Registered nurses (RNs) constitute the majority of the nursing workforce. The U.S. is home to more than 2.7 million RNs, and this population is expected to increase by 19 percent in the next decade. In Virginia alone, there are more than 60,000 licensed RNs. Thanks to faster-than-average job growth, registered nursing is an attractive career option for aspiring healthcare workers.
Virginia’s nursing pathways
Joining the RN workforce begins with the right education. In Virginia, an aspiring registered nurse can pursue one of four pathways: hospital diploma, associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), or direct-entry master of science in nursing (MSN). The vast majority of Virginia’s 80 prelicensure RN programs fall into the ADN and BSN categories. Associate’s degrees require two years of study, while a prelicensure bachelor’s degree takes four years to complete. All pathways prepare students to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). However, it is important to note that RNs with a BSN degree have an advantage over their ADN counterparts with many potential employers.
Career outlook for Virginia’s RNs
Upon graduation, RNs have the skills needed to work in a variety of healthcare settings. Virginia has major nursing employers across the state, including large local hospitals like Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center and statewide providers like the Department of Veterans Affairs. Regardless of the environment, all RNs work to provide and coordinate patient care. For their hard work and dedication, Virginia’s RNs earn a median annual salary of $62,750. Those with BSN degrees will typically receive pay in excess of $74,000 per year.
To help those interested in a registered nursing career, we have compiled a detailed list of Virginia’s prelicensure RN programs. You’ll find them grouped below by major city and ordered by their students’ recent NCLEX scores.