Nursing
Students who apply to the College and indicate Nursing as a major, must meet specific admission criteria to enter the clinical component of the program:
- Submit a completed college application indicating Nursing as an interest.
- Submit a high school transcript or GED score. Applicants must have completed work
equal to a standard high school course with a minimum of 16 units including:
- Two (2) units of mathematics (1 of which is algebra, with a grade of "C" or better).
- Two (2) units of science (1 unit of biology and 1 unit of chemistry with a minimum grade of “C”) with related laboratory or equivalent. Applicants without high school biology and/or chemistry can satisfy this requirement by completing BIO 121 and/or CHE 121 with a grade of “C” or better.
- Submit a high school transcript or GED score. Applicants must have completed work
equal to a standard high school course with a minimum of 16 units including:
- Pay for and complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS® Exam), required for admission to the Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program. The exam assesses your ability to meet the demands of the program and assesses your skills in math, English, reading, language and science. You may take the nursing admission exam two times per year, please see the TEAS® Information Packet (PDF).
- Meet with a Nursing Advisor to discuss course sequencing and ensure all admission requirements are met.
- Take the College’s placement assessment‡ in English, Mathematics, and Reading and complete any required developmental courses
with a grade of “C” or better. Meet one of the following:
- Placement into BIO 131 through the placement exam, or completion of BIO 131 and Composite TEAS Score of 75 or greater and a TEAS Reading Comprehension Score of 75 or greater.
- Completion of BIO 131, BIO 132 or BIO 140 with a “B” or better (a B- does not mee this criteria) and a Composite TEAS Score of 65 or greater and a TEAS Reading Comprehension Score of 75 or greater.
- Provide proof of medical insurance.
For currently enrolled or transfer students:
All science courses within 5 years prior to enrollment in the first nursing clinical course, with a minimum grade of “C”.
MAT 106 within 5 years prior to enrollment in the first clinical course, with a minimum grade of “C”.
If transferring any courses from another college, you must submit your official college transcripts for credit evaluation before you are eligible to register for any course.
Note that you must submit your application and official transcripts by the following dates:- Fall admission – March 1
- Spring admission – August 1
- Summer admission – November 1
You must submit an updated transcript with completed course grades no later than one week prior to the course start date. Failure to submit an updated transcript by the course start date will result in losing your seat in the class. You then must register for the class the following semester.
NUR 108 may only be one year old prior to the start of the clinical component of the Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program.
Admission selection occurs three times each academic year (fall, spring and summer) using an Intent to Register and randomization process. To be considered for standard admission randomization, students must complete an Intent to Register form and submit by the following dates:- Fall semester: Form will be available on March 1st and must be received by May 31 at 11:59 p.m.
- Spring semester: Form will be available on June 1st and must be received by September 30 at 11:59 p.m.
- Summer session: Form will be available on October 1st must be received by February 28 at 11:59 p.m.
Once registration closes, all qualified applicants will be randomly assigned a number
electronically. You will either be placed into NURS 108 or on the waitlist based on
your number and available seats.
The Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program does not carry over waitlisted applicants to the next open registration period. If you do not receive a seat in the course for the period you applied for, you must complete a new Intent to Register form during the next registration cycle.
Course Attempts:
College Policy is two attempts in a course. An attempt is considered:
- A less than passing grade
- A grade of C is required in all non-nursing coursework
- A grade of 75or better is required in all nursing coursework.
- A course withdrawal
- Incomplete grade in a couse
Students interested in Nursing must be successful on their second course attempt as no third course attempts in Nursing or Nursing pre-requisite courses will be accepted. This includes taking courses elsewhere and transferring courses into the College.
Declaring nursing as a major does not indicate automatic acceptance into the clinical component of the Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program.
Changes in the curriculum and admission requirements for the Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program may occur between the time you apply to the College and the time of your acceptance into the clinical component of the program. You must meet any new requirements for the class in which acceptance is offered.
Once a student takes their first NUR course, they are guaranteed a seat in the next NUR course the following semester. Should a student wish to stop out for any reason and return at a later semester there is no guarantee a seat will be available. Students making continuous progress are given priority.
Students unable to meet the benchmarks set by the program for NCLEX-RN preparation will be responsible for completing a mandatory NCLEX-RN review at their own cost (approx. $400) prior to being eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.
Program Requirements
Upon acceptance to the Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program, students are required to:
- Have access to a desktop or laptop computer (no tablets or Chromebooks). A web camera and microphone are required.
- Have access to a printer and use of Microsoft Office.
- Complete Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program Compliance Requirements
- Have a physical examination, which includes but is not limited to:
- Documentation of selected vaccinations;
- A urine drug screen;
- A test for tuberculosis students entering the program must complete a 2 step ppd, then a one-step ppd annually. Students with a positive ppd will be required to have the Quantiferon Gold test for tuberculosis or a clear Chest x-ray.
- Maintain current CPR certification until the completion of clinical nursing courses by BLS provider. Students must take a course that includes a practice component, online only courses are not accepted.
- Submit documentation of an annual influenza vaccination each fall while enrolled in the program.
- Many clinical sites are also requiring the COVID-19 vaccine with no exemptions.
- Required Clearances due annually:
- Child Abuse History Clearance
- FBI Clearance and
- PA Criminal Record Check annually (approx. $75).
