Laurel Ridge Community College Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Laurel Ridge Community College (successor to Lord Fairfax Community College) runs selective Practical Nursing, ADN, and LPN-RN pathways from its Middletown and Warrenton campuses. This guide cites VCCS tuition (2025–26) from the college and first-time NCLEX rates from Virginia Department of Health Professions nursing program reports—confirm every figure before you apply.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
You can stack credentials in one system: start with the three-semester Practical Nursing certificate in Middletown, sit for NCLEX-PN, then apply to the Advanced Placement Option AAS track (additional HESI + Laurel Ridge’s LPN-RN exam) while the traditional ADN pathway stays open at both Middletown and Warrenton for direct-entry students.
Overview & Why Students Choose Laurel Ridge
Searchers still type “Lord Fairfax Community College nursing” because that was the legacy name; today every nursing pathway sits inside Laurel Ridge Community College, a Virginia Community College System member serving the Shenandoah Valley and Northern Virginia piedmont from Middletown and Warrenton (Fauquier Campus). Laurel Ridge’s Health Professions division runs a high-demand mix: a one-year Practical Nursing certificate (Middletown only), a competitive Associate of Applied Science in Nursing that qualifies graduates for NCLEX-RN, and an Advanced Placement Option for Virginia LPNs who want to finish the same AAS without repeating every pre-licensure course.
The college highlights G3-eligible workforce funding, comparatively low VCCS tuition, and partnerships across regional hospitals for clinical immersion. Because every pathway is Board-regulated and several require HESI A2 cut scores published in the catalog, planning your prerequisite sequence early matters as much as your GPA.
According to the Virginia Board of Nursing “Registered Nursing Programs Current Year” PDF (4th quarter 2025), Laurel Ridge Community College — Middletown recorded a cumulative 93.75% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate across the report’s listed quarters (64 first-time candidates, 60 passed). Confirm the next cohort with the Virginia Department of Health Professions testing pass-rate hub and Laurel Ridge nursing advisors.
Reasons students choose Laurel Ridge
Triple-path ladder
Students can move from PN → LPN licensure → APO RN completion inside one college system, reducing credit churn if you discover bedside nursing through the certificate first.
Dual-campus ADN access
The traditional AAS nursing curriculum is offered at both Middletown and Fauquier, giving commuters along I-81 and US-17 more schedule flexibility than single-site programs.
Documented HESI expectations
The catalog spells out percentile benchmarks, Critical Thinking minimums, attempt limits, and the separate LPN-RN entrance exam for advanced placement—useful if you want transparent testing rules before you pay seat fees.
VCCS tuition leverage
Laurel Ridge publishes 2025–26 per-credit tuition & fee tables tied to statewide VCCS action—planning aid (including G3) around those published numbers is straightforward.
ACEN-backed RN curriculum
The AAS tracks carry ACEN accreditation statements on the college’s nursing pages—important for transfer or employer tuition assistance—while PN students should note the college’s disclosure that practical nursing is not nationally accredited.
Nursing Programs Offered
Laurel Ridge separates pre-licensure credentials clearly: a certificate leading to NCLEX-PN, a full ADN leading to NCLEX-RN, and an LPN-RN advanced placement version of that ADN. Delivery and campus availability differ by track, so match the bullets below to your admissions packet—not every pathway runs on both campuses.
Pre-licensure
Practical Nursing certificate
Credential: Certificate preparing for NCLEX-PN. Campus: Middletown only (three full-time semesters). Laurel Ridge states Practical Nursing is not certified by a national nursing accreditor but remains subject to Virginia Board of Nursing approval.
Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (traditional AAS)
Credential: AAS with 67 credits in the catalog, culminating in NCLEX-RN eligibility. Campuses: Middletown and Fauquier. Coursework blends NSG concepts, high-acuity care, and capstone clinical experiences. The program is ACEN-accredited and Board-approved per college disclosures.
Post-LPN progression (still pre-RN licensure)
AAS Nursing — Advanced Placement Option (APO)
For holders of a current Virginia LPN license: shortened RN sequence after transition nursing courses, still totaling 67 credits including prerequisites. Requires HESI A2 plus Laurel Ridge’s LPN-RN Entrance Exam (750+ composite, one attempt per cycle per catalog). Offered at Middletown.
