9 Best LPN-to-RN Programs in Virginia – (Online & Campus-Based)


Written By: Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA

If you’re an LPN in the Old Dominion State who’s serious about your nursing career, think about enrolling in one of the LPN-to-RN programs in Virginia. Many of these programs offer part-time enrollment options so that you can keep your job while you’re in school, and most can be completed in two years or less. The education you receive will open up new doors for you, qualifying you for jobs in nursing specialties that aren’t available to you as an LPN. Job opportunities for RNs in Virginia will rise by more than 8 percent in the next 10 years. You’ll make more money, too: $81,860 (RN) compared to $52,790 (LPN.) Learn more by reading this list of the 9 best LPN-to-RN programs in Virginia.



WHAT ARE THE BEST LPN-TO-RN PROGRAMS IN VIRGINIA (ONLINE AND CAMPUS-BASED)?

Based on our Ranking Methodology, the following are the 9 best campus-based and online LPN-to-RN programs in Virginia.


1. Wytheville Community College - Wytheville


Program Details: Are you a licensed practical nurse searching for a great LPN-to-RN program in Virginia? If so, the program you’ve been looking for just may be the one offered at Wytheville Community College. Although some Wytheville Community College campuses offer in-person, online, hybrid, and hyflex courses, the program at the Wytheville campus features an in-person learning format for classes and laboratory simulations. You will also participate in off-site clinical practicums in various healthcare settings.

At Wytheville Community College, the Associate Degree in Nursing is a 67-credit pathway. As an LPN in good standing, you may apply for advanced standing in the associate degree program. To receive advanced standing, you must complete the LPN Transition course, which is offered in the summer semester. After successfully completing the course and other LPN bridge requirements, you will receive credit for the first year’s coursework and enter the Associate Degree in Nursing program in the fall of the second year.

The LPN-to-RN curriculum includes classes such as Advanced Professional Nursing Concepts, Complex Healthcare Concepts, and Statistical Reasoning. Classes filled with rich nursing content are complemented by diverse clinical practicum experiences. Program faculty arrange clinical assignments, ensuring you have adequate opportunities to learn in different settings. Clinical placements include hospitals, extended care facilities, physicians’ offices, specialty clinics, and community health agencies.


Why Choose This Program

• Graduates of the LPN-to-RN program in Virginia at Wytheville Community College can easily transfer credits and earn a four-year degree through the school’s articulation agreements with schools, including Old Dominion University, Bluefield College, and Radford University.
• Wytheville Community College reports high retention and completion rates among students in the LPN-to-RN program. Additionally, graduates exceed state and national levels on the NCLEX-RN!


2. Laurel Ridge Community College - Middletown


Program Details: Laurel Ridge Community College in Middletown offers one of the best LPN-to-RN programs in Virginia. This advanced placement program option is designed to prepare licensed practical nurses for entry-level registered nurse positions. Admission to the program is competitive, as the school uses a selective screening process. The program is four semesters, including one prerequisite semester. As an LPN, you will begin classes in the second semester in January. After completing the transition semester, you will bridge into the third semester of the associate degree nursing program with the traditional associate degree nursing class.

The program is a 67-credit pathway. According to Associate Professor, Elizabeth Marshall, learning modalities for the program currently include classroom instruction, some distance-learning assignments, simulated nursing labs, and clinical practicums. Ms. Marshall states the school has plans to integrate hybrid learning in the fourth semester of the program for future cohorts but states an exact date for hybrid learning has not yet been established. Ms. Marshall also states that students entering the LPN-to-RN program receive credit for 125 hours of clinicals from their LPN program and complete approximately 400 additional clinical hours.


Why Choose This Program

• The LPN-to-RN program at Laurel Ridge Community College is a G-3-eligible program. G-3 programs offer $0 tuition for eligible students, which makes returning to school a reality for students who may otherwise not pursue a higher degree.
• At Laurel Ridge, you will learn from a diverse faculty who are committed to nursing excellence and education. Their combined decades of experience as nurse educators will help prepare you to transition from your current role of LPN to your new role of RN with confidence.


