Policy 1.0 - Admission Policy for Nursing Students

Policy Statement

This policy outlines the eligibility requirements for applying for nursing programs.

Affected Student Groups:

• Practical Nursing Students
• Professional Nursing AS students, traditional
• Professional Nursing AS Advanced Standing Track: LPN to RN

Part I: Nursing Programs Application Process

Before applicants are eligible to apply for admission to the nursing program, they must complete all pre-program courses and requirements as stated in the program guide. All applicants who have completed the minimum admission requirements and application procedures outlined in this document by the program application deadlines will be considered for admission. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the nursing program. Qualified candidates are then ranked according to preprogram GPA and TEAS score.

1. General admission to Lake Superior College (LSC).
2. Declared a major in AS Nursing, AS Nursing Advanced Standing LPN Track, Practical Nursing
3. Completed Online Nursing Program application form (hereafter will be referred to as application). Please note that the online nursing program application is in addition to the general admission application to LSC. After completing the online application, the applicant will receive an email submission confirmation (save this email). Paper application is not an option; please contact advising if you need assistance with the electronic application.
4. A minimum grade point average (GPA) on identified pre-requisite program courses (refer to the program guide and Part 2 of this policy).
5. Entrance Exam: All applicants must complete the most current Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI), standardized Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) before application deadlines and release scores to LSC.
   1. Exceptions:
      1. If the standardized test just changed editions, we will accept the outdated edition for 12 months.
      2. If the student is applying for the Advanced Standing Track (LPN to RN) and has graduated from the Lake Superior College practical nursing program within the last ten years, the student does not need to retake the TEAS exam. For example, if the student graduated from the practical nursing program in 2023, the student does not need to retake the TEAS exam unless 10 years has passed since application (ok through 2033). A TEAS entrance exam is required if the student did not take the TEAS during the LSC LPN program.
   2. Applicants must achieve a minimum ATI TEAS score of 58.6% to be considered for nursing program The ATI TEAS test must be passed within the application window.
   3. If an applicant has taken the ATI TEAS test at another institution, please have the transcript sent electronically to LSC through ATI. LSC will not accept any paper copies of ATI TEAS scores. It needs to be sent in before the application cycle closes. There is no limit to the number of ATI TEAS test attempts.
   4. To register for the ATI TEAS exam:
      1. Create an account at atitesting.com.
      2. Once an account has been created, go to the ATI Store.
   5. Lake Superior College has study materials available for the TEAS. Check with the Tutoring and Learning Center and with the library.

Part 2: Selection Criteria for Acceptance to Nursing Programs

The ranking of applicants will be based on the following criteria:

1. Assessment Technologies Institute, Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS) composite score divided by a factor of 10 (Example: Composite score of 6% = 5.86). ATI TEAS test needs to be completed by the application deadline date.
2. Pre-program GPA (refer to program guide sheet):
   1. Practical Nursing: must have a minimum of 2.4 GPA on the following courses:
      ALTH 1410 Medical Terminology
      ENGL 1106 College Composition I
      BIOL 1000 Human Body in Health and Disease
      or
      BIOL1140 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
      and
      BIOL 1141 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
   2. Professional Nursing: must have a minimum 3.0 on the following courses:
      BIOL1140 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
      BIOL 1141 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
      BIOL 1170 Microbiology*
      ENGL 1106 College Composition I or ENGL1109 College Composition II**
      Additionally, BIOL1005 is a prerequisite to BIOL1140 and BIOL1141 but does not count in the pre-program GPA
      
      *If the student’s grade is higher in BIOL2170 than BIOL1170, that grade can be substituted for pre-program GPA calculation. Microbiology must be taken prior to acceptance to the program. Note: BIOL2170 is NOT a prerequisite.
      
      **If the student’s grade is higher in ENGL 1106 College Composition II, that grade can be substituted for pre-program GPA calculation
      
      
3. The combined ATI TEAS composite score and pre-program GPA will rank applicants for acceptance order.
4. In a tied combined total ATI TEAS composite score and pre-program GPA, the applicant with the highest ATI TEAS science sub-score will advance in rank order for acceptance. If a further tie exists, the applicant with the highest ATI TEAS math sub-score will advance in rank order for acceptance.
5. Applications of students not accepted into the program each round will remain on file through that admission cycle only. If a student chooses to delay admission to the following semester, the student must resubmit the entire application to be considered for the next admission cycle.

Part 3: Timelines for Nursing Program Application

1. Fall Program Start—Practical Nursing (30 students)
   1. Students are invited to apply to the program once pre-program courses have been completed. Applications will be accepted starting in January and will remain open until filled, with a final closing date of August 5.
      1. Sub-deadlines when the admissions team reviews applications and accepts qualified applicants. Students must apply by the following dates:
         1. March 15
         2. Last day of spring session
         3. Last day of summer session*
            *If spots are still available at the end of May, the application window will remain open through the end of LSC’s summer session.
2. AS Nursing (60 students/semester), AST (30 students/spring)
   1. Fall Start-Traditional AS track only: Applications will be accepted starting in January and ending in May after the spring semester has been completed.
      
