Old Dominion University Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
The Ellmer School of Nursing at Old Dominion University anchors undergraduate and graduate nursing in Hampton Roads: a competitive prelicensure BSN, RN-to-BSN and concurrent enrollment options, hybrid MSN and DNP tracks (including nurse anesthesia), and a PhD in nursing science. Figures below cite ODU’s public tuition page (Fall 2025 rates), the Virginia Department of Health Professions BSN_Past5.xls workbook for first-time NCLEX-RN totals, and Ellmer School admissions pages—confirm deadlines before you apply.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Ellmer School marketing highlights national recognitions—for example AACN innovations awards—and partnerships such as Sentara ambulatory and community-health grants. ODU also advertised a spring nursing cohort expansion in late 2025 to extend access beyond the traditional fall start. Treat timelines as fluid: read the live undergraduate application page for the Qualtrics deadline and HESI A2 expectations.
Overview & Why Students Choose Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University’s main campus sits in Norfolk, in the Hampton Roads metro area—close to major systems such as Sentara and military treatment facilities—so clinical rotations emphasize Coastal Virginia’s mix of academic medicine, community hospitals, ambulatory networks, and public-health agencies.
The Ellmer School sits within the College of Health Sciences. University admission does not guarantee admission to nursing; students complete prerequisites, take the HESI A2 where required, and submit the school’s supplemental materials on the cycle posted at odu.edu/nursing/undergraduate/application-process.
According to the Virginia Department of Health Professions Baccalaureate Degree Nursing Education Programs spreadsheet (BSN_Past5.xls, 2025 column), Old Dominion University is listed with 78 first-time examinees passing out of 82 testers (about 95.12%). Download the newest file from the Board’s Testing Pass Rates hub and confirm cohort definitions with Ellmer School disclosures.
Reasons students choose ODU nursing
CCNE-accredited stack
ODU states that BSN, MSN, and DNP nursing programs hold Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accreditation and Virginia Board approval—verify letters before you enroll.
Hybrid graduate footprint
Graduate nursing pages emphasize online didactics, local practicum, and limited immersion days—fits working RNs across Virginia and neighboring states.
Concurrent RN-BSN
Students in affiliated community college AAS nursing programs may pair those courses with online ODU RN-BSN classes in the same term when both institutions admit them.
Doctoral breadth
Ellmer lists MSN concentrations, DNP tracks (including nurse anesthesia), PhD nursing science, and certificates—useful for long-term career ladders.
Military-connected nursing
ODU publishes military nursing coordinators and a reduced active-duty undergraduate tuition rate for eligible service members—confirm paperwork with Ellmer and Military Affairs.
Nursing Programs Offered
Programs below follow Ellmer School public pages as of early 2026. Keep pre-licensure (NCLEX-bound BSN), post-licensure RN-to-BSN, graduate MSN, doctoral DNP (including nurse anesthesia), and PhD pathways separate so exam and licensure rules stay unambiguous.
Pre-licensure (NCLEX-bound)
Undergraduate Prelicensure BSN
ODU describes a five-semester nursing sequence after prerequisites, blending online learning with labs and clinical experiences in Hampton Roads. Admission is selective; follow the published supplemental application and HESI A2 steps.
Post-licensure undergraduate
RN to BSN
Post-licensure track for Virginia-licensed (or eligible) RNs, largely online with practicum experiences aligned to ODU’s policy manual.
BSN concurrent enrollment
Blends community college AAS nursing courses with online ODU RN-BSN courses in the same term; requires admission to both institutions per ODU’s concurrent enrollment page.
Graduate (MSN)
Master of Science in Nursing
Ellmer lists Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwifery, and an RN-to-MSN option. Most coursework is hybrid/online with immersions and clinicals in the student’s region—confirm each concentration on odu.edu/nursing/graduate/msn.
Doctoral & certificates
DNP & PhD
DNP tracks include advanced practice, nurse executive, and nurse anesthesia (noted as the graduate exception to fully-distance delivery). A PhD in Nursing Science appears in the university graduate catalog. Certificate programs such as Nurse Educator are listed alongside graduate offerings.
