Nursing Programs in Roanoke, VA
Nursing is an exciting and personally rewarding career path, and demand for nurses is expected to grow over the next several years as the Baby Boomer population ages. Aspiring nurses in the Roanoke area can take advantage of this increased demand and pursue a career in nursing by entering a nursing training program that will prepare them for the RN licensing exam and their first jobs as nurses. Experienced nurses have the option of several accredited programs that will allow them to learn new skills and earn a higher salary, some of which are offered in an online format to make getting a higher degree faster and more convenient. Keep reading for details about the nursing training programs available to students in the Roanoke area.
To get started in nursing or to advance your nursing career, check out our accredited program listings sections below:
2026 Best Nursing Schools in Roanoke
Rankings help prospective nursing students evaluate programs based on objective criteria, guiding them toward quality education that prepares for licensure. Registerednursing.org is creating the "Best Nursing Schools in Roanoke" rankings, focusing exclusively on NCLEX pass rates as the sole ranking metric to ensure transparency and reliability. For more details on how these rankings are compiled, visit https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/.
Yearly Pass Rate Trends
Analysis of NCLEX pass rates in the Roanoke region shows fluctuations over recent years, with data available for 2022 to 2024.
- 2024: Average pass rate of 70.59% with 17 students.
- 2023: Average pass rate of 66.67% with 6 students.
- 2022: Average pass rate of 40% with 5 students.
Top Performing Schools
Based on average pass rates across all years with at least 20 students total, Ferrum College emerges as a top performer in the Roanoke area for nursing education.
- Ferrum College: Average pass rate of 60% with 20 students over 3 years of data.
Geographic Trends
Examining pass rates by location reveals variations among key cities in the region, with Blacksburg showing higher performance.
- Blacksburg: Average pass rate of 75% with 8 students.
- Ferrum: Average pass rate of 66.67% with 9 students.
Biggest Improvements
Ferrum College demonstrated significant progress in pass rates from 2024 to 2024, indicating positive trends in program effectiveness.
- Ferrum College: Improvement of 26.67 percentage points, from 40% to 66.67%.
Galen Health Institutes-Roanoke
Roanoke, VA - Private 2-year - galencollege.edu
Associate - LPN/LVN to ADN Bridge Program
Campus Based - Visit Website
The LPN/LVN to ADN Bridge Program at Galen Health Institutes-Roanoke enables licensed practical/vocational nurses to advance to registered nurse status in 18 months. This on-campus program builds directly on existing nursing experience through focused coursework in pharmacology, pathophysiology, and complex care management. No entrance exam is required for this bridge program, which prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam. The school demonstrated strong NCLEX performance with a 100% pass rate in 2024 for its ADN program, offering four annual start dates to accommodate working professionals seeking career advancement.
- 18-month full-time program
- On-campus learning format
- Four start dates yearly
- Advanced nursing knowledge
- NCLEX-RN exam preparation
- Career advancement opportunity
- Builds on LPN/LVN experience
Bachelor's - 3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Galen Health Institutes-Roanoke's 3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program offers an accelerated pathway for aspiring nurses through a full-time, on-campus curriculum. This comprehensive BSN program requires no ACT or SAT entrance exam and prepares students thoroughly for the NCLEX-RN exam, with the school achieving a 100% NCLEX pass rate in 2024 for its ADN program. Featuring four annual start times and modern clinical learning labs, the program emphasizes personalized academic support and a contemporary nursing curriculum without accepting transfer credits for nursing courses.
- 3-Year Full-Time Program
- On-Campus Learning
- 4 Annual Start Times
- NCLEX-RN® Preparation
- Multiple Campus Locations
- No Transfer Credits for Nursing
- Personalized Academic Support
- Clinical Learning Labs
- Modern Nursing Curriculum
Virginia Western Community College
Roanoke, VA - Public 2-Year - virginiawestern.edu
Associate - Nursing (AAS)
Campus Based - Visit Website
Virginia Western Community College's Nursing (AAS) program provides comprehensive pre-licensure training for aspiring registered nurses through its on-campus curriculum. This two-year program emphasizes patient-centered care with hands-on clinical experience across diverse healthcare settings. Accredited by ACEN and fully approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing, the 65-credit program focuses on ethical practice and cultural competence while preparing students for the NCLEX-RN exam. Recent NCLEX pass rates demonstrate exceptional performance, with 100% of graduates passing in both 2023 and 2024. The program does not require ACT or SAT entrance exams for admission, relying instead on application review and transcripts. Graduates benefit from strong employment outcomes in the Roanoke Valley, where registered nurses earn competitive average wages.
- Pre-licensure RN program.
- Affordable community access.
- Hands-on clinical training.
- High NCLEX-RN pass rate.
- Strong employment outcomes.
