We've organized a comprehensive list of Virginia nursing schools. Below you'll find information on specific nursing programs such as LPN certificates and ADN, BSN, and MSN degrees. You'll also find a profile of nursing education and careers in each major Virginia city.
Virginia is home to over one hundred accredited nursing schools. To help aspiring nurses organize the large number of choices, we have profiled below the duration, cost, and level of education required for each major nursing role.
Certified nursing assistant (CNA)
St. Mary's Hospital, Supplemental Health Care, Riverside Health System – all are major healthcare providers in the DC suburbs of Virginia, and all are currently looking for experienced nurses. More than 70,000 nurses are employed in the DC metro area. Recent advances in the healthcare industry, coupled with an aging U.S. population, will ensure that this talent pool continues to grow.
Overview of nursing programs
For our 2024 rankings of LPN programs, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac compiled an extensive database of student performance on the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Aspiring practical nurses in the United States must pass this examination before they may commence practice. Thus, student performance on the NCLEX-PN exam provides an excellent benchmark for comparing the relative quality of practical nursing programs.
In the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, there is a need for healthcare workers at all levels. The region is home to ten community colleges and vocational schools with nursing programs, including Thomas Nelson Community College and Virginia Beach School of Practical Nursing. Vocational schools provide a rapid and cost-effective launching pad for both certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs).
For our 2024 rankings of ADN programs, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac compiled an extensive database of student performance on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Aspiring registered nurses in the United States must pass this examination before they may commence practice. Thus, student performance on the NCLEX-RN exam provides an excellent benchmark for comparing the relative quality of associate’s degree programs.
For our 2024 rankings of LPN programs, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac compiled an extensive database of student performance on the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Aspiring practical nurses in the United States must pass this examination before they may commence practice. Thus, student performance on the NCLEX-PN exam provides an excellent benchmark for comparing the relative quality of practical nursing programs.
Healthcare and social assistance workers make up 12 percent of Virginia’s labor force. The state’s hospitals and health systems contribute $38 billion annually to the local economy. With such a significant and positive impact, it’s not surprising that one of the largest forces within Virginia’s healthcare system is the nurse population.
The first step towards a successful nursing career is a degree or certificate from an accredited school. Harrisonburg, Virginia, has you covered. The city of more than 53,000 residents has a number of accredited nursing schools that offer programs at all levels.
Charlottesville, Virginia, is home to more than 5,000 nurses. Many of these professionals earned their degree or certificate at a local college or university. Of course, the most prominent local nursing school is the University of Virginia School of Nursing, which offers bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), master of science in nursing (MSN), and doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree programs.
The Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford area of Virginia is home to more than 2,000 nurses. Many of these nursing professionals earned their degree or certificate at a local college or university. The Radford University School of Nursing offers bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) and doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degrees. New River Community College features associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) and licensed practical nursing (LPN) programs. These are just two of the best nursing schools in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford metro area.
Arlington, Virginia, is part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metropolitan division. The area has the tenth-highest population of registered nurses (RNs) among U.S. metro areas. Because the nursing community is sizable in Virginia, aspiring nurses will find a number of top schools for nursing that offer a variety of unique degree pathways. For example, Marymount University offers three ways to secure a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree: a traditional four-year BSN, an accelerated BSN, and a hybrid online RN-to-BSN program.
A rewarding nursing career in Alexandria, Virginia, begins with a certificate or degree from an accredited nursing school. Fortunately, the city of more than 150,000 inhabitants is home to a number of accredited schools that offer nursing programs at all levels. For example, Global Health College offers preparation for several different nursing careers, while Saint Michael College of Allied Health has a flagship associate in applied science (AAS) degree.
The first step in becoming a nurse is understanding the different nursing roles and their corresponding education requirements. Aspiring nurses in Norfolk, Virginia, can pursue one of three common nursing roles: certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), or registered nurse (RN).
CNA overview