Virginia Board of Nursing - Registered Nurse (2023)

FAQs

What are the requirements to be a registered nurse in Virginia? ›

Thirty (30) contact hours of continuing education relevant to the practice of nursing.

Once the application is considered complete (all documentation required has been received) and your application for licensure has been approved, you should receive your license in the mail within 10 working days. Note: Licensure by Endorsement can be found in the regulations, 18VAC90-50-50.

Every two years, the Virginia Nursing Board requires nurses to complete the following continuing education contact hours to comply with licensing requirements: 15 contact hours and 640 hours of active practice as a nurse, or 30 contact hours for RN license renewal.

Nursing Program Disqualifying Factors

Major misdemeanor conviction for crimes involving weapons, violence, embezzlement, dishonesty, misappropriation, fraud or sex crimes. Any felony conviction. More than one drunk driving or related conviction in the past three years. Registered sex offender.

Even when a nurse voluntarily works overtime, the maximum shift is 14 consecutive hours. Furthermore, after a nurse's shift, the employer must provide at least 10 consecutive hours of off-duty time. This is with or without overtime. The law doesn't prohibit nurses from voluntarily working overtime.

Candidates who have applied for licensure/registration with a participating nursing regulatory body (NRB) will be permitted to take the NCLEX eight times a year and there must be 45 test-free days between each examination.

Are You Limited to Retake the NCLEX-RN Exam? If you happen not to pass the exam, you can retake it after 45 days. And if you are wondering how often you can take the NCLEX, the NCSBN retake policy allows for a retake eight times a year, ensuring 45 exam-free days between each test.

How do I transfer my nursing license to Virginia? ›

You will need to complete a Criminal Background Check (instructions in the online application) Proof of your primary state of residence. You will need to submit license verification from your original province/territory of licensure (detailed instructions in the online application).

The fastest way to become an RN is through an RN diploma program, which can be completed in as little as a year. While completing this program does not lead to a degree, it does make the individual eligible to take the NCLEX and earn their RN license.

2022 Virginia Nursing License Renewal

The Virginia Board of Nursing says they will automatically add a $40 late for LPNs, and a $50 late fee for RNs who renew after midnight on the day of their current license's expiration date.

A nurse whose license has been suspended or revoked by the board may apply for reinstatement by filing a reinstatement application, fulfilling requirements for continuing competency as required in subsection B of this section, and paying the fee for reinstatement after suspension or revocation.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) administers the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), which is required for licensing as an RN in Virginia.

What Happens If You Do Not Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam the First Time? Though the vast majority of candidates pass the exam the first time, those who fail are permitted to retake it after 45 days from their original test date. Candidates may retest as many as 8 times in a year.

Whether or not the NCLEX is hard for you can vary based on factors such as how prepared you are for the exam. According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCBSN), just over 82 percent of candidates passed the NCLEX-RN exam on the first try in 2022.

If you didn't pass the exam, you'll receive a NCLEX Candidate Performance Report (CPR). The CPR is an individualized document that shows how a candidate performed in each of the test plan content areas. Candidates who fail the exam can use the CPR as a guide to prepare them to retake the exam.

Yes! Virginia is proud to be a member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), which allows nurses living in compact states to practice in all other compact states with a single multi-state license. If your primary state of residence is a compact state, you must apply for licensure in that state.

Average RN Salaries in Virginia

RN salaries in Virginia average $76,680 per year, or $36.87 an hour, ranking the state 23rd in the nation for RN salaries.

How much do charge nurses make in Virginia? ›

However, an employer may violate the FLSA minimum wage and overtime pay requirements if the employer always rounds down. Employee time from 1 to 7 minutes may be rounded down, and thus not counted as hours worked, but employee time from 8 to 14 minutes must be rounded up and counted as a quarter hour of work time.

The “7-Minute Rule” Applies to 15-Minute Increments

The “7-minute Rule” says that an employer cannot round down if an employee has worked more than 7 minutes. If an employee works between 7 minutes and 8 minutes (such as for 7 minutes and 35 seconds), the employer can round down.

A nurse can work as many hours straight as they choose.

Currently, there are no restrictions on the number of hours a nurse may voluntarily work in a 24-hour or 7-day period in the United States. There are also no restrictions on the number of hours that may be worked by other hospital employees.

If they fail, they'll need to wait 45 days before retesting. After failing three times, though, they'll need to complete a board-approved remediation program before the next retake. test-takers have six attempts to pass in total.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) reports 13.43% of NCLEX-RN candidates fail the exam on their first attempt. The number of unsuccessful test-takers is low compared to the more than 86% who pass the exam on their first try.

