TheTrack II - Accelerated nursing program begins in the summer and runs through four consecutive semesters - summer, fall, spring and summer. Up to 40 students are accepted into this track.
Important Information:
- You can only apply to one track per application period.
- Once you've completed the pre-nursing general education courses and areacceptedinto the nursing program, you'll move on to the technical phase of the nursing program curriculum. Viewrequired coursework.
- Applicants to any tracks in the nursing program must be 18 years of age by the first day of class, if accepted.
- Applicants to the Track II - Accelerated program must apply to either Benton County or Washington County. You cannot apply to both. You cannot change campuses at a later point in the application process.
- All application materials must be receivedon the designated deadline date and time. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, then it will bethe following business day.
- NOTE: Makesure you have applied to be an NWACC student before completing the nursing track application. If you have not applied to be a student yet, please see "How to Apply" below.
Program Admission Process
Please read all of the information below before applying to the Track II - Accelerated nursing program.
The program administrator and faculty, in cooperation with appropriate institutional personnel, establish admissions procedures which are non-discriminatory, contribute to the quality of the program, and allow a selection of students with the potential to successfully complete the program.
There is an established admissionscommittee which includes the program administrator and an advisory selection committee.
Before applying to the Nursing Track II program, please review the following admission requirements and recommendations.
- You must have the ability to communicate safely, accurately, and effectively in both written and spoken English. If English is your second language, you are encouraged to enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) to enhance your success.
- Submission of an application does notguarantee acceptance.
- Overall GPA 2.75*
- Official transcripts from all other institutions attended must be submitted and on your student record by December 1st. If the transcript information is not displayed in My NWACC and official transcripts have been submitted to NWACC, contact the Health Professions advisor or Enrollment Support.
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The minimum general education courses MUST be completed by the end of the fall semester in which the application is being submitted in order to be considered eligible for admission. ALL required general education courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.
Minimum general education courses:
- MATH 1203 College Algebra Accelerated*
- ENGL 1013 Composition I
- PSYC 2003 General Psychology
- BIOL 2214 Anatomy and Physiology I*
- BIOL 2224 Anatomy and Physiology II*
- MBIO 2014 Microbiology
- NURS 9313 Pharmacological Basis of Nursing
*No older than five years old at the time of submitting application to Track II.
The following courses must be completed prior to starting nursing classes:
- ENGL 1023 Composition II
- PSYC 2103 Human Growth and Development
- AHSC 1123 Electronic Health Records
The nursing program will only look at the first two attempts of any general education course required for the nursing degree. The highest grade will be used of the two attempts. The student is not eligible for the nursing program if any of the general education courses needed for the nursing degree are not successfully completed with a grade C or better within two attempts.
*If less than 12 credit hours at NWACC, GPA will be calculated from previous college transcripts.
How to Apply:
1. Apply for admission to NWACC -If you are not currently enrolled at NWACC, you need to apply for admission to the college in addition to applying to the NursingProgram. Apply now to NWACC.
2. Apply to the Nursing Program - If you have completed all the required prerequisites*, have completed a pre-nursing session, and have a GPA of at least 2.75 then you are eligible to apply to the nursing program.
Apply to Nursing Program
Grades – Points awarded based on your letter grades of your required prerequisite courses.
Interview - Once the application period ends and applicants have been screened for eligibility, point scores will be totaled for eligible applicants and up to 50 of the highest scorers will be invited to interview. After interviews are completed scores will then be re-totaled and up to 40 of the top scorers will be offered a seat in the track. Applicantswho are offered a seatwill need to score a 70 percent or better in their interview.
The selection of students intothe Nursing Track II Program is based on a point system. Students with the highest total points are selected for admission.It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all eligibility requirements are met.
College Algebra, A&P I&II and Microbiology, Pharmacological Basis of Nursing
- A = 4 pts
- B = 3 pts
- C = 2 pts
Students who complete A&P I, A&P II and Microbiology through an NWACC course will each receive 1 additional preference point.
English Comp I and Psychology
- A = 3 pts
- B = 2 pts
- C = 1 pt
3 additional points for completing a CNA course
3 additional points for completing a PCA course
1 additional point for completing a paramedic course
2 additional points if applicant is a Veteran
GPA points. Ex.: 3.4 GPA = 3.4 points, 2.85 GPA = 2.85 points etc.
After the application period ends, the Selection Committee will invite the 50 eligible applicants with the highest points to interview, after which the interview scores will be added to the total scores and up to 40 of the top students will be chosen. The Selection Committee will contact eligible applicants concerning their placement in the programvia their NWACC email address. It is not necessary to contact the nursing department or other Health Professions divisions concerning the status of your application.
Upon acceptance to the program, you will receive an admission packet which includes specific directions, fees and deadlines. The documents listed below will be required and instructions on how to move forward will be provided. It is not necessary to begin this process until after you receive an admission packet.
- Proof of current physical exam (within the last three months)
- Proof of current TB skin test
- Proof of MMR immunization
- Proof of Varicella (chicken pox) immunization OR documented proof that you've had the disease
- Proof of current CPR certification - must be American Heart Association: Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers. Check EMT for information and availability regarding CPR courses offered at NWACC.
- Urine drug screen
- Criminal background check **
- Proof of flu vaccination (seasonal)
- Proof of Tdap
- Must have access to a computer, internet, scanner, printer, camera and microphone
- Uniforms (you will be instructed on where to purchase these)
- Several specialized programs (approximate cost $300)
- Reliable transportation to all classes, labs, and clinical sites
- Please note: other requirements may be mandatedby the clinical sites
If English is your second language and you areseeking admission into the Health Professions programs, you are required to complete an English as a Second Language (ESL) listening test.
Students can receive more information and/or schedule to take the ESL listeningtest through the NWACC testing center by calling 479-619-4354 or visiting the testing centerpage.
The ESL listening test is designed to assess a student’s ability to understand standard American English. A score of 92 or higher on the COMPASS ESL listening test (taken within the last three years) OR a score of 120 or higher on the Accuplacer ESL listening test is REQUIRED for students seeking entrance
into Health Professions Programs. Aminimum score or higher indicates the ability to understand complex discussions, such asacademic lectures and factual reports. Students scoring below the minimum will need to retest and successfully pass by July 1st.
Criminal Background Checks for Clinicals & NCLEX-RN:
Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ARSBN) website information regarding background checks:
Nurse Practice Act of the State of Arkansas, Sub Chapter 3 Licensing, Section 17-87-312 criminal background checks: Arkansas Nurse Practice Act Sub Chapter 3 Excerpt: Criminal Background Checks - A.C.A. § 17-87-312
ARSBN Rules, Chapter 2 Licensure, Section V Criminal Background Checks: Arkansas Code Annotated Title 17 Professions, Occupations, and Businesses; Subtitle 1. Professions Generally; Chapter 3 Occupational Criminal Background Checks Excerpt: Licensing Restrictions Based on Criminal Records - A.C.A. § 17-3-102
Licensure by Examination publication, Frequently Askedquestions about NCLEX section: Frequently Asked Questions
Criminal Background Check Information: Arkansas Nurse Practice Act Sub Chapter 3 Excerpt: Criminal Background Checks - A.C.A. § 17-87-312
Be advised that if offenses are reported on your background check, you might be prevented fromcompletingthe clinical portion of nursing courses and/orineligible to take theNCLEX-RN exam upon completion of the nursing program. Failure to fulfill clinical objectives will result in failure of the course(s), andcould result in dismissal from the program and/or ineligibility to take the NCLEX-RN.
According to the ASBN Nurse Practice Act (sub Chapter Section 3-17-87-312, no person shall be eligible to receive or hold a license issued by the board if that person has pleaded guilty, nolo contendere, or been found guilty of any of the offenses (as identified in Arkansas Code, ACA 17-87-312).
Criminal background checks
Licensing restrictions based on criminal records
The law applies to licensed nurses as well as those individuals seeking licensure. This includes new graduates, nurses applying for licensure from other countries or states and nurses applying for advance practice. Additional information is available by accessing the Nurse Practice Act (Sub Chapter Section 3-17-87-312) at: Arkansas Nurse Practice Act Sub Chapter 3 Excerpt: Criminal Background Checks - A.C.A. § 17-87-312
Note: Students who will be attending clinical rotations while enrolled in a professional program at the Center for Health Professions will be required to have a drug screen performed, either prior to admission, or prior to attending clinical rotations. Students who test positive for drugs (including medical marijuana) will be denied access to the clinical rotations and will consequently be either denied acceptance into the professional program or dismissed from the professional program.
FAQs
How can I stand out on nursing school application? ›
Demonstrate your compassion by emphasizing your volunteer or community work on your application. If you're interested in volunteering but don't know where to start, reach out to your local hospital's volunteer coordinator. Another option is to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
Can I get into nursing school with a 2.0 GPA? ›Most programs require at least a 2.5 GPA or higher. Some set their limit at a 3.0 GPA. This is important to find out during the research phase of your accelerated nursing program search.
Is Csulb nursing hard to get into? ›CSULB is one of the most competitive/best nursing schools in California. The average GPA for my cohort was 3.9 and TEAS ~90%. Since they don't take into consideration volunteer hours and experience, they pretty much turn every applicant into a "who has the highest number" kind of deal.
Why do people get rejected from nursing school? ›In Summary: The American Academy of Colleges of Nurses found 80,407 qualified nursing applicants were denied admission in 2019 because nursing schools didn't have adequate numbers of teaching staff. You can raise your chances of admission by taking steps to improve your application.
Why do I keep getting rejected from nursing school? ›Sometimes the big issue will turn out to be a low GPA or low scores on the TEAS test. It might even be an issue with the ACT, SAT, or graduate tests. Improving the GPA might mean going back to the previous school and asking to retake some courses in order to bring those grades up.
What is the easiest RN program to get into? ›- Rasmussen University has a 100% acceptance rate for students who complete the required application and education requirements. There are no waitlists or pre-requisite courses at most of their 23 campus locations.
- Students must complete the following for acceptance into the program:
While most nursing schools set their minimum GPA requirements at 3.0, there are accelerated nursing programs out there that accept students with 2.7 and 2.8 GPAs. Keep in mind that this doesn't mean you'd receive a lesser nursing education with these programs.
How can I increase my chances of getting into nursing school? ›- Write Down Your “Why” for Nursing. ...
- Choose a Nursing School with Multiple Start Dates. ...
- Ensure You Meet Admissions Requirements. ...
- Create a Professional Resume. ...
- Connect with Your Admissions Counselor. ...
- Start Your Prerequisites Early. ...
- Spend Time with Patients.
“Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) has been chosen as the TOUGHEST courses of all other courses including MBBS, BCOMM, Bca, IAS, IPS, and engineering by the Guinness book of world records on 18 May 2011.
How many people get accepted to CSULB nursing? ›Fall 2020 | Spring 2022 | |
---|---|---|
Total applicants | 533 | 388 |
Statistics for admitted applicants | 75 admits | 77 admits |
Average Science GPA | 3.93 | 3.95 |
Average GE GPA | 3.97 | 3.94 |
Which state is the hardest to become a nurse? ›
- MAINE. ...
- ALASKA. ...
- Georgia. ...
- Alabama. ...
- Hawaii. ...
- South Carolina. ...
- Kentucky. ...
- Summary. There are a few cases when temporary licenses can be obtained through the state board of nursing.
Examples of common nursing weaknesses our experts say they hear include: Paying too much attention to detail. Wanting to do everything at once. Spending too long on paperwork.
What do you say in a nursing application? ›The first paragraph should cover who you are and why you would be suited to that nursing job. The second should cover your nursing qualification and experience, and the third should summarise what you envisage for the role, how you could maximise your potential in that nursing job and requesting an interview.
How do you nail a nursing interview? ›- Know where you're going. Healthcare facilities are often big and confusing. ...
- Dress professionally. Professional attire tells interviewers you take them and the job seriously.
- Rehearse your nursing interview questions. Don't just prep answers. ...
- Pamper yourself. ...
- Listen and take notes.
Going back a decade, nursing schools have annually rejected around 30,000 applicants who met admissions requirements, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. "Some of these applicants graduated high school top of their class with a 3.5 GPA or higher," said Rosseter.
What percentage of student nurses drop out? ›Data collected by an independent charity, the Health Foundation, has highlighted that in 2018 the attrition rate for nursing students stood at a whopping 24%. “Why are we faced with so many challenges as student nurses? ”
What to do if rejected from nursing program? ›- Apply to other programs. I'd recommend applying to at least 2-4 programs in your area. ...
- Build Experience. You can use this time to volunteer (which looks great on a nursing school or job application). ...
- Take Prerequisite Courses. ...
- Make Sure You're Ready.
The main reason many programs are not easy to get into is because they lack the capacity to teach the number of applicants they receive. There is a shortage of nurses with master's degrees or doctorates that are willing to teach. There is also a shortage of clinical sites and classroom space.
Is it common to fail nursing school? ›Many nursing schools require a minimum grade of roughly 80% to actually pass, as well. By the time you realize you aren't doing well enough to be successful in the course, the choices can be pretty limited. Failure happens all the time. It happens every day...
Do a lot of people fail nursing school? ›Nursing school is difficult and will be hard to pass. Most students pass their nursing program, so you can too. How many nursing students fail? According to the National League of Nursing, the dropout rate for nursing programs in the United States is around 20%.
What is the lowest paying RN job? ›
Licensed Vocational or Practical Nurse
Licensed vocational nurses (LVN) and licensed practical nurses (LPN) are some of the lowest-paid nursing roles, but that is due to the fact that the educational requirements are less than most other types of nurses.
The BLS projects 6% job growth for all RNs between 2021 and2031, compared to 5% job growth for all occupations. Some specialties that are in especially high demand are neonatal nursing, surgical nursing, and critical care nursing.
