Nursing Programs in Virginia Beach, VA
With much-visited shorelines and rich history, Virginia Beach, Virginia is a vibrant community with lots to offer visitors and locals alike. Like many southern regions, Virginia Beach and its surrounding communities are experiencing a sharp nursing shortage even though RNs can earn a comfortable wage. According to the Virginia Nurses Association, by 2020 one in three patients may not get needed healthcare services due to lack of nurses. Area colleges are addressing this issue by offering more programs with open enrollment periods, online formats, and evening and weekend options.
To get started in nursing or to advance your nursing career, check out our accredited program listings sections below:

Entry-Level ADN & BSN Programs in Virginia Beach, VA
Public and private healthcare institutions are working with Virginia Beach-area colleges to create accessible nursing programs that encourage enrollment. Many LPN to RN, Associate Degree in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing options offer year-round admission, flexible scheduling, and online and on-ground courses to attract new students.
LPN to RN Programs
As part of their jobs, LPNs routinely interact with patients and healthcare providers and discover what more they could do if they had an RN. Tidewater Community College located outside of Virginia Beach, VA, has an accelerated path for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) so they can earn their two-year degree in less time and be ready for the NCLEX. The competitive-entry program aims to make the most of LPNs schooling and first-hand experience.
ADN Programs
Becoming a Registered Nurse requires people skills as well as math, science, and technical competencies. Bryant & Stratton College in Virginia Beach uses traditional classroom instruction, laboratory, and clinical experiences to prepare students to become RNs through its Associate's Degree in Nursing program. Students also complete clinical simulations so they are ready from day one to work in modern healthcare facilities.
Direct-Entry BSN Programs
Nurses must manage many competing priorities and make smart decisions in sometimes chaotic settings. Gaining strong nursing fundamentals can help nurses successfully cope with varying challenges on the job. By earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, students can arm themselves with the complete arsenal of skills to perform their job well.
Find out more about Virginia Accelerated BSN Programs.
Virginia Beach RN Program NCLEX-RN Pass Rates
Virginia Beach | Virginia | |
---|---|---|
NCLEX-RN Students Total | 554 | 0 |
NCLEX-RN Students Passed | 445 | 0 |
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate | 80.3% | 0.0% |
Top Ranked Accredited Nursing Programs in Virginia Beach
Listed below are the top nursing schools in Virginia Beach based on our RegisteredNursing.org RN program rankings for Virginia out of 67 other accredited programs offered in the state:
- Hampton University - College of Virginia Beach - #6
- Hampton University - Hampton - #10
- Old Dominion University - #19
- Sentara College of Health Sciences - #12
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Bryant & Stratton College
| 301 Centre Pointe Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23462 (757) 499-7900 |
ECPI University - Virginia Beach
| 5501 Greenwich Rd Virginia Beach, VA 23462 (757) 645-9258 |
Fortis College - Norfolk
| 6300 Center Drive, Suite 100 Norfolk, VA 23502 (757) 499-5447 |
Hampton University - College of Virginia Beach
| 253 Town Center Drive, Suite 1035 Virginia Beach, VA 23462 (757) 637-2200 |
Hampton University - Hampton
| 100 E Queen St Hampton, VA 23668 (757) 727-5251 |
Norfolk State University
| 700 Park Ave Norfolk, VA 23504 (757) 823-2205 |
Old Dominion University
| 2152 Health Sciences Bldg Norfolk, VA 23529 (757) 683-4297 |
Sentara College of Health Sciences
| 1441 Crossways Blvd Chesapeake, VA 23320 (757) 388-2900 |
Stratford University - Alexandria | , VA |
Thomas Nelson Community College - Hampton
| 99 Thomas Nelson Dr Hampton, VA 23666 (757) 825-2700 |
Tidewater Community College
| 120 Campus Drive Portsmouth, VA 23701 (757) 822-2124 |
RN to BSN Programs in Virginia Beach, VA
Problems are better solved by working together, which is why Virginia Beach colleges and medical facilities are partnering up to solve the nursing shortage. Fast-track RN to BSN programs enable students to continue working while completing Bachelor's of Science in Nursing coursework both online and in evening and weekend hours.
RN to BSN Programs
Working registered nurses likely learn new skills every day on the job, and bridge programs allow RNs to leverage these learnings toward a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN). Sentara College outside of Virginia Beach, VA, offers an RN to BSN online program so dedicated students can complete coursework at times that are convenient to them. RNs with a bachelor’s degree are more sought after and better prepared to move into leadership positions.
