Nursing in Virginia: Requirements, Licensing, and Salary Outlook
According to a 2020 Virginia Department of Healthcare Professions survey, more than 90% of registered nurses (RNs) in Virginia express contentment with their jobs. Over half of these RNs hold bachelor’s degrees or higher, with only 41% carrying educational debt, and just 1% experiencing involuntary unemployment.
Discover the process of obtaining a nursing license in Virginia and explore the services provided by the Virginia Board of Nursing, including the ability to look up Virginia nursing licenses.
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Degree Requirement
ADN or BSN
License Requirement
Registered Nursing License
Fees
License: $190
Renewal: $140
Job Outlook
11.7% growth from 2018-2028
If these working conditions seem desirable, continue reading for detailed information on acquiring or renewing a Virginia nursing license, as well as salary data for nursing positions in Virginia.
How to Become a Nurse in Virginia
To obtain a Virginia nursing license, each aspiring nurse must complete an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), pass the licensing exam, and submit a license application.
Is Virginia a compact state? Yes—licensed nurses from states participating in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) and holding multi-state licenses can practice in Virginia. Nurses from other states must apply to the Virginia Board 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 prefer candidates with BSNs, especially for higher-level positions.
Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam to Receive RN Licensure.
The National Council Licensure Examination 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.
Apply for Jobs at Local Hospitals.
Alumni associations, professional memberships, and networks offer valuable resources for finding job openings. Learn more about hospitals in Virginia.
Advance Your Career With a Graduate Degree or Certification.
Master of science in nursing programs prepare nurses to become nurse practitioners. Certification programs allow specialization. Employers often support certification, particularly in understaffed fields.
Maintain and Renew Licensure and Certifications.
The Virginia Board of Nursing requires continuing professional education. Most RNs can renew their licenses online.
Virginia Board of Nursing
The Virginia Board of Nursing oversees nursing at all levels, offering resources such as license applications, renewals, links to education providers, laws, regulations, and guidance documents. The board also manages the Health Practitioners Monitoring Program, an alternative to discipline for healthcare workers facing challenges. The official site provides complaint investigations, Virginia nursing license lookups, and a career roadmap for healthcare professions.
How to Get Your Nursing License in Virginia
Licensed RNs in compact states may apply for multi-state licenses, while nurses from non-compact states can apply for license by endorsement. Criminal background checks and license verification are required. RNs pay a $190 fee, and aspiring licensed practical nurses (LPNs) pay $170.
Aspiring nurses should review laws and regulations governing nursing in Virginia. New nurses must verify their education, clinical hours, and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to obtain a license.
Licensure for New Nurses
Virginia’s Board of Nursing mandates completion of a degree, passing the NCLEX-RN exam, criminal background checks, and other conditions. Nurses who graduated from nursing school in Virginia have certain exemptions.
RN Licensure Eligibility Requirements
– Degree from an accredited/approved school of nursing (additional documentation required if the school was outside the U.S.).
– Transcript or attestation from the school.
– Pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
– 500 direct care hours for RNs, 400 for LPNs.
– Fingerprint-based criminal background check.
– $190 fee for RNs, $170 for LPNs.
– Proof of residence in a compact state (upon request).
Steps to Apply for an RN License
1. Have transcripts or attestation emailed directly from your nursing school
2. Ensure the school documents clinical hours.
3. Complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check.
4. Apply separately for the NCLEX-RN exam.
5. Fill out the application and submit a $190 payment.
6. The process usually takes 30-45 business days.
Licensure for Nurses From a Different State
Licensed nurses from eNLC states can practice in Virginia. Nurses from non-compact states can apply for licensure by endorsement.
Steps to Apply for RN License
1. Send license verification to the Virginia Board of Nursing through Nursys or directly to the board ($30 Nursys fee).
2. Additional documentation for U.S.-licensed nurses who completed their education in another country.
3. Complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check.
4. Fill out the application and submit a $190 payment.
5. The process usually takes 30 business days.
6. Check progress online and respond promptly to any incomplete items or requests from the Virginia Board of Nursing.
How to Renew Your Nursing License in Virginia
Every two years, RNs are required to renew their licenses and participate in a minimum of 30 hours of continuing professional nursing education or the equivalent. This can include 15 hours of education and 640 practice hours or 30 hours of teaching experience. It’s important to note that continuing education must be approved or provided by specific organizations, such as accredited colleges or universities, and education to meet disciplinary requirements does not qualify.
The Virginia Nursing Board allows nurses to conveniently renew their licenses online. Approximately 60 days before the expiration date, the Virginia Department of Health Practitioners sends a renewal notice and a Personal Identification Number (PIN). To renew online, nurses must have either a username and password or the provided PIN, and the renewal fee is $140.
Salary and Employment for Nurses in Virginia
As of May 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean annual salary for nurses in Virginia was $74,380, slightly below the national median of $75,330. The BLS also projects an employment growth rate of 11.7% from 2018 to 2028, surpassing the national projected growth of 7.0% from 2019 to 2029.
Richmond, Virginia, boasts the highest mean salary for RNs in the state, reaching $79,430. Despite a cost of living index of 95.1, which is lower than the national figure of 100, Charlottesville has a higher cost of living index at 104.5 but a lower mean salary.
| Metropolitan Area | Mean Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Richmond | $79,430 |
| Virginia Beach – Norfolk – Newport News | $73,360 |
| Winchester | $73,220 |
| Charlottesville | $72,070 |
| Staunton – Waynesboro | $69,240 |
Source: BLS
Best Hospitals to Work as a Nurse in Virginia
U.S. News & World Report annually compiles lists of the best-ranked hospitals, considering outcomes reports, nurse-patient ratios, patient experience, and expert opinions. The rankings include general scores and rankings for treating specific conditions.
1. University of Virginia Medical Center:
Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, this academic medical center managed 631 beds and employed 2,562 nurses in 2020.
2. VCU Medical Center:
Based in Richmond, this academic medical center, affiliated with Virginia Commonwealth University, employs over 12,000 staff members and performed more than 20,000 surgeries in 2020.
3. Centra Lynchburg General Hospital:
A part of the Centra Health System, this 358-bed hospital serves over 85,000 ER patients annually and operates as a level II trauma center.
4. Inova Fairfax Hospital:
Situated in Falls Church, Virginia, this hospital includes six different centers on its campus, such as a children’s hospital, cancer institute, and neuroscience institute. It’s the only level I trauma center in Northern Virginia, employing 5,742 nurses, with almost 85% holding a BSN or higher.
5. Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital:
This hospital, with 703 beds, maintains the area’s only level I trauma center, along with a children’s hospital and neonatal intensive care unit. It offers a nurse residency program for graduates and nurses with less than one year of experience.
Resources for Nurses in Virginia
1. Virginia Nurses Association (VNA):
Conducts state-level advocacy, issues newsletters, and provides professional development opportunities. Joining also grants membership in the American Nurses Association.
2. Central Virginia Association of Nursing Professional Development (CVANPD):
As an affiliate of the Association of Nursing Professional Development, offers professional and leadership development opportunities, including networking, online courses, and an annual conference.
3. Virginia Association of School Nurses (VASN):
Advocates for school nurses, promotes school nursing in the state, and provides professional development opportunities. Affiliated with the National Association of School Nurses, it offers links to resources for school nurses, including materials on disease control and prevention.
4. Central Virginia Black Nurses Association (CVBNA):
Works to reduce health disparities in collaboration with the National Black Nurses Association. Offers professional development activities, networking, and a career center.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I become a registered nurse in Virginia?
To obtain a Virginia nursing license, each aspiring nurse must have an ADN or BSN, pass the NCLEX-RN exam, apply for a Virginia license through the Virginia Board of Nursing, and pass a criminal background check. Virginia is a compact state, allowing nurses with an eNLC multi-state nursing license to practice in the state.
2. How long does it take to get a VA RN license?
The process of obtaining a Virginia nursing license can take 30-45 work days, depending on whether the applicant already holds an RN license. The status of the application can be checked using the Virginia nursing license lookup.
3. How many hours can a nurse work in Virginia?
Nurses in Virginia are limited to working no more than 16 hours in a row, although most employers aim to restrict shifts to 12 consecutive hours. While mandatory overtime is legal, most nurses qualify for overtime pay. In 2020, 1% of survey respondents reported working 80 or more hours per week.
4. Who issues nursing licenses in Virginia?
The Virginia Board of Nursing is responsible for issuing nursing licenses in the state. Prospective nurses must possess an ADN or BSN, pass the NCLEX-RN examination, complete a criminal background check, and submit an application.
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