Brightpoint Community College Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Two-campus public college in Chesterfield County (Chester and Midlothian) offering an ACEN-accredited AAS nursing program, a dedicated LPN-to-RN bridge, and a Board-approved practical nursing certificate. NCLEX figures below cite Virginia Department of Health Professions workbooks; tuition context follows Fall 2025 State Board actions described by the VCCS.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Brightpoint stacks Richmond-metro clinical access with three stackable pathways—traditional or hybrid ADN, a practical nursing certificate, and an LPN-to-RN bridge—while publishing Virginia-board–aligned NCLEX data under the “Brightpoint (John Tyler)” program code. Competitive admission still applies: plan for TEAS timing, prerequisite GPA maintenance, and mandatory nursing information sessions within six months of applying.
Overview & Why Students Choose Brightpoint Community College
John Tyler Community College was renamed Brightpoint Community College, but prospective students still encounter the legacy name in historical articles, URLs, and even some state datasets. For nursing, that matters because the Virginia Department of Health Professions ADN pass-rate workbook labels the row “Brightpoint Community College (John Tyler Community Col).”
Brightpoint’s Chester campus hosts health sciences labs cited in ACEN disclosures, while the Midlothian campus adds another convenient site for general education and student services. The nursing department follows the broader Virginia Community College System mission—affordable access—with multiple entry points (practical nursing, traditional or hybrid ADN, and an LPN-to-RN bridge) for students targeting licensure exams in the high-demand Richmond metropolitan area.
According to the Virginia DPH Associate Degree Nursing Education Programs spreadsheet, Brightpoint’s most recent listed first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 93.69% (104 of 111 testers) in the 2025 column. The prior year column shows 92.75% (128 of 138). Pair those figures with Brightpoint’s consumer PDFs and the Virginia Board of Nursing Testing Pass Rates hub. Confirm every cohort with the Board and the college before making decisions.
Reasons students choose Brightpoint Community College
Stackable LPN → ADN progression
Students can begin with the Board-approved practical nursing certificate, enter practice, and later pursue the LPN-to-RN bridge specialization that mirrors the same 67-credit AAS milestone listed in the catalog.
Multiple ADN delivery modes
The catalog describes a Traditional Track with on-campus theory plus online components and a Hybrid Distance Education Track that delivers theory online with required on-campus intensives—both share face-to-face clinical blocks that may run days, evenings, weekends, or nights.
G3 eligibility and VCCS pricing
Brightpoint labels its nursing majors as G3-eligible, signaling possible tuition assistance for qualified students alongside system-wide community-college tuition set by the State Board.
Richmond–Chesterfield clinical ecosystem
Marketing materials emphasize partnerships with regional hospitals and agencies—valuable for students who plan to stay in Central Virginia after licensure.
Nursing Programs Offered
Brightpoint’s health sciences cluster lists only community-college nursing credentials—there is no BSN, MSN, or DNP taught on campus. Use the sections below to separate pre-licensure (PN certificate and generic ADN) from the licensed LPN bridge that awards the same AAS degree but follows a different NSG sequence.
Pre-licensure
Practical Nursing Certificate
Prepares graduates to pursue NCLEX-PN. Brightpoint states the program is fully approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing and notes that programmatic accreditation is not required for practical nursing in its disclosure.
Nursing, AAS (Associate Degree in Nursing)
Minimum 67 credits after acceptance into NSG coursework, with Traditional or Hybrid Distance Education theory tracks and sequenced NSG courses across four nursing semesters. Graduates are eligible for NCLEX-RN; the Chester campus program carries ACEN accreditation and Virginia Board approval per Brightpoint’s published statement.
Licensed LPN pathway
Nursing, LPN to RN Bridge Specialization, AAS
Requires an active LPN license (credit for NSG 290) and uses the HDET model exclusively—no traditional lecture track. Prerequisite GPA minimums mirror the generic ADN (2.0 cumulative / 2.5 prerequisite curricular GPA per catalog), but the bridge applies October 1–October 31 for a January start. Clinical schedules may include evenings, weekends, or nights.
Graduate
Not offered at Brightpoint. RN graduates explore transfer and guaranteed admissions agreements to complete a BSN or higher at partner universities.
Catalog language warns that declaring “nursing” does not guarantee a seat in NSG courses. Meeting minimum exit exam scores and prerequisite grades still yields a competitive, non-guaranteed outcome. Confirm every policy in the AAS Nursing Student Handbook and eligibility page.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Virginia Department of Health Professions “Associate Degree Nursing Education Programs” workbook (multi-year table downloaded from the Board’s Testing Pass Rates hub), the row titled “Brightpoint Community College (John Tyler Community Col)” shows a 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate of 93.69% based on 104 passes among 111 testers. The adjacent 2024 column lists 92.75% (128/138). Brightpoint also posts consumer PDF summaries—compare them with the state workbook and confirm cohort definitions.
