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.

The Practical Nursing Evening Program is a part-time five semester program which caters to those who need to maintain their employment and financial obligations to their families while simultaneously attending nursing school. Classes are held at the Elberton campus three nights per week Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 6-10pm. Clinical rotations are held two weekends per month.

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 must submit the following items to the Admissions Office by the application deadline for the year they seek admission to the program.

To receive consideration for admission to the Practical Nursing Evening program applicants must complete the following steps by May 1. Classes will begin in the Fall.

• Completed and signed application for admission and a $25 nonrefundable application fee.
• Official high school or GED transcripts and or official college transcripts of all colleges attended in the past (see General Admission Requirements).
• Valid ACCUPLACER, COMPASS, ASSET, SAT, or ACT test scores (see ACCUPLACER Placement Examination).
• Proof of legal presence in the United States. 
• Official birth certificates, passports, driver's licenses, or state-issued photo identification cards to document that they are at least 18 years of age.
• 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).
• Completed and signed Intent Form. Blank forms are available on the college website.

Applicants must complete English (ENGL 1010), mathematics (MATH 1012), psychology (PSYC 1010), and anatomy and physiology (ALHS 1011) with grades of C or better by the application deadline. 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. Applicants selected to the program should complete all general and health core courses prior to enrolling in PNSG 2030.

Applicants must 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-PN examination no later than August to receive consideration in the selection process (see Selective Admission Examinations).

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.
• Hepatitis screen results (students should start the Hepatitis-B immunization series) and documentation of immunity to varicella, rubella, measles, and tetanus.
• All students will be required to complete drug testing and/or background checks at their own expense prior to taking the licensure exam, 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.