Public
- Location(s) Virginia
- Telephone 1-804-828-0724
- Request Information
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), a public research and urban university, was established in 1838.
In 1893, the VCU School of Nursing was organized and is one of the most advanced and comprehensive clinical simulation centers on the East Coast. In 1969, the Department of Nurse Anesthesia was established.
Undergraduate
BS with Major in Nursing - Traditional Program
The BS with Major in Nursing is a traditional Bachelor's degree program. The program is three years in length and begins in the fall, with all nursing courses beginning in the Spring. After earning the BS with a major in nursing, graduates are eligible to apply to take the Registered Nurse licensure exam (National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and be eligible for state RN licensure.
Admission (not all inclusive)
- Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA on all college course work
- Grades lower than 'C' in any required course, except anatomy, physiology or Microbiology, are not acceptable for transfer
- Grades lower than 'B' in anatomy, physiology or Microbiology are not acceptable for transfer
- Anatomy, physiology and Microbiology must be taken within 10 years of enrollment
- Complete prerequisites prior to enrollment
- Criminal background check
- Drug screening
Accelerated BS with Major in Nursing
If a student holds a degree in a field other than nursing they may apply for the accelerated program. The program is 19-months in length and starts a new cohort each Summer. After earning a BS in nursing, graduates are eligible to apply to take the Registered Nurse Licensure exam (National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and then be eligible for state RN licensure.
Admission (not all inclusive)
- Bachelor's degree in field other than nursing from regionally accredited college/university
- Minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA on all college course work
- Prerequisites prior to enrollment
- Criminal background check
- Drug screening
RN to BS (online)
The RN to BS completion program is designed for RNs that want to earn a BSN while working as a full-time nurse. The online format is six semesters.
Admission (not all inclusive)
- Diploma or associate degree program in nursing from college or university with institutional accreditation
- Current, unrestricted RN license in the U.S.
- General ED courses from accredited college/university with minimum grades of 'C'
- Criminal background check
- Drug screening
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all college courses
- Minimum grade of B in any nursing class
Graduate
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
Graduates are eligible for certification as an AGACNP by the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Graduates are eligible for certification as a Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification exam administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Graduates are eligible to apply for certification as an FNP by the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
Graduates are eligible to apply for certification as an AGACNP by the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.
Nursing Administration and Leadership (NAL)
This concentration consists of an online format. Depending on employment role, graduates are able to apply for several different nursing administration certification exams offered through the American Nurses Credentialing Center of the American Nurses Association or the American Organization of Nurse Executives.
Post-Master's Certificates
Certificates include the Master's concentrations above.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
At the beginning of each semester, students are required to visit VCU. This online program is designed for the working nurse.
Admission (not all inclusive)
- Graduate of accredited (ACEN, CCNE or CNEA) MSN program
- Current unrestricted RN license or authorization to practice in the U.S.
- Current certification in practice specialty (NP, CNS or nursing administration certification)
- Personal interview
- Criminal background check
- Drug screening
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The online PhD program is designed for the working nurse, with the availability of online classes, and minimal offline on-site participation. There are some face-to-face courses required at the beginning first year of the BSN to PhD option.
Admission (not all inclusive)
- Baccalaureate and a master's degree, one of which must be in nursing
- Nursing degree must be from an ACEN-, CCNE- or CNEA-accredited school
- 3-credit statistics course with minimum grade of 'B'
- Current, unrestricted RN license to practice in Virginia, the District of Columbia or a U.S. possession or territory
- Official transcripts from all previous universities and colleges attended
- Resume
- 3 references
- Personal interview
- Criminal background check
- Drug screening
DNAP Entry to Practice (etpDNAP)
Nurses holding a BS degree have the option to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and earn the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP). The program is offered in a hybrid format which is an online and offline curriculum, during the first two semesters.
NOTE: As of January 2017, the entry to practice DNAP (etpDNAP) replaced the MSNA and combined MSNA-DNAP program options.
Admission (not all inclusive)
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing or related science
- Current, unencumbered license as an RN in the U.S. and eligible to obtain RN license in Virginia
- Minimum cumulative undergraduate 3.0 GPA (preferred)
- GRE within five years of application
- Minimum 1-year full-time work experience or its part-time equivalent as an RN in a critical care setting
- Personal interview
- 3 professional references
- Criminal background check
- Drug screening
DNAP (post-master's)
The School of Allied Health Professions Department of Nurse Anesthesia offers a post-master's Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) degree for CRNAs that builds upon previous education and experiences. The working CRNA is able to apply to this flexible, hybrid off/on-campus program. The student is given the option of taking one, two, or three years to complete.
Admission Minimum (not all inclusive)
- Graduate degree from accredited university
- Graduation from a nurse anesthesia program accredited by the COA
- Certification and recertification (if applicable) by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists
- Current license as an RN and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
- Cumulative graduate GPA 3.0 or higher
- GRE within five years of application
Accreditation and Approval
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accredited VCU.
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited the BSN, MSN, post-graduate APRN certificate program, and the DNP programs.
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredited the BSN, MSN, and post-master's certificate programs.
The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) accredited the DNAP program.
The COA approved the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) and combined degree MSNA-DNAP.
The COA approved the entry to practice DNAP program.
The State Commission on Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) approved the DNAP program.
Rankings and Recognitions
US News & World Report (2020)
- #157 (tie) in National Universities
- #80 (tie) in Top Public Schools
- #97 (tie) in Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs
- #1 Nurse Anesthesia
- #53 Best Nursing Schools: Master's
- #44 Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
- #373 (tie) Best Global Universities
- Most Liberal Colleges in America #75 of 687
- Best Big Colleges in America #85 of 131
- Top Public Universities in America #121 of 672
- Most Diverse Colleges in America #164 of1,592
- Colleges with the Best Student Life in America #201 of 1,542
- Best Colleges in America #352 of 1,647
- Best College Locations in America #365 of 1,553
- Colleges with the Best Academics in America #387 of 1,591
- Best College Campuses in America #537 of 1,408
- Best Value Colleges in America #699 of 1,590
- Most Liberal Colleges in Virginia #2 of 21
- Most Diverse Colleges in Virginia #4 of 41
- Best Big Colleges in Virginia #6 of 7
- Best College Locations in Virginia #7 of 39
- Top Public Universities in Virginia #8 of 15
- Best Colleges in Virginia #11 of 41
- Colleges with the Best Academics in Virginia #14 of 41
- Best College Campuses in Virginia #14 of 38
- Best Value Colleges in Virginia #22 of 42
- Best Value Colleges in Richmond Area #3 of 5
Forbes (2018-2019)
- #393 Top Colleges
- #134 in Public Colleges
- #170 in Research Universities
- #77 in the South
KVCU ranked #615 in Money Magazine's Best Colleges For Your Money (2018-2019).
Victory Media recognized VCU as one of top military-friendly campuses in the nation.
VCU School of Nursing has been recognized as a Laerdal Center of Education Excellence.
Format, Tuition, & Credit Hours of Available Programs
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Hybrid$49,170 Tuition — 66 Credits @ $745
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Hybrid$49,170 Tuition — 66 Credits @ $745
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Hybrid$49,170 Tuition — 66 Credits @ $745
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