NCLEX-PN (Practical Nursing)
The companion Practical Nursing Programs workbook lists Brightpoint Community College with a 2025 pass rate of 90% (9/10 testers) and a 2024 rate of 93.33% (14/15).
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (2025, Virginia ADN workbook) | 93.69% (104/111 testers) — Brightpoint (John Tyler) row |
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (2024, same workbook) | 92.75% (128/138 testers) |
| NCLEX-PN first-time pass (2025, Virginia PN workbook) | 90% (9/10 testers) |
| NCLEX-PN first-time pass (2024, same workbook) | 93.33% (14/15 testers) |
| Source | Virginia Board of Nursing — Testing Pass Rates (linked XLS workbooks). Confirm current cohorts with the Board and Brightpoint nursing office (804-706-6500). |
Workbook columns represent statewide reporting years, not Brightpoint’s internal semester names. NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and NCLEX version. Confirm the figures you plan to cite before applications or interviews.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Clinical nursing programs must satisfy hospital contracts, background-check rules, and Virginia licensure eligibility simultaneously—requirements can differ for international students versus internationally educated nurses seeking U.S. licensure. Treat the bullets below as guidance, not legal advice, and verify with Brightpoint admissions, the international student office, and the Virginia Board of Nursing.
- English-language proficiency: Ask Brightpoint whether TOEFL, IELTS, or other scores are required for admission and whether affiliated clinical agencies impose different standards.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Non-U.S. prerequisites for BIO, ENG, and MTH courses may need a Board- or college-approved evaluation before they satisfy nursing progression rules.
- Virginia Board of Nursing: Internationally educated applicants seeking NCLEX eligibility must follow the Board’s documentation checklist for CGFNS, English tests, and transcripts.
- Immigration & visa: Brightpoint participates in NC-SARA for certain online courses, but clinical nursing is campus- and agency-based—confirm F-1 or other visa feasibility before committing.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Brightpoint’s admissions division and the Virginia Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Brightpoint’s nursing major is limited-access: students may declare nursing but cannot register for NSG courses until formally admitted. Catalog rules require completion of five prerequisites (ENG 111, MTH 154 (or higher math options), PSY 230, SDV 100, BIO 141) with at least a C in each course and a 2.5 prerequisite GPA, plus a nursing pre-entrance exam and mandatory information session documented within six months of applying.
The Nursing Program Eligibility and Application page repeats those academic floors, while the Nursing, AAS catalog adds global requirements: 2.0 cumulative GPA, TEAS scores valid for no more than three years, American Heart Association BLS, criminal background checks, drug screening, immunizations, and science recency (10-year window).
Application timeline
| Program | Application window (catalog 2025–2026) | Start term |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing, AAS — August cohort | February 1 – March 1 | August of the application year |
| Nursing, AAS — January cohort | September 1 – October 1 | January following the application window |
| Nursing, LPN to RN bridge | October 1 – October 31 | January start (per specialization catalog) |
| Practical Nursing Certificate — August | February 1 – March 1 | August start (per PN program page) |
| Practical Nursing Certificate — January | September 1 – September 30 | January of the following year |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Prerequisite GPA | 2.5 curricular prerequisite GPA and C or better in each prerequisite (eligibility page); 2.0 cumulative GPA for consideration (catalog) |
| Entrance exam | ATI TEAS linked from Brightpoint nursing pages; scores must be <3 years old at application (catalog) |
| Information session | Mandatory within six months of application (catalog) |
Honest tips for applicants
Finish BIO 141/142 and supporting sciences early so you are not racing the 10-year science rule. Schedule TEAS with retake limits in mind. LPN-bridge candidates should keep licensure unencumbered and transcripts current in admissions—NSG 290 credit hinges on an active license. If you are comparing PVCC or Germanna, weigh commute to Chester versus Midlothian plus Brightpoint’s hybrid track expectations.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Brightpoint, like other Virginia community colleges, charges tuition and mandatory fees per credit hour. The State Board for Community Colleges approved increases effective Fall 2025; a widely circulated system summary (republished by Blue Ridge Community College) describes $4.90 added to the prior $163.40 in-state rate for tuition plus mandatory educational and general fees—about $168.30 per credit hour—and $7.40 added to the prior $378.00 out-of-state rate—about $385.40 per credit hour—before local capital, auxiliary, or student activity lines.
