Centra College of Nursing offers a post licensure, 3-semester, one-year educational program which prepares the current Registered Nurse to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Students may enroll at Central Virginia Community College for prerequisite courses. Various Centra organizations and community agencies may be utilized as practicum sites. 

Program outcomes:

• Function as a Baccalaureate prepared nurse in acute, intermediate, long-term, and ambulatory healthcare settings.

• Utilize best practices as the foundation for the delivery of healthcare to the patient and family.

• Internalize the importance of pursuing lifelong professional and personal development

Advantages of an online RN to BSN education:

• Shorter overall program length
• Easier transition to a higher education
• Increased focus on nursing research and leadership
• Institute of Medicine’s recommendation of 80% RNs be BSN prepared by 2020

General requirements:

• Official high school transcript indicating that the applicant has or will complete a high school course of study and/or has a passing GED official score report.
• Submit official college transcript indicating completion of an Associate Degree in Nursing Program.
• Submit proof of a current unrestricted license to practice as a Registered Nurse
• Completion of prerequisite course grades with a minimum grade of a “C.”
• A minimum curricular GPA of 2.7 in prerequisite courses is recommended.
• Due to the competitiveness of admission, applicants who demonstrate the highest academic success on completed college courses will be considered for admission.
  • Completion of these prerequisites and any of the general education courses in the curriculum does not guarantee admission. 
• Personal references (3) from individuals, other than family members and friends, must accompany the application.
  • References should be from those who can speak to the applicant’s work ethic, community service and/or academic performance

Additional requirements:

• Background check and drug screen for non-centra employee students only if obtaining practicum hours within a centra facility (conviction of certain crimes may preclude admission to the College)
• BLS Provider by American Heart Association (Adult, Child, Infant, and AED taught in course). If card expires while attending the program, the student must enroll into a BLS Provider CPR re-certification course to maintain an unexpired status for clinical settings. 

Prerequisites:

Official transcripts of completed prerequisite courses must be submitted as supporting data by the application submission date. Prerequisite courses include:

• BIO 141: Anatomy & Physiology I 

• BIO 142 Anatomy & Physiology II

• English 111: College Composition I

• English 112: College Composition II

• PSY 200:  Principles of Psychology

• PSY 230: Developmental Psychology

• HLT 230: Principles of Nutrition and Human Development

• Completion of RN Program

• 6 Humanities/Social Science

Admission Process Checklist:

1. ​Application, application fee and essay. Applicants should use the required essay as a tool to reveal their ideas and opinions, their values and aspirations. Specific information to be included in the essay is listed on the application (ex. - Why the applicant is continuing their education?)

2. Evaluation of Applicant’s Potential and Abilities (3). Reference forms should be completed by persons who can speak to the applicant’s work ethic, academic abilities, and/or involvement with activities and community service.

3. Official college transcripts. (Must have documentation of completed prerequisites and 15 electives and/or Centra Nurse Residency Program.) College transcripts must be submitted for evaluation for previous college credit and degrees. Due to the competitiveness of admission, applicants who demonstrate the highest academic success on completed college courses will be considered for admission.  Centra Nurse Residency Program is a Prior Learning Assessment affiliated with Vizient/AACN.  Credit awarded will occur once the student provides the necessary documentation requested before the completion of the RN-BSN program. 

4. Valid Unencumbered RN licensure. Applicants should provide proof of the RN licensure #, the expiration date, and whether the license is active/inactive.

5. Acceptance for admission. Letters of acceptance will be mailed to applicants. Applicants not accepted will receive a letter.

6. Registration fee and Enrollment Agreement. Registration fees and signed enrollment agreements must be returned within the specified time as included in the letter of acceptance.

7. Valid and Current CPR card. CPR card for the BLS Provider by AHA.

8. Background Check/Drug Screen. Non-Centra employees must complete a satisfactory background check and drug screen if they complete practicum hours within a Centra facility.

Completed applications with all supporting data will be accepted using a rolling admission process. 