- Patient-centered care focus.
- Ethical and cultural respect.
- Accredited by ACEN.
- Full Virginia Board approval.
- 65 credit hours.
Ferrum College
Ferrum, VA - Private 4-year - ferrum.edu
Bachelor's - Nursing, B.S.N.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Ferrum College's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) program prepares students for the NCLEX exam and a career as a Registered Nurse. The program emphasizes experiential learning, innovative teaching, and a caring atmosphere. Students gain skills to provide comprehensive nursing care across the lifespan. The curriculum blends liberal arts with professional training, fostering compassionate, competent nurses. Admission requires a 2.5 GPA and completion of prerequisite courses with a C or better. The program is campus-based, offering a personalized education experience.
- Prepares for NCLEX exam.
- Experiential learning focus.
- Campus-based program.
- 2.5 GPA requirement.
- C or better in prerequisites.
- Liberal arts foundation.
- Compassionate nursing focus.
- Innovative teaching practices.
- Personalized education experience.
- Comprehensive nursing care skills.
Entry-Level ADN & BSN Programs in Roanoke, VA
For recent high school graduates, or for individuals looking to switch careers, an entry-level nursing training program will prepare you for your first professional job as a nurse. Options for entry-level programs in Roanoke include LPN to RN, the Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN), and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree programs, all of which will provide a foundation of nursing principles and practices and prepare students for the licensing exam. There are some differences in cost, curriculum and completion time between these program types that students need to be aware of.
LPN to RN Programs
For Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) who wish to become RNs, transitional LPN to RN programs exist to help them reach that next level. Students can typically choose between earning an ADN or BSN degree, depending on what kind of LPN to RN program they enter. No matter which degree type is chosen, graduates of these programs are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination. Virginia Western Community College, for example, offers an LPN to AAS pathway for aspiring RNs.
ADN Programs
ADN programs are the most basic entry-level nursing program and are ideal for students who wish to begin working as soon as possible, as they are completed in around two years of study. ADN programs are usually offered at community colleges, such as Virginia Western Community College, which offers a 65-credit hour, two-year program that is approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing.
Direct-Entry BSN Programs
BSN programs generally take longer to complete than ADN programs, and usually include additional general education coursework as well as more in-depth nursing curriculum. Increasingly, healthcare employers are looking for entry-level employees with a bachelor’s degree or higher, making BSN programs attractive options for entry-level training programs. Radford University offers a BSN program that includes courses on nursing research, community health nursing, pediatric nursing, gerontology nursing and leadership in nursing.
Find out more about Virginia Accelerated BSN Programs
RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Roanoke, VA
APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Roanoke, VA
Many experienced nurses wish to move into leadership roles, or to transition into a nurse practitioner or administrative position. For these nurses, advanced practice nursing degree programs are the next logical step. In the Roanoke area, students have the option of online programs offered by out-of-state schools or the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs offered at Jefferson College of Health Sciences.
MSN Programs
MSN programs are ideal for nurses who want to become nurse practitioners or take on an education, administration or leadership role in their organization. Jefferson College of Health Sciences offers both Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Administrator programs in a hybrid online and on-campus format. in these programs, students participate in 2-3 on-campus intensives in which they will learn hands-on skills while taking courses online and participating in clinical practice hours in a facility near a student’s home.
Find out more about Virginia Nurse Practitioner Programs
Comprehensive List of Nursing Schools Near Roanoke, VA
Ferrum, VA
Ferrum College
- Bachelor's - Nursing, B.S.N.
Campus Based - Website
- Prepares for NCLEX exam.
- Experiential learning focus.
- Campus-based program.
- 2.5 GPA requirement.
- C or better in prerequisites.
- Liberal arts foundation.
- Compassionate nursing focus.
- Innovative teaching practices.
Roanoke, VA
Galen Health Institutes-Roanoke
- Associate - LPN/LVN to ADN Bridge Program
Campus Based - Website
- 18-month full-time program
- On-campus learning format
- Four start dates yearly
- Advanced nursing knowledge
- NCLEX-RN exam preparation
- Career advancement opportunity
- Builds on LPN/LVN experience
- Bachelor's - 3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Campus Based - Website
- 3-Year Full-Time Program
- On-Campus Learning
- 4 Annual Start Times
- NCLEX-RN® Preparation
- Multiple Campus Locations
- No Transfer Credits for Nursing
- Personalized Academic Support
- Clinical Learning Labs
Virginia Western Community College
- Associate - Nursing (AAS)
Campus Based - Website
- Pre-licensure RN program.
- Affordable community access.
- Hands-on clinical training.
- High NCLEX-RN pass rate.
- Strong employment outcomes.
- Patient-centered care focus.
- Ethical and cultural respect.
- Accredited by ACEN.