Admission Requirements

The 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 NCLEX-RN. The program admits students once per year at the beginning of Fall Semester. Prospective students may gain admission to the college initially as Healthcare Science program students/applicants to Nursing in order to complete any learning support classes and required general education courses.

Applicants must submit all required documentation to the Admissions Office by February 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 at program entry. Applicants must complete the following steps:

• Submit completed and signed application for admission and a $20 nonrefundable application fee.
• Submit official high school or GED transcripts and/or official college transcripts from all colleges attended in the past (see General Admission Requirements).
• Submit National League for Nursing Pre-Admission RN Examination, AD Composite Score of no less than the 85th percentile that is less than five years old on the application deadline date (see Selective Admission Examinations).
• Valid COMPASS, ASSET, SAT, or ACT test scores (see COMPASS Placement Examination).
• Provide proof of legal presence in the United States.
• Submit completed and signed Intent form. Blank forms are available on the college website.
• Complete English (ENGL 1101), mathematics (MATH 1101 or MATH 1111), human anatomy and physiology I and II (BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113L, BIOL 2114, and BIOL 2114L), and introductory microbiology (BIOL 2117 and BIOL 2117L) or equivalent courses with a grade of C or better by January 1 of the year in which admission is sought. Applicants transferring from other colleges must confirm the transferability of credit for these courses with the college's director of registration and records by the February 1 admission application deadline.
• Attend a mandatory pre-admission orientation session once selected. Failure to attend or to make alternate arrangements to obtain necessary information will result in the forfeiture of admission to the program.

Although applicants must have a minimum grade of C in the prerequisite courses listed above, it should be noted that the prerequisite course grade point average is one of the main criteria for selection in health and life sciences programs, so grades of C are typically not competitive.

Applicants to the Nursing program must take the NLN Pre-admission RN Examination no later than January to receive consideration for admission to the program. The NLN pre-admission test may be taken every six months. After gaining admission to the program and prior to enrolling in the first Nursing (RNSG) course, students must have the following current official documents on file in the Nursing Office:

• Certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers.
• Verification of health and malpractice insurance (see Malpractice Insurance).
• Record of physical exam that is less than six months old and a physician statement that student is in satisfactory health.
• Results of two step tuberculin skin test and/or chest x-ray.
• Evidence of immunity to rubella, rubeola, mumps, varicella, and Hepatitis B.
• Documentation of current TDAP (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) immunization.
• A signed document acknowledging that the commission of a felony before or during their enrollment in this program may prevent or impede graduates from obtaining licensure as registered nurses. There are required drug testing and 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 and on the college website.