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BSN Programs in Virginia

By EveryNurse Staff on June 14, 2021

BSN Programs in Virginia
The state of Virginia offers several excellent nursing schools where individuals can earn their Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing, a degree that brings about more opportunities and lays a great foundation for a graduate degree in nursing. Those who earn this degree are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses and become licensed as a registered nurse in the state of Virginia. RNs work alongside doctors in many different healthcare facilities, from hospitals and clinics to rehabilitation centers. The first step in this career path is to choose a great BSN program.

Schools With BSN Programs in Virginia

  • Men and women in the Richmond area can take advantage of Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing. There are two different BSN options at this school: the traditional BSN program and the RN to BSN program for registered nurses who have an Associate’s Degree or a diploma in nursing. Individuals can apply for both programs online and will need to submit any past transcripts as well as the results of the TEAS test.
  • Chamberlain College of Nursing Arlington is accredited by the CCNE, and offers a great BSN program. Students can earn their degree in as little as three years if they don’t mind a rigorous study program. The program combines exciting classroom instruction with valuable clinical experiences in partnering healthcare facilities.
  • Through Eastern Mennonite University, men and women can choose from two BSN tracks: one for those who have zero nursing experience and one for registered nurses who want to earn their Bachelor’s Degree. The curriculum is based on a sacred covenant framework, which focuses on justice, advocacy, grace, and love. RNs can earn their BSN in as little as 18 months, with once-a-week classes that last 4 hours.
  • George Mason University caters to students new to the nursing industry with the traditional BSN route, those who have already earned a degree with the accelerated BSN route and to registered nurses with the RN to BSN route. The traditional path is a two-year program for individuals who have already completed all prerequisites, and admission is competitive. Students are accepted only once a year in the fall, and applicants must have a 3.0 GPA in prerequisite classes.
  • Students can earn their BSN in the oldest continuous baccalaureate nursing program in Virginia, Hampton University School of NursingThree different pathways are available to those who want to earn a BSN, including the traditional BSN, the LPN to BSN and the RN to BSN. The traditional program is a 130-131-credit hour program which focuses on a variety of necessary topics like Human Anatomy & Physiology, General Psychology, and Nutrition & Dietetics.
  • James Madison University features a great traditional BSN program that students can complete in four years, as well as an RN to BSN option for nurses who want to earn their Bachelor’s Degree. The RN to BSN option is offered primarily online, though classes will meet once a week. With the traditional program, students must maintain at least a “C” average in order to progress through the courses and earn their degree. Completion of the program allows individuals to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination.
  • The intense BSN program at Jefferson College of Health Sciences can be completed in 4 semesters or 16 months with full-time study, allowing students to earn their degree faster than most other schools will. In order to be admitted, students must have completed all prerequisites and must write an essay on the topic of their motivation for earning the BSN degree.
  • Liberty University prepares students to enter the nursing field by offering a BSN that is committed to Christian ethical standards and places a lot of focus on the Benner theoretical framework. Approved by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing, this program features small class sizes (a ratio of 10:1 student to faculty ratio in clinical settings) so students can receive intimate instruction and individualized attention.
  • The BSN program at Longwood University combines classroom instruction with hands-on learning in laboratory and clinical experiences. This 120-credit hour program features 59 core nursing credits. Those who graduate from the program will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination. In order to be admitted into the program, individuals must have a drug screening as well as a criminal background check.
  • Lynchburg College’s BSN program is rigorous and demanding, but it comes with a lot of benefits, including smaller class size. The 124-credit hour program enables individuals to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and lays a fantastic foundation for graduate-level nursing studies. Individuals must earn at least a 3.0 GPA on prerequisites to be accepted into the BSN program and must maintain at least a “C” to progress through the program.
  • Those seeking a BSN degree can choose from three tracks at Norfolk State Universitythe traditional BSN track, the RN to BSN track and the LPN to BSN track. Those who enter the traditional program can complete it within 22 months provided they have completed all prerequisite courses. The program includes classroom instruction as well as clinical experiences where individuals work directly with patients in a variety of different healthcare settings.
  • Old Dominion University offers a traditional BSN as well as an RN to BSN program designed to help registered nurses gain their Bachelor’s degree on a schedule that works for them. The traditional program is offered as a 36-month program where students take summers off or a 24 month, year-round program for those who wish for an accelerated rate of study. Admission is based on GPA and aptitude testing; special consideration will be given to those who earned their prerequisite credit hours at Old Dominion.
  • Radford University’s BSN program is a four-year, 123-credit hour program that covers topics like Human Anatomy & Physiology, Nutrition, and Psychology. Approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing, this program gives individuals access to high-quality instructors that offer classroom instruction as well as clinical and laboratory experiences. Individuals who complete the program may sit for the NCLEX-RN examination.
  • The Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Sentara College of Nursing can be completed in just 2.5 years, provided all prerequisites have been completed. Those who complete the program will be given priority in the Sentara Healthcare system and the school does consider applications from individuals who have been unsuccessful in a previous nursing program. The NCLEX-RN pass rate for this school is over 85%.
  • The University of Virginia offers a four-year BSN for students with no previous experience in the nursing field. The program requires 120-credit hours to complete, and individuals will begin gaining clinical experience in their second year of schooling. The school also offers an RN to BSN program for registered nurses who want to increase their opportunities or further their education with a Bachelor’s degree. Those who complete either program will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.

Virginia BSN Checklist

  • Enroll in a high-quality Virginia BSN program and earn your BSN degree.
  • Take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses in the state of Virginia.
  • Apply for your registered nurse (RN) license through the Virginia Board of Nursing and include any applicable fees.
  • Maintain your license by following license renewal rules for the state of Virginia.

Virginia Nurse Salary & Job Outlook

Registered nurses in the state of Virginia earn an annual median salary of $63,150 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. A nurse’s experience is just one of the things that can affect his or her actual salary, and research shows that those holding BSN degrees will often earn more money than their nurse counterparts who do not have a BSN degree.

Additional Virginia Program Rankings

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