Numerous Virginia schools offer accelerated nursing degree options, including ADNs and BSNs, in which students can become a registered nurse in 12 to 15 months.
Nurses serve an essential role in the healthcare system, providing quality patient care, tracking important medical records, and coordinating with physicians and other clinical professionals. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), nurses comprise the largest sector of the nation's healthcare workers, with 4.7 million registered nurses (RNs) currently employed.
If you're a licensed practical nurse (LPN) looking to take the next step in your nursing career, you may be interested in 6-month LPN to RN programs. To find out more about accelerated degree programs, including the availability of 6-month LPN to RN programs in Virginia, read on.
Are There Any 6-Month LPN to RN Programs in Virginia?
Very few schools offer 6-month LPN to RN programs online or in person. There are currently no accredited Virginia colleges or universities with 6-month nursing programs.
However, it is possible to earn your nursing degree at a much faster rate than the traditional route (which is two to four years long). Many Virginia schools offer accelerated programs, some of which can be completed in 12 months. Below, we highlight seven colleges and universities with accelerated and advanced placement nursing programs that prepare students for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Though 6-month LPN to RN bridge programs aren't available in Virginia, you can earn your nursing degree and licensure within one to two years.
<h2 id="section---AcceleratedLPNToRNProgramsInVirginia">Accelerated LPN to RN Programs in Virginia</h2><p>The following accelerated nursing programs represent various options: some provide a path to an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), others a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Many offer classes online and in the evening, with coursework accommodating working professionals. (Note that there are no 100% online LPN to RN programs, as students will need to participate in person for the clinical portion.)
</p><p>Many of the following schools offer financial aid, which helps keep overall education costs low.
</p><h3 id="section---1.SouthwestVirginiaCommunityCollege">1. Southwest Virginia Community College</h3><p>Southwest Virginia Community College offers an LPN to RN program, where qualified students can earn their Associate of Applied Science in nursing (AAS) in 12 months. LPNs who meet the program prerequisites receive advanced placement and begin in the second half of the degree curriculum.
</p><p>The program takes place over three semesters: one summer bridge session and two semesters the following academic year. Students take classes on campus and gain hands-on clinical experience in local healthcare settings.
</p><p><b>Program cost:</b> $169 per credit
</p><p><b>Program length:</b> One year
</p><p><b>Accreditation:</b> Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
</p><h3 id="section---2.PiedmontVirginiaCommunityCollege">2. Piedmont Virginia Community College</h3><p>Located in Charlottesville, VA, Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) has an LPN to RN bridge program for students looking to earn their AAS (also known as an ADN). Licensed practical nurses can leverage their experience and take a bridge course in their first semester in the program; they're then eligible to move directly into second-year nursing courses.
</p><p>Classes are primarily conducted in person; clinical experience can be scheduled for weekdays, evenings, and weekends.
</p><p><b>Program cost:</b> $170 per credit
</p><p><b>Program length:</b> One year
</p><p><b>Accreditation:</b> ACEN
</p><h3 id="section---3.WesternVirginiaCommunityCollege">3. Western Virginia Community College</h3><p>Western Virginia Community College (WVCC) has an LPN to RN bridge program where nursing students can earn their ADN in three semesters. Students who enroll at WVCC have some choices for online classes, though the majority of this nursing program takes place on campus.
</p><p>Once students have earned their degree, they are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and receive their RN license.
</p><p><b>Program cost:</b> $180 per credit
</p><p><b>Program length:</b> One year
</p><p><b>Accreditation:</b> ACEN
</p><h3 id="section---4.BluefieldStateUniversity">4. Bluefield State University</h3><p>Bluefield State University is a public, nonprofit school offering another accelerated ADN program for LPNs. Qualified licensed practical nurses start with a 10-week summer transition course, then move into the third semester of the nursing degree program.
</p><p>Some general education classes are available online; students gain hands-on nursing care practice in local hospitals, schools, and other healthcare facilities.