      Students are invited to apply to the program once pre-program courses have been completed. Applications will be accepted starting in January and remain open until filled, with a final closing date of August 5.
      
      1. Sub-deadlines when the admissions team reviews applications and accepts qualified applicants. Students must apply by the following dates:
         1. March 15
         2. Last day of spring session
         3. Last day of summer session*
            *If spots are still available at the end of May, the application window will remain open through the end of LSC’s summer session.
   2. Spring Start-AS and AST: Applications will be accepted starting in September and ending in December after completing the fall semester. The application window will close when it is full or as listed below.
      
      Students are invited to apply to the program once pre-program courses have been completed.
      
      1. Sub-deadlines when the admissions team reviews applications and accepts qualified applicants. Students must apply by the following dates:
         1. October 15
         2. November 15
         3. End of fall semester*
            *If spots are still available after the initial reviews, the application window will remain open through the end of the fall semester.

Part 4: Advanced Standing Track Students (AST):

Applicants for the LPN to RN AST professional nursing program must have and maintain an active, unencumbered practical nursing license to qualify for admission. AST students must keep the active license throughout the program.

Part 5: Notification to applicants by LSC:

1. Applicants will receive an email letter of acceptance, denial, or alternate list status within two weeks of the admission cycle closing or sub-deadline, as indicated in Part 3. Admission is conditional pending fulfilling all program requirements, as detailed in Part 7.
2. The applicant must notify LSC of acceptance as the acceptance letter directs. Failure to notify LSC of acceptance by the date listed in the acceptance letter may result in the student forfeiting the seat in the nursing program.
3. Registration: The applicant must register for classes as directed.

Part 6: Post Acceptance Additional Requirements

After acceptance into the nursing program, the following information must be submitted to the nursing department by the deadline stated in the acceptance letter. Information requested must be received by assigned deadlines and remain current throughout the program. There are a lot of details here, so please reach out to the program’s administrative assistant.

Requirements include, but not limited to:

1. Acknowledgment of accepting a seat in the program.
2. Copy of current CPR for Healthcare Providers. Refer to the acceptance letter for CPR requirements. This must stay current throughout the nursing program.
3. Complete the Minnesota Human Services Background Study and National Background Checks. The acceptance email will include information on how to complete each study/check.
4. Complete the health declaration form and immunization record, including current immunizations and tuberculosis testing and/or requirements as defined by the clinical partners. Details are provided in the acceptance letter.
5. AS program only: Proof/documentation of healthcare roles: CNA, Military medic, Paramedic, EMT, PTA, Radiology Technologist, Respiratory Therapist, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, or CMA.
   
   Other roles we have allowed (with documentation and completion of exception to policy): Dialysis Care Technician, Emergency Department Technician, Behavioral Health Technician, Direct Service Provider in a residential group home setting, Personal Care Attendant (PCA).
   
   Roles we have NOT allowed: surgical technologist, massage therapist, pharmacy technician, telemetry monitoring.
   
   Examples of allowed healthcare experiences:
   • In the last 5 years, the student has:
     • Completed a healthcare training course from the roles identified above
     • Proof of passing the relevant exam (nursing assistant, medical assistant, etc.)
     • Proof of current and active registration (like nursing assistant registry)
   
   Examples of documentation:
   • Work experience: Upload a letter from the employer that states evidence of employment (job dates) and job responsibilities.
   • Copy of passing scores on nursing assistant exams.
   • Proof of current registration for the healthcare organization (nursing assistant, paramedic, rad tech, etc.)
6. For the Advanced Standing LPN track: proof of active, unencumbered LPN/LVN license. This license needs to stay active throughout the nursing program.

Disclaimer

Before starting the program, all students must have a clear criminal background check and no unresolved disqualifying convictions. Contact the Licensing Division, Minnesota Department of Human Services, at for more information about the background study process and disqualifying crimes. Review a list of disqualifying offenses here: Sec. 245C.15 MN Statutes.

The applicant’s seat in the nursing program will be forfeited if the applicant fails or refuses to complete the background study or background check or if the applicant is disqualified through the background study or background check.

Completing the nursing program does not mean students can obtain a nursing license. If the student has a criminal history, it is the student’s responsibility to communicate this information to the board of nursing in the state where the student plans to work.

History

Date Implemented: January 17, 2025

Date Reviewed by Division of Nursing: August 21, 2024

Date Reviewed by Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: November 1, 2024