The Centra College of Nursing offers a 5-semester educational program which leads to an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). Students are admitted twice a year, in August and January. Students are also enrolled at Central Virginia Community College for general education classes. A wide variety of clinical experiences are provided at both Centra Lynchburg General Hospital and Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital. Other community agencies also are used as clinical sites. Completion of the program qualifies a student to take the national licensing exam (NCLEX-RN). Licensure is required for employment as a registered nurse. The ADN program is provisionally approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing and is a member of the National Organization for Associate Degree Nursing.

The outcomes of the ADN program are to prepare the graduate to:

• Obtain licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse through successful completion of the NCLEX-RN Examination.
• Function as a beginning nurse in acute, intermediate, long-term and ambulatory healthcare settings.
• Utilize best practices as the foundation for the delivery of healthcare to the patient and family.
• Internalize the importance of pursuing lifelong professional and personal development.

Advantages of an ADN education include:

• Shorter overall program length
• Easier transition to a BSN
• Increased focus on clinical reasoning
• More transferable college credits

Completed applications with all supporting data must be received by the deadline:

• March 31 for the fall semester in August
• August 31 for the spring semester in January

Centra College of Nursing offers a 12-month practical nursing program. Students are admitted twice a year, in January and August. Students are also enrolled at Central Virginia Community College for general education classes. Clinical experiences are provided at both Centra Lynchburg General Hospital and Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital. Other long-term care facilities are also used for clinical experiences. Completion of the program qualifies a student to take the national licensing exam (NCLEX-PN). Licensure is required for employment as a licensed practical nurse. The Practical Nursing program is approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing and is a member of the National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service, Inc.

The outcomes of the Practical Nursing program are to prepare the graduate to:

• Obtain licensure to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse through successful completion of the NCLEX-PN Examination
• Function as a beginning nurse in acute, intermediate, long-term, and ambulatory healthcare settings.
• Utilize best practices as the foundation for the delivery of healthcare to the patient and family.
• Internalize the importance of pursuing lifelong professional and personal development. 

Advantages of a Practical Nurse education include:

• Short program length
• Transition to RN
• Focus on long-term care
• Affordable cost

Completed applications with all supporting data must be received by the deadline:

• March 31 for the fall semester in August
• August 31 for the spring semester in January

An application for admission is effective only for 12 months from the time of submission. The Associate Degree Nursing program and the Practical Nursing program are very competitive and challenging. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee acceptance into a program. Applicants who have previously been dismissed from another nursing program are ineligible for admission to the nursing programs. "Ability-to-benefit" students are ineligible for admission.

General requirements

• Official high school transcript indicating that the applicant has or will complete a high school course of study and/or has a passing GED official score report.
• In order to be eligible for pre-requisite courses (BIO 100 for PN program; BIO 141, BIO 142, ENG 111 for the ADN program): The Virginia Placement Test must be taken at Central Virginia Community College and the report must demonstrate that the applicant is eligible to enroll in the required science and English courses.
• Applicants are required to complete a Kaplan Pre-Entrance Admissions Exam administered by Centra College of Nursing following the submission of their completed application.
  • Testing Dates/Times will be registered upon receipt of completed applications. 
  • Test will be administered at Centra College of Nursing. 
  • A non-refundable testing fee of $25.00 (made payable by check; money order) is collected upon arrival for a scheduled exam. 
  • Areas to be tested will include Math, Reading Comprehension, Science, Writing, and Critical Thinking. 
  • A suggested resource for testing preparation is  can be found here:
    • Kaplan Nursing School Entrance Exams: Your Complete Guide to Getting Into Nursing School (Kaplan Nursing School Entrance Exam)
• Personal references (3) from individuals, other than family members and friends, must accompany the application. 
• References should be from those who can speak to the applicant’s work ethic, community service and/or academic performance. 
• Transfer students refer to the college catalog: Transfer of Credits into the College of Nursing.