- Note: A Child Abuse History, Criminal Record and/or an FBI Record may exclude you from participation in the clinical component of the Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program, or from taking the NCLEX exam as regulated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. Students with a positive criminal background are required to meet with the Director of the Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program prior to starting the clinical component of the program, students may also need to obtain documentation from the State Board of Nursing that they are eligible for licensure.
Once a student takes their first NUR course, they are guaranteed a seat in the next NUR course the following semester. Should a student wish to stop out for any reason and return at a later semester there is no guarantee a seat will be available. Students making continuous progress are given priority.
Uniform and Supplies
- Purchase the Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program uniform, uniform lab coat, shoes, name pin (approx. $300). Note: No ear gauges, piercings other than on the ear lobe, or visible tattoos are permitted while in uniform.
- Purchase nursing laboratory supplies - required (approx. $75).
Attendance and Transportation
- Assume all responsibilities for transportation to and from the healthcare agency to which you are assigned for clinical experience.
- Be able to meet the attendance requirements for class, clinical and Simulation and Skills Suite activities.
Advanced Standing
- Applicants considered for advanced standing include transfer students who were in good academic and clinical standing from collegiate professional nursing programs or diploma nursing programs, and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). All advanced standing applicants must submit documents for credit evaluation and determination of placement in the Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program. (See above for deadlines for transcript submission and other transfer requirements.)
- All Advanced Standing students must adhere to the following:
- Submit all college transcripts, students may also be asked to submit course syllabi if they are transferring from another nursing program.
- Complete all pre-requisite courses
- If you are an LPN graduate, you must:
- Have graduated from a Practical Nurse Program and hold unencumbered licensure as a practical nurse.
- Submit LPN and any other college transcripts.
- Receive credit for NUR 107.
- The Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program accepts general education and science coursework taken from other institutions. Science courses must be taken within 5 years to be considered. The Nursing does not accept Nursing courses taken at other institutions as a replacement for Nursing required coursework.
Progression in Nursing
Candidates for the A.A.S. Degree in Nursing may progress within the program and be recommended to the PA State Board of Nursing for licensure and eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN examination if the following requirements have been met:
- Students taking an NUR course must have a testing average of 75 or greater and an overall grade of C or better in a course to progress to the next NUR course in the curricular sequence.
- Complete all required pre-requisite and co-requisite courses for the Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program curriculum.
- Complete the Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program curriculum within eight semesters from the date of initial enrollment in the first NUR course. Advanced standing students have six semesters to complete the program.
- Demonstrate consistent safe clinical practice.
- Abide by the policies and procedures outline in the Nursing Student Handbook.
- A student may only repeat two courses with an NUR prefix. Should a student need to repeat a third NUR course, they will be dismissed from the program.
- Students unable to meet the benchmarks set by the program for NCLEX-RN preparation will be responsible for completing a mandatory NCLEX-RN review at their own cost (approx. $400) prior to being eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.
Note: If you withdraw from the clinical component of the Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program and seek re-admission at a later date, you must successfully complete the requirements in place when readmitted. Students who are not enrolled for a total of three semesters may be asked to reapply to the program.
Students who have been denied a third course attempt are not eligible to reapply to the program.
Course Section Requests
- Given the limited number of seats available in each clinical section of a Nursing course, a student may not always be able to register for the section that best meets individual needs.
- When this occurs, the student must submit a written request to the Director, Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program requesting reassignment to a specific section should a seat become available.
- Requests for open section seats are filled on a first come, first serve basis, and must be received in a timely manner following registration, last minute requests will not be accepted.
- Students may be placed in a specific clinical section based on faculty and/or Nursing Director requests.
- In order to maximize the student’s learning there are times when course requirements may necessitate irregular scheduling, adjustments in section assignments, or changes in placement for clinical experience. Students will be informed of any changes as promptly as possible.
Priority Progression
Due to the competition for the program and the large number of students who wish to enter the clinical component, priority is given to students making continuous progression. Students who are not making continuous progression for any reason may need to sit out a semester or more.
Stop Out
To assure student success in the Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program, a student may only stop out of the program a total of 3 consecutive semesters, or the student will need to reapply for admission to the program. Students who have stopped out for 2 or more consecutive semesters, may be asked to successfully complete a skills test/simulation, and a knowledge-based quiz prior to allowing re-entry.
Licensure Considerations
The PA State Board of Nursing may refuse, suspend or revoke any license in any case where the Board shall find that the applicant ...
- Has been convicted or has pleaded guilty or entered a plea of nolo contendere or has been found guilty by a judge or jury of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude, or has received probation without verdict, disposition in lieu of trial or an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition in the disposition of felony charges, in courts of this Commonwealth, the United States, or any other state, territory or country;
- Has committed fraud or deceit in securing admission to the practice of nursing or to the College’s Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program;
- Is unable to practice professional nursing with reasonable skill and safety to clients
by reason of mental or physical illness or condition or physiological or psychological
dependence upon alcohol, hallucinogenic or narcotic drugs or other drugs which tend
to impair judgment or coordination, so long as such dependence shall continue. For
a complete list of reasons why the PA State Board of Nursing may refuse a professional
nursing license to an applicant, refer to section 14 of the Professional Nurse Laws
P.L. 651, No. 99. All questions related to licensure are to be directed to the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, State Board of Nursing
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, State Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 2649
Harrisburg, PA
17105-2649
‡ Due to the physical campus closings, temporary measures have been made for student placement assessments. Review the next steps and frequently asked questions.