How To Become A Registered Nurse In Virginia

Caste Required

ADN or BSN

License Required

Registered Nursing License

Fees

License: $190
Renewal: $140

Task Outlook

11.seven% growth from 2018-2028

According to a 2020 Virginia Department of Healthcare Professions survey, more than ninety% of registered nurses (RNs) in Virginia report satisfaction with their jobs. More than one-half of these RNs possess available'southward degrees or higher, simply 41% have any educational debt, and merely 1% were involuntarily unemployed.

If these sound similar ideal work conditions, read on for more information on how to become or renew a Virginia nursing license, along with salary data for nursing jobs in Virginia.

How to Become a Nurse in Virginia

To earn a Virginia nursing license, each aspiring nurse must earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or bachelor of scientific discipline in nursing (BSN) degree, laissez passer the licensing exam, and utilise for a license.

Is Virginia a compact state? Yes — licensed nurses from states that participate in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Meaty (eNLC) and earn multi-state licenses tin practice in Virginia. Nurses from other states must employ to the Virginia Lath of Nursing for a Virginia nursing license.

Apply to an ADN or BSN Program

An ADN takes two years, while a BSN typically requires four years. Most employers require or strongly prefer candidates with BSNs, especially for higher-level positions.

Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam to Receive RN Licensure.

The National Council Licensure Test for RNs (NCLEX-RN) is the national licensing examination for nurses. The Virginia Board of Nursing provides links to the latest information about the exam.

Utilise for Jobs at Local Hospitals.

Alumni associations, professional person association memberships, and professional person networks offering valuable avails in finding openings and applying. Learn more virtually hospitals in Virginia.

Accelerate Your Career With a Graduate Degree or Certification.

Master of science in nursing programs ready nurses to go nurse practitioners. Individuals can too pursue certification programs to specialize their work. Many employers will assistance pay for certification, particularly in understaffed fields.

Maintain and Renew Licensure and Certifications.

The Consummate Guide to How to Go a Registered Nurse

Virginia Board of Nursing

The Virginia Board of Nursing regulates nursing at all levels and provides resources for nurses, including license applications and renewals, links to education providers, current laws and regulations, guidance documents, and data most the eNLC.

The board also oversees the Health Practitioners Monitoring Plan, an culling to field of study for healthcare workers with substance abuse, physical, or mental challenges. Its official site provides complaint investigations and Virginia nursing license lookups, along with information and a career roadmap for careers in healthcare.

How to Get Your Nursing License in Virginia

Licensed RNs in compact states may apply for multi-state licenses to practice in all compact states, while nurses from not-meaty states may utilise for license by endorsement. These nurses must pass criminal background checks and provide verification of their licenses and residency in participating states. An RN must pay a $190 fee, while aspiring licensed applied nurses (LPNs) pay $170.

Aspiring nurses should also review a summary of the laws and regulations governing nursing in Virginia. New nurses must submit verification of their education and clinical hours and pass the NCLEX-RN examination to receive licensure by exam.

Licensure for New Nurses

Virginia's Board of Nursing requires each aspiring RN to complete a degree, pass the NCLEX-RN test, and submit to a criminal background cheque, forth with other conditions. Nurses who completed their nursing school in Virginia can skip certain steps.

RN Licensure Eligibility Requirements

Degree from an accredited/canonical school of nursing. If the schoolhouse was outside the United States, you must submit additional documentation.
A transcript or attestation from your school
Laissez passer the NCLEX-RN examination
500 straight intendance hours for RNs, 400 for LPNs
Fingerprint-based criminal background bank check
Pay a $190 fee for RNs, $170 for LPNs
Proof of residence in a meaty land (upon request)

Steps to Apply for an RN License

Take either a transcript or testament emailed directly from your nursing school to the Virginia Board of Nursing, with the subject area line "Bidder's Proper noun: Official Transcript OR Testament Letter."
Make sure that the schoolhouse documents clinical hours as function of the transcript or attestation if you did not nourish schoolhouse in Virginia.
Complete a fingerprint-based criminal background bank check.
Apply separately to take the NCLEX-RN exam.
Fill up out the application and submit a $190 payment.
The process usually takes 30-45 business days to complete.
Check progress online and quickly supply whatever incomplete items or additional material for the Virginia Lath of Nursing.

Licensure for Nurses From a Different Land

Licensed nurses from eNLC states can practice in Virginia. Nurses from not-meaty states may utilise to the Virginia Board of Nursing for licensure by endorsement.

Steps to Employ for RN License

Transport verification of your license to the Virginia Board of Nursing through Nursys or direct to the lath. The Nursys fee is $xxx.
Applicants who are licensed in the United States just completed their nursing education in another country will take to file boosted documentation.
Complete a fingerprint-based criminal groundwork cheque.
Fill out the application and submit a $190 payment.
The procedure unremarkably takes 30 business organisation days to complete.
Check progress online and quickly respond if whatever items are marked as incomplete or the Virginia Board of Nursing requests additional material.

