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Virginia is for Nurses

Find a School in Your Own Backyard

It's a great time to pursue a nursing school education in Virginia. Nurses have never been in greater demand and there are available campus programs in the state without wait lists. Here's the nitty-gritty on nursing: it's one of the most stable careers, offers built-in career ladders, and laughs in the face of economic yo-yoing. You really can't go wrong. But you must start with a school and you must have the desire to provide compassionate care.

Quickly Narrow Down Your List of Possible Schools

If your intended track is to an LPN job then narrow your search to Virginia's technical and vocational schools. You can be working as an LPN in a matter of months AND you still have the ability to earn your RN anytime you're ready. Plenty of online programs offer an LPN to RN or BSN degree if you really need convenience.

The largest population of nursing students goes right for the RN in the beginning. If that describes you, then the next decision you need to make is which nursing degree to go after. Nursing degree levels include diploma (rare), Associates, BSN, MSN and PhD. Graduate certificate programs also allow nurses aditional career specializations.

Many pro nurses have launched their nursing careers via the 2-year Associates degree. If you are interested in this avenue then you only need to search the community colleges in Virginia. This is their specialty. The ADN gives you all the tools you need to grab an entry-level nursing job and pass your RN exam.

How Pro RNs Choose a Nursing School

Professional nurses: now's the time to recharge your career in a serious way. The healthcare industry wants to keep you from ditching your career. Consider investing your hard-won experience in an advanced practice nursing degree like nurse practitioner, nurse midwife or nurse anesthetist. All of these are in great demand, particularly if you're willing to take an independent job in a critical need facility or area. Better yet, all pay rather well, especially the lucrative nurse anesthetist jobs. Check with your employer for any educational reimbursement options available if you decide to return to school.

Direct Patient Care and Non-Patient Care Jobs for Nurses

Virginia has 91 hospitals located throughout the state.* Hospitals are the largest employers of licensed nurses, particularly RNs. But remember the other employment options: home health, outpatient specialty clinics, corrections, schools and large businesses, and doctors — offices. PLUS there are many related industries that employ non-patient care nurses: insurance and pharmaceutical companies, legal industry, and healthcare administration.

For information on state licensure requirements visit the Virginia Board of Nursing.

Virginia Nursing Schools that Offer Some Online Degree Options

Liberty University
CCNE Accredited

University of Phoenix
CCNE Accredited

Search our big list of online nursing schools for many more distance education opportunities.

Campus-based Nursing Schools in Virginia

Blue Ridge Community College — Weyers Cave
Nursing Department
NLNAC Accredited

Bon Secours Richmond Health System — Richmond
NLNAC Accredited

Centra
Lynchburg General Hospital School of Nursing
NLNAC Accredited

Dabney S. Lancaster Community College — Clifton Forge
Department of Health Technologies
NLNAC Accredited

Eastern Mennonite University — Harrisonburg
CCNE Accredited

George Mason University — Fairfax
CCNE Accredited

Germanna Community College — Locust Grove
Department of Nursing
NLNAC Accredited

Hampton University — Hampton
School of Nursing
CCNE, NLNAC Accredited

Henrico County — Highland Springs
St. Mary's School of Practical Nursing
NLNAC Accredited

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College — Richmond
Nursing Program
NLNAC Accredited

James Madison University — Harrisonburg
CCNE Accredited

Jefferson College of Health Sciences — Roanoke
Department of Nursing
CCNE, NLNAC Accredited

John Tyler Community College — Chester
Nursing Program
NLNAC Accredited

Liberty University — Lynchburg
CCNE Accredited

Lifepoint Hospitals, Inc
Diploma Nursing Program
NLNAC Accredited

Lynchburg College — Lynchburg
CCNE Accredited

Marymount University — Arlington
CCNE, NLNAC Accredited

New River Community College — Dublin

Norfolk State University — Norfolk
Department of Nursing
NLNAC Accredited

Norfolk Technical Vocational Center — Norfolk
Central School of Practical Nursing
NLNAC Accredited

Northern Virginia Community College — Springfield
NLNAC Accredited

Old Dominion University
CCNE Accredited

Patrick Henry Community College — Martinsville
Department of Nursing
NLNAC Accredited

Piedmont Virginia Community College — Charlottesville
NLNAC Accredited

Radford University — Radford
School of Nursing
CCNE Accredited

Riverside Health Systems — Newport News
School of Health Careers
NLNAC Accredited

Sentara School of Health Professions — Chesapeake
NLNAC Accredited

Shenandoah University — Winchester
CCNE Accredited

Southside Regional Medical Center — Petersburg
School of Nursing
NLNAC Accredited

Suffolk Public Schools Sentara Obici Hospital — Suffolk
NLNAC Accredited

Thomas Nelson Community College - Hampton
Nursing Department
NLNAC Accredited

Tidewater Community College — Portsmouth
Nursing Program
NLNAC Accredited

University of Virginia — Wise
CCNE Accredited

University of Virginia — Charlottesville
School of Nursing
CCNE Accredited

Virginia Appalachian Tri College Nursing Program
Mountain Empire Community College
NLNAC Accredited

Virginia Western Community College — Roanoke

Virginia Commonwealth University — Richmond
School of Nursing
NLNAC Accredited

Virginia Highlands Community College — Abingdon

Wytheville Community College — Wytheville
NLNAC Accredited

* American Hospital Directory