Many graduate courses are technology-delivered; ODU’s international pages caution that F-1 students must attend main-campus classes when programs require residency in Norfolk. Verify visa eligibility with ODU Global and Ellmer graduate directors before applying.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Official first-time NCLEX-RN totals for baccalaureate programs appear in the Virginia Department of Health Professions Baccalaureate Degree Nursing Education Programs workbook (BSN_Past5.xls, linked from the Board’s Testing Pass Rates page). In the 2025 column, Old Dominion University shows 78 passing candidates and 82 first-time testers—about 95.12%. Prior columns in the same row show additional years for trend context; methodology follows the Board’s definitions, which can differ from any school-run dashboard.
If ODU publishes a supplemental NCLEX table on its consumer site, treat it as school-reported context and still confirm regulatory figures with the Board download.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time passers / testers (2025, Board BSN workbook) | 78 / 82 (≈95.1%) — Old Dominion University program row |
| Historical context | Earlier-year columns on the same workbook row list additional passer/tester counts; open BSN_Past5.xls for full detail. |
| Source | BSN_Past5.xls; Virginia DHP — Testing Pass Rates. Confirm current cohorts with the Board and ODU. |
NCLEX reporting periods and definitions can differ between school dashboards and state board publications. Always verify the latest cohort outcomes with both sources before drawing conclusions.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
International applicants and internationally educated nurses must satisfy both ODU’s graduate or undergraduate requirements and Virginia Board of Nursing licensure rules. Several ODU nursing graduate pages explicitly state that certain online-heavy programs—including select DNP concentrations and the Family NP track—do not qualify for a student (F-1) visa, so visa planning should start early.
- English-language proficiency: Follow ODU’s Demonstrated English Language Proficiency summary and any program-specific graduate requirements.
- Credential evaluation: The Office of International Admissions evaluates foreign credentials; see International Admissions for document rules and contacts such as intladm@odu.edu.
- Virginia Board of Nursing: Regardless of degree level, confirm eligibility for NCLEX-RN or advanced practice licensure with the Board if you trained outside the United States.
- Immigration & clinical placement: Clinical practicum requirements can limit enrollment for students outside the United States; discuss visa status with ODU’s international office and program directors before applying.
This section is general guidance, not legal advice. Requirements change—verify every item with ODU and the Virginia Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Ellmer School admission is selective: you must first be admitted to Old Dominion University as a degree-seeking undergraduate (or graduate, depending on pathway), then complete prerequisite coursework and the nursing supplemental steps outlined on ODU’s application pages. University admission does not guarantee a nursing seat.
Prelicensure BSN snapshot
ODU’s public pathway pages emphasize a departmental GPA of 3.0 or higher in nursing prerequisites, with about 3.6 described as competitive, plus completion of the HESI A2 Entrance Exam when applying to the major. The supplemental application page listed February 15, 2026 (2359) as the Qualtrics deadline at the time of review—open Undergraduate Admission — Nursing for the live form. Prerequisite courses must be completed with grades of C or better before nursing coursework per the application overview.
