Nursing is a career path for people who want to care for others, make a difference in their local community, and are interested in a secure job with good advancement opportunities. There is also high demand for qualified nurses across the US, including in Virginia.
Virginia Beach is home to several excellent nursing schools that offer rigorous academic programs, practical training opportunities, and enjoyable student life experiences. Here are some of the top reasons to study nursing in Virginia Beach.
Reputable Nursing Programs
Virginia Beach has a few highly reputable nursing schools to choose from, including Sentara College of Health Sciences and South University Virginia Beach. These schools offer accredited nursing degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. The nursing curriculum covers topics like patient care, pharmacology, pathophysiology, research methods, leadership, and community health. Small class sizes and knowledgeable faculty provide personalized instruction. Clinical rotations take place at well-equipped schools and major local healthcare facilities like Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. For students looking for an online program with flexible hours, Marymount University offers an excellent Virginia ABSN program for students resident in Virginia, Maryland, or D.C. Metro.
Graduating from a respected Virginia Beach nursing program will provide students with a solid nursing education as a foundation for their careers.
Abundant Clinical Training Opportunities
There are abundant clinical training opportunities available through Virginia Beach nursing schools. Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital is part of Sentara Healthcare, a leading not-for-profit health system in Virginia and North Carolina. The hospital has over 500 beds and provides comprehensive medical services. Students can gain experience in various departments like the emergency room, operating room, maternity ward, intensive care units, and more. There are also outpatient clinics, rehab centers, and specialized facilities like Sentara Heart Hospital and Sentara Cancer Center. Rotations at diverse healthcare settings allow students to work with real patients and develop clinical skills.
Besides Sentara, students can train at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital, Atlantic Shores Retirement Community, and other partner sites. With so many high-quality clinical training options, students will be well-prepared for nursing careers after graduation.
Vibrant Beachside Location
The exciting beachside location makes Virginia Beach an enjoyable place for college students to live and study. There are miles of sandy beaches along the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay for swimming, surfing, sailing, fishing, and more. The Virginia Beach Oceanfront has a lively boardwalk lined with restaurants, amusement parks, shops, concerts, festivals, and nightlife. Students can explore the outdoor scene, with options like hiking, biking, camping, and boating. There are also performing arts venues, museums, botanical gardens, and professional sports teams. The city offers an array of housing, dining, and entertainment right near campus. Nursing students can enjoy a great quality of life when not hitting the books.
Strong Job Prospects After Graduation
Virginia Beach provides promising career opportunities for nursing graduates. There is high demand for nurses in the city to care for the growing population. Sentara Healthcare is the largest private employer in Virginia Beach, providing over 12,000 jobs. Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital and other Sentara facilities actively recruit nursing program graduates. Other major health systems in the city include Chesapeake Regional Healthcare, Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, and Atlantic Shores Retirement Community. Many clinics, doctor’s offices, home health agencies, schools, and long-term care facilities also hire nurses. With baby boomers aging and increased access to healthcare, nursing job growth is projected to continue increasing over the next decade.
Affordable Costs
The overall costs associated with earning a nursing degree in Virginia Beach are affordable compared to other major metro areas. In-state tuition and fees at public schools are reasonable, and online programs even cheaper. Rent, transportation, utilities, and other living expenses are lower than other coastal cities. There is no state income tax in Virginia, allowing graduates to keep more of their paychecks. Reasonable education costs and plentiful job prospects make earning a nursing degree in Virginia Beach a worthwhile investment.
Outstanding Student Support Services
The nursing schools in Virginia Beach offer excellent student support services to help students succeed. There are academic advisors, tutoring resources, writing centers, disability services, mental health counseling, career guidance, and more. Small class sizes also allow for individualized attention from professors. The schools aim to provide a supportive environment for students to thrive academically, professionally, and personally.
With reputable nursing schools, abundant clinical opportunities, a vibrant location, strong job outlook, affordable costs, and great student support services, Virginia Beach is an ideal city for earning a nursing degree. Students will be prepared for rewarding nursing careers while enjoying everything this coastal community has to offer.
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