Online ABSN Programs in VA: Highlighting the Best Schools
Do you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and want to become a registered nurse in Virginia? Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs can help you make the transition quickly through intensive coursework and hands-on clinical training. These programs offer a flexible, fast-paced path to earning your BSN and entering the growing healthcare field. EduMed will help you explore top online and hybrid ABSN programs in the state, covering admission requirements, tuition costs, program structure, and career opportunities. Keep reading to find the right program for your nursing journey.
Why Trust EduMed? We partner with 150+ nursing & allied health professionals to bring you the most in-depth data & insights on higher education & careers in healthcare. Meet our team and review our editorial values.
Jump To Section
Spotlighting Virginia’s Online ABSN Programs
The three ABSN programs we spotlight below offer reputable examples of what to expect from an online ABSN program. Although hybrid ABSN programs typically allow you to take your coursework online, you’ll still need to complete labs, simulations, and clinicals in person, on campus. Nursing is a hands-on profession, and even the best online simulations can’t replace in-person training.
With the ability to transfer credits from your first degree — or as many credits as you’ve earned so far — you’ll save yourself both time and money as you pursue your BSN. Pay close attention to admissions requirements, as each school asks for something slightly different.
Averett University
The ABSN Program at Averett University is open to students with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees and those with at least 60 non-nursing credits. Multiple start dates allow you to choose the timing that’s right for you. Though accelerated, this program provides the same nursing education that traditional, on-campus students receive. Online ABSN students engage in online nursing courses, skills and simulation labs, and clinical rotations, which are held at healthcare facilities in Norfolk and Hampton Roads. In 2023, Averett nursing students had a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Duration: 16 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $68,375
Admissions Requirements:
- Non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 non-nursing credits from a regionally accredited institution
- 2.8 GPA, grade of C- or better in all math and science courses
- Prerequisites in microbiology, statistics, anatomy, and physiology
- Test of Essential Academic Skills
- No prior nursing program grades below C
- Criminal background check
- High school transcripts or equivalent
Curriculum:
- Client-Centered Care: Introduction
- Health Assessment with Lab
- Improving Patient Outcomes
- Global Health Perspectives
- Ethics for Health Services
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
Marymount University
Tap into high employment rates, strong job satisfaction, great benefits, and strong earning potential with the ABSN Program at Marymount University. One unique component at Marymount is the on-campus residency — an intensive, immersive experience that engages ABSN students in hands-on training in oxygenation interventions, wound care, and health assessment, among other areas. During these experiences, students have the opportunity to connect with faculty, classmates, and the communities they’ll serve. Marymount’s Clinical Placement Services arrange preceptors and sites for ABSN students’ clinicals. Marymount’s ABSN boasts a 95% NCLEX-RN pass rate. The program is accredited by CCNE.
Duration: 16 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $74,800 ($18,700 x Four semesters)
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited U.S. institution
- Transcripts
- 2.8 GPA
- Letter of recommendation
- Writing sample
- Proof of residency in Virginia, Maryland, or DC
Curriculum:
- Professional Nursing and Scholarship
- Health Assessment
- Mental Health Promotion and Illness Management
- Research and Evidence-Based Practice
George Washington University
The accelerated BSN Program at George Washington University is located primarily at the Virginia Science and Technology Campus in Ashburn. Veterans of the armed forces may qualify for additional credit for service, as this program values students with prior life experience. This ABSN features interactive online modules to augment in-person instruction, however most of the program takes place on campus. Students gain hands-on experience during clinical rotations in top-rated facilities in the Washington, DC, area and are exposed to obstetrics, psychiatric nursing, surgical nursing, and other specialties. The 2023 NCLEX pass rate was 93.9%. The program is accredited by CCNE.
Duration: 17 months
Mode: In-person with interactive online modules
Cost: $84,000
Admissions Requirements:
- 60 college credits or a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field
- 3.0 GPA
- Official transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Statement of purpose
Curriculum:
- Pathophysiology
- Foundations of Professional Nursing
- Health Assessment and Promotion
- Mental Health Nursing
- Pharmacology Principles for Nursing Practice
Answers to ABSN Student Questions
Moving into the field of nursing is a big decision. Even if you’re sure it’s the right step, you probably still have some important questions. We’ve compiled the most popular questions potential ABSN students have and provided the answers below.
What’s the pace of an ABSN program?
Many ABSN degree programs require less than 18 months to complete, allowing you to earn your degree quickly within the fast pace. Once you’ve chosen your program, completed any prerequisites, and gained acceptance, you’ll typically begin with foundational coursework in core nursing topics. Depending on the program, you might also start clinical rotations as early as the first semester, focusing on patient communication and bedside care, among other basic nursing skills. In the last six months of your ABSN program, you’ll focus on refining your clinical skills and preparing for the NCLEX-RN exam.
Are ABSN programs expensive?
ABSN programs are often more affordable than traditional full-time programs because you won’t have to repeat core coursework. Plus, due to the expedited timeline, you’ll graduate and start earning sooner. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses in Virginia earn $88,350 annually— over $42 per hour. That being said, an ABSN program is an investment. At Marymount University, tuition is $18,700 per semester, and the program runs four semesters, for a total of $74,800. Be sure to investigate financial aid and scholarships to cut your total investment.
Will my program prepare me for the NCLEX?
The best accelerated BSN programs in Virginia help you prepare for the NCLEX exams, but you must be proactive about getting ready independently as well. This means studying intensively, taking mock exams, and using NCLEX study resources — like our beginner’s guide to the NCLEX and NCLEX strategy guide — or those offered by your program. Study groups can be helpful, too.
What’s the process for transferring my credits?
Each school has a different process for healthcare students to transfer their credits, and since ABSN programs are designed for students with around 60 transferrable credits, the schools will work with you to meet as many requirements as possible. Even if your first degree was in a completely different field, such as business, the arts, or communications, you’ll be able to fulfill many, if not all, general education requirements. Typically ABSN programs require math and science prerequisites, such as anatomy and physiology, microbiology, statistics, and psychology. Meet with an admissions advisor to see if you’re lacking any courses.
If I’m already in nursing, is an ABSN right for me?
The short answer is, maybe. Some programs are designed specifically for students who don’t have a nursing degree, while others can accommodate students who have already become licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or certified nursing assistants. RNs have a wide range of choices, with RN to BSN programs, fast-track RN to BSN programs, and RN to BSN programs with no prerequisites. Consider all of these options before selecting a program.
Why Career Changers in Virginia Are Choosing Nursing
Making the switch to a career in nursing has lots of benefits. If your previous degree was in communications, for example, you’ll still use those skills in explaining treatments to patients and families and in conveying to your colleagues what a patient needs. Nursing has many facets, so while you could be a hospital nurse, you also might end up working in public health, research, management, or community education.
Furthermore, nursing offers strong job security and competitive salaries and benefits. With over 70,000 nurses in the state, the Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 4.3% growth in Virginia’s RN positions. That’s a little behind the national average of 6% for nurses but ahead of the job growth rate for all professions, which is 4%. The mean salary for registered nurses in the state is $88,350, with wages in the Arlington-Alexandria-Washington area hitting $99,000. Those in this profession will reap the rewards of secure and consistent compensation.
