Virginia has a deep and varied nursing education infrastructure, driven in part by the large military and federal healthcare presence in Northern Virginia and the Hampton Roads region. The state hosts more than 80 nursing programs across community colleges, regional universities, and major academic medical centers — covering everything from associate degree programs to BSN, accelerated BSN, and RN-to-BSN completion tracks. Virginia joined the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) in 2016, which means a Virginia RN license is recognized in 40+ other compact states. For nurses who plan to work across state lines or pursue travel nursing, that compact membership is a significant practical advantage.
Types of nursing programs available in Virginia
ADN programs (2 years, post-prerequisites) Community colleges across Virginia offer Associate Degree in Nursing programs. These are typically two years of full-time clinical coursework, following 1–2 semesters of prerequisite science courses. Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), Tidewater Community College, Germanna Community College, and Piedmont Virginia Community College all run well-established ADN programs. ADN graduates sit for the NCLEX-RN and enter practice as registered nurses, then commonly pursue RN-to-BSN completion online.
BSN programs (4 years) Four-year BSN programs are available at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), James Madison University (JMU), George Mason University, Old Dominion University, Radford University, and Liberty University, among others. BSN graduates are increasingly preferred by Magnet-designated hospital systems in Virginia’s major metros.
Accelerated BSN (12–18 months) For candidates who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, accelerated BSN programs compress the BSN into intensive full-time study. VCU’s School of Nursing, Marymount University, Jefferson College of Health Sciences, and Shenandoah University offer accelerated BSN tracks. Typical requirement: bachelor’s degree with prerequisite sciences completed within 5–7 years, minimum GPA of 3.0–3.2.
LPN programs (12–18 months) Licensed Practical Nurse programs are offered at community colleges and vocational schools throughout Virginia. LPNs can later bridge to RN through LPN-to-ADN or LPN-to-BSN programs.
Online and hybrid options RN-to-BSN completion programs are widely available online for working Virginia nurses, including options through Old Dominion University, Liberty University, and Western Governors University (WGU).
Admission requirements
Virginia nursing programs share a common prerequisite core, though specifics vary by school and program type.
Standard prerequisites for ADN and BSN programs:
| Prerequisite | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| Anatomy & Physiology I & II | With lab; grade of C or better (B preferred) |
| Microbiology | With lab |
| Chemistry | Introductory or general chemistry with lab |
| English Composition | Writing-intensive, grade of C or better |
| Psychology | General or developmental psychology |
| Statistics | Required by most BSN programs |
| Nutrition | Required by some programs |
Most Virginia programs require prerequisite science courses completed within the past 5–7 years.
Entrance exams: The ATI TEAS is the most common entrance exam for Virginia nursing programs; some programs also accept HESI A2. Competitive scores are generally at the 60th percentile and above for community college programs, and 75th percentile and above for university BSN programs. See ATI TEAS vs. HESI: which exam does your school require? for a full comparison.
GPA: Minimum GPA requirements across Virginia programs typically run 2.5–3.0 cumulative, with science GPA of 3.0 or higher being competitive for BSN programs. If your GPA is below the threshold for your target program, see our guide on nursing schools that accept lower GPAs.
Application timeline: Most Virginia programs accept applications once or twice per year, with fall entry being the primary intake. Community college programs often use a point-based or lottery selection system due to demand exceeding available seats.
Notable nursing schools in Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Nursing – Richmond VCU’s School of Nursing is the state’s flagship research nursing school and holds CCNE accreditation. It offers BSN, accelerated BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD tracks. The accelerated BSN (ABSN) program is 15 months and among the most competitive in Virginia. VCU Health, the affiliated academic medical center, is one of the state’s largest Level I trauma centers and provides clinical placement for nursing students.
James Madison University Department of Nursing – Harrisonburg JMU’s nursing program is CCNE-accredited and consistently earns high NCLEX first-attempt pass rates. The BSN program is four years and integrates clinical simulation throughout the curriculum. JMU has a strong reputation for producing practice-ready graduates and a supportive learning environment.
Old Dominion University School of Nursing – Norfolk ODU’s School of Nursing is CCNE-accredited and located in Hampton Roads, one of Virginia’s largest healthcare markets. It offers BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, and DNP programs. The RN-to-BSN program is available fully online, making it a common choice for working nurses in the Tidewater region.
