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 on-line 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.

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 department through the nursing homepage. www.cscc.edu/nursing after all the admission criteria have been completed. Those applications submitted prior to meeting all criteria will be deleted. Information about application periods will be posted at that site also.

Applications are taken each mid-January. Applications begin at 9 a.m. on the day the application period opens.

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 2.00 GPA must be maintained through the start of classes in Nursing and throughout the program.

2. Compass Placement Tests:
Math Skills—Placement above MATH 103 (Beginning Algebra II) or completion of MATH 103 with a grade of "C" or above. 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 ENGL 101 (Beginning Composition) or ENGL 111 (English Composition) or completion of ENGL 100 (Language Development) with a grade of "C" or above. 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:
Completed with a "C" or better
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). Requires placement in "No Reading Required," placement in English 101 or English 111.
CHEM 113 (General and Biological Chemistry)
PSY 100 (Introduction to Psychology) or PSY 240 (Human Growth & Development Through the Lifespan).

4. Nurse Entrance Test (NET)
Completion of NET with a reading comprehension score of 64% and a math score of 64%. 

Applicants are encouraged to review NET Study Guide in preparation for taking the NET. The study guide is available at the Columbus Metropolitan Library or for purchase in the bookstore.

Note: It takes about 6 weeks for scores to be processed. See the ACT Testing and Assessment Center web page for details.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, the Nursing Department will maintain NET scores for a period of 4 years. NET results that are older than Jan. 1, 2005, will be purged on Jan. 1, 2009. Also beginning Jan. 1, 2008: All NET scores are to be submitted from the ACT/SkillsMax Center. The department will not accept testing results from other schools.

Additional Admission Information

1. The Columbus State admissions application form is on-line at www.cscc.edu. 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 website for specific hours and sample questions. www.cscc.edu/sstc/compass.htm

3. To register to take the Nurse Entrance Test (NET) contact ACT Skills Max and Testing Center at (614) 287-5750. The initial cost for taking the NET is $25 payable at the Cashier's Office, Rhodes Hall. The cost to repeat the NET is $50. On the day of the test, bring a picture ID and the paid receipt. Retesting eligibility begins 6 months from the date of previous NET testing.
4. Contact the Records and Registration Office, room 201, Madison hall at (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 "Licensed Practical Nurse Admission Procedure to Nursing," available from Nursing Department or on-line at www.cscc.edu/nursing/

6. Applicants for admission from another program preparing students to take NCLEX-RN should refer to Procedure for Admissions to Nursing Program from another R.N. Program" for transfer information. This information is available from the Nursing Department or on-line at www.cscc.edu/nursing/

7. The Ohio Board of Nursing Felony Policy: Section 4723.28 of the Ohio Revised Code states that the Board may deny a convicted felon a license or the privilege of sitting for the licensure examination. A student with a history of felony conviction is responsible for informing the Chairperson of Nursing and Related Services of this history.

8. The Ohio Board of Nursing Licensure Application Requirement: As of June 2004, the Ohio Board of Nursing requires all applicants for licensure to identify existing psychiatric condition(s). Please check with the Board of Nursing for further clarification or questions. (614) 466-3947 or www.nursing.ohio.gov

9. A new federal law, PROWORA, 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. School of nursing will provide graduates with the form along with the licensure applications.

10. 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.

11. 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).

12. 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 and Counseling  Services at (614) 287-2668.

13. While 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 Health program advisor to complete your pre-admission checklist and to plan a schedule of other 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.