2023 - Best Nursing Schools in Virginia

The nursing programs at Radford University School of Nursing have been ranked as the best in the state by multiple resources. The University utilizes strong faculty/student bonds, innovative technology, and vibrant student life to ensure that the students get the most out of their academic years.

At the School of Nursing, the students learn to develop creative and critical thinking skills, problem analyzing and solving, and become leaders who serve the healthcare community and the people. The university itself is committed to developing mature, responsible, and well-educated citizens. The educational experience, as well as extracurricular activities, are student-focused, and they help them grow in every possible way. 

Nursing students at Radford University also get the chance to practice their nursing skills in the high-tech Clinical Simulation Center. The simulation center is a premier, innovative, and student-centered program that focuses on teaching, research, and interprofessional education. The students learn to become competent, compassionate, professional clinicians who can meet the needs of the global and local healthcare scenario.

Undergraduate Programs: Radford University prepares its BSN students to become competent, critical thinkers who can deliver patient-centered caregivers. There are three BSN options available which include the Traditional BSN, Accelerated BSN, and RN to BSN Fast-track (which is a 100% online program). 

Graduate Programs: For students seeking a higher education degree that allows them to open more career options, Radford University also offers an MSN degree in two concentrations; Family Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Administration.

Furthermore, students who want a terminal degree in nursing can benefit from one of Virginia’s best DNP programs at Radford University. The programs are distance-based and culminate in a residency tailor-made to the student's learning needs and career goals. The concentrations offered include Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Executive Leadership, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Post Advanced Practice Nurse. 

Additionally, there is also a  Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate that prepares Advance Practice Nurses with the skills and expertise required to diagnose and treat individuals suffering from psychiatric and mental health disorders. 

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. 

At Longwood University College of Education, Health, and Human Services, nursing students learn to become competent healthcare professionals in a caring, beautiful, challenging, and surprising environment. 

The curriculum here is grounded in student community service and citizen leadership, which helps students to be actively involved in the community via service learning. The students also get the chance to practice their patient and professional advocacy skills with local, state, and national nursing events and organizations. The learning experience here is a blend of academics, laboratory, and clinical work. The simulation takes place in a high-fidelity simulation lab which is designed to provide students the opportunity to practice skills and solve problems in a simulated healthcare environment. 

Nursing students at this highly-affordable institution learn to advocate and coordinate care for patients, help patients navigate through a complicated healthcare system, and use their knowledge and skills to improve the community's health.

Undergraduate Programs: The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree program allows students to become influential members of a healthcare team who can demonstrate excellent patient care, communication, advocacy, and can coordinate care. 

Similarly, the RN to BSN program is a flexible online course designed for working RNs who want to complete their BSN degree. The seven-week blocked courses are available in both full-time (four courses = 1 semester) or part-time (two courses = 1 semester) options. In addition to that, the instructors are always available via email or other mediums to guide the students and answer questions.

Liberty University is located in Lynchburg, Virginia.  They offer a BSN program, which is available to residential students, and an online RN to BSN program. Most students complete the program in 2 years.

Liberty University School of Nursing is one of the state’s best nursing colleges featuring top-rated nursing programs and curricula. The university emulsifies the art of caring with the expertise of science and research, which gives a holistic approach to the nursing field. 

Liberty University promotes a Christian nursing education system under which the students learn to care for patients physically as well as mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The graduates have been applauded for their clinical competence, strong work ethic, and heartfelt compassion. 

The School of Nursing is equipped with a Simulation Center that allows students to practice their clinical skills in a controlled environment before progressing to clinical rotations. Here, students are guided by credentialed and experienced staff who are equally passionate about nursing as the students. Another notable feature of Liberty University School of Nursing is the small class size averaging at 8:1 student to faculty ratio.

Undergraduate Programs: Liberty University offers a BSN degree in both traditional and accelerated formats averaging 4 years and 2 years of completion respectively. The course is taught by committed faculty who help the students succeed as both individuals and professionals.

Graduate Programs: Registered Nurses who want to advance their career in nursing can also choose to enroll in the 100% online MSN degree that provides students with the tools and skills needed to become successful leaders and changemakers in nursing. 

The university also offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program for students who want to lead professional teams and drive innovations to improve healthcare systems and policies. 

Similarly, the Ph.D. in Nursing program exists to provide the knowledge and research experience necessary to become a faculty member at a university or educator in a medical facility or to work as a hospital administrator.

James Madison University is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. JMU offers a traditional BSN degree and an online RN to BSN degree. The RN to BSN program can also be utilized for students looking to earn a second bachelor's degree. The program can be done full-time, in one year, or part-time, in two years.

James Madison University School of Nursing houses some of the country’s best nursing programs. The School of Nursing itself has been ranked as one of the nation’s and state’s best when it comes to quality education, learning resources, NCLEX pass rates, and job placements. 

Students at James Madison University get the chance to be part of something bigger than themselves via different programs that promote global engagement, civic engagement, and community engagement. The School of Nursing also stands against all injustice and systemic racism. The students are taught to act with empathy and inclusiveness to reduce inequities such as discrimination, violence, and racism. 

In addition to developing an accepting nature and advocacy, the nursing students are also provided with the opportunity to practice their clinical skills in the Simulation and Clinical Laboratories. 

Undergraduate Programs: The BSN students at the James Madison University School of Nursing prepare for a career as a competent general nurse. The School of Nursing provides them with access to state-of-the-art classrooms, high-fidelity simulation labs, a diverse practical curriculum, and meaningful student-faculty interaction. 

