Virginia Board of Nursing – Overview
The Virginia Board of Nursing is the licensing authority in the state for registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs). According to the National Council of State Boards for Nursing, there are more than 28,650 LPNs working in Virginia.
Virginia is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. A multi-state practicing license issued in Virginia allows you to work as an electronic nurse in several other states.
Let’s take a look at how LPNs and RNs can earn their nursing license in the state of Virginia.
LPN Requirements in Virginia
LPN Requirements in Virginia
To become an LPN, you must complete at least 2 years of high school, or equivalent, apart from earning your diploma from an approved program.
You can visit the Virginia Board of Nursing’s official website to find a list of such state-approved programs. If you have graduated from a program in another state under the state’s approved program, then you can also apply for a license to practice nursing in Virginia.
Make sure that the practical nursing program you choose has at least 400 hours of supervised direct patient contact training.
If you have not received this training as part of the nursing program then you can contact the Virginia Board of Nursing directly by calling at (804) 367-4555.
There are several other factors that come into play for determining the right nursing program for you.
LPN License Application Procedure
You can fill out the licensing application form online at http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/nursing/nursing_forms.htm#LPN.
You will also need to register for the national licensing exam with Pearson VUE at https://home.pearsonvue.com/. You can register online, via telephone or using a standard postal service.
You will need to pay US$ 200 as a registration fee once the Board accepts your application as valid. You will then receive an ATT (Authorization To Test) which allows you to schedule a CAT (Computer Adapted Test). You will need to bring valid photo identification to the examination center.
NCLEX scores are graded as pass or fail. If you need to retake the exam, you will need to fill out a short application form and send it to the Virginia Board of Nursing.
You will need to provide an address and other personally-identifying information and reply to a few questions, such as regarding possible criminal convictions in the past, etc.
Re-taking the NCLEX exam will also require you to pay US$ 50 as re-examination fees.
RN License Requirements in Virginia
The Virginia Board of Nursing requires RNs to have at least a high school diploma or a GED, along with a diploma or degree in a professional nursing program.
Potential RNs should attend a state-approved professional nursing program, which you can find a list of on the official website at http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/nursing/nursing_edprogs.htm.
The Board also accepts candidates who have completed their professional nursing programs from several other states, with similar standard requirements.
This includes having completed at least 500 hours of direct care of patients under the supervision of a faculty member. If you do not meet this requirement, then you need to call the Virginia Board of Nursing and discuss the issue.
RN License Application Process
You can find the application form for the RN License exam on the official Board website at http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/nursing/nursing_forms.htm#RN.
You will also need to fill out a separate online form to register for taking the NCLEX-RN examination. Be ready to pay US$ 200 as a registration fee at this point upon registration.
Once you receive the ATT, you need to schedule an exam as soon as possible, according to instructions from the Virginia Board of Nursing.
If you are re-taking the NCLEX-RN exam, you will need to fill out a short application form and pay US$ 50 as a re-examination fee to the Board.
Conclusion
The Virginia Board of Nursing offers licenses to practice to those who have passed their requirements and the NCLEX examination.
Make sure that you fulfill the specific requirements set by the Virginia Board of Nursing to ensure that you get your license to practice successfully.
Reference links
https://www.topregisterednurse.com/
https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/
https://www.incrediblehealth.com
See Also
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