3. Patrick & Henry Community College - Martinsville


Program Details: The advanced placement track for licensed practical nurses at Patrick Henry Community College is another LPN-to-RN program in Virginia worth considering. New cohorts are admitted based on the number of eligible applicants, with classes typically beginning in the spring semester. Although some assignments may be offered online, Christy Lester, Healthcare Program Advisor, states that most lectures require in-person classes on campus, combined with lab checkoffs and off-site clinical placements.

The program follows a four-semester plan. The first semester is the transition semester, and after its completion, you will be awarded 12 advanced standing credits. By the time you graduate, you will have earned 68 credits. Additionally, the associate degree nursing program at Patrick & Henry Community College has a 530-hour clinical requirement. As an LPN, you will receive 140 hours of clinical credit toward the total needed.


Why Choose This Program

• For more than five consecutive years, graduates of the LPN-to-RN program at Patrick & Henry Community College have surpassed national averages when taking the NCLEX-RN. This history of exceptional performance on the licensing exam indicates a strong program designed with your success in mind!
• Patrick & Henry Community College believes everyone should have the opportunity to earn a higher degree. In addition to helping you apply for federal grants and loans, the school offers several scholarships and grant opportunities.


4. Mountain Empire Community College - Big Stone Gap


Program Details: Mountain Empire Community College offers an exceptional LPN-to-RN program in Virginia! The Track 2 Advanced Placement Option for LPNs is designed to be completed in one year after prerequisite requirements are complete. Debra Clarkston, Program Coordinator, at MECC, reports although classes may feature a hybrid mixture of online and campus-based learning at times, most coursework for the LPN-to-RN pathway is completed in person.

At Mountain Empire Community College, you will take the transition courses, Health Care Concepts for Transition and Health Promotion & Assessment, in the summer and then begin nursing courses in level two in the following semester. The curriculum requires you to complete 56 credits to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing.

The program includes 420 simulation and clinical hours. These faculty- and preceptor-supervised hours include opportunities to practice hands-on skills in the simulation lab and to provide direct patient care in various healthcare settings. Clinical hours include care of patients across their lifespans experiencing acute, chronic, and complex health conditions.


Why Choose This Program

• You will benefit from Mountain Empire’s extensive partnerships with top healthcare facilities and providers, participating in clinical practicums in various settings.
• The LPN-to-RN program in Virginia at Mountain Empire Community College has excellent retention and completion rates, indicating student satisfaction and success.


5. Riverside College of Health Careers - Newport News


Program Details: Riverside College of Health Careers is home to another of our featured LPN-to-RN programs in Virginia. The program, which awards an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing degree, offers options to attend a day program or to enroll in evening/weekend classes. The day-time pathway is full-time and consists of three 16-week semesters after prerequisites are completed. The evening/weekend option takes three 23-week semesters to complete. New cohorts for both options begin in the spring and fall of each year.

This excellent LPN-to-RN program combines theoretical instruction with laboratory simulations and hands-on clinical experiences. The curriculum is a 54-credit pathway that includes general education prerequisites, theory, skills lab, and clinical practicum experiences. You will apply theory and build upon the skills you developed as an LPN in the school’s simulation lab and in clinical experiences at Riverside Health's modern medical center, as well as a variety of other affiliated clinical sites.


Why Choose This Program

• At Riverside College of Health Careers, you do not have to let financial worry keep you from earning your RN degree. In addition to assisting with state and federal financial aid options, the school offers a variety of need- and merit-based scholarships.
• Riverside College of Health Careers offers excellent student resources. Some of the support services you will have include access to faculty, student academic advising, and career and employment assistance.


6. Rappahannock Community College - Glenns


Program Details: The LPN-to-RN program in Virginia at Rappahannock Community College is an excellent option for licensed practical nurses desiring to become registered nurses. The program includes lectures and other learning opportunities at the college as well as participate in clinicals at designated community facilities . Eligible students may begin this advanced standing option in either January or August, once admission requirements are met.