</p><p><b>Program cost:</b> $402 per credit
</p><p><b>Program length:</b> One year
</p><p><b>Accreditation:</b> ACEN
</p><h3 id="section---5.RiversideCollegeOfHealthSciences">5. Riverside College of Health Sciences</h3><p>Located in Newport News, VA, Riverside College of Health Sciences (RCHS) has an accelerated program for licensed practical nurses looking to earn their ADN. Eligible LPNs may skip the first half of the degree program and progress directly into the final three semesters.
</p><p>RCHS offers two coursework options to better accommodate working adults. There is a full-time day option, which consists of three 16-week semesters. There is also a full-time evening and weekend option, which consists of three 23-week semesters. (Note that clinical experience conducted in RCHS's medical center and local healthcare sites may require work beyond these hours.)
</p><p><b>Program cost:</b> $475 per credit
</p><p><b>Program length:</b> One year
</p><p><b>Accreditation:</b> ACEN
</p><h2 id="section---OtherAcceleratedLPNToRNPrograms">Other Accelerated LPN to RN Programs</h2><p>If you want to transition from an LPN to an RN online, you can enroll in one of the following programs that are offered outside of Virginia.
</p><h3 id="section---HerzingUniversity">Herzing University</h3><p>Herzing University has multiple campuses across the U.S. and offers an LPN to RN bridge program that students can complete online in 16 months. If you live close enough to a campus, you could opt for the hybrid option where you take general education programs online and nursing courses in person.
</p><p><b>Program cost:</b> $730 per credit
</p><p><b>Program length:</b> 16 months
</p><p><b>Accreditation:</b> Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
</p><h3 id="section---CatawbaValleyCommunityCollege">Catawba Valley Community College</h3><p>Catawba Valley Community College is just south of the Virginia state line in Hickory, NC. Its LPN to RN bridge program includes in-person and online courses geared toward working LPNs.
</p><p>Students must come to campus for classes and labs two days a week and attend 12-hour clinicals on Saturdays—making for an intensive, fast-paced program that will prepare students for the NCLEX-RN.
</p><p><b>Program cost:</b> $268 per credit for out-of-state students
</p><p><b>Program length:</b> Nine months
</p><p><b>Accreditation:</b> ACEN
</p><h2 id="section---FAQsAboutTheFastestLPNToRNProgramsInVirginia">FAQs About the Fastest LPN to RN Programs in Virginia</h2><p>We answer a few of the most commonly asked questions about Virginia's LPN to RN program options.
</p><h3 id="section---HowLongDoesItTakeToGoFromLPNToRNInVirginia">How Long Does It Take To Go From LPN to RN in Virginia?</h3><p>If you take the traditional route to earn your RN license, this can take anywhere from two to four years. This is due to the amount of credit hours needed to earn either your associate degree or bachelor's degree: a minimum of 60 and 120 credits, respectively.
</p><p>Accelerated programs allow you to apply previous work and education experience toward degree prerequisites and speed up the degree path timeline. Generally, the fastest way you can transition from an LPN to an RN is 12 months.
</p><h3 id="section---IsThereABridgeProgramFromLPNToRN">Is There a Bridge Program From LPN To RN?</h3><p>Yes, there are many bridge programs for licensed practical nurses. Also called transition programs, these typically consist of one semester with a bridge or transition course to support LPN students as they enter the degree program. Students are then well-prepared to progress directly into more advanced coursework and prepare for the <a href="https://www.nclex.com">NCLEX-RN</a>.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreTheAdmissionRequirementsForA6MonthLPNToRNProgram">What Are the Admission Requirements for a 6-Month LPN to RN Program?</h3><p>Admission requirements depend on your specific school and degree program. Most schools, however, share basic requirements for all incoming students, like a background check, immunization documentation, and drug screenings. A passing score on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) and an active LPN license is required for most LPN to RN programs.
</p><h2 id="section---FindNursingDegreePrograms">Find Nursing Degree Programs</h2><p>There are many options for accelerated nursing programs in Virginia and beyond. If you would like to know more about online learning options, please connect with the featured institutions on Learn.org to discover which can help you on your education journey.</p>
