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Nursing

Professional Nursing

A registered nurse (RN) uses compassion, care, and intelligence to provide care for patients of all ages. Registered nurses function in a variety of roles, including caregiver, educator, manager, and patient advocate.
Female nursing graduate smiling and being capped at graduation
Nursing Hat 

Upcoming Professional Nursing Program Start Dates: 

July 7, 2025 - Evening/Weekend Program (ADN)
(Application Deadline – March 13, 2025)

August 18, 2025 - Day Program (BSN)
(Application Deadline: Early Accept – March 13, 2025 Regular Accept - May 22, 2025)

January 12, 2026 - Day Program (BSN)
(Application Deadline: Regular Accept - August 14, 2025)

Find the Professional Nursing Track that is right for you!

 

Riverside College of Health Sciences now offers a number of degree options to prepare students for an RN licensure including an Associate of Applied Science Degree (ADN) and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Upon completion of either degree program, graduates are eligible to apply to sit for the NCLEX-RN© (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses).

Riverside is proud to offer:

  • The Professional Nursing program leads to either an Associate of Applied Science Degree (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Upon completion of either degree program, graduates are eligible to apply to sit for the NCLEX-RN© (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses).
  • Full-time Day - BSN
    Five 16-week semesters and two 8-week semesters (3.5 academic years) - occasional evening or weekend hours may be required. 
  • Full-time Evening/Weekend - ADN
    Four 23-week semesters - occasional day hours may be required.
  • Full-time Evening/Weekend option consisting of four 23-week semesters (2 academic years) in addition to specific college-level prerequisite preadmission courses - occasional day hours may be required
  • Theoretical instruction integrated with laboratory simulations and clinical experience
  • Hands-on clinical experience in our modern medical center and a variety of affiliated clinical sites
  • Advanced Placement Option for qualifying LPNs
  • Financial aid for students who qualify
  • Association with Riverside Health Career Planning services for current students and alumni.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Pre-Application General Education Course Requirements (Accelerated Transfer Track ONLY)

The following courses must be completed prior to application submission:
Anatomy and Physiology I with lab - 4 credits
English Composition I - 3 credits
General or Intro to Psychology - 3 credits
Medical Terminology - 3 credits
Nutrition - 3 credits

The following courses must be completed prior to the program start date:
Anatomy and Physiology II with lab - 4 credits
English Composition II - 3 credits
Microbiology with lab - 4 credits
College Algebra - 3 credits
Developmental Psychology - 3 Credits

Pre or Co-Requisites General Education Course Requirements (Accelerated Transfer Track ONLY)

The following courses may be completed prior to or during the program:

Social Sciences Elective - 3 credits
Speech and Communications Elective - 3 credits
Fine Arts and/or Humanities Elective - 6 credits


Associate of Applied Science in Nursing

Prerequisite College Courses/Credits

The following courses must be completed prior to application submission:
Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab - 4 Credits
English Composition - 3 Credits
Developmental Psychology - 3 Credits
Chemistry: 1 unit of High School or College level chemistry (Also accepted: CLEP of 100 level chemistry course; job-related chemistry; LPN developmental courses in chemistry; adult education courses; or Chemistry related courses in military education).

The following courses must be completed prior to the program start date:
Basic Nutrition for Nursing - 3 Credits

Pre- or Corequisite College Courses/Credits

The following courses may be completed prior to or during the program:

Intro to Healthcare or a College Success Course - 1 Credit
Microbiology with Lab - 4 Credits
Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab - 4 Credits


Pre-Admission Testing Requirements (BSN & ADN)

ATI TEAS Suggested Score: 66.1% or higher

Average Accepted ATI TEAS Score: 74.6%


Program Recommendations (BSN & ADN)

Cumulative College-level GPA of 3.0 or better is recommended due to the competitive nature of admissions.

Average Accepted GPA: 3.20

Documentation of previous healthcare experience (including volunteer hours) is recommended.

Visit the College Catalog for a full curriculum breakdown of the different Professional Nursing program tracks.

PROGRAM APPROVED BY:

  • Virginia Board of Nursing Perimeter Center
    9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300
    Henrico, VA 23233-1463
    804-367-4515

PROGRAM ACCREDITED BY:

Please note formal notification of the action taken by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) in response to the Fall 2022 visit at its meeting in April 2023. The Board of Commissioners granted continuing accreditation to the associate program and scheduled the next evaluation visit for Fall 2030.

The Associate degree, Professional Nursing program at Riverside College of Health Sciences at 316 Main Street located in Newport News, Virginia, is accredited by the following:

  • Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
    3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
    Atlanta, GA 30326
    404-975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate degree, Professional Nursing program is Initial Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm.

LICENSURE:

  • Program graduates are eligible to apply to sit for the NCLEX-RN© (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses). Application to the Board is a student responsibility and includes additional fees. Additional information may be obtained from:

Virginia Board of Nursing Perimeter Center
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300
Henrico, VA 23233-1463
804-367-4515, http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Nursing
RCHC Licensure Disclosure Information

INSTITUTIONAL CERTIFICATION:

  • Certified by the State Council of Higher Education (SCHEV) to operate in Virginia.
    SCHEV
    101 N. 14th Street James Monroe Building
    Richmond, VA 23219
    804-225-2600, www.schev.edu

INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION:

  • Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
    6116 Executive Blvd, Suite 730
    North Bethesda, MD 20852
    703-917-9503, www.abhes.org

RIVERSIDE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER IS ACCREDITED BY:

Professional Nursing – AAS and BSN

Credit-hour based associate and bachelor’s degree program options:
Accelerated Transfer Track Tuition (Core only) information provided below – see College Catalog for Full Traditional Track Tuition information and program curriculum plans.

$300 per Portage / Geneva General Education credit
$350 per RCHS GEN General Education credit
$475 per NUR Nursing core credit
$300 per NSG Nursing core credit

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) – 51 core credits

Total Tuition: $24,100
Total Fees
(post enrollment): $4,200

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – 75 core credits

Total Tuition: $32,075
Total Fees (post enrollment): $5,250


Other associated costs:
• Application & Pre-Enrollment Fees
• External Service Provider Fees (i.e. CastleBranch, CPR)
• Book estimate $1,435
• Uniform & shoe estimate $150
• Supplies estimate $120
• Credentialing Exam estimate $430
• ATI Launch Program (if assigned) $250

See the College Catalog for a full description of all Fees & Expenses per program.

Registered nurses work to promote health and prevent disease. When illness occurs, the registered nurse assists patients and families by providing physical care, emotional support, and education. The registered nurse performs assessments, develops, implements, and evaluates care plans, documents care, assists with diagnostic tests, administers treatments and medications, monitors advanced technology and equipment, and participates in patient follow-up and rehabilitation. Registered nurses are vital members of the healthcare team. View our Nursing Program Philosophy.

Apply Now

Visit our step-by-step application page to view program requirements and start your application TODAY!

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