Upon completion of the required prerequisites, you may apply to the Advanced Placement Option for the LPN-to-ADN program. As an LPN, you will receive credit for the classes required in the first two semesters of the nursing program. Once accepted to the Advanced Placement Option, you must complete a summer Transition Sequence. After successfully completing the Transition Sequence, you will begin the fourth semester of the nursing program with existing traditional ADN students in either the fall or spring semester that corresponds with your application period.

At Rappahannock Community College, you must earn a total of at least 67 credits to earn the Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing. You will also experience a broad range of clinical experiences in various settings.


Why Choose This Program

• The nursing faculty at Rappahannock Community College have years of experience in both clinical nursing and nursing education. Their dedication to the profession will be instrumental in helping you achieve your academic and professional goals.
• Students in the LPN-to-RN program in Virginia at Rappahannock Community College receive job placement assistance and career readiness counseling to help prepare for the transition from an LPN to an RN.


7. Mountain Gateway Community College - Clifton Forge


Program Details: Mountain Gateway Community College is home to another excellent option among our featured LPN-to-RN programs in Virginia. The program, which awards an Associate of Applied Science degree, is designed to be completed in three semesters, including a transition semester. According to College Navigator, Kirby Peters, lectures are conducted in-person on campus, with some assignments completed and submitted online through CANVAS. Laboratory simulations occur in the school’s high-fidelity lab where you will hone essential skills alongside your classmates.

While the AAS program requires students to have a total of 67 credits, you will receive 13 hours of course credit for prior learning from your LPN program. The 13 credits for prior learning are awarded after you successfully complete the LPN to RN Transition Course. The curriculum includes classes like Professional Competencies for Nursing Practice, Health/Illness Concepts, and Advanced Pharmacology.

Hands-on learning occurs in the college’s simulation lab and at clinical sites, including hospitals, assisted living facilities, physicians’ offices, and community/public health centers. Lab simulations are conducted with clinical faculty, and clinical practicum are supervised by either clinical faculty or approved preceptors. The state of Virginia requires registered nursing programs to accommodate at least 500 direct care patient clinical hours. As a student in the Mountain Gateway Community College program, you will be awarded 150 clinical hours toward the total required hours for your practice as an LPN.


Why Choose This Program

• From high-fidelity simulation labs to diverse clinical rotations, at Mountain Gateway Community College, you will develop and hone crucial skills that allow you to transition to your new role as a registered nurse with confidence!
• Graduates of the LPN-to-RN program in Virginia at MGCC continue to exceed expected student outcomes by having exceptional NCLEX-RN pass rates and high job placement rates following completion of the program. The success that program graduates demonstrate is an excellent indication of the strength of the program and the level of preparation it provides.


8. Danville Community College - Danville


Program Details: Another outstanding LPN-to-RN program in Virginia can be found at Danville Community College. A limited number of seats in the LPN-to-RN program means admission is competitive. This advanced placement option is designed for full-time study. After completing the prerequisites, you can anticipate completing the program in three semesters, which includes one Spring semester of transition coursework.

The rigorous, 66-credit curriculum features classes covering topics, including Advanced Nursing Concepts, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, and Leadership in Nursing. Advanced simulation labs and a wide range of clinical placements provide opportunities for you to apply the theory you learned in the classroom to clinical patient care. In addition to receiving advanced standing credits for prior learning in your LPN program, you will also receive 150 hours of credit toward the clinical practicum requirement.


Why Choose This Program

• The Danville Community College Educational Foundation offers several scholarship opportunities for students. Financial aid advisors will work with you to see if you qualify for any scholarships, grants, or federal financial assistance, ensuring earning your degree is within your reach!
• At Danville Community College, you will have access to modern simulation learning laboratories and other learning resources designed to promote your success.


9. Germanna Community College - Locust Grove


Program Details: Germanna Community College offers an LPN-to-RN program in Virginia that admits new cohorts in the spring and fall semesters each year. The program features classroom-based learning on the Locust Grove campus. Synchronous and asynchronous online and hybrid classes may be offered based on availability, but are not guaranteed. Laboratory skills, simulations, and clinical practicums are in-person on campus and at designated clinical sites. The program, which awards an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree, is designed to be completed in two years.

