Become an RN in Virginia:
FAQs at our Falls Church Campus
Become a Registered Nurse with a BSN degree at Arizona College of Nursing – Falls Church. Below you will find some of the frequently asked questions that future RN’s often ask our campus faculty and staff.
How long does it take to become a registered nurse (RN)?
The length of time it takes to become an RN with a BSN can vary depending on the program and the student’s prior educational background. Bachelor’s degrees often take 4 years to complete, but with our 3-year BSN program, you can complete your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in as few as 3 years.
If you have completed some college credit or have a degree in another field, qualifying transfer credits can shorten your program length. To learn more about the pathway to becoming an RN with a BSN degree in Virginia, contact an admissions representative at our Falls Church campus.
Preparing Future RNs at Arizona College of Nursing – Falls Church
It is important to understand the differences between an LPN school and a BSN school. These factors can impact your nursing career path and your educational roadmap. Our campus leaders and experienced professionals are here to help you every step of your journey. CLICK HERE to read our latest blog article detailing the differences between an LPN school and a BSN school.
The Virginia Board requires RNs to have a high school education or GED and a degree or diploma from a state-approved professional nursing program and pass the NCLEX-RN Exam.
Registered Nurses in Virginia have a median salary of $84,100 per year.
As you will be newly entering the workforce, it’s important to know that you will likely not start at the median rate but would likely increase your earnings with experience.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that Registered Nurses in Virginia range from a low rate of $63,710 per year, to the highest-paid Nurses earning as much as $115,120 per year.
Updated 06/2024. Source: https://www.onetonline.org/link/localwages/29-1141.00?st=VA
Registered nurses held about 3.2 million jobs in 2022.
The largest employers of registered nurses were as follows:
Hospitals (59%)
Ambulatory healthcare services (18%)
Nursing and residential care facilities (6%)
Government (5%)
Educational services; state, local, and private (3%)
Updated 2024. Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-3
Transferring credits can get you on track to complete your program in less time and at a lower cost. Students can progress through our BSN program of study in 3-years or less with qualifying transfer credits, if the courses apply to the program of study. For questions about transfer credits, including credits associated with college level credit test scores, visit our Campus Locations page for details to contact your local campus.
Read more about Arizona College of Nursing’s credit transfer requirements.
Students of all ages and backgrounds who qualify may be eligible for a variety of financial aid programs and payment options including:
- Federal student loans
- Federal PELL and SEOG grants
- Eligible State-based grant programs
- Private educational loans
- Military veteran educational benefits (ex: Post-9/11 G.I. Bill®)*
*GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill. The Falls Church, Hartford, Cincinnati, Cleveland, St. Louis, Greenville, Melbourne, and Chesapeake Arizona College of Nursing campuses are not approved to train eligible Veterans and their dependents.
Yes. While every student’s schedule may vary due to prior academic experience, you’ll start your BSN degree program with evening general education courses. In addition, some general education courses are offered in a convenient on-campus/online hybrid format.
We offer general education courses in the evening because we know students are busy and often can’t immediately change their entire schedule when starting Nursing school.
Once you begin your Core Nursing courses, your schedule will shift to daytime classes.
As of 2020, there were 67,340 RNs employed in Virginia. RN employment in Virginia is projected to grow by 8% from 2020-2030. This is faster than the expected average growth of RN employment in the United States, which the BLS estimates will grow 6% from 2022 to 2032. Updated 06/2024. Source
To become a nurse in VA, prospective students must complete a state-approved nursing program. Tuition fees for a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN) range anywhere from $40,000 to over $100,000.
Additional Fees in Virginia:
NCLEX-RN Exam
- $190 Application
- $200 Examination
Source: https://nursinglicensemap.com/states/virginia-nursing-license/
If you fail your first attempt at the NCLEX-RN Exam, you may retake it after 45 days from your original test date. You may retest up to 8 times per year.