Additionally, there is also an RN to BSN program that provides a great flexible schedule for RNs who want to complete their BSN degree while also maintaining their employment. The students can choose to enroll full-time or part-time.

Graduate Programs: There is also a flexible and competitive MSN program that is available in multiple concentrations; Clinical Nurse Leader, Nurse Administrator, Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Nurse-Midwifery, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Similarly, the innovative DNP program allows students access to an exceptional faculty with diverse backgrounds who prepare future leaders of healthcare. Students can choose full-time or part-time enrollment in this program.

At Hampton University School of Nursing, students get a solid foundation upon which they can successfully base their careers. The university aims to maintain the highest quality of professional nursing education at all levels.  

Students at Hampton University learn to serve a diverse population with a focus on health within the global context. The students learn the basics about nursing theory and skills in state-of-the-art classrooms from highly qualified instructors. They also get the chance to practice their clinical skills in multiple healthcare settings. The university’s goal is to empower multicultural nurses to excel in evidence-based nursing practice and research to provide service to the global community. As such, their curriculum perfectly reflects this vision and helps to prepare excellent professional practitioners. 

Undergraduate Programs: The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing provides students with a solid foundation to begin their career as Registered Nurses. The students are able to graduate in five semesters and are then eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination.

There is also an LPN to BS program designed for working LPNs who want to complete their bachelor’s degree in nursing. This course is available in accelerated or traditional format. Similarly, there is a part-time or full-time RN to BS program for working RNs who want to earn their bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Graduate Programs: Hampton University has an excellent MSN program for nurses who want to take on nursing leadership roles and play a part in changing the nursing fraternity for the better. The MSN courses available include Nursing Administration, Nursing Educator, and Nurse Practitioner. 

Similarly, there is also a highly-ranked Ph.D. in Nursing program that provides nursing students with a terminal degree in nursing.

Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing boasts 96% job placement, 97% retention rate, and 93% NCLEX-RN pass rate in the past year. The College has also been ranked among the best in the state of Virginia. 

Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing aims to create opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to provide culturally sensitive service to local, regional, national, and international communities. The college has different learning resources that provide a stimulating and challenging learning environment that excites curiosity, encourages creativity, and integrates community commitment into the learning process. One such resource is the Clinical Simulation and Learning Center, which provides multiple simulation exercises in a mock acute care unit that is equipped with a nurse’s station, extra rooms, simulation rooms, debriefing rooms, and home healthcare suite. The simulation lab aims to help students improve their practice and also allows faculties to incorporate innovative learning strategies. 

Undergraduate Programs: The Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree offers students a well-rounded, student-focused education that provides a strong foundation for nursing students to base their careers upon.

Furthermore, there is also an online RN to BSN degree that is designed for working registered nurses. In addition to being advanced and challenging, this course is 100% online so that students can complete their bachelor’s degree while also navigating through their work.

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. 

Jefferson College of Health Sciences offers an effective, competitive, and highly rewarding nursing program. The retention rates and NCLEX-RN passing rates are high enough to rank the college among the state’s best nursing colleges. 

Jefferson College of Health Sciences uses a tactful combination of classroom education, laboratory practicals, and clinical hands-on learning to ensure that the students are equipped with the best knowledge to become qualified healthcare professionals. The college provides students with access to a dedicated faculty and staff who are always available to assist students throughout their journey at Jefferson College. The faculty and staff help to arrange to tutor and also help students find the best career to fit their goals and abilities. In addition to the classes and lab work, the college also allows students to take part in numerous events, student organizations, exhibits, workshops, and lectures. These experiences help students be a part of the student community, have new experiences, and grow individually and as leaders. 

Undergraduate Programs: Jefferson College of Health Sciences offers a unique Bi-level Nursing Program. This program admits all nursing students starting their study to the Level I/PN course who then graduate to the Level II/RN  course upon graduation. The students are required to acquire a license as an LPN by the midterm of the first semester of Level II/RN. Upon completion of the Bi-level program, the students are awarded an Associate of Applied in Science of Nursing degree.

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.

At Marymount University School of Nursing Professions, students learn with a purpose to achieve their goals by tapping into their talent and passion. The university holds an impeccable reputation for preparing knowledgeable, skilled, and caring nurse professionals. 

Students enjoy the benefits of intimate classes that provide them with personalized attention from the instructors. Similarly, to ensure that they are truly capable and competent enough to take care of patients on their own, they are provided with laboratory practical sessions as well as clinical practice under the strict supervision of highly-qualified faculty. The university connects the students with multiple healthcare agencies and clinical facilities throughout the Washington, DC, area so that they get the hands-on skills that prepare them for the challenges and rewards that come with the nursing profession. Graduates of the Marymount University School of Nursing Professions have been providing patient-centered quality care by utilizing the nursing process and evidence-based practice.

Undergraduate Programs: At Marymount University School of Nursing Professions, students can get their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) via three different paths. 

The first is the traditional four-year BSN program that is comprised of in-person theory and practical classes that prepare students for a career as a nursing professional.

The second is the Accelerated BSN program designed for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in another field but want to start a career in nursing. Students can choose to complete this program either full-time in four consecutive semesters or online/distance in four consecutive semesters as well, or they can choose to enroll part-time and complete the course in nine consecutive semesters.

Finally, working RNs who want to complete their BSN degree can choose to enroll in the hybrid online RN-to-BSN program.

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.