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Those interested in applying for possible consideration for Spring 2027 must submit all application material by September 1, 2026. Applicants for Fall 2027 must submit all application material by March 1, 2027. All application material is processed by the Health Professions Advising and Applications Office (HPAAO) at Virginia Western.

We encourage applicants to apply as early as possible for advising purposes. By applying early to Virginia Western and submitting official transcripts of high school and College coursework, one of the HP Team Advisors will be able to help you with your course selections each semester, even if you are not yet ready to apply to the program. This allows us to advise you in a timely manner of any prerequisite requirements you have not met and how you may meet those requirements, as well as selecting courses that can be utilized to increase your GPA.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend the Best Practices for Application to Health Professions programs that are held the first Friday of each month (except July) at 1:00 PM in Fralin Center Room HP210. The sessions outline the application processes for Health Professions programs, the timeline for programs, tips and best practices, etc. so applicants can be better prepared for the application process and be in the best place that they can be for admission.

How to Apply

All application material(s) must be submitted directly to the Health Professions Advising and Applications Office (HPAAO) at Virginia Western. If you fail to do so, we will not be responsible for any delays in processing your file. Complete the following and submit in one envelope (if possible) to:

Pam Woody, Health Professions Advising and Applications Office
Virginia Western Community College
3091 Colonial Ave SW
Roanoke, VA 24015

A meeting with an advisor is not required. If you have questions, advisor meetings should not be scheduled until after all transcripts have been submitted and reviewed. You may contact the Health Professions team of advisors at healthprofessions@virginiawestern.edu.

1. Apply to Virginia Western

If you are not a current Virginia Western student, apply to the College by completing a Virginia Western Application. Indicate your plan of study as Career Studies Certificate: Introduction to Practical Nursing. You must apply with the correct plan of study prior to submitting any additional application materials.

All NEW students intending to enroll in classes at Virginia Western are encouraged to contact the Enrollment Center if they have questions about direct enrollment, course requirements, financial aid, etc. Visiting the Enrollment Center is a great way to learn more about what the College offers and available resources. They will refer you to a New Student Advisor or to one of the pre-admission advisors for Practical Nursing if necessary. Find out about New Student Advising here.

2. Apply to the Practical Nursing Program

Apply to the Practical Nursing Program by completing the appropriate application below.

• Fall 2026 Practical Nursing Application (PDF)
• Spring 2027 Practical Nursing Application (PDF)

3. Submit a handwritten essay

The instructions for your handwritten essay are on the back of the application. Note: If both the application and the essay are not received by the application deadline, the applicant will not be considered for a seat in that cohort. No exceptions.

4. Obtain and submit your transcripts

Before you continue: You need to have an active Virginia Western application with a plan of study of CSC: Introduction to Practical Nursing before you submit your official transcripts.

Official transcripts are required from:

• Your high school (even if you have graduated college). If you graduated from a foreign high school, see below.
• Any institution attended/attempted, even if transferred classes appear on a later institution’s transcript.

Your application packet must include all official sealed transcripts (high school and college) and a copy of your GED scores (if applicable). Exception: You do not need to request transcripts from Virginia Western or any other community college in Virginia.

Home-schooled students must provide a detailed curriculum completion report (course listings and grades achieved) from their school administrator (including a statement indicating if a lab component was completed for any Biology and/or Chemistry classes).

We suggest you request your transcripts be sent to your own mailing address, so you know whether they have been received. Do not open any envelope that contains a transcript, because it will no longer be “official”. If a school’s policy prevents them from issuing official transcripts directly to you, please request they be sent addressed to Pam Woody at the address above.

Transcript Request Form (PDF)

Note: Official Electronic transcripts (from high school and colleges) can be accepted from such platforms as Parchment, Scribbles, National Clearinghouse, etc. Please use pwoody@virginiawestern.edu or if using Parchment, select, VWCC-Health Professions as the destination. 

Foreign high schools and universities

Applicants who graduated from a foreign high school can complete the GED and submit official scores of the GED to the HPAAO. They 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 of [deadline] to be considered for the fall program. Here is a link to the current members of the NACES.

Foreign university transcripts must be evaluated by an approved organization (such as WES) and sent to Pam Woody from the organization before transfer credit can be determined.

5. Submit your application materials.

Before submitting your application packet, review the Practical Nursing Checklist for the appropriate semester to make sure you have completed everything.

Spring 2026 Practical Nursing Checklist (PDF)
Fall 2027 Practical Nursing Checklist (PDF)

We recommend mailing your application packet to Pam Woody at the address at the top of the page.

If necessary, packets can be hand-delivered to the HPAAO in Fralin Center Room HP339 (open daily 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM). If the office is closed, you may slide your packet beneath the door.

Once your application and all transcripts have been received by the HPAAO, you will be sent a two-page letter to your application email address verifying your prerequisites and support classes. If you have not received this letter in 3-5 weeks, please contact the HPAAO because there is likely something missing from your application packet and we are unable to consider you for a seat in the next cohort.

Note:  Applicants should remember to update the HPAAO  (healthprofessions@virginiawestern.edu) with any changes to their email address throughout the process. The application email address is used for all future contact from the advising office regarding the application unless the HPAAO is contacted to change it. Please note that advisors will contact you with the email address in Navigate, so you should turn on your notifications in Navigate. If you need assistance with this, please contact the Help Desk at Virginia Western.

6. Review the Practical Nursing Checklist

Details about other steps taken after your application is submitted, including the HESI entrance test, are discussed in the Practical Nursing Checklists below.

Spring 2026 Practical Nursing Checklist (PDF)
Fall 2027 Practical Nursing Checklist (PDF)

Admission Process Timeline

Other than the application deadline, the following dates are not final and are provided as a guideline only.

Spring 2026 Start

Date	Task
September 1	Deadline to submit all application materials, transcripts, etc.
Mid-September – Early October	Check Navigate for HESI testing instructions
October/November	Interviews scheduled with qualified applicants (if necessary)
Late October – Early November	Applicants notified of acceptance
November	Program orientation
Mid-January	Program begins in spring semester

Fall 2027 Start

Date	Task
March 1	Deadline to submit all application materials, transcripts, etc.
Mid-March – Early April	Check Navigate for HESI testing instructions
April	Interviews scheduled with qualified applicants (if necessary)
Late May	Applicants notified of acceptance
June	Program orientation
Mid-August	Program begins in fall semester