Brightpoint’s Tuition and Fees page outlines Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026 stacks (including capital and auxiliary components). Nursing applicants should also download Brightpoint’s Estimated Expenses for the Nursing AAS Program PDF and the parallel practical-nursing estimate for uniforms, supplies, background checks, and NCLEX registration lines.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| In-state baseline (E&G after Fall 2025 vote) | ≈$168.30/credit tuition + mandatory E&G (from $163.40 + $4.90) |
| Out-of-state baseline | ≈$385.40/credit (from $378.00 + $7.40) |
| College-specific fees | Student activity, auxiliary, capital (where applicable)—see Brightpoint Tuition and Fees tables |
| Program estimates | Official PDF cost sheets for AAS nursing and PN (linked from Brightpoint nursing pages) |
| Source | BRCC summary of 2025 State Board tuition action; Brightpoint Tuition and Fees; Nursing AAS estimated expenses (PDF). Confirm amounts with Student Accounts. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
This section mirrors the same Virginia Department of Health Professions workbook data summarized in the NCLEX section—those spreadsheets are the most apples-to-apples source when comparing Brightpoint to other Commonwealth ADN or PN programs. Brightpoint also hosts ACEN consumer information PDFs (completion rates and historical NCLEX summaries); review those PDFs for program-level context but still confirm headline percentages against the state files.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (2025) | 93.69% (104/111), Virginia ADN workbook row “Brightpoint (John Tyler)” |
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (2024) | 92.75% (128/138), same workbook |
| NCLEX-PN first-time pass (2025) | 90% (9/10), Virginia PN workbook |
| Employment / placement | Not detailed on this page; see Brightpoint ACEN disclosure PDFs and career services for school-reported employment metrics with cohort context. |
| Source / next step | Virginia Board Testing Pass Rates; Brightpoint nursing documents list. Confirm current data with the Board and the college. |
Is Brightpoint Community College the Right Fit for You?
Use the checklist below to gauge whether Brightpoint’s Chesterfield-based programs align with your career goals, commute tolerance, and appetite for selective admission.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want a VCCS-priced ADN or PN certificate with Board-published NCLEX data under the Brightpoint name.
- Value a hybrid theory option (HDET) while accepting unpredictable clinical blocks.
- Already hold an LPN license and need a defined bridge application cycle (October window).
- Plan to work or reside in the Richmond metro / Chesterfield hiring market after licensure.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a 100% online pre-licensure program—clinical labs and agency rotations remain mandatory.
- Expect automatic progression after prerequisites—Brightpoint reiterates that competitive ranking means no guarantee of admission.
- Prefer Kaplan-based testing—Brightpoint’s materials emphasize ATI TEAS.
- Cannot travel between Chester and Midlothian campuses or commute to regional clinical sites on short notice.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Chesterfield County sits within the Greater Richmond health economy: large multi-hospital systems, suburban medical campuses, community hospitals, long-term care networks, and federally qualified health centers all recruit bedside RNs and care coordinators. Brightpoint promotes relationships with regional employers so students rotate through settings that mirror where they are likely to work after licensure.
Exact clinical contracts rotate with agency capacity; Brightpoint’s nursing handbook is the authoritative guide to compliance, attire, and professional expectations once you are assigned sites.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Regional employers (examples) | HCA Virginia facilities (e.g., Chippenham and Johnston-Willis), Bon Secours locations such as St. Francis Medical Center, Southside Regional Medical Center, and VCU Health campuses in downtown Richmond—confirm current contracts with the program. |
| Clinical learning mix | Expect med-surg, specialty, behavioral health, maternal-child, or community experiences consistent with ACEN community-college competencies; assignments shift by cohort. |
| Mobility | Virginia participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact; Brightpoint links NCSBN and Virginia Board resources about practicing in multistate settings after graduation. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Brightpoint splits academics between the Chester campus—home to health sciences labs and the Talley Workforce Center—and the Midlothian campus along Charter Colony Parkway. Nursing theory may include online modules (especially in HDET), but expect regular on-campus intensives plus face-to-face clinicals that can run days, evenings, weekends, or nights.
Student life is largely commuter-driven: nursing cohorts form tight study groups around NSG milestones, simulation check-offs, and shared clinical rotations. Explore student activities college-wide and ask the nursing office whether specialty clubs or honor societies are active in your entry year.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Primary campus (health sciences)
- Chester, VA
- Address
- 13101 Route 1, Chester, VA 23831-5316, US
- Main telephone
- (804) 796-4000
- Nursing office
- (804) 706-6500
- Nursing & Allied Health email
- nah@brightpoint.edu
- Website
- brightpoint.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Watch or attend the mandatory nursing information session and log the date on your future application.
- Download the AAS Nursing Student Handbook (and PN handbook if applicable) for compliance details.
- Compare transcripts to catalog prerequisites and confirm BIO 141/142 timing against the 10-year science rule.
