Requirements

It is highly recommended that those with an interest in nursing make an appointment to meet with an academic advisor in Advising and Counseling Services by calling 287-2668.  There are two tracks available for the Nursing program.  The online track is available for those who have a Bachelor’s degree in another field of study; the traditional track is available for those with or without a previous degree.

Admission to the online track is competitive based on GPA, A2 results, and requires an essay submission.

Candidates must complete all of the following requirements before applying for the nursing program.

1. Required Documentation

An application specific to nursing must be submitted to the Nursing program through the nursing homepage, www.cscc.edu/nursing, after all the admission criteria have been completed.  Information about application periods will be posted at that site also.

Achievement of a minimum GPA of 2.6 on a 4-point scale based on completion of courses at the school or college most recently attended (high school, vocational program, or higher education institution).  Official transcripts must be on file in the Records and Registration Office to verify GPA by the deadline dates.   Students who do not have a minimum 2.6 GPA for their most recent coursework must complete at least 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Columbus State with a minimum GPA of 2.6 for admission to the Nursing program.   The minimum 2.60 GPA must be maintained through the start of classes in Nursing.

2. Compass Placement Tests:

Math Skills - Placement above MATH 103 (Beginning Algebra II) or completion of MATH 103.  Students with transfer credit by Columbus State for MATH 103 are not required to take the Math Skills Test.  Credit awarded for MATH 135 will not substitute for the MATH 103 requirement.
 
Writing Skills - Placement into ENGLISH 101 (Beginning Composition) or ENGLISH 111 (English Composition), or completion of ENGLISH 100 (Language Development).  Students awarded transfer credit by Columbus State for ENGL 101 or ENGL 111 are not required to take the Writing Skills Test.

3. College courses:

NURC 101 (Nurse Aide Training Program) or prior learning assessment credit (“N” credit) or copy of current Ohio practical nurse license (LPN).  Requires completion of health records before registering for the course.

NURC 102 (Patient Care Skills) or copy of current Ohio practical nurse license (LPN).

CHEM 113 (General and Biological Chemistry)

PSY 100 (Intro to Psychology) or PSY 240 (Human Growth & Development Through the Life Span)

4. Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) Admission Assessment (A2) Exam

Completion of the A2 Exam with a score of 75 is required for admission.  This score reflects a necessary reading, science, and math knowledge foundation to be successful in the Nursing Program.  Applicants are encouraged to utilize the Evolve Reach Admission Assessment Exam Review by HESI prior to taking the A2 exam.  This exam review is available for purchase at the Bookstore. 

Additional Admission Information

1. The Columbus State admissions application form is on-line at https://secure.cscc.edu/application/default.asp. If it has been more than three years since you attended classes at Columbus State, call (614) 287-2453 or 1-800-621-6407 ext 2453 to reactivate your student file.

2. Placement tests are administered in the Student Success Testing Center, Aquinas Hall, Room 002.  See the following web site for specific hours and sample questions.  www.cscc.edu/sstc/compass.htm

3. To register to take the A2 Admission Exam, contact the ACT Skills Max and Testing Center at (614) 287-5750.  The initial cost of the exam is $45 payable at the Cashier Office, Rhodes Hall.  The cost to repeat the exam is $65.  On the day of the test, bring a picture ID and paid receipt to the ACT Testing Center, Center for Workforce Development, Room 223.  Retesting eligibility begins 6 months from the date of the previous A2 exam.  The A2 exam may be taken a maximum of 2 times.  A2 exam scores from other schools will not be accepted.  The Nursing Program will maintain scores for a period of 4 years.
 
4. Contact the Records and Registration Office, Room 201, Madison Hall, (614) 287-2658, for information about the processing of college transfer credit from other institutions of  higher education.

5. Applicants currently licensed as Practical Nurses should refer to “Admission Procedure to Associate Degree Nursing program for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)” available from the Nursing Program or online at www.cscc.edu/nursing.

6. Applicants for admission from another program preparing students to take NCLEX-RN should refer to Nursing Procedure for Transfer Students.  The information is available from the Nursing Program.
 
7. Please be advised of the following:

• From the Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4723.09 License Application:
  
  (b) For an applicant who entered a prelicensure nursing education program on or after June 1, 2003, the criminal records check of the applicant that is completed by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation and includes a check of federal bureau of investigation records and that bureau submits to the board indicated that the applicant has not been convicted of, has not pleaded guilty to, and has not had a judicial finding of guilt for violating section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.11, 2905.01, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.05, 2909.02, 2911.01, or 2911.11 of the Revised Code or a substantially similar law of another state, the United States, or another country, (c) For all applicants, the board determines that the applicant has not committed any act that is grounds for disciplinary action under section 3123.47 or 4723.28 of the Revised Code or determines that an applicant who has committed any act that is grounds for disciplinary action under either section has made restitution or has been rehabilitated, or both.
• It is the applicant’s responsibility to notify the Nursing Program Chairperson of felony convictions, as admission may be revoked due to clinical placement denial.
• From the Ohio Revised Code 4723-5-12:
  
  (13) A student shall not self-administer or otherwise take into the body any dangerous drug, as defined in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code, in any way not in accordance with a legal, valid prescription issued for the student.  (14)  A student shall not habitually indulge in the use of controlled substances, other habit-forming drugs, or alcohol or other chemical substances to an extent that impairs ability to practice.  (15)  A student shall not have impairment of the ability to practice according to acceptable and prevailing standards of safe nursing care because of habitual or excessive use of drugs, alcohol, or other chemical substances that impair the ability to practice.  (16)  A student shall not have impairment of the ability to practice according to acceptable and prevailing standards of safe nursing care because of a physical or mental disability.

8. A new federal law, PRWORA, known as the "Personal Responsibility Act" limits licensure to U.S. citizens and other qualified applicants. The State Board of Nursing is required to keep assurance of citizenship on record with applications for licensure.
 
9. Admission to Nursing is offered for a specific quarter only. Students who decline the offer of admission or who fail to respond must re-apply if they wish to be considered for a future class and must meet the admission criteria in effect for that class.
 
10. A minimum grade of "C" or better is required in all Nursing, Science, Psychology and Math courses in the curriculum. Students accepted to Nursing who do not achieve a minimum grade of "C" or better in any of the following support courses must retake the course(s) prior to the start of their NURS classes or during the quarter in which the course(s) is(are) required in the curriculum plan, in order to remain a student in good standing in the program. BIO 261 (Human Anatomy); BIO 262 (Human Physiology); PSY 240 (Human Growth and Development Through the Life Span); BIO 115 (General Microbiology); BIO 263 (Human Pathophysiology); MATH 135 (Elementary Statistics).
 
11. Columbus State Community College makes every effort to inform prospective students of the admission requirements for the Nursing program. Students are responsible for maintaining awareness of the application periods, of the admission requirements and any changes made to those requirements over time. Any questions about admission criteria should be directed to Columbus State Advising Services at (614) 287­-2668.
 
12. If waiting to start nursing, students should first complete admission requirements and then work on general education and basic related courses listed on the plan of study. Please continue to work with academic advisor to complete your pre-admission checklist and to plan a schedule of other courses.

Clinical agencies have set requirements for patient safety. Students accepted to the program will be informed of the specific requirements for health, fingerprinting, drug screening and CPR which must be met prior to starting and while continuing the NURS sequence of courses.

14. Clinical agencies have set requirements for patient safety. Students accepted to the program will be informed of the specific requirements for health, fingerprinting, drug screening and CPR which must be met prior to starting and while continuing the NURS sequence of courses.