# Finding the Right RN Program in Virginia Beach - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/finding-the-right-rn-program-in-virginia-beach/ - Published: 2024-02-17 - Author: Charlene Farwell - Categories: [School](https://33rdsquare.com/category/education/school/) --- As the second largest city in Virginia, Virginia Beach offers nursing students a multitude of RN education options to launch their careers. With 7 colleges and universities featuring RN offerings—from community colleges to private universities—those looking to become registered nurses can find the perfect program to suit their needs and goals. This comprehensive guide provides an in-depth overview of the top nursing schools and RN programs available in Virginia Beach. We’ll compare program types, highlight distinctive offerings at different schools, share admissions advice, and more—equipping you with the information you need to find your best-fit program. ## Comparing Community College and Bachelor’s RN Programs There are two main educational pathways to becoming a registered nurse: associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) programs and Bachelor’s of Science in nursing (BSN) programs. ADN programs are typically offered at community colleges, taking 2 years to complete, while BSN programs at 4-year institutions run over about 4 years. Both pathways impart essential nursing knowledge and clinical training to prepare graduates for RN licensure, but key differences lie in the curriculum focus and opportunities post-graduation. || **Associate‘s (ADN)** | **Bachelor‘s (BSN)** | – | – | – | | Program Length | 2 years | 4 years | | Environment | Community colleges | Universities | | Curriculum Focus | Technical nursing skills | Expanded coursework in social sciences, research, leadership | | Cost (state resident average) | $9,530 total tuition | $39,980 total tuition | | Career Advancement | Able to work as registered nurse | Additional promotion, specialization & advanced degree options As this table shows, while ADN programs focus more narrowly on building nursing competencies and take half the time to complete, BSN programs create more well-rounded nurses poised for leadership roles and continued career growth through their greater emphasis on healthcare systems, research and policy. However, a primary appeal for ADNs remains significantly lower tuition costs. When deciding between the two paths, experts recommend ADNs for those seeking to start working clinically as RNs quickly, while BSNs better serve students with long-term aims to take on senior nursing positions, specializations or nurse practitioner pursuit requiring a Master‘s degree. However we will see a bit later, many ADNs choose to pursue an affordable RN-to-BSN program while working which also opens additional career avenues. First, let‘s look closer at these program offerings located right in Virginia Beach. --- ## Community College ADN Programs in Virginia Beach Virginia Beach boasts several strong and affordable associate‘s degree in nursing (ADN) programs at local community colleges. These 2-year programs concentrate fully on nursing curriculum and clinical training, preparing graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. In Virginia Beach, Tidewater Community College and Sentara College offer well-respected ADN programs detailed in the following sections. ### Tidewater Community College With its easily accessible campus situated right in the heart of Virginia Beach just minutes from the resort area’s beautiful shoreline, Tidewater Community College (TCC) provides an ADN program with competitive admissions that promises solid preparation for nursing licensure. The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) first-time passage rate for TCC ADN graduates consistently stands several percentage points above the national average. TCC students gain clinical experience across Tidewater region medical facilities through the program’s partnerships with major local healthcare employers like Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital, Children’s Hospital of The King‘s Daughters and Atlantic Shores Surgical Specialty Center. Nursing hopefuls additionally benefit from TCC‘s wellequipped simulation labs outfitted with high-fidelity programmable mannequins offering realistic anatomical and physiological responses. By engaging with appropriately sophisticated medical equipment models across evolving simulated scenarios, future nurses develop clinical competencies and critical thinking skills invaluable for managing complex patient cases. **TCC‘s ADN program key details at-a-glance:** ||| |-|-| | Length: | 5 semester curriculum | | Typical class size: | 48 students | | Admissions deadline: | March 1 | | Minimum GPA required: | 2.5 overall | | Estimated total cost:| *$9,500 ADN $15,000 BSN| *TCC ADN graduates have an efficient path to upgrade their nursing credentials while working through TCC‘s affordable RN-to-BSN program costing approximately $5,500 additional tuition. 93% of TCC nursing students pass the NCLEX-RN exam on their first attempt—impressively higher than Virginia’s 87% state average first-time pass rate. Graduates boasted a stellar 100% job placement rate within 12 months during 2018-2020. TCC offers an academically challenging yet highly rewarding ADN pathway with strong outcomes converting nursing program graduates into licensed RNs serving Virginia Beach regional healthcare employers. ### Sentara College Sentara College uniquely positions nursing students for career success by embedding them directly within a bustling Sentara hospital environment through the entirety of their program. Nursing classes and clinical experiences take place within Sentara Virginia Beach General, surrounded by working RNs across over 40 nursing specialty units. **Distinctive aspects of Sentara College‘s nursing education model include:** - Year-round enrollment instead of restrictive fall-start cohorts at many other schools - Option to complete ADN degree requirements on an accelerated 16-month track - Graduates receive guaranteed RN job interviews with Sentara Healthcare The intensive nature of Sentara College’s competency-based curriculum propels