The 67-credit curriculum for the LPN-to-RN program is built with a focus on patient-centered, evidence-based care. You will learn to use nursing judgment within the legal and ethical framework of practice and to be an effective nurse leader. As an LPN, once you complete the required prerequisites, you will receive 12 credits for prior learning to be applied toward the 67-credit requirement to earn the AAS degree.

At Germanna Community College, you will have a broad range of opportunities to put your knowledge and experience into action by participating in clinical practicums at various hospitals, clinics, mental health facilities, and long-term care facilities throughout the college’s service area. Program faculty arrange clinical contracts and assign clinical sites and preceptors for students in the LPN-to-RN program.


Why Choose This Program

• Germanna Community College has an articulation agreement with Southern New Hampshire University, which facilitates the admission of graduates from the LPN-to-RN program at GCC to the baccalaureate nursing program at SNHU. This agreement offers guaranteed admission to program graduates, providing a clear pathway to earn a BSN.
• Program graduates report high satisfaction rates for the LPN-to-RN program in Virginia at GCC. High retention and completion rates support the fact that students are satisfied with their education and prepared to succeed.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED


1. Starting LPN VS. RN Salary In Virginia: How Much More Can You Earn As An RN?


RN Average Starting
Annual Salary
LPN Average Starting
Annual Salary
Difference
Number%
$63,710$45,000+$18,710+41.58%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


2. Experience-Wise LPN VS. RN Salary In Virginia: How Much More Can You Earn As An RN?


Level of ExperienceRNLPNDifference
Number%
Entry-Level$63,710$45,000+$18,710+41.58%
1-4 Years of Experience$76,300$49,980+$26,320+52.66%
5-9 Years of Experience$84,100$58,200+$25,900+44.50%
10-19 Years of Experience$99,140$63,360+$35,780+56.47%
20 Years or More Experience$115,120$72,800+$42,320+58.13%
Average Salary$88,350$57,810+$30,540+52.83%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


3. Metro Wise LPN VS. RN Salary In Virginia: How Much More Can You Earn As An RN?


MetroRN Average
Annual Salary
LPN Average
Annual Salary
Difference
Number%
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford$74,370$52,390+$21,980+41.95%
Charlottesville$88,610$58,610+$30,000+51.19%
Harrisonburg$87,200$55,680+$31,520+56.61%
Lynchburg$78,660$52,800+$25,860+48.98%
Richmond$89,730$58,690+$31,040+52.89%
Roanoke$81,710$54,950+$26,760+48.70%
Staunton-Waynesboro$80,250$53,270+$26,980+50.65%
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News$84,920$56,330+$28,590+50.75%
Winchester$89,280$55,550+$33,730+60.72%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


4. LPN VS. RN Job Outlook In Virginia: Is The Job Outlook For RN Better Than LPN?


OccupationEmploymentNew Employment
Growth (2020-2030)
20202030Number%
RN67,34072,9005,560+8.26%
LPN20,80023,1002,300+11.06%
Difference+46,540+49,800+3,260-2.80%
(Source: Careeronestop.org)


5. LPN VS. RN Job Openings In Virginia: Are There More Job Openings For RN Compared To LPN?


OccupationNewReplacementAnnual Job Openings
(New + Replacement)
RN5563,6344,190
LPN2301,6601,890
Difference+326+1,974+2,300
(Source: Careeronestop.org)


6. Average LPN-to-RN Salary In Virginia VS. Average LPN-to-RN Salary In The Nation: Who Earns More?


Average Virginia
LPN-to-RN Annual Salary
Average National
LPN-to-RN Annual Salary
Difference
Number%
$88,350$94,480-$6,130-6.49%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her work history includes clinical experience in pediatrics, mental health, addiction and behavioral disorders, geriatrics, wound management, and communicable disease. Darby has worked in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health and hospice agencies. Darby also has experience as a nursing and allied health educator at both community college and university levels. Her love for nursing and nursing education led to her becoming a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach.



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