Virginia RN Requirements and Training Programs

Nursing is a special calling that offers many rewards to those who accept it. Professional nurses are daily heroes who touch the lives of the patients they serve. Sadly, there are not enough nurses to meet the demands of Virginia’s aging population. The Healthcare Workforce Data Center reports a steady increase in the number of new nurses, yet the numbers are too small to manage the healthcare needs of the exploding population. Registered nurses provide direct care services to individuals, families, and communities and aim to promote optimal health and demonstrate respect for human dignity. The associate’s degree in nursing program is the most basic program for entry into practice and includes preparation for success on the NCLEX-RN for licensure in Virginia. Graduates can assume many roles in a variety of clinical settings.

Virginia Nursing Programs

Education Requirements

The associate’s degree in nursing equips students with the knowledge and skills to practice nursing in the areas of care, education of individuals, families, and communities, and counseling. The curriculum includes preparation for success on the NCLEX-RN and sets the foundation for lifelong learning through instruction in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical sites. Lectures in the classroom, clinical simulations, and review classes provide the foundation of learning to help students develop critical thinking skills and clinical judgment to competently meet the needs of patients across lifespan. Graduates will function effectively in the three primary roles: the provider of care, manager of care, and a member of the interdisciplinary team.

Topics in the curriculum include human anatomy and physiology, health assessment, community-based nursing, developmental psychology, maternal newborn, psychiatric/mental health, parent/child nursing, fundamentals of professional nursing, geriatrics, and trends and issues in nursing. During the clinical experience, students demonstrate their competence in performing routine skills, collaborate and communicate with other members of the healthcare team, transfer knowledge gained in the classroom to apply solutions to common problems, and pursue new learning opportunities.

The proliferation of associate degree in nursing programs in Virginia aims to produce new nurses to meet the existing shortage of registered nurse professionals. There are approximately 32 programs approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing. It is crucial that you enroll in an approved program that offers a clinical experience of 500 hours of more to be eligible to sit the NCLEX-RN for licensure in the state.

Eligibility Criteria

Nursing information sessions will provide detailed guidelines for enrolling in the nursing program. General admission requirements include:

  • A high school diploma or GED.
  • Submit a completed application and the required documents by the submission deadline.
  • Complete the general education requirements.
  • Complete the ATI TEAS Nursing entrance exam – no more than 3 years before submitting your application.
  • Meet the clinical requirements before the clinical placement – CPR certification, physical exam, immunizations, criminal background check, and TB clearance.

Positive findings on your criminal history could negatively affect your ability to obtain clinical placement, take the NCLEX-RN, and obtain licensure in Virginia.

Duration and Cost

Paying for college could be a challenge, but with extensive research and planning you can eliminate the obstacles. Virginia residents pay approximately $10,800 for two years of tuition. Student nurses will need to budget for additional supplies and costs, such as vaccines, nursing kit, uniform/scrubs, nursing shoes, CPR certification, drug screening, background check, nursing school pin, NCLEX fee, and state licensure. Transport to and from the clinical sites will also factor into the total cost of attendance. Financial aid is an obvious resource to reduce your out-of-pocket costs. However, there are some other things you can do to make tuition more affordable. When comparing schools, calculate the total cost of attendance and not just the tuition. Explore your options for tuition reimbursement especially if you’re employed in healthcare. There are numerous and grants that can help fund your education if you’re willing to hunt for them. The Virginia Department of Health offers nursing scholarships, such as the Mary Marshall Nursing Scholarship Program. A full list of scholarships and grants for nursing students is available on the AACN’s website.

Virginia RN Licensure Requirements

Virginia became a participating member of the Nurse Licensure Compact in January 2005. Therefore, you must apply for licensure in your primary state of residence if it is another compact state. You must provide evidence of your primary state of residence if declaring Virginia as your primary state on the application. The Compact defines the “Primary state of residence” as the state of your declared fixed permanent and principle home or domicile for legal purposes.

