registered Nursing, Research or Clinical Nursing
- Award Levels: Bachelor, LPN to BSN, MSN, RN to MSN
View More
University Information
Total Faculty: 214
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,100
Book and Supplies: N/A
Percent Received Aid: 85%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $13,603
Percent Admitted: 36%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 16%
Graduation Rate: 57%
Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing
Pass Rate
- 8550 Magellan Parkway Suite 1100, Richmond, VA - 23227-1149
- (804) 627-5300
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 93.93%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Bachelor
View More
University Information
Total Faculty: 31
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: N/A
Book and Supplies: N/A
Percent Received Aid: N/A
Average Grant or Scholarship: $729,549
Percent Admitted: N/A
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
Graduation Rate: N/A
Bryant & Stratton College-Richmond
Pass Rate
- 8141 Hull St Rd, North Chesterfield, VA - 23235
- 8047452444
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 93.87%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor
View More
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
Jefferson College of Health Sciences
Pass Rate
- 101 Elm Avenue SE, Roanoke, VA - 24013
- 8889858483
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 93.67%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Administration, Registered Nursing, Research or Clinical Nursing
- Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, Bachelor, MSN
View More
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
Tidewater Community College
Pass Rate
- 121 College Place, Norfolk, VA - 23510
- (757) 822-1122
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 92.40%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
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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%
Marymount University
Malek School of Health Professions
Pass Rate
- 2807 N Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA - 22207-4299
- (703) 522-5600
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 91.60%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, Bachelor, BSN to DNP, MSN, MSN to DNP, Post Master's NP Certificate
View More
University Information
Total Faculty: 144
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,000
Book and Supplies: N/A
Percent Received Aid: 97%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $17,558
Percent Admitted: 85%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 14%
Graduation Rate: 54%
Germanna Community College
Pass Rate
- 2130 Germanna Hwy, Locust Grove, VA - 22508-2102
- (540) 423-9030
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 91.20%
- Programs: Practical Nursing, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
View More
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%
Grade
|
University
|
Virginia Rank
|
Degree
|
---|---|---|---|
89.10 | Piedmont Virginia Community College | 5 | ADN |
88.50 | Danville Community College | 6 | ADN |
85.60 | Thomas Nelson Comm College - Historic Triangle Campus | 8 | ADN |
84.90 | Northern Virginia Community College | 9 | ADN |
84.20 | Paul D Camp Community College | 10 | ADN |
83.40 | Blue Ridge Community College | 11 | ADN |
82.50 | Dabney S. Lancaster Community College | 12 | ADN |
81.80 | Virginia Western Community College | 13 | ADN |
81.40 | Wytheville Community College | 14 | ADN |
80.40 | Rappahannock Community College | 15 | ADN |
78.40 | Centra College of Nursing | 16 | ADN |
73.70 | New River Community College | 17 | ADN |
70.90 | Patrick Henry Community College | 19 | ADN |
67.00 | Fortis College, Norfolk Traditional (US28409500) | 20 | ADN |
58.60 | Fortis College Richmond - US28408900 | 21 | ADN |
89.47 | Norfolk State University | 12 | BSN |
86.50 | George Mason University | 13 | BSN |
86.33 | Chamberlain College of Nursing | 14 | BSN |
84.83 | Eastern Mennonite University | 16 | BSN |
82.93 | South University - Virginia Beach | 17 | BSN |
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.
Online NP Programs Liked by Virginia Nurses
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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.