Health Professions programs require a second application after general college admission, plus background checks, clinical compliance, and sometimes health insurance before clinical courses. Always download the current checklist PDF from Laurel Ridge’s nursing admissions pages before paying fees.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Virginia Board of Nursing “Registered Nursing Programs Current Year” report (4th quarter 2025 PDF), Laurel Ridge Community College — Middletown posted a 93.75% cumulative first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for the jurisdictions summarized in that document (64 first-time candidates tested, 60 passed). Quarterly rows within the same table show how individual cohort timing shifts (for example, mid-year quarters with smaller tester counts).
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (reported cohort scope) | 93.75% — 64 first-time candidates, 60 passed, per Virginia Board of Nursing Registered Nursing Programs Current Year (4th quarter 2025) program summary for Laurel Ridge Community College — Middletown. |
| Source | 20254thQuarterRN.pdf (Virginia DHP) and the Testing Pass Rates index. Confirm current cohort results with the Board and Laurel Ridge. |
NCLEX-PN snapshot (same reporting cycle)
The companion Practical Nursing Programs Current Year PDF (4th quarter 2025) lists Laurel Ridge Community College — Middletown — PN with a 63.64% cumulative first-time pass rate across the report’s listed quarters (11 first-time candidates, 7 passed). Because Practical Nursing enrolls smaller cohorts, a single quarter can move percentages quickly—treat this as a board-reported snapshot, not a guarantee.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate | 63.64% — 11 first-time candidates, 7 passed, per Virginia Board of Nursing Practical Nursing Programs Current Year (4th quarter 2025) entry for Laurel Ridge — Middletown PN. |
| Source | 20254thQuarterPN.pdf. Confirm current rates with the Board and college. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort, campus aggregation, and exam version. Always confirm the latest Board PDFs and ask Laurel Ridge how many students tested in your intended start year.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
VCCS nursing programs are clinically heavy, seat-limited, and regulated by the Virginia Board of Nursing. If you are an international applicant or an internationally educated nurse, expect extra steps for transcripts, English proficiency, clinical contracts, and eventual licensure—none of which are guaranteed by admission alone.
- English-language proficiency: Confirm which exams Laurel Ridge accepts for Health Professions admission and whether nursing sets higher minimums than general college admission.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Ask whether foreign prerequisites must be evaluated by a NACES-member service before you can register for BIO/ENG/PSY equivalents.
- Virginia Board of Nursing: Licensure-by-examination rules for internationally educated nurses may require CGFNS certificates or additional coursework even after you complete a U.S. program.
- Immigration & clinical clearance: F-1 students should verify CPT/OPT guidance, vaccination policies, and whether every clinical site accepts international enrollees.
This is guidance, not immigration or licensure advice. Work with Laurel Ridge’s admissions/international offices and the Board before paying for evaluations.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Every pathway is selective: you apply to Laurel Ridge, complete the published prerequisites with at least a C, meet the 2.5 curricular GPA threshold on prerequisite coursework (catalog language), pass the HESI A2 with stated percentile + Critical Thinking minimums, then submit the Health Professions nursing application during the published window. LPN-RN candidates add the Laurel Ridge LPN-RN Entrance Exam. Practical Nursing applicants follow parallel Health Professions steps, including HESI scheduling described on Laurel Ridge’s admission testing pages.