George Mason University Department of Nursing – Fairfax George Mason’s nursing program serves the Northern Virginia and DC metro market. CCNE-accredited BSN and graduate programs. The proximity to major hospital systems in the DC metro — Inova, Virginia Hospital Center — supports strong clinical placement opportunities.
Marymount University School of Health Sciences – Arlington Marymount offers an accelerated BSN for career changers, located in Arlington and positioned for clinical placements at Inova Fairfax Hospital and other Northern Virginia health systems.
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) – Multiple campuses NOVA’s ADN program is ACEN-accredited and one of the most enrolled nursing programs in the state. Competitive admission — the program uses a points-based selection system. Graduates achieve strong NCLEX pass rates and transition readily to employment in the DC metro healthcare market.
NCLEX pass rates and licensing
Virginia’s Board of Nursing (VBON) oversees RN and LPN licensure. First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for Virginia-educated graduates typically track near or slightly above the national average, which runs around 80–85% for US-educated candidates in recent testing years.
Individual program pass rates vary considerably. Programs with consistent NCLEX first-attempt rates above 85% are strong performers. See NCLEX pass rates by nursing school to compare specific programs, and NCLEX first-attempt strategy for preparation guidance.
Compact status: Virginia joined the Nursing Licensure Compact in 2016. A Virginia RN license is your multi-state privilege license — it is valid for practice in all other current NLC member states (40+ states as of 2026) without obtaining separate state licenses. This is a major benefit for travel nurses, military spouses, and nurses living near state borders. Virginia nurses must maintain Virginia as their primary state of residence to hold a Virginia multi-state license.
To apply for RN licensure in Virginia, visit the VBON website. You will submit proof of nursing program completion, NCLEX registration through Pearson VUE, and complete the VBON application and background check.
Salary and job market
Bureau of Labor Statistics data places Virginia mean annual RN wages at approximately $82,000–$86,000, with Northern Virginia and the Washington DC metro running significantly higher — often $90,000–$100,000+ — reflecting the higher cost of living in that corridor.
Major healthcare employers in Virginia:
- Inova Health System – Northern Virginia’s dominant health system, with Inova Fairfax Hospital and multiple campuses throughout Fairfax and Loudoun counties
- VCU Health – Richmond’s academic medical center and Level I trauma center
- Sentara Healthcare – Norfolk-headquartered system with hospitals across Hampton Roads and increasingly statewide
- Bon Secours Mercy Health – Operates Richmond-area hospitals including St. Mary’s and Memorial Regional
The military and federal healthcare footprint in Hampton Roads (Naval Medical Center Portsmouth), Northern Virginia, and the DC suburbs creates additional demand for nurses, including civilian positions at federal facilities.
Job growth for RNs in Virginia is consistent with national BLS projections of 6% growth over the decade. Demand is strong in acute care, home health, and community health settings.
How to choose the right program
NCLEX pass rates are the clearest indicator of a program’s outcomes. Look up the VBON’s published pass rate data for any program you’re considering. Programs consistently below 80% on first-attempt NCLEX pass rates warrant scrutiny.
Accreditation: Choose only ACEN- or CCNE-accredited programs. Both accreditors are nationally recognized; ACEN typically accredits ADN and diploma programs, while CCNE is more common at BSN and graduate levels. Accreditation affects eligibility for federal financial aid, RN-to-BSN acceptance, and employer recognition.
Clinical placement quality: Programs near major hospital systems offer better clinical variety. In Northern Virginia and Richmond, programs with partnerships at Inova, VCU Health, and Sentara give students exposure to high-acuity environments.
Cost: Virginia community college ADN programs are significantly less expensive than private university BSN programs — often $8,000–$20,000 total versus $60,000–$100,000+ at private institutions. RN-to-BSN completion online is a cost-effective bridge for ADN graduates. See is nursing school worth the debt? for a full cost-benefit analysis.
Online vs. in-person: ADN and BSN clinical tracks require in-person clinical hours regardless of how much coursework is offered online. RN-to-BSN completion programs, however, are largely or fully online — practical for working nurses.
For a full framework on program selection, see how to choose a nursing school.
Next steps
- Apply for your RN license through the VBON at dhp.virginia.gov once you complete your nursing program. Virginia processes applications online.
- Register for NCLEX-RN through Pearson VUE at pearsonvue.com/nclex once you receive Authorization to Test (ATT) from the VBON.
- Explore program prerequisites in detail at nursing school prerequisites by state.
- If you’re comparing Virginia to other states with compact license privileges, see our guide to nursing license requirements by state.