Accelerated Nursing Programs in Virginia

The University of Virginia School of Nursing offers an accelerated nursing program that prepares current registered nurses to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN). This program allows registered nurses to complete their bachelor’s degree in two years part-time. Classes are presented in a hybrid format. Students attend classes on campus in Charlottesville, Richmond, or Fairfax once a month, and all other learning occurs online.

The program is for licensed registered nurses who seek to expand their knowledge and skills, who wish to achieve leadership roles and greater professional mobility, and who are considering graduate study in nursing. If admitted to the program, students are guaranteed a job interview with the University of Virginia Medical Center.

• Tuition: $10,016
• Graduation rate: 94%

George Mason University offers an accelerated second degree nursing program. The accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a 12-month, full-time program. Admission is available to students who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field. The pre-licensure program prepares students to become licensed registered nurses. The degree provides successful applicants an opportunity to experience nursing in a variety of clinical settings throughout the National Capitol area.

• Tuition: $9,510
• Graduation rate: 69%

Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing offers an online RN to BSN program. The College of Nursing welcomes registered nurses from all hospitals and care settings, particularly nurses employed at Bon Secours hospitals who wish to obtain their bachelor’s degree. The online format allows students to log on to courses any time of the day, giving them the flexibility to continue their work and personal activities.

Students can choose to study full-time or part-time and can complete the degree in as few as three semesters. Students have access to faculty through email, online office hours, and video chat. A Dedicated Student Success Advisor provides learning resources to help students make the shift from traditional classroom instruction to web-based education.

• Tuition: $12,000
• Graduation rate: 86%

Sentara College of Health Sciences offers students a choice of accelerated nursing programs in VA. A traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing is available alongside an online RN to BSN, offering accelerated pathways for both existing registered nurses and traditional students. Students have access to award-winning facilities providing crucial care to real patients and working shoulder-to-shoulder with renowned healthcare providers. Students will learn in classrooms, skills labs, clinical settings, and online.

Students also gain 900 hours of hands-on experience, surpassing the requirements for licensure or of other programs. The traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program can be completed in 2.5 years after prerequisite requirements are met at another institution, while the online RN to BSN is part-time with no summer classes.

• Tuition: $13,030
• Graduation rate: 90%

Centra College offers an online RN to BSN program. Students can complete the accelerated program in three semesters over a single year. The program features a shorter overall program length, easier transition to higher education, and increased focus on nursing research and leadership. The program offers small class sizes with an average of 20 students, with an 89% average job placement rate for graduates.

• Tuition: $11,027
• Graduation rate: 65%

The Waldron College of Health and Human Services at Radford University offers an accelerated nursing program. The degree follows a condensed timeline of four semesters over 16 months, leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The accelerated program is designed for students with undergraduate baccalaureate degrees in non-nursing disciplines seeking to transition into nursing.

The curriculum integrates traditional classroom work with laboratory, clinical, and hands-on learning, and is ideal for students looking to…