Associate Degree in Nursing program requirements

Official transcripts of completed prerequisite courses must be submitted as supporting data by the application deadline date. Prerequisite courses include:

•  BIO 141: Anatomy & Physiology I (4 credit hours )
•  HLT 141:  Introduction to Medical Terminology (2 credit hours)
•  PSY 230: Developmental Psychology (3 credit hours)
•  HLT 230: Principles of Nutrition and Human Development (3 credit hours)
• SDV 100:  College Success Skills (1 credit hour; this requirement will be waived for those who have a previous college degree or LPN certification)

To be considered for admission:

• All prerequisite course grades must be a “C."
• A minimum prerequisite curricular GPA of 2.7 in prerequisite courses is recommended. 
• Due to the competitiveness of admission, applicants who demonstrate the highest academic success on completed college courses will be considered for admission. (Completion of these prerequisites and any of the general education courses in the curriculum does not guarantee admission.)

Advanced Placement (LPN) requirements

Advanced placement Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) will be required to complete Nursing 100 (LPN Transition) offered at Centra College of Nursing. Upon completion of the admission requirements and the transition course, the LPN may be accepted to enter into the second semester of the curriculum. Completion of the required courses does not guarantee admission to the college. In addition to the admission requirements for the ADN program, Advanced Placement LPNs must:

• Submit an official transcript from a state approved school of practical nursing.
• Submit proof of a current unrestricted license to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
• Complete BIO 142: Anatomy & Physiology II (4 credit hours) with a minimum grade of “C."  

Practical Nursing program requirements

• A minimum high school GPA of 2.2 is recommended for the Practical Nursing (PN) program. 

Enrollment Requirements

• Return Enrollment Agreement and Registration Fee
• Background check and drug screen
• Valid CPR card for AHA Healthcare Provider
• Verification of required immunizations
• Attendance at mandatory orientations

Enrollment Agreement and Registration Fees

Registration fees and signed enrollment agreements must be returned within the specified time as included in the letter of acceptance.

Background Check and Drug Screen

In order to comply with the Joint Commission accreditation standards, clinical sites and affiliates require background checks on all students. Following acceptance to the Centra College of Nursing, students will be required to complete forms for the background check. Failure to complete the forms and/or return them by the deadline, refusal for a background check, failure to disclose information or unacceptable report will result in revocation of acceptance. Criminal findings on background checks, including failure to disclose information, may prohibit enrollment into the college.  

Drug screens are completed by a vendor selected by the Centra College of Nursing.  Any negative results, including refusal to be tested, may prohibit enrollment into the college.

CPR Card

American Heart Association BLS Provider or American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR card valid for the duration of the program.

Immunizations

Information on required immunizations may be obtained from the Student Health Nurse at Centra College of Nursing.  The individual’s health must permit him/her to meet the physical demands on working conditions required for employment as a nurse.

Orientations

All accepted applicants will be required to attend the full orientations.  Failure to attend the orientations will result in forfeiture of your position in the program.

Download the Centra College of Nursing application packet

Download the Catalog and Student Handbook

Catalog Addendum: RN-BSN Admission Requirements/Disclosures

Catalog Addendum: Management of Student Records

Catalog Addendum: Drug Screening

Catalog Addendum: PN Readmission Policy

Catalog Addendum: FA 2018 ADN Curriculum Revision

Catalog Addendum: FA 2018 PN Curriculum Revision

Catalog Addendum: FA 2017 Tuition and Fees/Academic Calendars

Catalog Addendum: SP 2018 Tuition and Fees/Academic Calendars

Catalog Addendum: SP 2018 Accreditations and Administrative/Faculty Roster

Catalog Addendum:  FA 2018 Readmission Policy

Catalog Addendum:  FA 2018 Admission Requirements

2017 - 2018 Associate Degree in Nursing Academic Calendar

2017 - 2018 Practical Nursing Academic Calendar

2017 - 2018 RN-BSN Academic Calendar

2018 Associate Degree in Nursing Academic Calendar

Spring 2018 RN-BSN Academic Calendar

RN-BSN Online Estimated Tuition & Fees

• Spring 2018 Admittance
• Fall 2017 Admittance

Associate Degree in Nursing Estimated Tuition & Fees

• Spring 2018 Admittance
• Fall 2017 Admittance

Practical Nursing Program Estimated Tuition and Fees

• Spring 2018 Admittance
• Fall 2017 Admittance

Financial Aid

Centra College of Nursing participates in Federal Title IV Funds. These funds include the Federal Pell Grant as well as Federal Direct Loans. For dependent students there’s the option of a Parent Plus Loan which requires a parent or legal guardian to apply for.

