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 licensure examination. 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 submit the following items to the Admissions Office by the application deadline of the year they seek admission to the program:

• Completed and signed application for admission and a $25 nonrefundable application fee.
• Official high school or GED transcripts and/or official college transcripts from all colleges attended in the past (see General Admission Requirements).
• Valid COMPASS, ASSET, SAT, or ACT test scores (see COMPASS Placement Examination).
• Proof of legal presence in the United States. 
• Completed and signed Intent form. Blank forms are available on the college website. 
• Participate in an interview if invited.

Students must 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) with grades of C or higher 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. 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 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.

Students selected for admission to the Nursing program must attend a mandatory pre-admission orientation session once selected. Failure to attend or to make alternate arrangements to obtain necessary information may result in the forfeiture of admission to the program.

After gaining admission to the program and prior to enrolling in the first Nursing (RNSG) course, students must have the following 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.
  
• Proof of a flu vaccine.
  
• 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.