Application timeline (verify live)
| Cycle | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate nursing (Qualtrics link on application page) | Feb. 15, 2026 (2359) when reviewed March 2026 | Confirm the current year and any spring/fall splits on odu.edu/nursing/undergraduate/application-process. |
| RN-to-BSN / concurrent enrollment | Varies by term | Use the post-licensure and concurrent enrollment handbooks for deadlines separate from prelicensure. |
| Graduate nursing (MSN/DNP) | Program-specific | Follow Ellmer graduate application process and ODU Graduate School instructions; many tracks are hybrid. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Selectivity | Limited seats; not publicly disclosed acceptance rate for the major. |
| Prerequisite grades | Must earn C or better in prerequisites before upper-division nursing coursework (Ellmer supplemental application overview). |
| GPA guidance | Public materials cite ≥3.0 departmental GPA in prerequisites, with ~3.6 cited as competitive. |
| Entrance exam | HESI A2 referenced in ODU’s “How do I become a nurse” prelicensure checklist; confirm minimums with academic advising. |
| Background checks | Clinical programs typically require screenings after admission; follow Ellmer compliance instructions. |
Tips for applicants
Meet early with College of Health Sciences advising, document transfer courses through ODU’s evaluation services, and monitor news posts (for example, spring cohort announcements) so you do not miss newly added entry terms.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
ODU posts per-credit tuition separately from mandatory auxiliary (“comprehensive”) tuition. Nursing students also pay course-, lab-, and clinical-specific fees; use the cost estimator and Student Accounts detail for your pathway.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate tuition (Fall 2025, Norfolk / in-Virginia distance) | $268/cr in-state; $953.50/cr out-of-state (before auxiliary tuition) |
| Mandatory auxiliary tuition (2025–26) | $154/cr for students on standard undergraduate/graduate rates (listed separately on the cost page) |
| Graduate tuition (Fall 2025) | $486/cr in-state; $1,334.50/cr out-of-state before auxiliary tuition; technology-delivered and ODUGlobal rates differ |
| Other common charges | Innovation fee ($5/cr), technology-delivered course fee ($30/cr when applicable), transportation fee per semester, health fee when enrolled ≥6 credits on Norfolk campus—see ODU’s Selected Mandatory Fees tables. |
| Source | ODU — Current Tuition Rates; Financial Aid — Cost of Attendance. Confirm invoices with Student Accounts. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Use the NCLEX section above for licensure exam context. For employment outcomes, rely on ODU’s consumer information or career services rather than uncited percentages.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (Board BSN workbook, 2025 column) | 78 / 82 first-time testers passing (≈95.1%) — Old Dominion University row in BSN_Past5.xls |
| Employment outcomes | Confirm any published placement or salary figures with ODU consumer information; avoid uncited percentages. |
| Source | BSN_Past5.xls; Ellmer School disclosures. Confirm with the Virginia Board of Nursing. |
Is Old Dominion University the Right Fit for You?
ODU fits learners who want a research-oriented public university on the Hampton Roads waterfront with a full ladder from prelicensure BSN through DNP/PhD, especially if you value hybrid graduate delivery and military-friendly policies.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want a CCNE-accredited BSN with competitive admission and HESI-based screening.
- Need mostly online RN-to-BSN or concurrent enrollment while finishing a community college ADN.
- Plan to stay in Coastal Virginia for clinical networking across Sentara, military, and community agencies.
- Prefer hybrid MSN/DNP tracks that keep clinical practice close to home.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need guaranteed acceptance without a competitive secondary nursing application.
- Want a fully online pre-licensure BSN (ODU’s Traditional BSN is campus-based with clinical practicum).
- Require F-1 visa sponsorship for graduate nursing programs that ODU explicitly marks as visa-ineligible.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Hampton Roads combines military health systems, nonprofit networks, and community clinics—ideal for nursing students who want exposure to Level II trauma centers, naval medicine, and underserved coastal populations.
Major partners students routinely encounter include Sentara Healthcare, Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD), Bon Secours, and federal treatment facilities tied to local bases. Exact rotation contracts change each term; confirm placement geography with Ellmer’s clinical team.
| Facility / system | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Sentara Healthcare | Multi-hospital system headquartered in Norfolk; broad adult and specialty services. |
| CHKD | Pediatric acute care and specialty clinics—common rotation site for family-oriented coursework. |
| Military treatment facilities | Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story and Naval Medical Center Portsmouth anchor military health training opportunities. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Prelicensure students take courses on the Norfolk campus and satellite sites such as the Virginia Beach Higher Education Center (Ellmer lists administrative offices at 1881 University Drive, Virginia Beach). Expect skills labs, simulation, and interdisciplinary experiences through the College of Health Sciences.