- Schedule the ATI TEAS early enough to allow retakes before your chosen application window.
- Build a budget from the Nursing AAS estimated expenses PDF plus Brightpoint’s tuition tables.
- Bookmark the Virginia Board Testing Pass Rates hub to download updated ADN and PN workbooks.
- Add the February–March and September–October ADN windows (plus October bridge and PN-specific dates) to your planning calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is John Tyler Community College still the name I should use on applications?
No—the institution now operates as Brightpoint Community College. Some Virginia datasets still append “(John Tyler Community Col)” when reporting NCLEX data. Use Brightpoint email domains, URLs, and transcripts when communicating with admissions.
What nursing credentials can I earn at Brightpoint Community College?
Brightpoint awards a Nursing, AAS (ADN) with traditional or hybrid theory tracks, a Practical Nursing Certificate, and a Nursing, LPN to RN Bridge Specialization, AAS for licensed LPNs. All pathways emphasize Virginia Board–approved curricula.
What NCLEX-RN data does Virginia publish for Brightpoint?
The Virginia DPH Associate Degree Nursing workbook lists Brightpoint (John Tyler) at 93.69% first-time passes (104/111) in the 2025 column and 92.75% (128/138) in 2024. Confirm the latest spreadsheet before citing numbers in interviews.
Does Brightpoint publish NCLEX-PN outcomes too?
Yes—the Practical Nursing workbook shows 90% (9/10) in 2025 and 93.33% (14/15) in 2024. Pair those figures with Brightpoint’s PN consumer PDF for context.
Does Brightpoint use TEAS for nursing admission?
The Nursing, AAS materials link ATI TEAS, and the catalog states every applicant must take the required nursing pre-entrance exam with scores under three years old. Confirm current minimums with the nursing office rather than relying on unofficial forums.
How do ADN application periods differ from practical nursing at Brightpoint?
The ADN catalog lists February 1–March 1 for August admission and September 1–October 1 for January admission, while practical nursing’s webpage lists February 1–March 1 and September 1–September 30 cycles. Bridge students use October 1–October 31 for January starts.
How much will Brightpoint nursing cost after the Fall 2025 tuition vote?
VCCS-wide summaries describe roughly $168.30 per credit for in-state tuition plus mandatory E&G fees and about $385.40 for out-of-state—before Brightpoint’s auxiliary, capital, or activity lines. Download Brightpoint’s tuition page and nursing estimated-cost PDFs for your residency category.
Is Brightpoint’s ADN program accredited?
Brightpoint states continuing ACEN accreditation for the Chester ADN program and Virginia Board of Nursing approval. Practical nursing is Board-approved; Brightpoint notes PN does not require programmatic accreditation. Verify status with ACEN and the Board before enrolling.
Where should Brightpoint nursing students expect to complete clinicals?
Marketing copy references Richmond-area hospitals and agencies. Catalog language warns that clinicals may occur on days, evenings, weekends, or nights depending on agency needs. Confirm site policies in the student handbook once admitted.
References
- Brightpoint Community College — Nursing, AASbrightpoint.edu/majors/nursing-aas
- Brightpoint — Practical Nursing Certificatebrightpoint.edu/majors/practical-nursing-certificate
- Brightpoint — Nursing eligibility & applicationbrightpoint.edu/…/nursing-program-eligibility-and-application
- Brightpoint Catalog — Nursing, AAScatalog.brightpoint.edu (Nursing, AAS)
- Brightpoint Catalog — LPN to RN Bridge specializationcatalog.brightpoint.edu (LPN-RN bridge)
- Brightpoint — Tuition and Feesbrightpoint.edu/paying-for-brightpoint/tuition-and-fees
- Brightpoint — Estimated expenses (Nursing AAS PDF)brightpoint.edu (PDF)
- Virginia Department of Health Professions — ADN workbook (XLS)ADN_PastFiveYears.xls
- Virginia Department of Health Professions — PN workbook (XLS)PN_5Year.xls
- Virginia Board of Nursing — Testing Pass Rates hubdhp.virginia.gov/…/TestingPassRates
- Blue Ridge Community College — 2025 tuition vote summary (VCCS context)brcc.edu (State Board recap)
- Brightpoint — Campus locationsbrightpoint.edu/about/locations
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses
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, emphasizing Brightpoint versus John Tyler naming alignment, Virginia Department of Health Professions NCLEX workbooks, catalog application windows, ATI TEAS requirements, and Fall 2025 VCCS tuition actions cross-checked against Brightpoint’s tuition page.
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 Brightpoint Community College and the Virginia Board of Nursing.
Published: April 1, 2026 · Last reviewed: April 1, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy