Admission Requirements

The Practical Nursing program uses a competitive admission process to select students. Program faculty and the Admissions Office staff designed the process to ensure maximum opportunity for student success in the program and on the licensure exam. The Practical Nursing program admits students once per year at the beginning of Spring Semester. Prospective students may gain admission to the college initially as Healthcare Assistant program students/applicants to Practical Nursing in order to complete any learning support classes and required general core and health core courses.

Applicants must submit all required documentation to the Admissions Office by September 1 to receive consideration in the selection process. Applicants who are on academic probation or are academically dismissed from the college as of the application deadline will not be considered for admission. Applicants not selected for the program may reapply during subsequent admission intake periods. There is no waiting list between intake periods; applicants must complete the application process for each attempt for entry into the Practical Nursing program. To receive consideration for admission to the Practical Nursing program, applicants complete the following steps by September 1

• Submit completed and signed application for admission and a $25 nonrefundable application fee.
• Provide proof of legal presence in the United States.
• Provide valid COMPASS, ASSET, SAT, or ACT test scores (see COMPASS Placement Examination).
• Provide official birth certificates, passports, driver's licenses, or state-issued photo identification cards to document that they are at least 18 years of age.
• Submit NLN Pre-admission PN Examination scores of no less than the 65th percentile that are less than five years old on the application deadline (see Selective Admission Examinations).

• Submit a completed intent form. Blank forms are available on the college website.

• Satisfactorily complete general and health core courses in English (ENGL 1010), mathematics (MATH 1012), psychology (PSYC 1010), anatomy and physiology (ALHS 1011),  with a grade of C or better by  the start of the program. Applicants transferring from other colleges must confirm the transferability of credit for these courses with the college's director of registration and records before the September 1 application deadline.
• Attend a mandatory pre-admission orientation session if invited. Failure to attend or to make alternate arrangements to obtain necessary information will result in the forfeiture of admission to the program.

Applicants to this program must take the NLN examination no later than August to receive consideration in the selection process (see Selective Admission Examinations). Applicants selected to the program should  complete all general and health core courses prior to enrolling in PNSG 2030. Prior to beginning the first set of clinical rotations, students must have the following documents on file in the Practical Nursing Office by March 1.

• Basic cardiac life support certification.
• Verification of health and malpractice insurance (see Malpractice Insurance).
• PPD and/or chest x-ray results.
• Record of physical exam with physician's statement that the student is in satisfactory health.
• Hepatitis screen results (students should start the Hepatitis-B immunization series) and documentation of immunity to varicella, rubella, measles, and tetanus.
• A signed document acknowledging that the commission of a felony before or during their enrollment in this program may prevent graduates from taking the licensure exam to become licensed practical nurses and that they may be required to complete drug testing and/or background checks at their own expense prior to participating in internships, practicums, or clinical activities at certain host sites for these activities (see Drug Testing/Background Checks). Blank documents are available from the program chair or on the college website.

Note: While students may submit their application paperwork at any campus location, the courses for this program are only offered on the Elbert County Campus of Athens Technical College.