Progression to All Nursing Programs

General Requirements and Information

The Division of Nursing acknowledges the responsibility of reviewing for progression only those students who, in the judgment of the faculty, satisfy the requirements of scholarship, health, and professional suitability for nursing. The Division of Nursing reserves the right to refuse progression to any student who does not meet the established criteria for the nursing program. Additionally, the Division of Nursing reserves the right to refuse progression of any applicant or suspend any student who has falsified or withheld the required program enrollment or progression information.

Progression to the nursing program is highly competitive.

Bachelors of Science in Nursing Program

All BSN students must meet the criteria below to be considered for enrollment in the first nursing course, NB 215 Introduction to Professional Nursing.

STEP 1

A student must be admitted to Presentation College. To apply to the College, access the following link: http://www.presentation.edu/aberdeen/admissions/apply/

STEP 2

1. To be considered for progression to the nursing program, a student must successfully complete all required forms and documentation listed under the Progression to Nursing Programs, General Requirements and Information section.
2. As part of the progression process, students must complete the TEAS IV or NLN PAX exam. Presentation College Division of Nursing will accept either the most current TEAS entrance exam or the NLN PAX exam. The most current TEAS entrance exam must have a score of proficient following a maximum of two attempts within 365 days of entrance into the College. The NLN PAX exam must have a composite score of 102 with a maximum of two attempts within 365 days of progression into the nursing program. Students who have graduated with either a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in another field can can submit a request to the Dean of Nursing to waive the entrance exam. The Dean of Nursing will determine if the entrance exam is waived. RN to BSN students and high school students who have been accepted per the high school acceptance admission policy are exempt from taking the entrance exam. 

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN):

1. Hold an unencumbered, active LPN license in a state where Presentation College is authorized to deliver the program.
2. Permanent residence in one of the states where Presentation College is authorized to deliver the program.
3. Graduate from a state-approved practical nursing degree program.

Registered Nurse (Associate Degree/Diploma) to Bachelor in Science in Nursing (BSN):

1. Hold an unencumbered, active RN license in a state where Presentation College is authorized to deliver the program.
2. Permanent residence in one of the states where Presentation College is authorized to deliver the program.
3. Graduate from a state-approved associate degree or diploma nursing program.

Progression for high school Students with GPA of 2.7 or higher and an ACT of 20 or higher:

As a unique opportunity, graduating high school students may progress directly to the nursing program from high school after being admitted to Presentation College with a GPA of 2.70 or above, an ACT of 20 or above (or SAT equivalent), and successful completion of select sections of the nursing progression process. Progression is dependent on successful completion of specific pre-nursing or non-nursing courses.

Students will not be considered for progression if any of the following are noted:

1. Felony convictions.
2. For students in the LPN-BSN or the RN-to-BSN program: LPN or RN licensure not current in states where Presentation College is authorized to deliver the program.
3. Student’s permanent residence is outside of the states in which Presentation College is authorized to deliver the program.
4. Two science course failures: students who have earned less than a 2.00 ("C") in two science courses (either lab or lecture) at Presentation College or another institution (same course repeated or two different courses) within the last three academic years (fall-summer) will not progress to nursing. Natural science courses may be repeated only one time.
   1. Couplet science courses (lab and lecture taken together) count as one failure.
   2. Science courses taken singularly count as one failure.
5. Two nursing course failures: if students are unsuccessful in two nursing courses within the last three academic years (fall-summer) at Presentation College or at another institution, they will not be considered for progression.

NOTE:

1. NB 215/NL 215 must be the first nursing course.
2. Students must progress to the nursing program and have been given a place in a class before final registration for any course with the prefix NB or NL is allowed.
3. A laptop computer with external webcam and access to high-speed Internet are required.
4. Any students for whom health requirements or background screen(s) will expire during a semester will not be allowed to register for any course beginning with the NB or NL prefix.
5. Courses with the prefix NB or NL may not be audited.
6. Unclassified students may not enroll in courses with the prefixes of NB or NL. To enroll in some nursing courses, students may need the approval of the Dean of Nursing.
7. Due to the complexity of orientation to a nursing clinical course the first week of the semester, late registration after a nursing class has begun is not permitted.
8. Students are responsible for all travel and related expenses for clinical and course requirements.
9. The Division of Nursing reserves the right to change the curriculum as deemed necessary to maintain current practice knowledge and to meet updated accreditation criteria and standards.
10. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.70 or higher.
11. All students must undergo national criminal background screening. See the policy in the Nursing Student Handbook regarding interpretation of results. Students who reside in or have clinical experience in Minnesota and/or Wisconsin are also required to complete, by state law, a state of Minnesota Department of Human Services background screening.
12. Upload all nursing requirements and immunization documentation to Viewpoint Document Tracker by the following semester deadlines: April 1st for the summer semester, August 1st for the fall semester, and December 1st for the spring semester. Age is not considered an exception for immunization. All requirements are clearly outlined in the current Nursing Student Handbook.
13. The Nursing Student Handbook is updated and available online at the beginning of each academic year. It is a student's responsibility to review the handbook and be accountable for the policies. The policies guide students as they progress through the program. The Nursing Student Handbook is a living document. Students will be notified in Moodle and/or email of any changes or updates to the Nursing Student Handbook occurring during the academic year. Students newly admitted and/or re-entering Presentation College should carefully read the Presentation College Catalog. Special attention should be directed to the Academic Policies section.

Policy on Payment and Refund of Clinical Lab Fees

See the College refund policy in the Tuition and Fees section of the Catalog. Students who successfully challenge an entire course which would otherwise include a clinical or lab component are assessed a challenge fee in lieu of the standard course lab fee as described in the College Catalog.