Virginia Commonwealth University is a Carnegie Research
University, one of the three largest research doctoral
institutions in the Commonwealth.
VCU's Medical Center is one of the most comprehensive academic
health centers in the nation, and the only comprehensive health
sciences center in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
VCU's location in the capital of Virginia gives our students a
unique opportunity to combine academic and real-world education,
allowing them to create their own educational goals. The faculty
and administration are committed to students who want to be a
part of a leading, dynamic university.
The School of Nursing is a vital part of this exciting,
comprehensive research university. We strive to assure that we
meet our social responsibilities to the public trust and to our
profession. To that end we focus on actualizing and integrating
knowledge development, dissemination, and application in ways
that make sense within a community of scholars. We are dedicated
to serving individuals, families, communities, and society
through application of nursing knowledge, and shaping the
development nursing and health care in the local, regional,
national and international arenas.
Bachelor of Science with a Major in Nursing Tracks
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The VCU School of Nursing offers three tracks within the
undergraduate program:
- Traditional Undergraduate Program
- Accelerated BS Program (for non-nursing college graduates)
- RN – BS Weekend Program
The Traditional Undergraduate and Accelerated BS Program are
designed to provide a basic nursing education curriculum to
individuals who are seeking their first degree in nursing.
Graduates of this program are eligible for licensure as a
Registered Nurse upon completion of the Traditional Undergraduate
Program and Accelerated BS Program. The RN-BS Weekend program is
designed for Registered Nurses with a diploma or Associate's
degree in nursing who are now returning to school to obtain a
Bachelor of Science degree. The degree awarded in both tracks is
the Bachelor of Science with a major in nursing.
Master of Science Program
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The School of Nursing offers a program of study in advanced
practice nursing leading to a Master of Science degree. Advanced
practice nursing is defined as the specialized and expanded
practice of nursing. There are multiple tracks within the
Master's Program for individuals with differing credentials.
Traditional MS Program
Degree Required: BS in Nursing
RN Licensure: Required upon enrollment
MS Program for Non-BSN RN
Degree Required: BA/BS in another discipline, Associate's or
Diploma in Nursing
RN Licensure: Required upon enrollment
RN-MS Program
Degree Required: Associate's or Diploma in Nursing
RN Licensure: Required upon enrollment
Accelerated Second Degree Program
Degree Required: BA/BS in another discipline
RN Licensure: Waived for pre-licensure portion of program
The master's program prepares graduates to be certified as either
clinical nurse specialists or nurse practitioners in their chosen
specialty are. The specialty concentrations are:
- Adult Health - Acute Care Nursing - CNS or ACNP
- Adult Health - Primary Care Nursing - ANP
- Child Health Nursing - PNP
- Clinical Nurse Leader
- Community Health Nursing & Public Health
- Family Health Nursing - FNP
- Integrative Psychiatric Mental Health - CNS/PANP
- Nurse Educator
- Nursing Administration & Leadership
- Women's Health Nursing - WHNP
Post-Master's Certificate Programs
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Post-Master's certificates may be earned in the following
specialty areas:
- Adult Health - Acute Care Nursing – CNS or ACNP
- Adult Health - Primary Care Nursing - ANP
- Child Health Nursing – PNP preparation
- Family Health Nursing – FNP preparation
- Integrative Psychiatric Mental Health – CNS and/or PANP
and/or HN
- Nursing Administration and Leadership
- Women's Health Nursing – WHNP preparation
PhD Program
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The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing PhD
program prepares nursing scholars for a lifetime of intellectual
inquiry and cutting-edge research as well as for academic or
research positions. The doctoral program prepares scholars and
researchers in nursing to engage in knowledge development and
transmission in areas critical to the advancement of clinical
nursing practice.
Doctoral students at VCU School of Nursing will benefit from the
school's Center for Biobehavioral Clinical Research. The purpose
of the center is is to enhance the school's research programs
related to improving biobehavioral outcomes associated with
critical health experiences at VCU School of Nursing. A
consistent focus on the integration of biological and behavioral
variables and health outcomes in the context of critical health
experiences, both physical and psychological, will provide
significant opportunities for more holistic understandings of the
phenomena of health-illness and nursing interventions. Research
examining the integration of biological and behavioral factors or
providing unique understanding of the whole person will advance
holistic nursing knowledge essential to the understanding of
critical health experiences.