Application timeline
| Pathway | Typical testing window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional AAS Nursing | HESI testing commonly Oct–Mar | Laurel Ridge’s AAS admission page highlights an October–March testing season, but application open/close dates change annually. Download the latest PDF checklist before you schedule exams. |
| APO (LPN-RN) | Aug–Sep testing emphasis | Marketing copy on the degree page references an August–September testing/application emphasis; verify deadlines on the APO admission page. |
| Practical Nursing | Health Professions schedule | PN is based in Middletown with additional compliance (e.g., health insurance before fall clinicals). Follow the Practical Nursing degree page + nursing office instructions. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed as a single percentage; catalog stresses competitive selection and annual reapplication if not chosen. |
| Minimum GPA | 2.5 curricular GPA on specified prerequisites (AAS/APO) plus C or better in each prerequisite course per catalog. |
| TEAS / HESI | HESI A2 required for AAS/APO with 45th percentile targets on listed subjects, 800+ Critical Thinking, two attempts per cycle (one-week wait), scores valid for two application cycles. LPN-RN exam adds separate composite rules. |
| Licensure documentation | APO applicants must hold a current Virginia LPN license by stated checkpoints; all pathways require clinical clearance. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Laurel Ridge follows Virginia Community College System tuition authority. The college’s 2025–26 Tuition Rates page lists both per-credit totals and full cost-of-attendance budgets that bundle estimates for books, transportation, housing, and personal expenses—use the COA table if you need financial aid packaging context.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| In-state tuition & mandatory fees (per credit) | $174.95 at 1 credit hour (tuition $168.30 + student activity fee $2.65 + auxiliary fee $4.00) per Laurel Ridge 2025–26 table. |
| In-state full-time nursing budget (15 credits / semester) | $2,624.25 tuition & mandatory E&G fees per semester + estimated $10,884.25 total semester budget including books, travel, room/board, and personal allowances (2025–26 COA row). |
| Out-of-state comparison (1 credit) | $392.05 total tuition & fees at one credit (includes capital fee) per the same page—multiply by expected nursing credits for a rough upper bound before aid. |
| Source | Laurel Ridge — Tuition Rates. Confirm figures with Student Services; nursing courses may carry additional lab, testing, or insurance fees. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Graduates of the AAS tracks become eligible for NCLEX-RN; Practical Nursing graduates pursue NCLEX-PN. Placement and salary outcomes for Laurel Ridge nursing are not publicly disclosed on the main degree pages used for this review—ask Career Services for graduate surveys or Lightcast dashboards linked from the college.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (board snapshot) | 93.75% (64 testers / 60 passes) — Virginia Board Registered Nursing Programs Current Year, 4th quarter 2025 PDF, Laurel Ridge — Middletown. |
| NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate (board snapshot) | 63.64% (11 testers / 7 passes) — Virginia Board Practical Nursing Programs Current Year, 4th quarter 2025 PDF, Laurel Ridge — Middletown PN. |
| Job placement / salary | Not publicly disclosed on the nursing marketing pages reviewed; confirm with Laurel Ridge Career Services. |
| Source | Virginia Board of Nursing — Testing Pass Rates; college nursing pages. |
Is Laurel Ridge the Right Fit for You?
Choose Laurel Ridge if you value published VCCS tuition, want either a certificate or ADN route inside one system, and can commit to HESI preparation plus strict clinical compliance. Look elsewhere if you need a fully online pre-licensure track, guaranteed admission, or a BSN-granting university without transferring.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Live within commuting distance of Middletown or Warrenton and accept campus-lab schedules.
- Want transparent HESI benchmarks and are ready to retest within college rules if needed.
- May begin as a PN, work locally, then pursue the APO RN completion while staying in the VCCS.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a program without entrance exams or without competitive ranking—Laurel Ridge states plainly that submission does not guarantee acceptance.
- Cannot relocate/travel to Middletown for Practical Nursing (PN is not offered in Warrenton).
- Expect national nursing accreditation at the PN level; Laurel Ridge documents that PN is not ACEN/CCNE accredited.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Clinical rotations tie students into the Shenandoah Valley and Northern Virginia exurbs. Programs draw experiences from community hospitals, outpatient networks, long-term care, and public health settings so students see rural/suburban mix—a useful prep for employers such as Valley Health (Winchester), Fauquier Health (Northwestern Medicine), Shenandoah Memorial, and larger systems within driving distance toward Northern Virginia or Charlottesville. Exact site lists change by semester; confirm with the clinical coordinator.
| Facility / system | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Valley Health (Winchester Medical Center hub) | Level II trauma center and regional referral network northwest of Middletown; common destination for acute-care immersion. |
| Northwestern Medicine Fauquier Hospital (Warrenton) | Anchor employer near the Fauquier Campus for southern Loudoun / Fauquier county clinical experiences. |
| Community & rural health partners | Med-surg, OB, mental health, and community rotations often include smaller hospitals and clinics throughout Frederick, Clarke, Warren, Shenandoah, Page, and Rappahannock counties. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing students split time between general education courses (often online or evening-friendly) and tightly sequenced NSG labs/clinicals. Laurel Ridge emphasizes health-science advising, information sessions, and compliance workflows (background checks, drug screens, immunizations) before clinical clearance releases. Student life is typical of a multi-campus community college: strong advising for G3/workforce grants, shuttles between population centers, and undergraduate supports like tutoring rather than large residential athletics culture.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Primary campus
- Middletown, VA
- Address
- 173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, VA 22645, US
- Telephone
- 800-906-5322 (Middletown / general services)
- Fauquier campus
- 6480 College St., Warrenton, VA 20187 · 540-351-1505
- Website
- laurelridge.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Bookmark the Laurel Ridge nursing hub and download the newest AAS or PN application checklist PDF.
