Top Nurse Practitioner Programs in Virginia
Marymount University runs its MSN in person and online one day a week so working nurses can keep their jobs. The CCNE-accredited program covers 45 credits and 700 clinical hours across five full-time or seven part-time semesters, and typically enrolls about 25 students for closer faculty mentorship.
- Programs: MSN, Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Campus: Arlington, VA
- Type: Private (Catholic)
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $1,140 per credit
- Admission requirements: Virginia RN license, BSN from an accredited program, two years of RN experience, resume, recommendation letters, official transcripts, essay
- Minimum time commitment: 30 to 42 months
- Onsite requirements: Yes
- Median earnings two years after graduation: $98,210 for MSN graduates (College Scorecard)
Radford University offers an FNP track, a nursing administration track, and a post-master's PMHNP certificate. The FNP program prepares graduates as clinicians, educators, and leaders, and reports a 96% post-graduation employment rate.
- Programs: MSN, Family Nurse Practitioner; Nursing Administration; post-master's PMHNP certificate
- Campus: Radford, VA
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $21,316 per year
- Admission requirements: Unrestricted RN license, BSN with 3.0 GPA from an accredited school, completed statistics course, three recommendations, resume, personal essay, minimum 2,000 RN practice hours
- Minimum time commitment: 48 months part-time, 50 credits and 605 clinical hours
- Onsite requirements: Yes (two to three campus intensives)
How Nurse Practitioner Programs Work
NP programs combine classroom learning (in person, online, or hybrid) with clinical training at a healthcare site. Core coursework covers advanced nursing, pharmacology, and health assessment, followed by specialty courses such as family care, adult-gerontology, or neonatal care. You pick a specialty at enrollment and graduate with either an MSN or a DNP.
Nurses who already hold a BSN finish traditional NP programs in two to three years. RNs with an associate degree can take four to six years through a bridge program. Specialty and full- versus part-time enrollment also affect the timeline.
Applying to a Program in Virginia
Requirements vary by program type and whether you pursue an MSN or DNP, but expect to submit transcripts, recommendation letters, and essays, and possibly entrance exam scores.
- Admission materials: BSN for traditional programs or ADN for bridge programs; proof of one or more years of RN experience; transcripts showing prerequisites such as health assessment, statistics, and nursing research; standardized entrance exam, though an existing MSN can stand in for exam scores
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Other requirements: Recommendation letters, personal statement, resume or CV
Why Accreditation Matters
An accredited program signals that the curriculum meets the standards set by bodies like the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Accreditation keeps you on track to meet specialty competencies and pass the national certification exam, and it is what makes you eligible for federal financial aid and credit transfer. Every Virginia program in this guide is accredited.
Pay and Demand
As of May 2024, Virginia NPs earn a mean of about $122,000 a year, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, though pay varies by specialty, location, and experience. Nationally, the median wage for nurse practitioners was $132,050 in May 2024 (BLS), against a registered-nurse mean of about $98,430, reflecting the more complex clinical decisions and greater responsibility NPs carry. Virginia grants nurse practitioners a path to full practice authority after a required period of supervised clinical experience, so check the Virginia Board of Nursing for the current rule before you plan your role. Becoming an NP takes about two to three years for BSN-prepared RNs and four to six for ADN-prepared nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner in Virginia? A BSN-prepared RN usually finishes an NP program in two to three years. An ADN-prepared nurse can take four to six years through a bridge program. Specialty choice and full- versus part-time study shift the timeline.
Do I need a Virginia RN license before an NP program? Yes. Both Marymount and Radford require an active, unrestricted RN license, plus RN practice experience, for admission. You earn the separate APRN license after you finish the graduate program and pass national certification.
How much do nurse practitioners make in Virginia? Virginia NPs earn a mean of about $122,000 a year (BLS, May 2024). Pay varies by specialty, employer, and region, and tends to run higher in metro areas and in specialties like psychiatric mental health.
Does Virginia allow full practice authority for NPs? Virginia lets nurse practitioners practice autonomously after completing a required period of supervised clinical experience. Confirm the current hours and conditions with the Virginia Board of Nursing, since the rule has changed in recent years.
Why does program accreditation matter? Accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) keeps you eligible for federal financial aid, credit transfer, and the national certification exam. Both Virginia programs in this guide are CCNE-accredited.
Can I work while enrolled in an NP program? Often, yes. Marymount runs its MSN online with one onsite day a week so working nurses can keep their jobs, and many Virginia programs use part-time tracks and hybrid scheduling built around employed RNs.