ECPI University, Virginia

ECPI University’s College of Nursing provides a fast-track educational model at its Virginia Beach campus and multiple locations across the Southeast. The institution offers a variety of credentials, including a 15-month Practical Nursing (PN) diploma, an 18-month Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), and a 2.5-year accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). For those already holding a degree in another field, a 12-month "Bachelor to BSN" track is available. The curriculum is delivered on-campus with year-round starts every five weeks, focusing on core competencies such as clinical judgment, pharmacology, and patient-centered care. Advanced students can pursue an MSN with concentrations in Family Nurse Practitioner or Nursing Education through hybrid and online formats.

The program emphasizes hands-on mastery, utilizing sophisticated simulation laboratories where students manage complex patient scenarios before starting clinical rotations. Students complete intensive clinical hours at regional healthcare partners, including acute care hospitals and long-term care facilities. For the ADN track, this includes approximately 450 to 500 hours of direct patient care. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN exams, with the Virginia Beach campus maintaining competitive pass rates, such as an 87.4% NCLEX-RN rate in 2024. Compared to traditional four-year public programs, ECPI stands out for its extreme acceleration and "employment-first" focus, often achieving high job placement rates within six months of graduation.