You must test within the validity dates (an average of 90 days) on the ATT. There are no extensions or you'll have to register and pay the fee again. Your ATT contains critical information like your test authorization number, validity date, and candidate identification number.

While it's possible to pass the NCLEX after answering all 145, it's also possible to pass the test with a minimum of 60 questions or any number in between. Keep in mind NCLEX has a time limit of five hours. If you haven't answered enough questions correctly when the clock runs out, you will fail the test.

If eight or more years have passed following the expiration date of your license and you presently hold a current and active registered nurse license in another state or U.S. territory, you do not have to re-take the NCLEX-RN.

Is Virginia a good state for nurses? ›

Virginia is among the top states for nursing schools, including Marymount University, the University of Virginia, and George Mason University. RNs in Virginia earn an average of $35.76 hourly or $74,380 yearly.

California tops the list with an estimated 44,500 deficit in registered nurses, nearly three times the deficit in the next shortest state. Texas, New Jersey, and South Carolina will lack more than 10,000 RNs; Alaska, Georgia, and South Dakota will each be short several thousand.

RECIPROCITY APPLICANTS:

Apply to take the national and state portions of the exam. Download the Candidate Information Bulletin from the Board's vendor, PSI Exams (https://candidate.psiexams.com/), to learn how to register.

The nurse may practice in any compact state using the license from the nurse's primary state of residence as long as that state is a compact state. Nurses must have licenses in all non compact states where they work. Primary state of residence is best determined by the state used as residence on the federal tax return.

Certified Nursing Assistant

A CNA program is a fast-paced program that only takes a couple of months to fully complete. After graduation, students can enter the field right away, assisting nurses with patient work in a wide variety of settings.

Nursing requires more dedication than many other careers. However, it's one of the most rewarding jobs you can have. Nursing school is notoriously difficult—and it's not for everyone. Graduate school is challenging as well.

You certainly can..you are still licensed as a RN . I've got many friends who are NP 's who do it and make just about the same amount of money as their regular jobs since they are working per diem (pays a higher rate).

How do I contact the Virginia Board of Nursing? ›

West Virginia is a Nurse Licensure Compact (Compact) state, meaning that nurses licensed by another Compact state do not need to apply for licensure unless they plan to make West Virginia their primary state of residency.

Please allow adequate processing time for applications. Applications that are complete, fully documented, and meet the minimum requirements of the Regulations will be processed within 30 business days (6 weeks) from the date the application and fee was received.

Virginia Nursing Info. Aspiring Virginia Registered Nurses usually choose one of two college-based RN education programs: an Associate Degree, Nursing (ADN), which takes two years of full time study, or a Bachelor's Degree, Nursing, which takes around four years to complete.

Must be graduates from National and/ or International recognized Nursing college/University. For graduates from the UAE universities, the program and university must be accredited by the Ministry of Education (MOE/NQA).

To sum up, LPNs are responsible for providing more basic nursing care and usually work under the supervision of RNs. RNs on the other hand are generally responsible for administering medicine to patients in addition to creating a treatment plan in order to promote and restore a patient's health.

Student must acquire at least a matric education standard and have passed Mathematics, English, a First/Home Language, Life Orientation and Life Science.

If you are aiming towards becoming a registered nurse, an associate degree in nursing (ADN) is one of the fastest paths to get there. This undergraduate degree is the minimum educational requirement for becoming a registered nurse and usually takes two to three years depending on the credits.

The state of Virginia permits applicants to take the NCLEX eight times a year. There must be 45 test-free days between each examination. To check your license status in real time, you can visit License Lookup.

What is the difference between a nurse and a registered nurse? ›

A registered nurse (RN) is a nurse who has completed all educational and examination requirements, and has been licensed to practice nursing in their state. You will also see 'registered nurse' as a job title or position.

LPNs usually provide more basic nursing care and are responsible for the comfort of the patient. RNs on the other hand, primarily administer medication, treatments, and offer educational advice to patients and the public.

RNs have a more expanded scope of practice than LPNs, in that they can perform diagnostic tests, administer medications, and educate patients on how to manage their health after treatment. RNs also oversee LPNs, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), and home health aides.

Yes Based on training and competency an LPN may draw blood and administer vaccines.

An LPN MAY:

- Administer medicated and unmedicated intravenous solutions through most venous access lines including midline catheters.

The maximum age for admission shall be 35 years.

Average R 27 387 per month.

Nursing programs are notoriously hard to get into. Difficult admission requirements—such as high GPA requirements, entrance exams, and strict prerequisites—turn many prospective students away from nursing. There are ways to make it easier, though.