Find out more about Virginia RN to BSN Programs.
Norfolk, VA
Norfolk State University
- Bachelor's - RN to BSN Online
Online Learning - Website
- 9-18 month online program
- Competitive post-licensure track
- 2.5 cumulative GPA required
- Virginia RN license mandatory
- Community leadership focus
Old Dominion University
- Bachelor's - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Website
- Online program format
- 33 free experiential credits
- Full-time/part-time options
- Prepares for advanced nursing roles
- Departmental GPA 3.0 minimum
Virginia Beach, VA
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach
- Bachelor's - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Website
- 100% Online Flexible Program
- 122 Total Credit Hours
- 40 Months Approximate Length
- No On-Campus Requirements
- CCNE Accredited Program
- 135 Clinical Hours Required
- Available in Most States
- Career Advancement Focus
Regent University
- Bachelor's - RN to B.S. in Nursing
Online Learning - Website
- Online CCNE-accredited nursing program
- 120 total credit hours
- Competitive per-credit tuition
- Christian worldview integration
- Leadership skill development
- Flexible online learning format
- Practice immersion experiences
APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Virginia Beach, VA
In addition to commanding a high salary and making critical decisions on patient care, nurses with an MSN, post-grad certificate or doctorate degree can specialize in a field they are excited about. In Virginia Beach, RNs can go back to school part-time, online or via hybrid learning models, to enter a more rewarding career as a Nurse Educator, Nurse Practitioner or other APRN specialists.
MSN Programs
Though nurses of all levels and backgrounds are highly sought after, there’s an acute demand for Advanced Practice Nurses. Hampton University offers a few MSN pathways with concentrations in Nursing Administration, Nursing Education, and multiple Nurse Practitioner specializations. Graduates are poised to become leaders within clinical and academic environments or can move on to the coveted doctoral degree nursing program.
Find out more about Virginia Nurse Practitioner Programs.
Post-Master's Certificate Programs
Designed for intensity and efficiency, training from a post-grad certificate can help you advance your career in less time. The prestigious and historical Old Dominion University, which is located outside of Virginia Beach, offers hyper-focused post-master's certificates for nurses who want to lead, educate, or mentor others. The certs make use of learnings from non-nursing sectors such as business, education, and healthcare technology.
Find out more about Virginia Post-Master's Certificate Programs.
DNP Programs
If working as a bedside nurse has made you wish you could do more for patients, becoming an Advanced Practice Nurse may be for you. By earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice, you can affect policy at the highest levels. Old Dominion University, an established research school, offers DNPs in Advanced Practice, Anesthesia, and Executive Nursing. They are offered in a blend of traditional and distance education platforms and prepare graduates to become expert clinicians and healthcare leaders.
Find out more about Virginia DNP Programs.
Norfolk, VA
Old Dominion University
- Master's - Nursing with a Concentration in Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist-Educator
Concentration: Adult Gerontology - Online & Campus Based - Website
- Hybrid/Online Program Format
- Dual Clinical-Educator Preparation
- 47 Total Credit Hours
- Advanced Practice Nursing Focus
- ANCC/AACN Certification Eligible
- Full and Part-Time Options
- Comprehensive Clinical Practicum
- Evidence-Based Curriculum
- Master's - Nursing with a Concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN)
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 20+ years FNP program history
- Primarily online distance learning
- CCNE fully accredited program
- 95% 2024 employment rate
- Clinical experiences in diverse settings
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required
- RN license with 1-year experience
- Up to 12 transfer credits allowed
- Master's - Nursing with a Concentration in Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist
Concentration: Neonatal - Online & Campus Based - Website
- 50-credit hybrid MSN program
- Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist concentration
- AACN exam eligibility
- Evidence-based advanced practice focus
- Flexible full/part-time options
- Requires 3.0 undergraduate GPA
- Current RN license needed
- Comprehensive clinical practicum
- Master's - Nursing with a Concentration in Nurse Midwifery
Concentration: Nurse Midwifery - Online & Campus Based - Website
- Joint program with Shenandoah University
- Full-time hybrid learning format
- 48 total credit hours
- Clinical practicums included
- National certification preparation
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required
- RN license prerequisite
- Master's - Nursing with a Concentration in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Two-year hybrid MSN program
- 40 total credit hours
- Prepares for national certification
- Requires active RN license
- Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
- Full-time study required
- Comprehensive clinical practicum
- Advanced practice mental health focus
- Master's - Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
Concentration: Pediatric - Online Learning - Website
- CCNE Accredited Program
- 53-57 Credit Hours
- Online with Occasional On-Campus Training
- Ranked #1 Online CNS Program
- Collaboration with Eastern Virginia Medical School
