SU [Nursing]
Henson Science Hall

 

Admission: 1st Bachelor's Degree

 

APPLICATIONS FOR THE FALL 2014 CLASS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL            Feb 1, 2014.

 

Salisbury University Department of Nursing Admissions Statement—1st Bachelor’s Degree Students

 

The 1st Degree nursing program is gated and admission is a two-step process. One must first be formally admitted to the University, followed by a separate admission process to the nursing program typically in the spring semester of the sophomore year. Due to course sequencing, required nursing courses begin in the fall semester only with an admitted cohort of approximately 65 students each year.

Students with an interest in nursing should declare nursing as their major upon application to the University so that they can be assigned a nursing faculty advisor in the Department for program planning purposes. Admission to the University does not guarantee acceptance into the nursing program.

Students should also be aware that drug testing and background checks are commonly required by clinical agencies. Students who have been convicted of a felony or have pled nolo contendere to a felony or to a crime involving moral turpitude, may not be eligible for some clinical placements and may be unable to complete program requirements. Likewise they may not be eligible for licensure as a Registered Nurse in some states including Maryland.

 

Overview of Admissions Review Process & Criteria

 

Each year, over 120 applications are received for approximately 65 seats in the 1st BS degree cohort, therefore selection for a seat in this program is very competitive and on a space-available basis.  Applications for initial review/consideration are due on or before February 1st. 

Many criteria are considered, including the following:

§  Cumulative overall GPA (at SU and/or including GPA at other institutions attended); those with a GPA below 2.75 will NOT be considered; those with an overall cumulative GPA of less than 3.00 but greater than 2.75 will initially be waitlisted with a re-evaluation of GPA upon completion of spring coursework.  The overall academic record is also reviewed for unsatisfactory grades in general education courses and electives, as well as any patterns of withdrawals, etc.

In recent years, the average cumulative GPA of students accepted to the 1st degree program has been in the 3.50-3.60 range and the minimum cumulative GPA of those accepted has been in the 3.20 to 3.30 range. Students should note that this information is provided to allow self-assessment for competitiveness, but the average admitted GPA will change each year, depending on the candidate pool. Having a GPA in these ranges does not guarantee admission into the program.

§  Grades in the following: CHEM 121 & CHEM 122 (Chemistry I & 2), BIOL 215 & BIOL 216  (Anatomy & Physiology I & II), BIOL 211 (Microbiology), BIOL 217 (Nutrition), BIOL 334 (Pathophysiology-must be completed with a “C” or better), PSYC 300 (Developmental Psychology).

Students with more than 1 grade lower than “C” in these 8 required courses will not be considered. It is NOT recommended that students retake courses with a grade of “D” as the initial grade earned is still counted. 

§  Science GPA is calculated for the seven required CHEM or BIOL courses that are completed at the time of review. They are:

§  CHEM 121 & CHEM 122  (Chemistry I & 2)

§  BIOL 215 & BIOL 216  (Anatomy & Physiology I & II) 

§  BIOL 211 (Microbiology)

§  BIOL 217 (Nutrition)

§  BIOL 334 (Pathophysiology)

NOTE:  Applicants who have 4 or more of the 8 required courses pending at the time of initial review will be placed on the waitlist and will be reviewed upon completion of the spring semester; the updated overall GPA and science GPA for the required science courses completed will be evaluated at that time for available seats, if any.

§  Score on A2 admissions test.

 

Admission Requirements & Procedures

 

To be considered for admission to the nursing program, applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

 

  • Be admitted to Salisbury University

 

  • Submit transcripts from all previous academic institutions attended to the University Admissions Office before February 1st of the sophomore year for consideration for admission into the nursing program for Fall. The Department of Nursing Student Policies Committee reserves the right not to process applications if transcripts are not available.

 

  • Submit the following to the Department of Nursing’s Student Policies Committee by the deadline of February 1st  of the sophomore year: 
    • Application—1st Degree Nursing Program

This form is available from the Department of Nursing website (see Links and Forms below) or a paper copy can be obtained from the Department Secretary (Devilbiss Hall 231).

  • Complete the Admission Assessment Exam (A2)— by the deadline of January 15th of the sophomore year this score is automatically submitted to the SU Nursing Department by Prometrics.

 

Notification of Nursing Program Initial Admissions Decisions

Decision letters (conditional acceptance, waitlisted, or denied) are generally mailed to the applicant’s “local” address by early March.

§  Acceptance means that the applicant is selected to begin the junior-level nursing curriculum in the fall. The admission offer is conditional; that is, it is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the remaining required science/prerequisite courses noted above, maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.75, and, that no other matter comes to the attention of the Department of Nursing Student Policies Committee that would make a student an unsuitable candidate for the major. Accepted students must return their response form promptly if they wish to accept the seat. Failure to reply promptly may lead to a student losing their seat.

§  Being placed on the “waitlist” means that the student meets the minimum requirements for admission but either has several pending required science grades and/or there are no seats available upon initial review of applicants. Once spring grades are posted, waitlisted applicants are reviewed if any seats become available at that time. Grades are also reviewed after the completion of any summer term work should there be seats available. Waitlisted students must return their response forms promptly if they wish to remain on the waitlist. Failure to reply promptly may lead to a student losing a seat.

§  Students who are denied are referred to the Henson School Advising Coordinator to discuss an academic plan in an alternative major (if currently enrolled at Salisbury University).  Applicants who are denied are generally not encouraged to reapply for subsequent cohorts.

 

Checklist for 1st degree Traditional BS Degree

 

§  Register for A2 Exam Eligibility ~ DO THIS FIRST

o   You must register to get an eligibility number (takes about 3 days) before you schedule an appointment with Prometrics to take the A2 exam at a local testing site. Do this promptly after November 1st, but well before the deadline of January 15th

        A2 Registration Instructions

o   If you email Elsevier directly instead of using the link in this form then "exameligibility" and "elsevier" must be spelled correctly.

§  Schedule the A2 Exam

o   Once the eligibility number is obtained, you may schedule the test at one of the Prometric Testing sites nationwide, including those in Maryland and a Sylvan site in Salisbury. You must schedule early for Salisbury seats; if you delay and your first choice is full, you will need to travel to the next closest site that has an open seat.

        Prometric Testing Sites

NOTE:  You may only take this exam once and only the first score will be considered.  Testing must be completed before the January 15th deadline.  NO Exceptions.

§  Complete and Submit the Nursing Department Application

o   This form should be submitted after the fall semester of the sophomore year. The form is due on or before February 1st. 

 

        Nursing Application

 

 

 

 

Links and Forms for Admissions


A2 Registration for Exam Eligibility - Elsevier and Prometrics Exam Registration and Instructions - complete after Nov. 1 but before Jan. 15

Prometric Testing Sites - a complete list of sites

Application - deadline for submission is February 1st

 

 

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