Nursing Programs in Roanoke, VA

2027 Best Nursing Schools in Roanoke

Rankings help students compare nursing programs and make informed decisions. Our 'Best Nursing Schools in Roanoke' rankings are created by Registerednursing.org based solely on NCLEX pass rates. We analyze pass rate data to highlight program quality. For methodology, see https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/.

Yearly Pass Rate Trends

• Pass rates in the Roanoke area have shown variability, with an overall upward trend from 2022 to 2024. The number of students tested each year is relatively small.

• 2024: 66.67% average pass rate (9 students)
• 2023: 66.67% average pass rate (6 students)
• 2022: 40% average pass rate (5 students)

Yearly Nursing Graduates

• Graduation numbers have increased each year, from 5 in 2022 to 9 in 2024. This growth indicates expanding program capacity.

• 2024: 9 graduates
• 2023: 6 graduates
• 2022: 5 graduates

Top Performing Schools

• Ferrum College is the only school in our dataset with sufficient student data for analysis. It achieved an average NCLEX pass rate of 60% across three years.

• Ferrum College: Average pass rate 60% (20 total students, 3 years of data)

#1

Galen Health Institutes-Roanoke

Roanoke, VA - Private 2-year - galencollege.edu

Associate - LPN/LVN to ADN Bridge Program

Campus Based - Visit Website

Galen College's LPN/LVN to ADN Bridge Program provides licensed practical/vocational nurses a streamlined pathway to becoming registered nurses in just 18 months. This comprehensive program equips experienced nurses with advanced clinical knowledge, leadership skills, and eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN exam. Designed for working professionals, the on-campus curriculum builds on existing nursing experience through targeted coursework in pharmacology, pathophysiology, and complex care strategies.

• 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 College of Nursing's 3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program offers an accelerated pathway for aspiring nurses to launch their healthcare careers. Designed for individuals new to nursing, this comprehensive program prepares students to become registered nurses through an intensive, full-time curriculum. Students gain comprehensive clinical knowledge and hands-on experience, positioning themselves to confidently take the NCLEX-RN® exam. The program provides flexibility with four start times annually and offers on-campus learning across multiple locations. Tuition and financial aid options are available, making this an accessible route for those committed to nursing as a profession.

• 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

Show 1 More Programs ˅

#2

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 (BSN) is a pre-licensure program designed to prepare students for the NCLEX-RN exam and licensure as a Registered Nurse. The curriculum blends a liberal arts foundation with professional nursing courses covering health assessment, pharmacology, adult nursing, mother-baby-pediatric care, psychiatric mental health, community health, leadership, and nursing informatics. Students gain hands-on clinical experience across various settings, serving individuals, families, and groups across the lifespan. The program emphasizes experiential and innovative teaching in a caring, personalized atmosphere. Graduates are equipped to provide compassionate, evidence-based care and think critically in healthcare environments. With a minimum GPA of 2.5 and a structured semester sequence, the program ensures readiness for modern nursing practice. Ferrum's nursing division fosters principled, professional, and scientifically grounded care.

• Entrance exam required
• 2.5 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Experiential and innovative teaching practices
• Caring and personalized atmosphere
• Liberal arts foundation
• Clinical experiences across the lifespan
• Mother-baby-pediatric nursing focus
• Community health nursing clinical

*Source: IPEDS 2025 survey results, NCES, U.S. Department of Education.

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