As the field of nursing evolves, so too must the education that prepares future nurses for its growing demands. Over the past two years, the VCU School of Nursing has made significant changes in response to national calls for practice-ready graduates, expanded career pathways and the growing demand for nurse leaders who will drive innovative, patient-centered health care. 

By design, these changes are a strategic and deliberate effort to stay ahead of the rapidly evolving needs of the field, balancing the impact of current trends with the anticipation of future challenges, all while ensuring the school remains a leader and model for excellence in nursing education.

Preparing practice-ready nurses

In 2021, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) released the Essentials, a new set of guidelines outlining core competencies aimed at standardizing and improving nursing education to ensure graduates are ready for practice. Following the release of these guidelines, the school assembled a task force of faculty and administrators to integrate the new core competencies into its curriculum, redesigning programs to better prepare graduates for a smooth transition from the classroom to the clinical environment.

The new undergraduate curriculum launching in spring 2025 and new graduate curricula launching in fall 2025 will feature several key changes. It will allocate more time to competency development and evaluation, integrate topics of health equity and social determinants into care delivery, and increase experiential and simulation-based learning to help students develop real-world skills. Interprofessional collaboration, leadership, technology, and evidence-based practice will also receive greater emphasis.

"Our new curriculum is designed to help students see how concepts are similar across age ranges and patient populations and also focuses on developing competency in our students,” said Mark Tanner, D.N.P., associate dean of academic affairs. “Our hope is that by focusing on these areas we will help students have the knowledge and skills needed to be successful as new graduates."

Student-centered services

In addition to curriculum changes, the school has made substantial investments to strengthen its supportive learning environment, connecting student services with the new academic framework to better foster student success. In direct response to student feedback, the school has greatly expanded its academic coaching resources, invested in a peer tutoring program, and maintained a strong team of knowledgeable advisors. 

Positive trends suggest that the school’s approach to learning is producing tangible results.

Since the expansion of student-centered services in 2022, the school has achieved prelicensure student retention rates of 92% to 95%, exceeding the national average of 75% to 80% reported by the National League for Nursing.

As an office, we really prioritize partnering with our students by listening to them so that we can understand and address their needs for enhanced support services, advising and academic coaching.

Megan Rapchick
Assistant Dean of the Office of Student Success

Additionally, first-time passage rates for new VCU nursing graduates taking the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) have also shown improvement. The NCLEX passage rate for the first quarter of 2024 was 96.7%, a 6.4% increase compared to the same quarter in 2023.

While these upward trends may indicate a recovery from pandemic-related learning loss, they also coincide with the implementation of the expansion of more tailored, student-centered support.

"As an office, we really prioritize partnering with our students by listening to them so that we can understand and address their needs for enhanced support services, advising and academic coaching,“ said Megan Rapchick, assistant dean of the Office of Student Success. "We are working hard to create a supportive learning environment for our students and will continue to grow these initiatives and adjust to their changing needs. Our commitment to their success as learners and as individuals is at the top of our priority list and we intend to continue working towards innovative ways to partner with them and support them through their academic journey and beyond.”

Responding to workforce needs

In recent years, the school has adapted its program offerings to better align with both student interest and workforce demands. High levels of interest from prospective students and a strong pool of qualified applicants for the traditional bachelor’s program, coupled with Virginia’s increasing demand for well-prepared nurses, underscored the necessity for change.

In response, the school made the strategic decision to expand enrollment in the traditional bachelor’s program. Starting in spring 2025, the traditional bachelor’s program will admit new students twice a year—spring and fall—effectively doubling enrollment.

This growth not only increases the number of nurses entering into practice but also helps provide candidates for advanced practice roles needed in the workforce, which supports the graduate program through the school’s guaranteed admission pathway. Graduates of VCU’s bachelor’s program benefit from this program, which offers automatic acceptance into any VCU nursing graduate program, provided they meet the requirements and space is available.

"I frequently hear from prospective students that our guaranteed admission pathway is a major draw. It offers a clear path for those looking to advance their careers,” said Alex Fisher, the school’s recruiter. “We see a large number of undergraduates with the goal of becoming nurse practitioners, and guaranteed admission allows them to map out their education and stay at VCU to achieve that goal.”

By making these strategic shifts in program offerings, the school is tackling the urgent demand for a skilled healthcare workforce while simultaneously providing a clear pathway for students to realize their career aspirations. This dedication to nurturing talent positions VCU as an essential contributor to meeting the diverse needs of the healthcare workforce.

The school also continues to explore the addition of other program pathways to bring more students into the profession.

Partnering with VCU Health

The success of the academic-practice partnership with VCU Health has played a significant role in the recent developments at the school. A new agreement establishes the VCU School of Nursing as the flagship partner for the health system, providing VCU Health’s registered nurses without a bachelor’s degree guaranteed admission to the RN to B.S. program, allowing them to advance their education while continuing to work.

Additionally, VCU Health has dedicated significant resources to provide clinical placements for nursing students, accommodating the school’s expansion in prelicensure enrollment. A task force composed of VCU Health and VCU School of Nursing leaders continues to work together in mapping strategic priorities for the academic-practice partnership.

This synergy with the health system enhances the school's reputation as a leader in nursing education, attracting top talent and promoting innovative practices that ultimately benefit patient care and community health.

"Our collaboration with the VCU School of Nursing underscores our shared commitment to advancing healthcare through education. By supporting these transformative changes, VCU Health is not just investing in the future of nursing; it is ensuring that our community benefits from a highly skilled, practice-ready workforce. Together, we are shaping the next generation of nursing leaders and reinforcing our dedication to exceptional patient care,” said Marlon Levy, M.D., the interim senior vice president of VCU Health Sciences and interim CEO of VCU Health. 

Building the future

As the nursing profession continues to evolve, the VCU School of Nursing is dedicated to adapting its educational framework and offerings to meet the demands of the field. The changes of the past two years reflect a proactive response to national calls for practice-ready graduates and the urgent need for diverse career pathways. 

“We have a critical responsibility to drive transformative changes in nursing education,” says Patricia Kinser, Ph.D., interim dean and professor. “We are profoundly grateful to our administrators and partners for their steadfast support in our mission to produce exceptional graduates. Their collaboration is vital to ensuring that our students are thoroughly prepared to excel in their careers and make a significant impact in the communities they serve.”

By maximizing its contributions to the nursing workforce, the school is ensuring that its graduates are equipped not only with the skills essential for practice but also with the flexibility to navigate various roles within the healthcare system.

“Our nationally-ranked VCU School of Nursing is a leader in educating the next generation of the nursing workforce by creating innovative educational pathways,” said VCU president Michael Rao, Ph.D. “We are proud of the ways in which the VCU School of Nursing is addressing the evolving needs of the healthcare industry and the communities and patients we serve, and committed to graduating nurses who are ready to put their skills into practice.”