Frequently Asked Questions

Applicants must:

• meet the general admission requirements for the college.
• hold a high school diploma or GED.
• have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) ≥ 2.0 based on the GPA calculated at the most recent institution/college at which you completed at least 12 college credit hours.

The following high school/college courses must be completed with a grade of C or better by the end of Summer semester for Fall eligibility and the end of Fall semester for Spring eligibility.

• Algebra I/MDE 10
• Biology/BIO 101 or NAS 2

Appropriate developmental or college course equivalents can be substituted.

Approximately 30 students will be admitted to the Practical Nursing cohorts each fall and spring. Meeting the program admission standards does not guarantee program admission. For Spring 2025, we had approximately 35 qualified applicants. For Fall 2025, we had approximately 48 qualified applicants.

We accept permanent residents, asylee, refugees and most visa types. However, we do not accept students on F1 or M1 visas as those visas are affiliated with a particular school. Students on F1 or M1 visas are not allowed to pursue a degree or certificate program with Virginia Western. Students on B1 and B2 visas are also not allowed to enroll at Virginia Western.

Based on the below Code of Virginia, the Virginia Western Community College Practical Nursing Program makes potential students aware that prior actions may prohibit testing for the NCLEX-PN post- graduation. Applicants that have prior acts that may impact testing should clarify these with the Virginia Board of Nursing before program entrance. Conviction of a felony, misdemeanor or any offense substantially related to the qualifications, functions, and duties of a practical nurse may constitute grounds for not allowing a candidate to take the licensing exam. The Board of Nursing, not the college, makes the determination of NCLEX-PN test approval. Application to the Board of Nursing that discloses prior disciplinary actions may delay or prevent NCLEX-PN testing.

The Practical Nursing Program requires a Criminal Background Check and Drug Screening prior to program admission and annually while in the program. The student will be required to undergo an annual Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen prior to admission to facilities for direct care clinical hours. This information must be submitted in CB Bridges prior to access to the facilities.  Participation of the student is dependent upon facility acceptance of the results of the testing.

Admission Disclosures:

Requirements for admission to a practical nursing education program shall not be less than the requirements of §54.1-3020 A 1 of the Code of Virginia that will permit the graduate to be admitted to the appropriate licensing examination. The equivalent of a four-year high school course of study as required pursuant to §54.1-3017 shall be considered to be:

1. General Educational Development (GED) certificate for high school equivalence; or
2. Satisfactory completion of the college courses required by the nursing education program

§ 54.1-3020. Qualifications of applicant for practical nurse’s license.

A. An applicant for a license to practice as a practical nurse shall furnish evidence satisfactory to the Board that the applicant:

1. Has completed two years of high school or its equivalent;
2. Has received a diploma from an approved practical nursing program;
3. Has passed a written examination as required by the Board; and
4. Has committed no acts which are grounds for disciplinary action as set forth in this chapter.

B. The Board shall consider and may accept relevant practical experience and didactic and clinical components of education and training completed by an applicant for licensure as a practical nurse during his service as a member of any branch of the armed forces of the United States as evidence of the satisfaction of the educational requirements for licensure.

Code 1950, § 54-348; 1970, c. 116; 1979, c. 5, § 54-367.19; 1982, c. 598; 1988, c. 765; 2011, c. 390.

Yes. The deadline to apply is October 1st each year for the following summer. The bridge takes 1 year to complete (summer, fall, and spring semester). If you are an LPN and interested in knowing more, please go to the LPN to Nursing AAS Bridge webpage.

The Introduction to Practical Nursing CSC allows applicants who may not be accepted into the AAS program to academically prepare to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification exam, if the EMS 111/120 course sequence is completed. 

Additionally, if you already have a healthcare licensure/certification (such as CCMA, CNA, Phlebotomist, etc,) if you submit a copy of your current license to the HPAAO, we can complete paperwork on your behalf to determine if  Credit for Prior Learning can be awarded for one of the options under the job skill portion of the Introduction to Practical Nursing CSC.

Due to the difficulty of the program, some students like to have some of the general support courses (i.e. ENG 111, PSY 230, PHI 220, SDV 101) completed prior to beginning the program. However, please note that completion of the support classes may impact your ability to remain part-time in the program due to less than six credit hours in a semester.