If you’re a Canadian Nurse with an unrestricted license in Canada, and you completed training in Canada in English and subsequently passed the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination, you are eligible for licensure by endorsement. Contact the Board for an appropriate application form to submit your request for endorsement.

Licensure By Examination

Complete the application for licensure by exam if you recently graduated from a state-approved registered nursing program that prepared you for the state board (NCLEX-RN). If you’re not a recent graduate, or attended an education program outside Virginia that did not provide at least 500 hours of clinical practice, or graduated from a foreign nursing program, you should contact the Board for instructions before submitting your application online.

Applications for licensure by examination must be submitted online only. You must register for an online account and submit the following to complete your application:

  • The non-refundable fee of $190. The fee may be paid using a check or money order payable to the Treasurer of Virginia or a debit or credit card online (Visa, MasterCard or Discover).
  • Documentation that you completed an approved nursing education program.
  • A statement and/or copies of court documents for an affirmative to criminal history/chemical dependence question. A criminal history does not constitute grounds for denial of licensure. The Board may request additional documents and arrange a hearing.
  • Your registration for the NCLEX-RN on the web or by phone.
  • Supporting documentation of your disability if you request special testing arrangements for the exam. Appropriate documentation includes a letter from a professional describing the disability and confirmation from the Disability Services department of the college defining the type of modifications granted to you.
  • A fingerprint-based background check. After you submit your application online, request the fingerprint background check from Fieldprint, the approved vendor. Use the VBON Fieldprint Code on the application confirmation receipt, available after you submit your application online, to schedule your fingerprint appointment. The results of the report will be forwarded to the Board of Nursing.

Your application will expire in 12 months if you do not complete the requirements for licensure. If your name, address, or other profile information changes after you submit the application, you must submit a request in writing for the Board to update your records. Include your name, address, and social security number on the request. Enclose a copy of your marriage certificate or other court order if you’re requesting to have your name changed.

NCLEX-RN Registration: You must register with Pearson Vue for the NCLEX-RN. You can register on the web (select the Register and Pay online option), by telephone (1.866.496.2539), or by mail (registration forms are available at the Board’s office). The exam fee is $200 payable using a debit or credit card online or by phone, or a cashier’s check or money order by mail. The name you provide on the exam registration must match the name on your picture identification that you’ll provide at the test site. Download the Candidate Bulletin on Pearson Vue’s website as it will contain instructions and important information concerning the exam and scheduling your appointment. Once the Board of Nursing receives your application, they will notify Pearson Vue to send an authorization to test (ATT) by email or postal mail. The ATT will contain important information about making an appointment to take the exam.

Licensure By Endorsement

Complete the application for licensure by endorsement if you graduated from an accredited nursing education program and obtained licensure by examination in another state or are scheduled to take the exam in another state.

Applications for licensure by examination must be submitted online only. You must register for an online account and submit the following to complete your application:

  • The non-refundable fee of $190. The fee may be paid using a check or money order payable to the Treasurer of Virginia or a debit or credit card online (Visa, MasterCard or Discover).
  • Documentation that you completed an approved nursing education program. If you graduated from a program with less than 500 clinical hours, you must provide evidence of 960 hours of clinical practice and an active unencumbered license in another US jurisdiction. Your former employer must send written documentation of your practice directly to the Board of Nursing. The document must indicate the dates of employment and hours worked.
  • A statement and/or copies of court documents for an affirmative to criminal history/chemical dependence question. A criminal history does not constitute grounds for denial of licensure. The Board may request additional documents and arrange a hearing.
  • Verification of licensure. If your original state of licensure participates on the NURSYS license verification system, you should go to nursys.com to request verification of licensure. If your state does not participate, complete the top portion of the license verification form and send it to the Board of Nursing in the state where you were originally licensed by examination. There may be a fee associated with verification of your license. The original board must send the form directly to the Virginia Board of Nursing.
  • A copy of your current license from another state or Canada if you intend to work in Virginia pending licensure.
  • A fingerprint-based background check. After you submit your application online, request the fingerprint background check from Fieldprint, the approved vendor. Use the VBON Fieldprint Code on the application confirmation receipt, available after you submit your application online, to schedule your fingerprint appointment. The results of the report will be forwarded to the Board of Nursing.