What is the lowest nursing degree? ›As the name suggests, CNAs assist nurses with patient admittance and vitals. It is the lowest-level credential related to the nursing field and the quickest point of entry.
Do hospitals care about nursing GPA? ›Just because you aren't asked about your GPA when applying for a nursing role, doesn't mean the employer isn't looking at it. It's certainly being looked at for residency programs and internships, and for many healthcare jobs that are taking on new graduates.
What is the average nursing GPA? ›Average GPA: 3.53
(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA. With a GPA of 3.53, Research College of Nursing requires you to be around average in your high school class. You'll need a mix of A's and B's, and very few C's.
The grading criteria outlined in the course syllabus is used by faculty to determine final grades for each course. Students must achieve a "C" or better in each class in order to remain in the program. The minimum passing grade for the Nursing Program is 75%.
What is a good GPA to get into nursing school? ›GPA requirements depend on the type of nursing program you want to apply for, but most programs require at least a 3.0 GPA or higher. However, due to the competitive nature of nursing programs, most schools prefer a 3.7 to 4.0 GPA.
Does GPA matter for nursing students? ›GPA requirements vary from school to school, and some early admission nursing programs require an even higher GPA of at least 3.8 or higher (weighted or unweighted). In general, you can expect that any highly competitive nursing program will have a high GPA requirement for applicants.
Is it easier to get into nursing school as a male? ›In some cases, males do have better chances of getting into nursing school. Men must meet the same admission criteria as female applicants. However, if a school has a quota for the number of males they want in their programs, a male applicant may have a better chance of acceptance.
How can I make my nursing application look good? ›- EMPHASIZE YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS. This tip works well for all your resumes. ...
- INCLUDE RELEVANT EXPERIENCES AND SKILLS. ...
- PROOFREAD MULTIPLE TIMES. ...
- RESUME FORMATTING. ...
- IDEAL LENGTH FOR YOUR RESUME.
What makes you the best candidate for a school nurse? ›
Highlight specific skills
School nurses need to work well independently and be organized. Talk about your ability to do both. If you have work experience with children, highlight that as well.
- Consider the interview an opportunity. ...
- Sell yourself. ...
- Know the school. ...
- Be prepared. ...
- Don't pass the buck. ...
- Be professional. ...
- Think ahead.
Reflect on your weaknesses
Spending too much time on paperwork. Paying too much attention to detail. Attempting to complete too many tasks at once. A lack of clinical experience, which may apply to recent graduates or new nurses.
Highlight clinical experience and areas of expertise.
Nurses should consider creating a separate section on the document, preferably near the top, where they can list skills such as blood draws, vitals taking, electronic medical record use, urgent care experience and more.
Just because you aren't asked about your GPA when applying for a nursing role, doesn't mean the employer isn't looking at it. It's certainly being looked at for residency programs and internships, and for many healthcare jobs that are taking on new graduates.
What is the easiest nursing program to get into? ›- RN-to-BSN Capella University. ...
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) Walden University. ...
- BS - Nursing RN to BSN Online at Arizona State University. ...
- BS - Nursing (Registered Nurse - R.N. to B.S.N.) Grand Canyon University.
The main reason many programs are not easy to get into is because they lack the capacity to teach the number of applicants they receive. There is a shortage of nurses with master's degrees or doctorates that are willing to teach. There is also a shortage of clinical sites and classroom space.
What are 3 good qualities of a good school nurse? ›Beyond loving kids and having standard clinical skills, school nurses will benefit from having excellent communication, teaching and presentation skills. This comes in handy when they train school staff and educate families or groups of students.
What skills do nursing schools look for in applicants? ›- Prior educational success. Why it's important: You must meet specific academic requirements to qualify for enrollment in nursing school, no matter where you apply. ...
- Compassion. ...
- Communication skills. ...
- Self-discipline. ...
- Passion for nursing. ...
- Organizational skills.
“I believe in helping people, especially in times of extreme need. When I worked as an EMT I was always the one asked to facilitate information between any involved party. I want to expand this skill and I think nursing is a good fit for me. My interests and experience with medical professionals are good for this job.”
Do all nursing applicants get an interview? ›
Nursing school applicants are generally required to go through an interview as part of the application process. Your interview for nursing school will give the admissions committee a chance to understand who you are as a person by learning more about your values.
What is the hardest part of nursing interview question? ›What are some ways you strive to improve communication with patients and family? How do you handle stress on the job? What are your strategies for handling a difficult patient? How do you handle working with a difficult co-worker?
How do you sell yourself in a nursing interview? ›...
Tips for answering, “Why should we hire you as a nurse?”
- Concentrate on yourself. ...
- Be ready with three strong talking points. ...
- Be confident. ...
- Be genuine. ...
- Smile. ...
- Make eye contact. ...
- Stay focused.