How to Become an RN in Virginia: 5 Steps
Looking for information about how to become an RN in Virginia? If you’re seeking a stable career path in the Old Dominion, you’ve come to the right place. Nurses in Virginia can work at large acute care centers, essential rural health facilities, military institutions, and many settings in between.
Becoming a nurse in VA means stepping into one of the most in-demand professions in the state. While the nursing shortage is already impacting healthcare nationally, the United States is projected to need even more nurses in the coming years. Pursuing this career path means that you’re part of the effort to keep Virginians healthy, and you’ll be in high demand. Let’s go over what the role is like and how to become a registered nurse in Virginia.
What Does an RN in Virginia Do?
Nurses in Virginia provide essential care in various settings. One of the benefits of becoming an RN in VA or elsewhere is that your job can vary depending on where you choose to work. Consider some of these RN career options:
- Acute care nurses specialize in treating patients with severe or sudden illnesses. They perform tasks like administering IV medications and monitoring critical changes in patients’ conditions.
- School nurses provide healthcare and education in schools. They handle tasks like managing chronic conditions such as asthma and responding to on-site medical emergencies.
- Home health nurses deliver care to patients in their homes. They often manage wound care and educate families on managing chronic illnesses.
- Post-acute care nurses focus on patients recovering from surgery or illness. They excel at pain management and helping patients regain mobility.
- Psychiatric nurses care for patients with mental health issues. They use skills like crisis intervention and administering psychiatric medications.
How Long Does It Take to Become an RN in Virginia?
There are a few different educational pathways to this career, and how many years it takes to become a registered nurse depends on which one you choose. Expect the process to take two to four years or more. Here are a few ways to start the journey of how to become an RN in Virginia:
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): This two-year degree is offered by many technical and community colleges. Some programs offer accelerated ADNs for committed students.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): This four-year degree is offered by universities and is the preferred entry-level degree by many nursing organizations. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you may be able to enroll in a direct-entry BSN program.
While the associate degree is faster, the BSN includes more nursing professionalism courses such as leadership, ethics, and more. BSN-prepared nurses are associated with better patient outcomes, including lower odds of mortality and decreased length of stay. But if you’re in a hurry to complete your education, you can always graduate with an ADN and take BSN courses later on.
How to Become an RN in Virginia: 5 Steps
Step 1: Complete Nursing School
Whether you pursue an ADN or BSN program, nursing school will help prepare you for working as an entry-level nurse. You’ll take didactic courses, such as pharmacology, nursing fundamentals, pathophysiology, and more. You’ll also go through clinical rotations, where you’ll spend time in various healthcare settings and learn about different populations and procedures.
Developing good study habits is crucial in nursing school. Form study groups with other students to review, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. You might also want to pursue a student nurse externship to gain more experience during school. The better you study and prepare, the better your experience will likely be as a new graduate nurse on the floor.
Looking for RN programs in Virginia? Check out these highly-regarded BSN programs:
- Radford University
- Longwood University
- James Madison University
- Liberty University
- Hampton University – College of Virginia Beach
If you’re seeking the faster route for how to become an RN in Virginia, consider an ADN program. Below are some of the top institutions in the state:
- Southside Virginia Community College – Alberta
- Germanna Community College
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Danville Community College
- Bryant and Stratton College
As you’re discerning which school is right for you, be sure that the programs you apply for are approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing. Enrolling in an approved program ensures that you’ll qualify to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) when you graduate.
On a similar note, look up the NCLEX pass rates for any school that you’re considering. High pass rates indicate that the school is properly preparing its students for licensure.
Step 2: Apply for the NCLEX
In your final months of school, you’ll apply to take the NCLEX in Virginia. Go online to the Virginia Board of Nursing Application Wizard to get started. You can read the application instructions for detailed information on applying. The requirements for licensure by exam are listed below:
- BON application
- Fingerprint background check
- Graduation attestation from your school or final transcripts (if you attended an out-of-state school, your transcripts must include evidence of your clinical hours broken down for each course)
- Pearson VUE application (register immediately after submitting your application to the BON)
- RN licensure fee: $190
Once you submit, the BON takes about a month to complete your application review. You can check on the status of your application with Virginia’s Department of Health Professions page. In Virginia, you can begin working as a nurse before you pass the NCLEX, once you receive your test authorization. You can work for up to 90 days before passing and acquiring licensure.
Virginia is a compact state, so you can apply for a nursing license that allows you to work in other states. To do so, you’ll need to meet additional standards called Uniform Licensure Requirements (ULRs). Not every state is in the compact. For example, with a VA compact license, you could work in West Virginia, Kentucky, or North Carolina, but not the District of Columbia or New York. Learn more about Virginia’s compact status.
Step 3: Take the NCLEX-RN
Once your application is processed, you’ll receive authorization to test, and you’ll be able to schedule your NCLEX exam with Pearson VUE. It’s generally best to take the exam not long after you graduate — within two months is ideal. This will give you time to prepare for the exam content without taking so long that you forget material from nursing school.
Here’s an outline of the content covered by the NCLEX:
- Care management
- Safety and infection control
- Health promotion and maintenance
- Psychosocial integrity
- Basic care and comfort
- Pharmacological and parenteral therapies
- Reducing risk potential
- Physiological adaptation
After you take the exam, you’ll receive unofficial results within two days, and you’ll receive official results in your email within six weeks. This is the final step in the process of how to become an RN in Virginia — if you pass, your licensure status should be posted to Nursys within a few days.
What if you fail the NCLEX on your first try? You’ll need to reapply on the BON site and pay an additional $50 fee. If you’ve started to work, you may need to take a leave of absence. You can retake the exam up to eight times each year, but you’ll need to wait at least 45 days between attempts. Learn more about re-taking the NCLEX exam by reading our article and viewing the video below.
Step 4: Grow Your Nursing Career
Now that you’re a new nurse, you’re ready to find your nursing job as a new grad. Most new grad nurses start out in an acute care residency program. These typically last about six months, and they combine additional facility courses with preceptor supervision and skills training. Acute care hospitals and large medical facilities typically offer these residencies in various specialties, including med-surg, cardiac care, critical care, and the operating room.
If you’re considering relocation, you’ll likely have more acute care opportunities in larger cities. Below are the top five most populous cities in VA:
You might also check out open roles with some of the major healthcare employers in Virginia:
- Carilion Clinic
- Annandale Healthcare Center
- Riverside Health System
- Valley Health
- Inova Health System
- Sentara
- Select Medical
- HCA Healthcare
If you took on student loans during nursing school, you may qualify for Virginia’s loan repayment program. To participate, you’ll need to work in a designated Health Professional Shortage Area (PHSA) for at least two years. The maximum loan repayment you can acquire is $140,000 over four years.
Wondering about your potential salary? The average salary for RNs in Virginia is $88,350 per year. You can position yourself to earn more by pursuing specialty certifications, gaining experience, and continuing your education.
Step 5: Keep Your License Up to Date
In Virginia, RN licenses must be renewed every two years to remain valid. There are several options to renew, and you’ll need to pay a fee of $140. Learn more about renewing your nursing license in Virginia.
Looking for Nursing Jobs?
Now that you know how to become an RN in Virginia, you might want to see open roles. IntelyCare sends personalized job notifications that help you stay updated on opportunities in your area. Learn more today.