ADN students to develop proficiency faster through their immersive hospital training site. With a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and class sizes averaging just 36 learners, nursing faculty provide highly personalized guidance to promote student success. Graduates consistently cite close bonds formed with their small cohort and meaningful one-on-one relationships with instructors who knew each student’s strengths and weaknesses well as major advantages of completing their degree at Sentara College. --- ## Bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN) Programs While ADN programs provide an efficient education focused exclusively on developing nursing skills, Bachelor‘s of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs incorporate more general education and leadership coursework to groom nurses for a broader range of advancement opportunities. Increasingly hospitals prefer hiring BSN-prepared nurse talent, and earning a bachelor’s degree enables registering for nursing jobs with the most complexity, authority and highest salaries. The additional years of schooling pays dividends for motivated students with an RN career mapped out long-term. BSN curriculum additions like research methods, health policy, case management and humanities develops sharp critical thinking skills applicable across dynamic healthcare environments throughout a nurse‘s career trajectory. Gaining exposure to nursing roles beyond bedside clinical care also fuels aspirations for graduate nursing education. direct patient care also fuels aspirations for graduate nursing education. In Virginia Beach, Old Dominion University (ODU) and South University offer traditional 4-year BSN programs, while ECPI University provides an accelerated career pathway enabling those who hold a bachelor’s degree in another field to transition into nursing through an intensive 16-month BSN course plan. ### Old Dominion University The traditionally structured BSN program at ODU features intimate class sizes between 8-10 students and extensive hands-on practice through the Monarch School of Nursing’s state-of-the-art simulation labs emulating emergency, neonatal, pediatric, birthing and intensive care settings. Training frequency and sophistication has increased in recent years through addition of high-fidelity mannequins with eerily life-like physiological responses. By fourth year, students run through patient scenarios within the simulation labs daily. ODU maintains wide-ranging clinical partnerships encompassing over 500 placements throughout Virginia and North Carolina. Nursing students gain broad exposure to diverse healthcare environments ranging from Hampton Roads flagship institutions like Children’s Hospital of The Kings Daughters, Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and Riverside Regional Medical Center to small public health clinics, prison medical facilities and senior living communities. **ODU nursing program key details:** - 94-100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate over past decade - Selective 7.4% acceptance rate with 92 undergraduate students admitted annually - Originally established nursing program in 1974 ODU graduates praise the way professors combine classroom lessons with relatable real nursing stories that reveal the human impacts from clinical research findings. Nursing alumni attribute their smooth transition into demanding hospital nurse residency programs to the rigorous “see one, do one, teach one” experiential learning model carried over from ODU nursing labs to patient bedsides. ### South University South University‘s Richmond location in Glen Allen offers an acclaimed BSN program that can be completed full-time over 4 years or flexibly through part-time remote and evening courses suiting working nurse professionals seeking to elevate their credentials. The curriculum walks through specialized patient populations covering details like safe medication dosing for children vs. elders, prenatal nutrition or common health issues and disparities within men’s healthcare. Students also examine complementary nursing practices like aromatherapy and healing touch absent from many nursing programs. **Core courses over the eight-semester degree plan include:** - Adult Health Assessment - Mental Health Nursing - Care of Children & Families - Community Health Nursing South University selected its wide scope of clinical partners to expose students to diverse healthcare environments they may encounter through an RN career. Placements range from outpatient rehab facilities focused on sports medicine and orthopedic injury recovery to community clinics providing primary care, vaccination and health education resources in underserved regions of Richmond. ### ECPI University The accelerated BSN program at ECPI University packs a comprehensive curriculum including over 200 hours spent across medical-surgical, pediatric, psychiatric and community health clinical rotations into just 16 fast-paced months. Enabling those who hold a bachelor's degree in another field to transition into registered nursing, graduates enter healthcare environments primed to contribute from day one. Ideal candidates for ECPI’s rigorous accelerated program feature: - Strong science aptitude - Stamina for an intensive course load - Prior experience shadowing RNs or exposure to healthcare environments The program appeals to aspiring nurses eager to pivot careers efficiently. Tech professionals tiring of sedentary coding careers, former college athletes missing the adrenaline rush of competition and military veterans possessing the discipline to absorb vast information quickly have succeeded in the program. ECPI’s year-round start dates every 2 months allow flexibility for enrollees to commence their program at the nearest admissions milestone to finalize any outstanding application requirements. The school also accepts up to 90 undergraduate transfer credits to place eligible enrollees directly into nursing-focused coursework to complete degree requirements swiftly. --- ## Expanding Opportunity: Online RN-to-BSN Programs While initial RN licensure requires extensive hands-on clinical training only offered through campus