To begin the process please fill out your FAFSA with school code 015347. Once we receive your FAFSA we can then assess your award for the aid year.

Scholarships

Centra College of Nursing offers many internal scholarships that students become eligible for after their first semester of enrollment in 6 credit hours or more at CCON.

Centra College of Nursing also accepts certain outside scholarships as well. Please inquire with the Financial Aid Office to make sure that your outside scholarship is accepted.

Feel free to call 434.200.7033 or email us with any questions. 

At Centra College of Nursing, we acknowledge the sacrifices made by women and men who serve or have served our country in the military. We are honored to be able to offer students from all branches of the military a 15% tuition discount; the discount is our way of saying "Thank you" for your service to our country.

The tuition discount applies to active-duty service members, reservists/National Guard, Veterans and spouses of these military personnel.*

*Active duty and military reservists/National Guard must provide valid military ID cards with expiration dates. Veterans must supply a copy of DD-214 with an Honorable Discharge. Military spouses must provide dependent ID card or sponsor's DoD ID card with expiration date.

NCLEX Rates for ADN and PN:

Final regulations published in the Federal Register on October 29, 2010 [FR 66665 and FR 66832], by the U. S. Department of Education (the Department), require institutions that participate in the student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (the HEA), to report certain information about students who enrolled in Title IV eligible educational programs that lead to gainful employment in a recognized occupation (GE Programs). Those regulations also provide that institutions must disclose to prospective students certain information about their GE Programs.

Currently Centra College of Nursing has one GE Program eligible for Title IV funding: Licensed Practical Nursing Program.

The required information is included in the Gainful Employment Disclosure.

General Information

National Center for Education Statistics (General Information, Characteristics, Enrollment, Financial) or the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics.

Campus Crime

Campus Crime Statistics are available upon request from the office of the Coordinator, Financial Aid/Enrollment at (434) 200-7033 or at the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education. State information of registered sex offenders may be obtained at the Virginia State Police’s Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry.

• 2017 Campus Safety Report

Financial Aid

Financial Aid information is available upon request from the office of the Coordinator, Financial Aid/Enrollment at (434) 200-7033 or at the U.S. Department of Education Student Loan site or  Federal Student Aid site.

Download the Request for Transcript form

Centra College of Nursing is Certified to Operate by State Council of Higher Education Schools (SCHEV)

State  Council of Higher Education for Virginia
10th Floor, James Monroe Building
101 N. 14th Street
Richmond, VA 23219
804.225.2600

The pre-licensure ADN and PN programs are approved by:

Virginia Board of Nursing
Commonwealth of Virginia
Department of Health Professions
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300
Perimeter Center
Richmond, VA 23230
804.367.4515

RN-BSN program holds institutional pre-accreditation status by:

Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
7777 Leesburg Pike, Suite 314
North Falls Church, VA 22043
703.917.4109

ADN & PN programs hold institutional accreditation by:

Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
7777 Leesburg Pike, Suite 314
North Falls Church, VA 22043
703.917.4109

RN-BSN program holds programmatic pre-accreditation status by:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc
3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850
Atlanta, Georgia  30326
404.975.5000

ADN & PN programs hold programmatic accreditation by: 

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc
3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850
Atlanta, Georgia  30326
404.975.5000

Centra College of Nursing’s Bachelor Degree in Nursing, Associate Degree in Nursing, and Practical Nursing programs hold pre-accreditation status from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation, located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20037. Holding pre-accreditation status does not guarantee that initial accreditation by NLN CNEA will be received.