Admissions Requirements to the Nursing Program

Admission Requirements to the Nursing Program (Pre-licensure Tracks)

To establish eligibility for admission into the pre-licensure nursing program, students must have the following:

  • A cumulative GPA in all coursework of 2.5 or above and a nursing program-specific GPA of 3.25 or above.

  • All nursing prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher. 

  • A student must complete all prerequisite course requirements prior to entry into the upper division major.
  • Biological science courses (lectures and labs), BIOL 223, BIOL 224, and BIOL 251 (Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, and Microbiology), may only be attempted two times within a 5-year rolling period. Withdrawals and audits count as course attempts.
  • Biological science courses (lectures and labs), BIOL 223, BIOL 224, and BIOL 251 (Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, and Microbiology), must have been taken within seven years of the date of application to the School of Nursing.
  • Applicants must complete BIOL 223 (lecture and lab) prior to submitting their application to the School of Nursing (SON). BIOL 224 and BIOL 251 can be in progress.
  • Nursing courses successfully completed at other NSHE institutions and are the exact same numbered/titled course must have been taken within three years of the date of application to the School of Nursing to be considered for pre-licensure program credit.
  • The GPA used for admission into the School of Nursing will be determined using grades up to and including the semester prior to application to the School of Nursing.
  • Courses taken during the Summer before entering the program in the Fall must be taken at Nevada State University. Courses taken during the Spring before entering the program in the Summer must be taken at Nevada State University. Courses taken during the Fall before entering the program in the Spring must be taken at Nevada State University.
  • No more than 14 prerequisite credits may be in progress when applying to the nursing program.
  • Applications must be complete. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • All applications must be accompanied by a current Degree Audit Report.
  • Meet minimum score requirements on TEAS (current published version) pre-admission test is required. 
    Overall Score Requirement = 60%
    Area of Testing Minimum Score Requirement
    Reading 60%
    Math 60%
    Science 60%
    English and Language 60%
  • The TEAS test must be taken within two years of the date of application. There is no limit on the number of TEAS attempts; however, a minimum of 30 days is required between attempts.
  • Enrollment in the nursing program may be limited. Contact the School of Nursing for additional details if necessary.

Admission Requirements to the Nursing Program (RN to BSN Track)

To establish eligibility for admission into the RN to BSN nursing program, students must have the following:

  • Associate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and a nationally accredited nursing program*.
  • Official transcripts sent directly to the Office of Admissions (conditional admission may occur pending receipt of transcripts).
  • A current, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license that must be maintained throughout the course of the program.
  • Recent graduates must obtain and provide verification of RN license within 7 weeks of acceptance to the program.
  • A cumulative GPA on all coursework of 2.0 or above.
  • A copy of government-issued ID.

*Individuals who have graduated with an ADN from a nationally accredited institution of higher education and/or a nursing diploma program are welcome to apply. After a full transcript review, a program plan, including additional core education and/or nursing requirements in accordance with the NSU policy on transfer credits for Previous College or University Work as outlined in the course catalog at the time of admission will be provided to the student. The application of Gen Ed block credits as well as  NURS prior learning credits is subject to transcript review in these instances.

Retention Requirements (Pre-licensure and RN to BSN Tracks)

  • Students must earn a grade of "C" or higher in each course of the nursing curriculum to continue in the program.

  • Must maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA.

 

Health Documents (Pre-licensure Tracks only)

Students must provide evidence of their own health insurance, as well as their own transportation to clinical sites. They must also purchase and create an account with an online immunization/document tracking system and will be responsible for submitting all of the School of Nursing's required documentation to this account by the assigned deadlines. Students who do not submit their documents by the deadlines may be unable to attend clinical experiences which could result in the inability to successfully complete their courses. Certain requirements such as drug screens, background checks, and physical examinations may need to be repeated annually and all requirements are completed at the student’s expense. These documents will show that the students have met various health requirements: 

  1. Hepatitis B vaccination series
  2. Mumps vaccine (2 doses) or titer
  3. Rubella vaccine (2 doses) or titer
  4. Rubeola vaccine (2 doses) or titer
  5. Tetanus and diphtheria: inoculation within past ten (10) years
  6. Chickenpox (Varicella): immunization (2 doses) or titer
  7. Tuberculosis: Must select one of the choices below:
    1. QuantiFERON-TB test for students with no history of receiving a PPD or have not been tested in the last 12 months;
    2. Two-step TB skin test (PPD) for students with no history of receiving a PPD or have not been tested in the last 12 months;
    3. Proof of a negative Tuberculin-PPD in the last 12 months and an original negative two-step;
    4. Documentation of a negative chest x-ray within the past 6 months for students with a past positive PPD along with proof of the past positive PPD. All students with a
      history of a past positive PPD must complete yearly the tuberculosis signs and symptoms questionnaire available in the nursing program office.
  8. COVID-19 vaccine (complete series)
  9. Flu vaccine (seasonal & site specific)
  10. Negative result to a 10-panel drug screen
  11. CPR certification (Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers course approved by the American Heart Association)
  12. Background check
  13. Physical examination
  14. Health History