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How to Renew Your Nursing License in Virginia

Each RN must renew their license every two years and participate in at least 30 hours of continuing professional nursing education or the equivalent, such as 15 hours of education and 640 practice hours or 30 hours of educational activity experience. Standing education must be approved or provided by specified organizations, such as accredited colleges or universities. Education to meet disciplinary requirements does non qualify.

The Virginia Nursing Board allows nurses to renew their licenses online. Approximately 60 days before expiration, the Virginia Section of Wellness Practitioners sends a renewal notice and Pin. Nurses must have either a username and password or PIN to renew online for $140.

Bacon and Employment for Nurses in Virginia

Co-ordinate to the BLS, in May 2020, the mean annual salary for nurses was $74,380 — slightly lower than the national median of $75,330. BLS data also indicates a projected employment growth rate of 11.seven% from 2018-2028, outpacing the national projected growth of seven.0% from 2019-2029.

Richmond, Virginia, has the highest mean salary in the state for RNs, at $79,430. Richmond's cost of living alphabetize is 95.1, lower than the national effigy of 100. However, Charlottesville has a 104.five price of living index and a lower mean salary.

Top-Paying Metropolitan Areas for RNs
Metropolitan Area	Mean Almanac Bacon
Richmond	$79,430
Virginia Embankment – Norfolk – Newport News	$73,360
Winchester	$73,220
Charlottesville	$72,070
Staunton – Waynesboro	$69,240

Source: BLS

Best Hospitals to Work equally Nurse in Virginia

U.S. News & Globe Report annually publishes lists of the all-time-ranked hospitals based on outcomes reports, and benchmarks such as nurse-patient ratio, patient experience, and proficient opinions. The ranking includes general scores and rankings for treating specific conditions.

University of Virginia Medical Center
The University of Virginia Medical Center, an academic medical center located in Charlottesville, Virginia, managed 631 beds and employed 2,562 nurses in 2020.
VCU Medical Center
The Richmond-based VCU Medical Center operates as an academic medical center with Virginia Commonwealth University. It employs more than 12,000 staff members and performed more than 20,000 surgeries in 2020 amid the pandemic.
Centra Lynchburg General Hospital
Centra Lynchburg General Hospital is part of the Centra Health System. The 358-bed hospital serves more than 85,000 ER patients each year and maintains a level II trauma center.
Inova Fairfax Hospital
Inova Fairfax Infirmary, in Falls Church building, Virginia, has half-dozen unlike centers on its campus, including a children's hospital, cancer plant, and neuroscience institute. Information technology is too the merely level I trauma center in Northern Virginia. The hospital employs v,742 nurses, and nearly 85% take a BSN or higher.
Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital
This hospital maintains the area's only level I trauma center, along with a children's hospital, neonatal intensive intendance unit of measurement, and 703 beds. Information technology offers a nurse residency program for graduates and nurses with less than ane year of feel.

Resource for Nurses in Virginia

Virginia Nurses Association
VNA conducts advocacy at the country level, problems a newsletter, and offers professional person development opportunities. The clan besides conducts two annual conferences. Joining also provides membership in the American Nurses Association.
Cardinal Virginia Association of Nursing Professional Evolution
CVANPD, every bit an chapter of the Association of Nursing Professional person Development, offers professional and leadership development opportunities, including networking, online courses, and an annual conference. This association also offers a career center.
Virginia Clan of Schoolhouse Nurses
VASN conducts advocacy for school nurses, promotes schoolhouse nursing in the state, and provides professional person development opportunities. The association, an affiliate of the National Association of Schoolhouse Nurses, provides links to resources for school nurses, including materials on disease control and prevention.
The Central Virginia Black Nurses Association
CVBNA works to reduce health disparities in collaboration with the National Black Nurses Association. Nurses who work within a 100-mile radius of Richmond may apply. It offers professional development activities, networking, and a career center.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I go a registered nurse in Virginia?

To get a Virginia nursing license, each aspiring nurse must take an ADN or BSN, pass the NCLEX-RN examination, apply for a Virginia license through the Virginia Board of Nursing, and pass a criminal groundwork cheque. Is Virginia a compact state? Yeah. If yous have an eNLC multi-state nursing license, you tin practice in Virginia.

How long does information technology have to get a VA RN license?

It can take 30-45 work days to get a Virginia nursing license, depending on whether you already have an RN license. Yous can cheque the status of your awarding with the Virginia nursing license lookup.

How many hours tin can a nurse work in Virginia?

Nurses can work no more xvi hours in a row, only most employers effort to limit shifts to 12 consecutive hours. Mandatory overtime for nurses is legal in Virginia, merely nigh nurses qualify for overtime pay. In 2020, 623 nurses (1% of survey respondents) reported working eighty or more hours per week.

Who issues nursing licenses in Virginia?

The Virginia Board of Nursing issues nursing licenses in Virginia. Each prospective nurse must possess an ADN or BSN, pass the NCLEX-RN examination, consummate a criminal groundwork cheque, and submit an awarding.

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