Student life mixes waterfront recreation, arts venues in nearby Norfolk and Virginia Beach, and student organizations such as the Student Nurses Association—confirm active chapters on the Ellmer site each fall.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Norfolk, VA (main campus); Ellmer offices also list Virginia Beach Center
- Main campus address
- 5115 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23529, US
- Ellmer / Virginia Beach Center
- 1881 University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23453 (per odu.edu/nursing contact block)
- Telephone
- Ellmer office (757) 683-4297 · Chief advisor svanorde@odu.edu
- General nursing email
- oduson@odu.edu
- Website
- Ellmer School of Nursing
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Bookmark Undergraduate nursing, Graduate nursing, and the University Catalog for your pathway.
- Schedule Health Sciences advising to map prerequisites and HESI timing.
- Create a checklist for supplemental application materials, background screening, and immunizations once admitted.
- Email oduson@odu.edu or the graduate program director listed on your concentration page for policy questions.
- Download the Virginia Board’s latest
BSN_Past5.xlsif you are benchmarking NCLEX performance. - Set alerts for the Qualtrics deadline posted on the undergraduate application page and separate graduate deadlines in NursingCAS or the Graduate School.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does ODU’s Ellmer School offer?
Public pages list prelicensure BSN, RN-to-BSN (including concurrent enrollment with VCCS partners), MSN concentrations, DNP options (including nurse anesthesia), PhD nursing science, and certificates such as nurse educator. Delivery is largely hybrid or online at the graduate level—confirm each track on odu.edu/nursing.
What NCLEX-RN data does Virginia publish for ODU?
The Virginia DHP BSN_Past5.xls workbook (2025 column) lists 78 of 82 first-time testers passing for Old Dominion University. Download the current file from the Board Testing Pass Rates hub and confirm methodology with Ellmer disclosures.
Does ODU use TEAS or HESI for nursing applicants?
Ellmer’s public prelicensure checklist references the HESI A2 entrance exam alongside GPA and prerequisite coursework. Verify minimum scores and retake limits with Health Sciences advising.
When is the undergraduate nursing application due?
The application page displayed February 15, 2026 (2359) for the Qualtrics form when reviewed in March 2026. New cohorts (including spring starts announced in 2025 news) may add windows—monitor odu.edu/nursing/undergraduate/application-process.
How much is ODU tuition for Fall 2025?
Official rates list undergraduate tuition at $268/cr in-state and $953.50/cr out-of-state plus a $154/cr mandatory auxiliary tuition charge for 2025–26, before other mandatory fees. Graduate tuition starts at $486/cr in-state and $1,334.50/cr out-of-state plus auxiliary tuition. See odu.edu/tuition-aid/costs-tuition.
What GPA does ODU expect before applying to the nursing major?
Marketing materials cite a minimum 3.0 departmental GPA in prerequisites and note ~3.6 as competitive, with prerequisite grades of C or better before nursing courses—confirm details with advisors.
Can I complete RN-BSN while still in a community college ADN?
Yes, through the documented concurrent enrollment model that pairs affiliated AAS nursing courses with online ODU RN-BSN courses each term when both schools admit you.
Where are Ellmer School offices?
ODU lists nursing leadership and staff contacts at the Virginia Beach Center (1881 University Drive) while prelicensure students also use Norfolk campus resources—see the contact block on odu.edu/nursing.
References
- Ellmer School of Nursingodu.edu/nursing
- Undergraduate nursing application processodu.edu/nursing/undergraduate/application-process
- ODU — Current Tuition Rates (Fall 2025)odu.edu/tuition-aid/costs-tuition
- Virginia DHP — BSN_Past5.xlsBSN_Past5.xls
- Virginia Board of Nursing — Testing Pass Ratesdhp.virginia.gov — Testing Pass Rates
- ODU — International Admissionsodu.edu/admission/international
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
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 alignment between on-page NCLEX figures, ODU tuition tables, program scope labels, and sourced URLs.
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 Old Dominion University and the Virginia Board of Nursing.
Published: April 1, 2026 · Last reviewed: April 1, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy