When you think about being a strong nurse, what do you see? Perhaps you see a nurse who runs the clinic halls without breaking a sweat, or a nurse who seems to get everything right. More than likely, you see a nurse that shared a smile with you on one of your scariest days—while not knowing it was scary for them, too.
At Eastern Virginia Career College (EVCC), many students with the same personality, compassion, and drive walk through the door hoping to change their own lives and impact those of the community. Rather than two and three-year long programs at other colleges, EVCC’s fast-track programs take about a year; a big incentive for those who are eager to begin their careers.
As the college celebrates 30 years of producing qualified graduates for in-demand industries and 25 years of nationally recognized accreditation, reflection surrounds the program that started its trajectory: Registered Nursing. The RN program became the school’s first Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in 2008 and remains its most sought-after program. Nursing school brings its challenges, and the quick turnaround of EVCC’s RN program doubles the stakes by being completed in only about a year. However, their graduates’ ability to work well under pressure sets EVCC nurses apart. In clinicals, students have been revered by the host hospitals for their professionalism and skills. Former nursing students attribute their success to the examples set by instructors and standards of the school. “It prepares you for the real world,” shared Priscilla Acquaisie, a 2025 RN graduate. Acquaisie thrived in the fast-paced environment, feeling less pressure and more preparation.
Acquaisie’s journey to nursing began in China where she studied medicine. Eventually, she found her way to the U.S., pursued her dreams of becoming a nurse and “put everything” into the program. Now working at Spotsylvania Regional in the ER, she shares that she continues to use her experience at EVCC in daily operations. Another graduate, Sophia Nyarko, believes that the environment at the school was highly conducive to learning. Nyarko attributes her self-determination and support from her peers, which is what allowed her to push through the intensity of nursing school. “It pushed me to get better,” Nyarko said, reflecting on the high-paced environment at EVCC. “It was amazing to finally finish...but when you do, you're like, 'Oh God'.”
Each new cohort starts with motivated and determined students piling hours of studies, labs, and networking to become well-prepared nurses, often putting their personal lives on hold to do so. The accelerated program is not for the student who wonders what he or she will be one day; it is for the driven person who already knows they will be successful and just needs a college to believe in them as well. From high school graduates, to working parents, to second or third-career adults, EVCC is home to people looking to make a difference in their community by contributing to the local healthcare workforce. Over the last decade, hundreds of students have graduated from their RN programs, with hundreds more taking other courses in healthcare, wellness, and technology in the local community, providing compassionate care and expertise.
If you or someone you know, is thinking about a change in careers, EVCC recommends that you channel that tenacity to motivate a call to their admission department and have a free consultation discussing your dreams and destinations.
EVCC is certified to operate by SCHEV and strives to deliver high-quality educational opportunities across Central Virginia and beyond.
Viviana Smith is the Marketing Specialist at EVCC.
Featured in Front Porch Fredericksburg | October, 2026