Virginia at a Glance
Median LPN salary: $64,920/year → Median RN salary: $93,600/year (BLS OEWS May 2025)
Your raise: ~$28,680/year | DC metro RN median: $97,116 | NLC compact state
G3 program: Covers tuition + fees at all 23 VCCS community colleges for healthcare workers | 77,490 RNs employed
VA Board of Nursing: dhp.virginia.gov/nursing · (804) 367-4515
Fastest & Most Affordable LPN to RN Routes in Virginia
Virginia's Community College System (VCCS) runs 23 community colleges statewide — all offering the same standardized nursing curriculum. The G3 program covers tuition and fees for qualifying healthcare students, making your bridge potentially free. Here are the programs we verified.
Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) — LPN to RN Bridge
PVCC's ACEN-accredited bridge requires 67 credits total with a minimum C in all courses. Multiple info sessions via Zoom throughout the year. Serves the Charlottesville / central Virginia area. G3 covers tuition.
Brightpoint Community College — LPN to RN Bridge (Richmond Area)
Brightpoint serves the Richmond metro area (Chesterfield, Colonial Heights, Petersburg). Part of VCCS standardized nursing curriculum. G3 covers tuition for qualifying students. Two campus locations for convenience.
Virginia Western Community College — LPN to RN Bridge (Roanoke)
Virginia Western serves the Roanoke Valley / western Virginia region. Explicitly promotes G3 funding eligibility on their program page. Part of VCCS standardized curriculum. Carilion Clinic (Roanoke's largest employer) offers tuition reimbursement for employees.
Mountain Empire Community College — LPN to RN (Evening/Weekend Hybrid)
Mountain Empire's part-time hybrid format with evening and weekend classes is designed for working LPNs in rural Appalachian Virginia. One of the few VCCS programs explicitly offering evening/weekend scheduling. G3 covers tuition. Serves the coalfield region.
✅ Pro tip for working moms: Mountain Empire CC's evening/weekend hybrid is the most schedule-friendly option in Virginia. If you're in Northern Virginia (NOVA area), your VCCS degree qualifies you for DC metro RN jobs paying $97,000+ without crossing the Potomac. All 23 VCCS colleges use the same curriculum and charge the same rates — pick whichever is closest to you, and G3 covers the tuition.
Online Option: Excelsior University
Excelsior University — AAS in Nursing (Fully Online)
For VA LPNs in rural areas far from VCCS campuses. Note: does NOT qualify for G3 funding (not a Virginia school).
⚠️ Important: Excelsior does not carry ACEN accreditation at the associate level, and it's not G3 eligible. Major VA employers (Inova, Sentara, Carilion, VCU Health) may prefer ACEN-accredited VCCS graduates. Use VCCS if at all possible — it's free with G3 and accredited.
Virginia LPN to RN Cost Comparison
| Program | Type | Without G3 | With G3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any VCCS College (23 statewide) | Community College | ~$8,000–$15,000 | $0 tuition + fees |
| Excelsior University | Online | ~$7,400–$15,000+ | N/A (not G3 eligible) |
G3 covers tuition AND fees at all 23 VCCS community colleges for VA residents in healthcare programs with household income under ~$100,000. Pell Grants ($7,395/year) stack on top for books and living expenses. Virginia has a graduated state income tax (2%–5.75%).
Virginia LPN vs RN Salary: DC Metro Access Is the Multiplier
Virginia's statewide RN median is solid at $93,600, but Northern Virginia LPNs who bridge to RN can access DC metro salaries significantly above that. Based on BLS OEWS May 2025:
| Level | LPN Salary | RN Salary | Your Raise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | ~$50,000 | ~$67,830 | +$17,830 |
| Median (typical) | $64,920 | $93,600 | +$28,680 |
| Top earners (90th percentile) | ~$78,000 | ~$125,580 | +$47,580 |
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025. Virginia employs 77,490 RNs — 13th most in the country.
📊 The DC metro multiplier: The DC-Arlington-Alexandria metro RN median is $97,116 — and NoVA LPNs can access those jobs with a VCCS bridge degree earned for $0 (G3). A free bridge program leading to $97K+ salaries is one of the best ROI calculations on any state page.