- Compare your transcripts to catalog prerequisites (BIO 141/142, ENG 111, PSY 230, SDV, speech/communication option, etc.).
- Create a HESI testing account through Laurel Ridge instructions and schedule within the published window.
- Attend a nursing information session to confirm clinical expectations.
- Budget 2025–26 tuition using the published per-credit table plus nursing fees (uniforms, insurance, background checks).
- Skim the Virginia Board NCLEX reports so you understand how Laurel Ridge data are reported by program.
- List questions for Health Professions advisors (campus assignment, AP vs. traditional timing, G3 eligibility).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lord Fairfax Community College still the name of the nursing school?
No—the legal operating institution is Laurel Ridge Community College, the successor to Lord Fairfax. Nursing applications, transcripts, and clinical contracts now use Laurel Ridge branding even if older references still say LFCC.
What programs does Laurel Ridge offer for future RNs and LPNs?
Laurel Ridge offers a Practical Nursing certificate (Middletown), a competitive AAS Nursing ADN track (Middletown and Warrenton), and an Advanced Placement Option for currently licensed Virginia LPNs who want to finish the ADN.
What is Laurel Ridge’s latest board-reported NCLEX-RN pass rate?
According to the Virginia Board of Nursing Registered Nursing Programs Current Year PDF (4th quarter 2025), Laurel Ridge—Middletown recorded a 93.75% first-time pass rate (60 of 64 testers). Confirm the newest PDF on the DHP testing pass-rate page.
Does Laurel Ridge require TEAS or HESI?
The AAS and APO pathways require the HESI A2 with catalog-listed percentile and Critical Thinking minimums, plus a separate LPN-RN Entrance Exam for advanced placement applicants. Practical Nursing applicants also complete HESI steps outlined by Health Professions; TEAS is not the exam named on Laurel Ridge’s published nursing admission pages for these pathways.
What GPA do I need for Laurel Ridge nursing?
The catalog specifies a 2.5 curricular GPA on defined prerequisites and a grade of C or better in each prerequisite. Higher grades still help in competitive years because the college states programs are selective.
Where will I attend classes for the Practical Nursing program?
Laurel Ridge states Practical Nursing is available only at the Middletown Campus; plan travel accordingly even if you live closer to Warrenton.
Is Laurel Ridge’s practical nursing program accredited?
Laurel Ridge notes Practical Nursing is not certified by a national nursing accrediting body, while the AAS nursing program carries ACEN accreditation language on official pages. Always verify current approval/accreditation statements before enrolling.
How much does Laurel Ridge charge per credit in 2025–26?
The Tuition Rates page lists about $174.95 per in-state credit inclusive of mandatory student activity and auxiliary fees at the one-credit row, and about $392.05 for out-of-state students at one credit (capital fee included).
Can I go from LPN to RN without leaving Laurel Ridge?
Yes—the APO track is designed for Virginia LPNs who meet prerequisite and testing thresholds, including the HESI A2 and Laurel Ridge LPN-RN Entrance Exam per catalog rules.
References
- Laurel Ridge Community College — Nursinglaurelridge.edu/nursing
- Laurel Ridge — AAS Nursing degree pagelaurelridge.edu/degree/nursing
- Laurel Ridge — Practical Nursinglaurelridge.edu/degree/practical-nursing
- Laurel Ridge catalog — Nursing (AAS)catalog.laurelridge.edu
- Laurel Ridge catalog — AAS APO (LPN-RN)catalog.laurelridge.edu
- Laurel Ridge — Tuition Rates (2025–26)laurelridge.edu/tuition-rates
- Virginia Board of Nursing — Testing Pass Ratesdhp.virginia.gov
- VA DHP — Registered Nursing Programs Current Year (2025 Q4 PDF)20254thQuarterRN.pdf
- VA DHP — Practical Nursing Programs Current Year (2025 Q4 PDF)20254thQuarterPN.pdf
- National Council of State Boards of Nursingncsbn.org
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for NCLEX alignment with Virginia DHP publications, catalog pathway accuracy (PN, ADN, APO), and 2025–26 VCCS tuition tables published by Laurel Ridge.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with Laurel Ridge Community College and the Virginia Board of Nursing.
Published: April 1, 2026 · Last reviewed: April 1, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy