Virginia Commonwealth University

Nursing Programs Offered

RN to BSN Program Details

The RN-BS Completion Program is a blended program that meets predominantly online. Students take one face-to-face course, which is in first semester of study. This class meets on five Friday evenings over the semester in locations across Virginia. The program is flexible and students have a variety of plans to choose from. The program can be completed in as few as 18 months, or up to six years.

BSN Program Details

The VCU undergraduate nursing major begins in the sophomore year. Highly qualified high school seniors may gain admission as entering freshmen to the sophomore class through the Guaranteed Admission Program for Health Sciences in the VCU Honors College. Please refer to the VCU Honors College website for more information.

Applicants with college credits who are seeking their first degree in nursing will apply to the VCU School of Nursing as sophomores.

The Traditional BS track provides entry level nursing education. It builds on a strong science background and combines intense classroom study with clinical experience at the VCU Medical Center and other local health care facilities.

This three-year curriculum, approved by the Board of Nursing, develops the nursing knowledge and skills needed for professional practice. After earning the BS with a major in nursing, graduates are eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-RN examination for RN licensure.

MSN Program Details

The traditional master’s program offers general core content required for both advanced practice nursing and preparation in a specific concentration. Upon completion, students can seek certification as advanced practice nurses (APN) either as clinical nurse specialists or nurse practitioners in their chosen concentration.

As a graduate of VCU School of Nursing master’s program you will:

-Possess knowledge in the advanced practice of nursing as a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse administrator
-Employ knowledge of social, cultural, economic and organizational that impact practice in health care delivery systems
-Demonstrate beginning competency in the advanced practice of nursing and synthesize current research and other evidence as a basis for advanced practice
-Evaluate one’s own performance in the advanced practice of nursing based on current standards
-Contribute to the discipline of nursing through a systematic program of practice, education, scholarship, leadership and participation in professional organizations
-Communicate effectively in the advanced practice of nursing and act in accordance with the laws, regulations and standards that govern practice
-Use technology applicable to the practice arena in a competent manner
-Respect the inherent dignity of every human being and provide culturally appropriate care to diverse individuals and groups
-Seek to improve the quality of health for all citizens

Accelerated BSN Program Details

VCU’s Accelerated BS track provides a basic nursing education to students seeking their first nursing degree. A fast-paced and rigorous program, this track combines intense classroom study with clinical experience at the VCU Medical Center and other local health care facilities.

The five-semester program, approved by the Board of Nursing, develops the nursing knowledge and skills needed for professional practice. After earning a BS in nursing, graduates are eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-RN examination for RN licensure.

Accelerated MSN Program Details

Students in the Accelerated MS Program take courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels until licensure as a Registered Nurse is obtained, usually at the end of the fifth semester. Students continue in the Accelerated MS Program until the master’s degree is awarded after two to four semesters of additional study, depending on the area of concentration.

A fast-paced and rigorous program, the Accelerated MS combines intense classroom study with clinical experiences at the VCU Medical Center and other health care facilities. The undergraduate portion of the Accelerated MS Program, approved by the Board of Nursing, is designed to develop the nursing knowledge and skills needed to begin a professional practice. Accelerated MS students are eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-RN examination for RN licensure after earning the BS degree in nursing.

Students complete the remaining graduate didactic courses as they begin graduate clinical courses, which require RN licensure.