- Standardized Patient Simulation Training
- Clinical Practicum Required
- Flexible Learning Environment
- Master's - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 100% Degree Completion Rate
- Primarily Online Learning
- 560 Clinical Practicum Hours
- No GRE Required (3.5+ GPA)
- Hybrid Program Format
- Graduate Certificate - Nurse Educator Certificate Online
Online Learning - Website
- Online Graduate Certificate
- 12 total credit hours
- Designed for graduate nurses
- Includes teaching practicum
- Virginia in-state rate $620/credit
- Four graduate-level courses
- Flexible online learning environment
- Graduate Certificate - Nurse Educator Certificate
Campus Based - Website
- Graduate-level nursing education certificate
- Three-semester program completion
- Online and on-campus options
- For nurses with graduate degree
- Per-credit cost: $620-$1,486
- Teaching internship included
- Professional ethics focus
- Prepares for faculty roles
- Graduate Certificate - Post-Professional Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 4-semester completion time
- Graduate-level certificate program
- On-campus delivery mode
- Prepares for board certification
- Advanced primary care skills
- Limited number of seats available
- For nurses with APRN MSN
- Lifespan patient care focus
- Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Nurse Executive - Online & Campus Based - Website
- CCNE Accredited Program
- 1000 Total Clinical Hours
- Online/Hybrid Format
- Post-Master's Pathway
- Executive Leadership Focus
- Minimum 3.0 GPA Required
- Unencumbered RN License Needed
- Doctorate - Post-Master's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (DNP)
Concentration: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website
- Hybrid online/on-campus delivery
- Full-time completion in 7 semesters
- Advanced psychiatric care skills
- Emerging healthcare technologies
- Targeted for licensed APRNs
- National certification preparation
- Lifespan mental health focus
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required
Virginia Beach, VA
Regent University
- Master's - Master of Science in Nursing in Advanced Practice Registered Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website
- Online with brief campus residency
- 47 total credit hours
- Next start: August 25, 2025
- $580 per credit hour
- Bachelor's in Nursing required
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- One year clinical RN experience
- Active unencumbered RN license
- Graduate Certificate - Graduate Certificate (Post-Master's) in Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Online Learning - Website
- Online post-master's certificate program
- 26 total credit hours
- Specialized psychiatric mental health focus
- Christian worldview integration
- Comprehensive clinical practicum experiences
- Prepares for APRN licensure
- Faculty with highest degrees
- Neurobiology and psychopharmacology courses
- Graduate Certificate - Graduate Certificate (Post-Master’s) in Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) – Family Nurse Practitioner
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
- Online graduate certificate program
- 26 total credit hours
- Christian worldview integration
- Prepares for APRN licensure
- Advanced clinical judgment focus
- Mentorship from top faculty
- $15,080 total tuition cost
- Primary care specialization
- Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice in Advanced Practice Registered Nursing with a concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
- Fully online with residency
- 74 total credit hours
- Advanced practice nursing focus
- Prepares for national certification
- 45% job market growth projected
- Christian worldview integration
- Expert faculty mentorship
- Comprehensive clinical training
- Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice in Advanced Practice Registered Nursing with a concentration in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Concentration: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
- Fully online DNP program
- 74 total credit hours
- Prepares for national certification
- Christian worldview integration
- Advanced clinical practice focus
- Mentorship from top faculty
- Career opportunities in diverse settings
- Evidence-based psychiatric care
- Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice in Advanced Practice Registered Nursing
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
- Fully online DNP program
- 74 total credit hours
- 45% job growth projection
- Prepares for national certification
- Christian leadership perspective
- Multiple healthcare career paths
- Advanced clinical training
- Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice in Advanced Practice Registered Nursing
Concentration: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
- Fully online DNP program
- 74 total credit hours
- Prepares for national certification
- Christian worldview integration
- Addresses mental health needs
- $580 per credit hour
- Mentored by expert faculty
- Comprehensive clinical training
- Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nursing Administration & Leadership
Online Learning - Website
- Fully online doctoral program
- 30 total credit hours
- Non-licensure administration focus
- $580 per credit hour
- Advanced leadership preparation
- Evidence-based practice emphasis
- Christian faith integration
- Practicum experience included
- Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Online Learning - Website
- Fully online doctoral program
- 30 total credit hours
- Non-licensure administration focus
- $580 per credit hour
- Leadership-focused curriculum
- Christian faith-based education
- Career paths in healthcare leadership