programs, incumbent ADN nurses can upgrade their skillsets through affordable online RN-to-BSN completion programs. Designed for working registered nurses, these programs build upon existing nursing knowledge with flexible course delivery focused on leadership, research, policy and public health topics to equip nurses for advancement. Most online RN-to-BSN programs feature curricula spanning between 1-2 years taken completely remotely with clinical requirements waived thanks to students’ current professional RN status. Following the national push towards a more bachelor’s prepared nursing workforce, many nurses view the minimal extra investment of time an money to earn their BSN online while working full time well worthwhile to become more competitive nursing job candidates. In Virginia, schools offering online RN-to-BSN options tailorable around Virginia Beach nurses’ demanding schedules include George Mason University, Old Dominion University, Southside Virginia Community College, Virginia Commonwealth University and Liberty University. ## Nursing Career Prospects in Virginia Beach Given Virginia Beach‘s massive healthcare system including Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital’s Level II Trauma Center, abundance of private specialty clinics and doctor‘s offices, and status as home to facilities of major regional providers like Children‘s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, career opportunities for RNs abound across diverse local care settings seeking nursing talent. The Virginia Healthcare Workforce Data Center in 2019 reported over 12,000 actively licensed RNs reside within theVirginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News metropolitan area with thousands of nursing job vacancies frequently listed. Healthcare support careers including RNs represent 17% of Virginia Beach’s workforce. As the regional population steadily ages, demand for registered nurses at hospitals, long-term care centers and home health services continues rising. Nursing wages also keep trending upwards in Virginia Beach. The average RN working within Virginia Beach city limits earned $79,730 in 2022 according to JobAtlas data – a figure that rises with specializations, certifications and leadership roles nurses attain through their careers. For example, nurse practitioners (NPs) represent the fastest growing segment of registered nurses. NPs conduct patient assessments, order diagnostic tests, make diagnoses and prescribe medication autonomously in most states. Serving as a patient‘s primary healthcare provider for routine care and managing cases like diabetes or hypertension, nurse practitioners earn over 50% higher wages than RNs on average. Virginia passed full practice authority legislation for NPs in 2021, positioning the role for significant growth. NPs graduating from Eastern Virginia Medical School based in Norfolk immediately south of Virginia Beach often remain in the region upon certification. EVMS offers both a campus and online Master‘s entry pathway for registered nurses seeking NP licensure, as well as a nursing PhD program. --- ## Tips for Success After Admission from Virginia Beach Nurse Educators We asked nursing faculty from Sentara College‘s ADN program along with Old Dominion University‘s BSN department to share their advice for admitted students to make the most of Virginia Beach nursing programs and thrive into the start of their careers. Here‘s what they suggest: #### Lean on your cohort Few individuals understand the demands of nursing school as well as your own classmates. Form study groups, share clinical experiences and lend an empathetic ear to one another when the courseload feels overwhelming. You‘re all in this together! #### Immerse yourself in clinical environments Seek out extra observation opportunities within care settings you find interesting whenever possible. Time spent focused within a specialty unit helps cement classroom concepts. Attend hospital conferences or community nursing association meetups to gain exposure to wider perspectives from working nurses across the field. #### Develop professional relationships Get acquainted with nurses in roles you may see yourself pursuing down the line. Request informational interviews over coffee to uncover the realities of their average workday. Beyondnetworking, these insights help determine what nursing careers best align to your personality, values and priorities. #### Take care of self Don‘t neglect personal health and wellness practices that recharge you amidst the demands of classes, long hospital shifts on your feet and seemingly endless studying. By incorporating small self-care rituals that support both physical and mental health into each week, you‘ll sustain the needed energy and focus to successfully complete a rigorous Virginia Beach nursing program. --- ## Evaluate Your Options to Determine the Best Local Nursing Program Fit To recap, Virginia Beach offers multiple accredited RN education options spanning: - Associate‘s degree in nursing (ADN) – Offered at community colleges like Tidewater CC and Sentara College, these affordable 2-year programs focus directly on nursing competencies and clinical skills for direct patient care roles. - Traditional bachelor’s (BSN) – Old Dominion University and South University feature robust 4-year degree plans expanding into healthcare leadership, research and policy topics beyond technical abilities required for RN licensure. - Accelerated BSN – For those who hold a prior bachelor’s degree, ECPI University’s 16-month fast-track pathway efficiently retrains students for registered nursing. As you evaluate programs, reflect deeply on your career aims in 5 or 10 years and identify environments you believe you would thrive within. Reach out to current students and RN graduates from your programs of interest. Compare curricula, faculty expertise, clinical partners, career guidance and campus culture across options to determine where you see yourself succeeding over the next few years on the journey to join Virginia Beach’s nursing workforce. --- Source: [Finding the Right RN Program in Virginia Beach](https://33rdsquare.com/finding-the-right-rn-program-in-virginia-beach/)