Note: Support courses are not treated as prerequisites and meeting the admission criteria does not guarantee program admission. The HP Program Advisor, Rhonda Perdue, can assist you with course planning. Please direct any inquiries or concerns to healthprofessions@virginiawestern.edu.

Applicants for admission to the Practical Nursing program are considered for class positions based on their ability to meet the program admission standards, without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, or other non-merit factors.

Applicants can complete the GED and submit official scores of the GED to the HPAAO. Applicants can also submit their transcripts to one of the organizations who are members of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) and have the official report that verifies completion of United States High School education equivalency sent to the HPAAO. Either the copy of the GED scores or the official report from a NACES organization member must arrive by the application deadline to be considered for the program. Here is a link to the current members of the NACES.

If you are interested in taking classes to prepare for future entry into the program but you are unsure when you will be eligible, please submit the Practical Nursing application with the appropriate transcripts. This will allow us to help you plan and suggest proper courses to begin your studies. The advisor will also evaluate your transcripts for transfer credit and can discuss your placement results.

We have a team of advisors for Health Professions.

• New students should begin with a New Student Advisor in the Enrollment Center.
• Rhonda Perdue is the Health Professions program advisor and provides advising about applying and preparing for health professions programs for continuing Virginia Western Students. Rhonda can assist with career planning and course selection and may be able to assist with preliminary information. You can schedule an appointment with Rhonda Perdue via Navigate.
• Pam Woody or Jasmine Terry will process your academic file and evaluate previously completed coursework after a review of your official transcripts. They will also send the process letter verifying your GPA, prerequisites, and the evaluation of your college course work. 
• Julie Ainsley is the pre-nursing advisor who can be reached at jainsley@virginiawestern.edu. She can assist with career planning and course selections and may be able to assist with preliminary information.

Submission of all academic materials including application and official transcripts from High School and all colleges attempted should be directed to: Attention: Pam Woody; VWCC; School of Health Professions; 3091 Colonial Avenue, SW; Roanoke VA 24015.

You may also contact the team of advisors at healthprofessions@virginiawestern.edu.

2024-2025 HESI Prep Guide (PDF)

Admission decisions are made by the Practical Nursing Admissions Committee following completion of Admission Testing held in Fall or Spring. (If interviews with the Program Director and Faculty Members are required, applicants are notified with the HESI testing information.) Admission decisions are emailed to the applicants as soon as possible, usually within the month.

Basic math is an integral part of the LPN program. You are strongly encouraged to review your basic math prior to entry and review math on your own or using Khan Academy. This can also assist you in the math on the HESI exam. In addition, the faculty recommend that you review Medical Terminology on your own or through a free online course. HLT, a one credit Medical Terminology course is offered at VWCC and is in the Intro to Practical Nursing CSC plan of study. A review of the math skills can also assist with the pharmacology associated with the program.

Virginia Western Community College faculty and students must comply with the policies required by clinical facilities with which we have legal agreements. If a student refuses to comply with a clinical facility immunization and vaccination requirement, Virginia Western Community College will attempt, but cannot guarantee, to assign a student to an alternative clinical facility. A student will be placed in an alternative location only if it meets the educational objectives of Virginia Western Community College and program requirements for clinical placement. Faculty also must be available to appropriately supervise students at the clinical facility. Refusal to comply with a clinical facility immunization and vaccination requirement by a student in our health programs may impede your progress in the program or your ability to remain in the program.

It is the student’s responsibility to clear their urine drug screen. Marijuana may be legalized under state law for medical use with an MMJ card, but medical marijuana use is prohibited at all clinical sites. The presence of marijuana metabolites in urine will result in a positive drug screen finding that prevents a student from obtaining clinical placement and results in removal from the program. There are no exceptions to this rule as healthcare facilities have the right to ban the use of these drugs by hospital employees or clinical students.

You must successfully complete an approved Practical Nursing education program and pass a licensure exam, which is administered by the National Council of the State Board of Nursing. You must apply to the regulatory board of the state in which you plan to practice. The general requirements include personal, character, and criminal background information. The Virginia Board of Nursing requires a current Background Check. Application information is found on the Virginia Board of Nursing website with directions for information for completion of the application process. Applicants will receive a letter from the Board after records indicate approval for testing. Applicants will then apply for the NCLEX-PN through the National Council State Board of Nursing site. Board application, NCLEX exam fees, and Background check fees are the applicant’s responsibility.