You may work in Virginia for 30 days if you submit your application for licensure before or within 10 days of employment and present your current license to your employer and a copy to the Board’s office with your application. The Board will provide an authorization letter upon receipt of the application and license. The 30-day period may be extended at the Board’s discretion.

Renewal Requirements

Registered nursing licenses must be renewed biennially. The Board will mail a renewal notice 60 days before the license is scheduled to expire. You’ll need the renewal PIN code on the notice to renew the license online. Gather your licensure number, PIN, and credit card before you initiate online renewal. Apart from renewing your license, you can also update your address, request duplicate licenses, and provide emergency contact information. The renewal fee is $140 or $190 for late renewal. If your license lapsed, the reinstatement fee is $225 or $300 after suspension or revocation.

Continuing Education Requirements for Virginia RNs

After August 1, 2015, nurses must fulfill continuing education requirements to renew their licenses in Virginia. The continuing education requirements within each biennial period is 15 hours. The hours must be completed at an institution approved by a regionally accredited educational institution or professional nursing organization. You do not need to submit documentation of your continuing education with the renewal application. However, you should keep the documents on record to provide in the event of an audit.

Virginia Salary and Job Outlook

The slow and steady increase in Virginia’s RN workforce does not match the population’s growth rate. Virginia’s population is projected to grow by one million between the years 2008 to 2028, and persons over 65 will account for 16% of residents. Using a Nurse Supply Model and Nurse Demand Model developed by the U.S Health Resource Services Administration (HRSA), the Healthcare Workforce Data Center projects a severe shortage of nurses over the next decade. The growth of nursing education programs and enrollment, and deferred retirement of working RNs have helped to maintain a favorable supply of nurses. However, increasing age-related retirement combined with an aging population reduces the number of RNs per 10,000 persons.

A 2010 Forecasting Nurse Supply and Demand in Virginia report proposed two solutions to address the shortage of nurses “increase the number of new entrants and delay retirement.” According to the report, approximately 10,000 more RNs will be needed in 2017 compared with 2008. By 2028, the workforce will need an additional 30,000 more nurses to address the level of demand. The greatest need will be in the skilled nursing facilities that provides services to the elderly. Home health services and outpatient care services are also expected to realize record growth when compared to opporunities on schools, occupational health, and other settings.

The disparity between demand and supply means that ADN-prepared nurses have a better chance of employment in Virginia when compared with other states where ADN RNs are facing challenges on the job front.

The median annual salary for Virginia RNs in 2014 was $63,880.

Contact the Board of Nursing

Virginia Board of Nursing
Perimeter Center
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300
Henrico Virginia 23233-1463

Phone: (804) 367-4515
Fax: (804) 527-4455
Email: nursebd@dhp.virginia.gov

Virginia Registered Nursing Programs and NCLEX-RN Pass Rates:

Abingdon, VA ADN Programs:

Virginia Appalachian TriCollege
PO Box 828 Abingdon, VA 24212-0828
(276) 739-2439
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 92.97%

Alexandria, VA ADN Programs:

Global Health College
25 South Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA 22314
866-440-3535
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 67.44%

Northern Virginia Community College
5000 Dawes Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22311-5097
703-323-3000
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 90.69%

Saint Michael College of Allied Health
8305 Richmond Highway, Unit 10A Alexandria, VA 22309
(703) 746-8708
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 80.00%

Charlottesville, VA ADN Programs:

Piedmont Virginia Community College
501 College Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22902
434-977-3900
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 90.67%

Chester, VA ADN Programs:

John Tyler Community College
13101 Jefferson Davis Highway, Chester, VA 23831-5316
804-796-4000
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 79.41%

Clifton Forge, VA ADN Programs:

Dabney South Lancaster Community College
1000 Dabney Drive, Box 1000, Clifton Forge, VA 24422
540-863-2800
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 91.67%

Colonial Heights, VA ADN Programs:

Southside Regional Medical Center Professional Schools
430 Clairmont Court, Suite 200 Colonial Heights, VA 23834
(804) 765-6746
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 89.47%

Danville, VA ADN Programs:

Danville Community College
1008 South Main Street, Danville, VA 24541
434-797-2222
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100%

Dublin, VA ADN Programs:

New River Community College
5251 College Drive Dublin, Virginia 24084
(540) 674-3600
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 95.12%

Franklin, VA ADN Programs:

Paul D. Camp Community College
100 North College Drive, Franklin, VA 23851
757-569-6700
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 82.35%

Fredericksburg, VA ADN Programs:

Eastern Virginia Career College
10304 Spotsylvania Avenue, Suite 400, Fredericksburg, VA 22408
(540) 373-2200
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100%

Germanna Community College
10000 Germanna Point Drive, Fredericksburg, VA22408
540-891-3000
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 89.66%

Hampton, VA ADN Programs:

Thomas Nelson Community College
99 Thomas Nelson Drive, Hampton, VA 23666
757-825-2700
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 78.00%

Keysville, VA ADN Programs:

Southside Virginia Community College
John H. Daniel Campus, 200 Daniel Road, Keysville, VA 23947
434-736-2000
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100%

Lynchburg, VA ADN Programs:

Centra College of Nursing
905 Lakeside Drive, Suite A, Lynchburg, VA 24501
(434) 200-5502
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 94.34%

Martinsville, VA ADN Programs:

Patrick Henry Community College
645 Patriot Avenue, Martinsville, VA 24112
276-638-8777
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 86.46%

Middletown, VA ADN Programs:

Lord Fairfax Community College
173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, VA 22645-1745
540-868-7000
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 98.04%

Newport News, VA ADN Programs:

Riverside College of Health Careers
316 Main Street Newport News, VA 23601
(757) 240-2207
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: N/A

Norfolk, VA ADN Programs:

ITT Technical Institute
5425 Robin Hood Road, Suite 100, Norfolk, VA 23513
757-466-1260
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 61.41%

North Chesterfield, VA ADN Programs:

Bryant & Stratton College
8141 Hull Street Road, North Chesterfield, VA 23235
804-745-2444
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 84.62%

Petersburg, VA ADN Programs:

Virginia State University
PO Box 9059, 161 Petersburg, Virginia 23806
(804)  524-6899
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100%

Portsmouth, VA ADN Programs:

Tidewater Community College
120 Campus Drive, Portsmouth, VA 23701
757-822-1122
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 78.69%

Richmond, VA ADN Programs:

Fortis College
2000 Westmoreland Street, Suite A, Richmond, VA 23230
804-323-1020
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 77.78%

Sargeant Reynolds Community College
PO Box 85622, Richmond, VA 23285-5622
804-371-3000
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 94.25%

Roanoke, VA ADN Programs:

Virginia Western Community College
PO Box 14007, Roanoke, VA 24038
540-857-VWCC
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 85.71%

South Boston, VA ADN Programs:

Southside Virginia Community College
820 Bruce Street, South Boston, VA 24592
434-572-5451
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 91.18%

Virginia Beach, VA ADN Programs:

ECPI University
5501 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
800-986-1200
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 76.99%

Warsaw, VA ADN Programs:

Rappahannock Community College
52 Campus Drive, Warsaw, VA 22572
800-836-9379
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 91.18%

Weyers Cave, VA ADN Programs:

Blue Ridge Community College
Box 80, One College Lane, Weyers Cave, VA 24486
540-234-9261
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 86.76%

Wytheville, VA ADN Programs:

Wytheville Community College
1000 East Main Street, 205 Grayson Hall, Wytheville, VA 24382
276-223-4763
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 83.33%

 

Crystal is a certified Registered Nurse (RN) with a passion for writing about nursing education. Through her articles, Crystal shares insights and tips to help fellow nurses enhance their skills and stay updated with the latest developments in the field. With a focus on practical advice and relevant topics, Crystal's writing is a valuable resource for nursing professionals seeking to advance their careers.