[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/nurse-practitioner/best-online-nurse-practitioner-programs/”]Nurse practitioners (NP)[/hen-ui-link] provide specialized care to families, children, older adults, and individuals with certain medical conditions. As [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/advanced-practice-nursing/”]advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs)[/hen-ui-link], they hold graduate degrees and specialty licenses, affording them many career opportunities. In 2023, the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/PublicResources/HealthcareWorkforceDataCenter/ProfessionReports/NursingReports/” target=”_blank”]Virginia Department of Health Professions[/hen-ui-link] reported Virginia NPs as the highest employed APRNs in the state.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Read more to learn about NP programs, including admission requirements and coursework, and consider these top-ranked NP schools in Virginia.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Nursing Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Learn More About the Top Nurse Practitioner Programs in Virginia[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”strokeLight” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-900″][hen-ui-icon icon=”badge-check” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /] How We Rank Schools[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]We use a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/methodology/”]data-driven methodology[/hen-ui-link] to rank the best nursing programs, making it easy to find a program that meets your needs. Informed by data from the most reputable sources, including the U.S. Department of Education, our methodology is based on metrics that matter most to nursing students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings. This list was created prior to 2025.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Do Nurse Practitioner Programs Work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurse practitioner programs include classroom learning (in-person, online, or hybrid) and clinical training at a health facility. Coursework includes core classes (e.g., advanced nursing, pharmacology, and health assessment) and specialty courses, such as family care, adult-gerontology health, or neonatal care.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Candidates are required to choose a specialty upon enrollment and can earn a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/msn/”]master of science in nursing (MSN)[/hen-ui-link] or [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/dnp/”]doctor of nursing practice (DNP)[/hen-ui-link] upon program completion.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses with a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/bsn/”]bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)[/hen-ui-link] can complete traditional NP programs in 2-3 years. RNs with an [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/adn/”]associate degree in nursing (ADN)[/hen-ui-link] can finish in 4-6 years through [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/nursing-bridge-programs/”]nursing bridge programs[/hen-ui-link]. But program length can vary based on specialty choice and whether students are enrolled full- versus part-time.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Applying to a Nurse Practitioner Program in Virginia[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While NP schools in Virginia share similar application requirements, eligibility can vary based on factors such as program type, degree held, and whether the applicant is pursuing an MSN or DNP. Applicants can expect to submit paperwork, such as degrees, transcripts, recommendation letters, and essays. Entrance exams may be required for some program types.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Admission Materials: [/hen-ui-text]BSN if applying to traditional NP programs or ADN for bridge programs; Proof of one or more years of RN experience; Standardized entrance exam, but proof of an MSN may be submitted in lieu of exam scores; Transcripts showing completion of prerequisite courses, including health assessment, statistics, and nursing research.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Minimum GPA Requirement: [/hen-ui-text]3.0[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Other Requirements: [/hen-ui-text]Recommendation letters, personal statement or essay, and resume/CV to prove personal and clinical readiness.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why Is NP Program Accreditation Important?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Choosing an accredited NP program in Virginia increases the likelihood graduates will be adequately prepared for an advanced nursing role. [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/what-is-accreditation/”]Nursing school accreditation[/hen-ui-link] proves that a nursing program meets specific educational standards established by accrediting bodies, such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Accredited NP schools in Virginia undergo rigorous evaluations to ensure graduates have a high chance of meeting specialty role competencies and passing the NP state board exam. Accreditation also makes candidates eligible for financial aid and gives them the ability to transfer course credits to other accredited schools.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]All Virginia nursing programs in our rankings are accredited.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Nurse Practitioner Programs in Virginia[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner in Virginia?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Becoming an NP in Virginia takes about 2-3 years for RNs with a BSN and 4-6 years for ADN-prepared nurses. Program length can also vary based on your specialty choice, enrollment status, and whether you are pursuing an MSN or DNP.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is a nurse practitioner’s salary in Virginia?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As of May 2024, Virginia NPs make an average annual salary of $122,180 per the [hen-ui-link href=”https://data.bls.gov/oesmap/” target=”_blank”]Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)[/hen-ui-link]. But salary can vary based on specialty, location, and years of experience.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Do NPs get paid more than RNs?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NPs typically earn higher salaries than RNs as they make more complex clinical decisions and carry greater responsibilities. Per the BLS, nurse practitioners make an average annual salary of $132,000 and RNs $98,430 as of May 2024.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is the easiest NP program to get into?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Admission to an NP program depends on how well you meet admission requirements. Choosing a school in which you meet all eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission, but it greatly increases your chances of getting accepted.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion]