Home to the Historic Triangle and the world’s largest naval base, the Norfolk, Virginia, area is also on the cutting edge of healthcare. Due to the nursing shortage and strong job growth projections for nurses, now is a good time to attend a nursing program in Norfolk.
Nurses care for patients in hospitals, long-term care facilities, Veterans Affairs medical centers, and other healthcare facilities. The greater Norfolk area employs 14,600 registered nurses and 3,810 licensed practical nurses, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), making nursing one of the largest healthcare occupations in the area. By enrolling in a nursing program in Norfolk, Virginians can train for a career in this growing healthcare field.
Benefits of Nursing Programs
Nursing schools in Virginia provide students with academic and clinical preparation for a career in nursing. With flexible, fast-paced enrollment options, many nursing school programs are designed to allow graduates to enter the workforce quickly. Benefits of these programs include the following:
Meet the Demand for Nurses in Virginia: Nurses are currently in demand in Virginia, and they are expected to see significant job growth in the near future. More than 70,000 registered nurses (RNs) work in Virginia, and that number is projected to grow by over 4% from 2022 to 2032, according to Virginia Works. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are projected to see over 7% job growth over the same time period.
Choose From Flexible Program Options: Prospective nurses can take any of several paths to a job in the healthcare workforce. A practical nursing program can lead to a job as an LPN, while an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program prepares aspiring nurses for licensure as an RN. Nursing students can choose a program that aligns with their timeline, budget, and career goals.
Prepare for a Nursing Job Quickly: Nursing schools can prepare individuals for nursing roles in two years or less. Practical nursing programs typically require 12 to 18 months to complete, while ADN programs generally take around two years to complete.
Nursing Program Requirements in Norfolk
Healthcare professions require specialized training. Before they are qualified to enter the workforce, nurses must apply to nursing school, complete their coursework and clinical requirements, and obtain a state-issued license. Specific program requirements vary depending on the program type and school.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to Norfolk nursing programs must meet certain admission requirements. To enroll in the Practical Nursing or ADN program at Fortis, applicants are required to have a high school diploma and hold a minimum threshold score in the Wonderlic SLE test to qualify. Depending on their prior nursing education or experience, students may also need to meet other requirements, including a drug screen.
Graduation Requirements
Students enrolled in a nursing program gain basic nursing skills in the classroom and through supervised clinical experiences. The curriculum varies depending on the program, but most nursing programs incorporate courses in human anatomy, health assessment, and professional nursing skills. Nursing students also specialize their abilities through coursework in medical-surgical nursing, critical care, pediatrics, oncology, and other areas.
Nursing programs provide hands-on training during supervised clinical experiences. Nursing students apply their classroom knowledge in a variety of healthcare settings. These clinical experiences help students develop exceptional patient care skills and prepare them to obtain licensure after they graduate.
Licensure Requirements
The Virginia Board of Nursing issues licenses for practical nurses and registered nurses. Candidates for a nursing license must graduate from a state-approved nursing education program. Applicants must also pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), a version of which is available for both practical nurses and registered nurses. Virginia’s Board of Nursing accepts applications online.
Types of Nursing Programs and Careers in Norfolk
Nursing programs provide focused training for any of several different nursing roles. In Norfolk, two common types of nursing programs are LPN and RN programs. These programs each provide different preparation since these two types of nurses have distinct responsibilities in healthcare settings.
Practical Nurse
Practical nursing programs in Norfolk, VA, train students for entry-level careers as licensed practical nurses. Common work settings for LPNs include nursing and residential care facilities, hospitals, home health service providers, and doctor’s offices.
LPNs’ job duties include the following:
Providing patients with basic care, such as assisting with eating or changing bandages
Checking patients’ vital signs, including their temperature and blood pressure
Communicating patients’ information to nurses and other healthcare professionals
Maintaining patients’ health records
LPNs can advance their careers and increase their earning potential by completing an LPN to RN bridge program.
Registered Nurse
Registered nurses can enter the field with an Associate Degree in Nursing. A majority of RNs work in hospitals, with other common work settings for RNs including ambulatory healthcare service providers and residential care facilities.
RNs’ job duties include the following:
Conducting health assessments of patients and recording their medical histories
Administering medications and treatments to patients
Educating patients about managing their health conditions
Assisting physicians by operating medical equipment and performing diagnostic tests
After becoming an RN, nurses can advance by earning a specialty certification or by completing an RN to BSN bridge program.
Train for a Nursing Career at Fortis College
If you want to become a nurse in the greater Tidewater region, Fortis College can help you reach your career goals. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, Fortis offers a Practical Nursing and an Associate Degree in Nursing program, as well as healthcare programs in Medical Assisting and Dental Assisting. These career-focused programs prepare students to obtain licensure as a nurse in Virginia after they graduate.
Fortis offers hybrid programs that combine online courses with in-person classes and clinical experiences. After building a foundation in nursing theory, nursing students gain hands-on experience during the clinical portion of Fortis’ nursing programs. Graduates benefit from lifetime career services and employment assistance support. To learn more about the nursing programs at Fortis College in Norfolk, reach out today.
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The Path From CNA to PN or RN
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