LPN to RN Online Programs in VA: Top Degrees & Essential Info
Are you a licensed practical nurse (LPN) looking to advance your career? Discover online LPN to RN bridge programs and take a look at Virginia’s top online nursing programs to help you make an informed decision. Get answers to frequently asked questions including those related to program length, structure, and course content, and explore virtual versus face-to-face options.
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Inside Online LPN to RN Degrees in Virginia
For LPNs who are ready to become RNs, two types of online bridge programs are available: Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The specific coursework and program length depend on the degree.
But regardless of the type, “online” LPN to RN programs are never 100% online. Instead, they are often hybrid—a mix of both virtual and in-person learning activities.
Consider these facts about online LPN to RN programs in Virginia:
- Many offer prerequisites online (some programs have no prerequisites).
- Most nursing classes are held in person, though they may be enhanced with virtual components.
- Previous coursework can usually be applied to shorten your program’s duration; this may apply to previous experience as well
- In-person clinicals at healthcare sites will always be required.
Only a few LPN to RN programs in Virginia have significant online components. When choosing a program, consider its blend of virtual and in-person components in addition to its cost, NCLEX-RN pass rate, and accreditation.
The programs profiled below provide an overview of the LPN to RN programs available in Virginia.
Nursing Track 2 – LPN to RN Transition Day Program (AAS) – Virginia Highlands Community College
Virginia Highlands Community College (VHCC) offers a nursing LPN to RN Transition Day Program where LPNs earn an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing. This AAS gives nurses a firm foundation for entry-level RN care and prepares them for the NCLEX-RN.
Program length depends on the general education courses needed. The three semesters of nursing classes can be completed in a year.
Nursing courses are face-to-face, online, hybrid, or a combination of these, offered with a flexible schedule to allow an LPN to continue working.
Duration: 1 year
Mode: In person, hybrid, and online
Cost: $167.40 per credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Meeting with Health Ready Coach
- Acceptance to college
- FAFSA
- Prerequisites
- TEAS exam
- Nursing application
Curriculum:
- Health care concepts
- Health promotion and assessment
- Advanced professional nursing concepts
- Complex health care concepts
LPN to RN Associate of Applied Science (AAS) – Reynolds Community College
The Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) to Registered Nursing (RN) Advanced Placement Option at Reynolds Community College takes three full-time semesters to complete its 67 credit hours. It has in-person, hybrid, and online options and results in an associate degree of applied science.
With a 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate, expert faculty make sure students are prepared for the rigors of RN nursing. Varied clinical sites enhance classroom learning and expose students to many different healthcare settings.
Advanced placement LPNs can receive credit for prior learning and clinical hours to help accelerate their programs. This program helps LPNs prepare for entry-level registered nursing professions.
Duration: 1 year
Mode: In person, hybrid, and online
Cost: $176 per credit
Admissions Requirements:
- College admission
- ATI TEAS test
- Criminal background check
Curriculum:
- Health promotion and assessment
- Health care concepts
- Advanced professional nursing concepts
- Ethics
3-Year BSN – Chamberlain University Nursing Program in Tysons Corner, VA
Earn your BSN in just three years at Chamberlain University’s Tysons Corner, VA Nursing School’s 3-Year BSN Program. LPNs can apply up to nine proficiency credits after passing proficiency and skills validation tests to this 122-credit degree (56 general education credits plus 66 nursing major credits).
With year-round study and six start dates per year, students earn BSNs more quickly than in traditional BSN programs. Evening/weekend options offer hybrid course delivery that combines onsite and online learning.
The program boasts high-tech nursing labs, experienced faculty, and no wait lists. It also prioritizes weekend clinicals and has a 91% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate.
Duration: 3 years
Mode: Campus hybrid, online, evening-weekend
Cost: $735 per credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Chamberlain University admission
- Enrollment interview
- Official transcripts
- HESI assessment
Curriculum:
- Fundamentals of nursing
- Pharmacology
- Medical-surgical nursing
- Community health nursing
- Critical care nursing
- Leadership and management in nursing
FAQs About LPN to RN Online Programs in Virginia
Most students have many of the same questions about LPN to RN online programs in Virginia. Answers to some of those questions are below, including how bridge programs work and specifics about course content, program structure, cost, and length.
What can I expect from online LPN to RN programs in Virginia?
Online LPN to RN programs in Virginia provide LPNs with the additional skills, knowledge, and competencies needed to become excellent RNs. Curriculums for LPN to RN online programs in Virginia typically include a combination of:
- General education courses
- Nursing classes
- Skill training in lab settings
- Clinical rotations at healthcare sites
In the clinical training component, students engage in hands-on experiences, gaining practical skills through supervised patient care in diverse healthcare settings. This direct application of theory to practice allows students to refine their clinical decision-making, communication, and critical thinking abilities.
Expert Insight
Take control of your educational experience by seeking out opportunities to apply the skills you learn in class to practice with patients during clinicals. It’s better to challenge yourself with unfamiliar skills and situations while under supervision, rather than encounter them while on your own once employed.
What are common courses found in LPN to RN programs?
Most LPN to RN programs include a health assessment course focused on gathering patient data. They also offer several healthcare concepts courses that explore a range of patient care concepts.
A capstone course is often included to help prepare nurses for entering the workforce while an ethics course familiarizes them with ethical codes of conduct. Finally, advanced professional nursing concept courses build on previous learning and experience.
What is the difference between in-person, online, and hybrid LPN to RN programs?
First, it’s important to note that no LPN to RN program is completely online because in-person clinical experiences at healthcare sites are always required. That said, these programs can be offered in hybrid, mostly online, or on-campus (in-person) formats:
- Hybrid: combine online coursework with in-person components
- Mostly online: allow students to complete most, if not all, classes remotely, though labs may be on campus
- On-campus: involve traditional classes and on-campus labs and simulations
The program that’s right for you depends on the level of flexibility you need, where you live, and your ability to work independently.
What should I consider when choosing an LPN to RN online program in Virginia?
Start by looking for accredited programs that meet the state’s requirements for licensure. If you want the quickest path possible, seek accelerated LPN to RN options. Also consider features such as:
- Flexibility of scheduling
- Admission requirements
- Tuition and fees
- Prerequisite requirements
What is typical in terms of cost for online LPN to RN programs in Virginia?
Tuition varies among programs, and students must also factor in costs for textbooks, uniforms, equipment, and clinical fees. Research the cost of the program you’re interested in and explore financial aid options such as scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study before making your decision.
Some Virginia LPN to RN online programs may offer specific scholarships or tuition assistance. The G3 scholarship, for example, covers the tuition and fees for Virginia residents of modest income who are pursuing high-demand careers, including nursing.
Some parts of Virginia have a higher cost of living than others, so you’ll want to factor that into the cost of your studies as well as potential earnings in the area where you plan to work to determine overall affordability.
Virginia LPN vs. RN Salary & Career Comparison
| Area | Occupation | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | LPNs/LVNs | $50,580 | $64,920 | $79,170 |
| RNs | $67,830 | $93,600 | $125,580 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
| Area | Occupation | Curr.Jobs | Proj.Jobs | NewJobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann.Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | RNs | 3,172,500 | 3,349,900 | 177,400 | 5.60% | 193,100 |
| LPNs/LVNs | 655,000 | 689,900 | 34,900 | 5.30% | 54,400 | |
| Virginia | RNs | 70,190 | 73,240 | 3,050 | 4.30% | 4,160 |
| LPNs/LVNs | 18,880 | 20,240 | 1,360 | 7.20% | 1,620 |
Source: Projections Central
