9 Best ADN Programs in Virginia – (2-Year RN Programs)


Written By: Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH (Introduction), and Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org (School Profiles)

Healthcare employers throughout the Old Dominion State value graduates of ADN programs in Virginia. As a registered nurse in Virginia with an associate degree in nursing, your earning capacity will be $81,860 a year on average, and demand for your services will go up by more than 8 percent over the next decade. If you do decide to get an advanced nursing degree later, the transition will be easier because you’ll have so much hands-on clinical experience. If you’re anxious to begin your registered nursing career quickly, an ADN in the Old Dominion State is the way to go. The list below of the 10 best ADN programs in Virginia will provide you with more information.


WHAT ARE THE BEST ADN PROGRAMS IN VIRGINIA (ONLINE AND CAMPUS)?

Based on our Ranking Methodology, the following are the 9 best nursing schools for ADN programs in Virginia. You can complete most of these programs in 2 years.


1. Southside Virginia Community College - Alberta


Program Details: The associate degree in nursing program at Southside Virginia Community College stands out as one of the best ADN programs in Virginia. The college offers a well-rounded curriculum that encompasses the art and science of nursing. The coursework, comprising 67 credits, is meticulously designed to equip students with skills in critical thinking, communication, and decision-making.

The strong foundation that this 2-year nursing program in Virginia provides enables graduates to succeed in various nursing work environments and specialties. Some of the courses you take include professional nursing concepts, health promotion, human anatomy & physiology, microbiology, healthcare concepts, and advanced professional nursing concepts.


Why Choose This Program

• Southside Virginia Community College’s ADN program offers a seamless transition to reputable four-year institutions in the state.
• Southside Virginia Community College takes pride in being one of the most diverse learning environments in the region. The diversity enriches the learning experience, helping ADN students to build cultural competence.
• Southside Virginia Community College’s ADN program is not only high quality but also quite affordable.


2. Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach


Program Details: Among the well-known ADN programs in Virginia, Bryant & Stratton College’s associate degree in nursing is an excellent option to launch your career in nursing. The program adopts a holistic approach, focusing on student growth and success. The curriculum is designed to offer career-oriented training, thereby enhancing the employability of ADN graduates. The program requires the completion of 72 credits in courses such as anatomy & physiology, pathophysiology, nursing fundamentals, family child nursing, med-surgical nursing, geriatric & mental health nursing and nursing issues, leadership & research. The program also includes a nursing internship.


Why Choose This Program

• Bryant & Stratton College’s ADN program offers a balanced approach by perfectly combining classroom lectures with lab and clinical experiences.
• Bryant & Stratton College offers flexible learning options for its ADN students. This ADN program in Virginia allows part-time and full-time enrollment to accommodate the needs of working students.
• Bryant & Stratton College provides ADN graduates with the option of seamlessly transitioning into its RN-to-BSN program. The RN-to-BSN option not only helps you earn a BSN within less time but also saves some tuition dollars.


3. Tidewater Community College - Portsmouth


Program Details: The ADN program at Tidewater Community College is a well-rounded curriculum that prepares graduates for in-demand nursing positions. The program is a 64-credit coursework, taking two years to complete. Starting with general education courses, this 2-year RN program in Virginia covers topics such as human anatomy & physiology, professional nursing concepts, health promotion, microbiology, complex healthcare concepts, and health promotion & disease prevention. The program ends with a nursing capstone.


Why Choose This Program

• Tidewater Community College’s ADN provides students with advanced simulation facilities, allowing them ample opportunities to practice in a controlled clinical environment.
• Tidewater Community College’s ADN program maintains small-sized classes. The close-knit learning environment ensures students receive personalized attention in a supportive learning environment.
• Tidewater Community College’s ADN faculty is highly qualified and committed to the success of their students. They also bring valuable insights into the ADN classroom.


4. Germanna Community College - Locust Grove


Program Details: The associate degree in nursing program at Germanna Community College is a comprehensive two-year coursework. The program focuses on developing skills in clinical judgment, and critical thinking. This 2-year RN program in Virginia includes foundational and advanced nursing topics. Some of the classes that ADN students attend include anatomy & physiology, health assessment, pharmacology, med-surgical nursing, maternal child nursing, and community health nursing.


Why Choose This Program

• Germanna Community College’s ADN program boasts an outstanding rate on the NCLEX-RN exam. Further, the program’s high placement rate is another indicator of the program’s successful outcome.
• Germanna Community College offers ample simulation practice in its high-fidelity simulation lab. The use of human patient simulators provides students with a close to real-practice experience.
• Germanna Community College prides itself on providing high-quality affordable education that is accessible to its diverse student population.


5. ECPI University - Roanoke


Program Details: ECPI University’s ADN program is a well-designed curriculum, comprising nursing core courses and courses in arts and sciences. Typically, students complete 49 semester credits in the core curriculum and 20-semester credits in arts and sciences. The core curriculum covers topics such as pharmacology, nursing concepts, pathophysiology, mental health nursing, maternal child nursing, med-surgical nursing, and acute care nursing. Toward the end of the program, students complete a nursing capstone.


Why Choose This Program

• Of all the 2-year RN programs in Virginia, ECPI University stands out for making 1 on 1 preceptorship an integral part of the curriculum. The close guidance ensures students sharpen their clinical skills and obtain the relevant professional skillset.
• ECPI University’s ADN program offers multiple start dates throughout the year. The flexibility allows students to begin their educational journey when it is best suited to them.
• ECPI University’s ADN program takes pride in consistently high pass rates on the NCLEX-RN exam. This testifies to the program’s effectiveness in preparing ADN students for the licensure exam.


6. Saint Michael College of Allied Health - Alexandria


Program Details: Another ADN program in Virginia that can be completed within two years is offered by Saint Michael College of Allied Health. The program is a comprehensive two-year curriculum that combines theoretical lectures and clinical training. The program comprises core nursing courses that cover a range of topics such as anatomy & physiology, pharmacology, med-surgical nursing, maternal child nursing, and mental health nursing. In addition, students complete clinical experiences in the simulation and real-world healthcare settings.


Why Choose This Program

• Saint Michael College of Allied Health’s ADN program reports an over 90% placement rate, having most students finding jobs within six to nine months of graduation.
• Saint Michael College of Allied Health’s ADN program employs a dedicated and passionate faculty. Instructors are not only experts but also committed to offering a supportive and conducive learning environment.
• Saint Michael College of Allied Health’s ADN program is designed to be affordable and accessible.


7. Virginia Western Community College - Roanoke


Program Details: Another one of the well-known 2-year nursing programs in Virginia is offered by Virginia Western Community College. The program focuses on key competencies of patient-centered care, clinical judgment, quality improvement, interprofessional collaboration, and pharmacology principles. Students must complete a 65-credit coursework that covers topics such as basic & advanced professional nursing concepts, healthcare ethics, human anatomy & physiology, microbiology, health promotion & assessment, and developmental psychology.


Why Choose This Program

• Virginia Western Community College has transfer agreements with several four-year institutions. The agreements provide ADN students with a seamless pathway to either a BSN or MSN program.
• Virginia Western Community College’s ADN program is affordable, making it rather accessible for students coming from diverse backgrounds.
• Virginia Western Community College’s ADN program offers a philosophy concepts-based curriculum. This approach ensures students leave this 2-year nursing program in Virginia with a solid foundation in the ethical and philosophical principles of nursing.


8. Piedmont Virginia Community College - Charlottesville


Program Details: Piedmont Virginia Community College’s associate degree in nursing comprises 67 credits and is designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge required for a successful nursing career. This ADN program in Virginia provides a strong foundation in topics such as anatomy & physiology, microbiology, health promotion & assessment, professional nursing concepts, and complex healthcare concepts. Upon completion of this program, you’ll be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam.


Why Choose This Program

• Piedmont Virginia Community College’s ADN program boasts of an excellent pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam. The program’s pass rates consistently exceed the national averages.
• Piedmont Virginia Community College’s ADN program is supported by a team of experienced faculty members. Faculty members are committed to providing high-quality training to aspiring nurses.
• Piedmont Virginia Community College’s ADN program is more affordable than most other ADN programs in Virginia. The program offers an accessible option without compromising on quality.


9. Northern Virginia Community College - Annandale


Program Details: Northern Virginia Community College’s ADN program is a 67-credit coursework that is designed to prepare graduates for safe and competent patient care. Leading to the NCLEX-RN exam, the program is open to high school graduates who are at least 18 years old. The ADN program in Virginia covers topics such as professional nursing concepts, complex healthcare concepts, microbiology, health promotion & assessment, and human anatomy & physiology.


Why Choose This Program

• An affordable option, Northern Virginia Community College’s ADN program allows aspiring nurses to obtain high-quality education without a huge burden of debt.
• Northern Virginia Community College’s ADN program boasts high pass rates on the NCLEX-RN exam. The excellent performance of graduates on the licensure exam reflects the program’s success in preparing students for a positive academic outcome.
• Northern Virginia Community College’s ADN graduates are prepared for versatile roles in the field of nursing.
• Northern Virginia Community College’s ADN graduates are rather sought-after. This ADN program in Virginia enjoys a reputation for producing competent professionals who are in high demand in the healthcare field.


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