Top VA employers: Inova Health System (NoVA), Sentara Healthcare (Hampton Roads), Carilion Clinic (Roanoke), VCU Health (Richmond), UVA Health (Charlottesville). Virginia's 27 military installations (Fort Liberty border, Norfolk Naval Station, Quantico) also employ thousands of civilian RNs.
What You Need to Get In (Virginia Requirements)
- Active, unencumbered Virginia LPN license (Virginia is an NLC compact state)
- High school diploma or GED
- Prerequisite courses: A&P I & II, Microbiology, English, General Psychology
- Minimum GPA: 2.5–2.8 (PVCC requires all C or higher)
- TEAS entrance exam
- Background check and drug screening
- CPR/BLS certification
- Immunizations: MMR, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Tdap, annual flu, negative TB
✅ Apply for G3 FIRST at vccs.edu/g3. G3 covers tuition + fees at all 23 VCCS colleges for healthcare students. You need to be a VA resident with household income under ~$100,000. Apply before you apply to the nursing program — knowing your tuition is covered removes the biggest barrier.
Paying for It: Virginia Financial Aid
- G3 (Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back): Covers tuition + fees at all 23 VCCS colleges for healthcare students. VA residents, household income under ~$100K. Apply at vccs.edu/g3.
- Pell Grants: Up to $7,395/year. Complete the FAFSA.
- Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant: For VA residents at VA private colleges.
- Employer tuition: Inova, Sentara, Carilion, VCU Health all offer reimbursement. Military installations (Fort Liberty, Norfolk Naval) have education benefits.
📋 Real math: G3 ($0 tuition + fees) + Pell Grant ($7,395/year for books/living) = you get paid to go to school. The bridge is free, and your first RN paycheck in the DC metro ($97,116 median / 12 = $8,093/month) is life-changing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Virginia's G3 program?
G3 covers tuition and fees at all 23 VCCS community colleges for students in healthcare and other high-demand programs. VA residents with household income under ~$100,000 qualify. It can make your entire LPN-to-RN bridge free.
How much more do RNs make than LPNs in Virginia?
Statewide median: LPN $64,920 → RN $93,600 = $28,680 raise. In Northern Virginia / DC metro: RN median jumps to $97,116. Top VA earners exceed $125,580.
Can I access DC-area RN jobs with a Virginia nursing license?
Yes. Many DC-area hospitals are physically located in Virginia (Inova Fairfax, Virginia Hospital Center). Virginia is also an NLC state, and Maryland recently joined the NLC, expanding your access further.
Is Virginia a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
Yes. Your VA RN multistate license works in 40+ states including neighboring NC, TN, and MD.
Virginia Board of Nursing Contact
Virginia Board of Nursing
VA RN licenses renew every 2 years. Virginia is an NLC compact state. The Board of Nursing operates under the Department of Health Professions.
What's Next After Your RN? Keep Climbing.
Getting your RN is a major milestone — but it's not the ceiling. Once you pass the NCLEX-RN, three pathways open up that each come with another salary jump:
RN → BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
Most RN-to-BSN programs are 100% online, designed for working RNs. You keep your RN job and paycheck while finishing your bachelor's. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement for BSN completion. Magnet hospitals require a BSN-prepared nursing workforce.
RN → MSN (Master of Science in Nursing)
Some programs let you go directly from RN to MSN (skipping a separate BSN). An MSN qualifies you for advanced practice roles with significantly higher pay. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) earn a national median of $137,300/year (BLS 2025).
The Full Career Ladder: LPN → RN → BSN → NP
The LPN-to-RN bridge you're starting now is the first rung. Each step up adds $30,000–$40,000 in annual salary. Many nurses complete this entire journey in 5–7 years while working full-time at each level. You don't have to do it all at once — each credential pays for the next one.
Find LPN to RN Programs in Other States
Looking for programs outside Virginia? We have dedicated guides for all 50 states plus Washington D.C.