Online ABSN Programs in VA: Highlighting the Best Schools
Do you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and want to become a registered nurse in Virginia? Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs can help you make the transition quickly through intensive coursework and hands-on clinical training. EduMed will help you explore top online and hybrid ABSN programs in the state, covering admission requirements, tuition costs, program structure, and career opportunities. Keep reading to find the right program for your nursing journey.
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Spotlighting Virginia’s Online ABSN Programs
The three accelerated bachelor’s degree in nursing (ABSN) programs we spotlight below offer reputable examples of what to expect from an online program in Virginia.
Some common features of online ABSN programs include:
- You can transfer credits from your first degree, or as many credits as you’ve earned so far, saving yourself both time and money.
- Your coursework may have a hybrid format (part online and part on campus).
- Labs, simulations, and clinical training are completed in person, on campus, or in healthcare facilities.
Some accelerated programs offer entirely remote coursework, but since nursing is a hands-on profession, even the best online education can’t replace in-person training.
Averett University
The ABSN Program at Averett University is open to students with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees and those with at least 60 non-nursing credits. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Features:
- Multiple start dates, allowing students to choose what works for them
- Online coursework for flexibility
- Simulation labs for skills development
- Clinical rotations at healthcare facilities in Norfolk and Hampton Roads
- 100% NCLEX pass rate in 2023
Duration: 16 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $68,375
Admissions Requirements:
- Non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 non-nursing credits
- 2.8 GPA
- Grade of C- or better in all math and science courses
- Prerequisite courses
- Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
- Criminal background check
- High school transcripts or equivalent
Curriculum:
- Client-Centered Care: Introduction
- Health Assessment with Lab
- Improving Patient Outcomes
- Global Health Perspectives
- Ethics for Health Services
Marymount University
Tap into high employment rates, strong job satisfaction, great benefits, and strong earning potential with the ABSN Program at Marymount University. The program is accredited by the CCNE.
Features:
- On-campus residency for intensive, immersive experiences
- Hands-on training in oxygenation interventions, wound care, health assessment, and more
- Opportunity to connect with faculty, classmates, and the community in person
- Assistance with clinical placements
- 95% NCLEX-RN pass rate
Duration: 16 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $74,800 ($18,700 x Four semesters)
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in any field
- Transcripts
- 2.8 GPA
- Letter of recommendation
- Writing sample
- Proof of residency in Virginia, Maryland, or DC
Curriculum:
- Professional Nursing and Scholarship
- Health Assessment
- Mental Health Promotion and Illness Management
- Research and Evidence-Based Practice
George Washington University
The accelerated BSN Program at George Washington University is located primarily at the Virginia Science and Technology Campus in Ashburn. This ABSN program is accredited by the CCNE.
Features:
- Most learning activities take place on campus
- Interactive online modules augment in-person instruction
- Clinical rotations take place in top-rated facilities in the Washington, DC area
- Veterans of the armed forces may qualify for additional credit for service
- 93.9% NCLEX pass rate in 2023
Duration: 17 months
Mode: In-person with interactive online modules
Cost: $84,000
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field or 60 college credits
- 3.0 GPA
- Official transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Statement of purpose
Curriculum:
- Pathophysiology
- Foundations of Professional Nursing
- Health Assessment and Promotion
- Mental Health Nursing
- Pharmacology Principles for Nursing Practice
Answers to Virginia ABSN Student Questions
What’s the pace of an ABSN program?
Most ABSN degree programs are fast-paced, requiring students to take part in rigorous coursework on a full-time schedule. Depending on the program, you might start clinical rotations as early as the first semester, focusing on patient communication and bedside care, among other basic nursing skills.
In the last six months of your ABSN program, you’ll focus on refining your clinical skills and preparing for the NCLEX-RN exam.
Are ABSN programs expensive?
ABSN program costs vary from school to school, but they are often more affordable than traditional full-time programs because you won’t have to repeat core coursework. For example, Marymount University’s tuition is $18,700 per semester, and the program runs four semesters, for a total of $74,800. Averett University’s tuition is $68,375.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses in Virginia earn $88,350 annually— over $42 per hour. That being said, an ABSN program is an investment.
Be sure to investigate financial aid and scholarships to cut your total investment.
Will my program prepare me for the NCLEX?
If your program is accredited by the CCNE or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), you can expect that you will be adequately prepared for the NCLEX. Accreditation ensures that a program is reputable and meets high professional and educational standards.
Though the best accelerated BSN programs in Virginia help you prepare for the NCLEX exams, you must be proactive about getting ready independently as well. This means studying intensively, taking mock exams, and using NCLEX study resources — like our beginner’s guide to the NCLEX and NCLEX strategy guide — or those offered by your program.
Expert Insight
Keep in mind that although a nursing program may teach you how to pass the NCLEX, you’ll need to remember everything you’ve learned, from your first day of nursing school to your last. This is why being proactive and studying on your own is so vital. I took a month off from work to study for the NCLEX, and I believe this is what helped me pass the exam.
What’s the process for transferring my credits?
Each school has a different process for healthcare students to transfer their credits, and since ABSN programs are designed for students with around 60 transferrable credits, the schools will work with you to meet as many requirements as possible.
Even if your first degree was in a completely different field, such as business, the arts, or communications, you’ll be able to fulfill many, if not all, general education requirements. Typically ABSN programs require math and science prerequisites, such as anatomy and physiology, microbiology, statistics, and psychology.
Meet with an admissions advisor to see if you’re lacking any courses.
If I’m already in nursing, is an ABSN right for me?
Because you are already familiar with nursing, an ABSN could be a great career move for you. It can even make your educational experience easier. Many accelerated BSN programs accommodate students who have already become licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or certified nursing assistants.
If you’re already an RN with an associate degree in nursing, you have a wide range of choices, including RN to BSN programs, fast-track RN to BSN programs, and RN to BSN programs with no prerequisites. Consider all of these options before selecting a program.
Why Career Changers in Virginia Are Choosing Nursing
Making the switch to a career in nursing has lots of benefits. If your previous degree was in communications, for example, you’ll still use those skills in explaining treatments to patients and families and in conveying to your colleagues what a patient needs. Here are several other reasons to earn a BSN and become an RN in Virginia:
- Career Exploration: Nursing has many facets, so while you could be a hospital nurse, you can also work in public health, research, management, or community education.
- Job Security: Nursing offers strong job security and competitive salaries and benefits. With over 70,000 nurses in the state, the Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 4.3% growth in Virginia’s RN positions.
- Earning Potential: The mean salary for registered nurses in Virginia is $88,350, with wages in the Arlington-Alexandria-Washington area hitting $99,000. Those in this profession will reap the rewards of secure and consistent compensation.
