I.        General Policies Regarding Pre-Nursing Status

Applicants to the B.S.N. program must meet the general MTSU requirements for admission.  Enrollment in the nursing major is limited.  Admission to the University does not ensure acceptance to the nursing major.

Students seeking the B.S.N. should:

1. Secure admission to MTSU.  Obtain and file MTSU admission forms at the Admissions Office, Cope Administration Building, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN 37132.

2. Declare Nursing as a major at MTSU’s Admissions and Records Office.  Students currently enrolled at MTSU in another major should complete a Change of Major Form.

3. Contact the School of Nursing

a.       Obtain and file the School of Nursing Application available in the Cason-Kennedy Nursing Building, Room 201.

b.       Pre-nursing students are expected to seek advisement from their nursing faculty or the academic advisor each semester.

c.       Students are responsible for notifying the School of Nursing of any changes in information.

4. Receive credit for pre-nursing courses as outlined in the MTSU Undergraduate Catalog by:

a.       Completing successfully each prerequisite course with a grade of “C” (2.00) or better.

OR

b.       Receiving written approval for substitution/waiver of a course by the director of the School of Nursing and dean of Basic and Applied Sciences or appropriate University departments.

OR

c.       Receiving credit-by-examination for general studies requirements as determined by MTSU (see MTSU catalog for General Studies Requirements).

II.  Application for Admission to Upper-Division Nursing Courses

1. Applicants will be considered for admission in February or October of the semester prior to entering the second semester of the sophomore year.  For example, students planning to enter in the Fall semester must successfully complete all pre-nursing courses by the end of the summer session; students planning to enter in the Spring semester must successfully complete all pre-nursing courses by the end of the Fall semester.

2. A cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale is required for beginning eligibility.

3. Applicants must attain a minimum of “C” (2.00) in each prerequisite course in order to be eligible for nursing courses.

4. Graduate courses do not count for the undergraduate GPA required for admission.  Graduate student with questions should consult with the School of Nursing.

5. In order to be considered for admission to the nursing major, the following MUST be on file in the School of Nursing prior to the admission deadline (February 1 for Fall admission or October 1 for Spring admission):

a.       Proof of admission to MTSU.

b.       School of Nursing Admission Application.

c.       Transcripts from all colleges attended and the Applicant Transfer Credit evaluation from the Admissions Office (transfer students only).

d.       Current School of Nursing Progression Form.

e.       Evaluation of previous nursing courses (if applicable) by the MTSU faculty presently teaching nursing course(s).

f.         A copy of current registration form which identifies courses in which the applicant is enrolled.

g.       BIOL2010 (Human A & P I) must be successfully completed and the grade posted.

6. The following students will have priority for available positions in a class (both admission and progression): 
   1. Residents of Tennessee.
   2. Individuals who successfully passed science courses on the first attempt (individuals who have repeated prerequisite science courses for the purpose of receiving a passing grade [“C” or 2.00] will be considered on a selected basis only).  If a student fails a pre-requisite science courses in the spring semester and has been accepted into the fall semester upper-division nursing class, they will be removed from the class.  The student in this situation may reapply for admission to upper division nursing the following semester – if they have passed the pre-requisite science courses that they failed.
       

7. Nontraditional Student Admission

a.       Students with a B.S., or master’s degree (presently pursuing a B.S.N.):

                                               i.      Must take all prerequisite courses (or have written approval for substitutions by the director of the School of Nursing).  There are exception courses.  Please contact the school for these exceptions.

                                             ii.      Must meet all other MTSU requirements for a second degree (see MTSU catalog).

                                            iii.      If students with a B.S. or master’s degree (presently pursuing a B.S.N.) have a grade of less than a “C” (2.00) in any prerequisite course, they should contact the School of Nursing for advisement.

b.       Transfer students without previous nursing courses:

                                               i.      Must meet all general admission policies and requirements.

                                             ii.      Must provide MTSU Admissions Office with an official transcript(s).

                                            iii.      Must provide the School of Nursing with transcript(s).

                                            iv.      Must provide catalog and course descriptions from other colleges or universities if requested.

                                              v.      Must obtain a Transfer Credit Evaluation from MTSU admissions Office after student enrolls at MTSU.

                                            vi.      Students who seek advisement in the School of Nursing prior to receipt of the Transfer Credit Evaluation by the MTSU Admissions Office will be given preliminary advisement in taking prerequisite courses.  The director of the School of Nursing and dean of Basic and Applied Sciences must approve substitutions.

c.       Transfer students with previous nursing courses:

                                               i.      Transfer students must meet all general admission policies and requirements.

                                             ii.      Advanced placement in the Nursing program is determined by an evaluation of the congruency of previous B.S. nursing courses with MTSU School of Nursing courses.  Students must provide copies of the University catalog and course syllabi in order for courses to be evaluated.

                                            iii.      Evaluation methods may include theory or clinical evaluation by written examination or practice.

                                            iv.      Transfer students will need to take the MTSU nursing course(s) if prior B.S. nursing course(s) is/are lacking hours or content as determined by faculty who currently teach MTSU nursing course(s).

                                            v.        Students who have received a failing grade in one nursing course at another college or university will not be considered for acceptance into the nursing program at MTSU without approval by the School of Nursing Admissions Committee.  A failing grade is defined as receiving a grade of less than “C” (2.00), receiving a “U” (unsatisfactory), or receiving an “F” (fail for courses graded pass/fail).  If the committee recommends admission of a student who has failed at another institution, that student must take all of the required nursing courses at MTSU.  Students who have failed one nursing course at another institution and who have been admitted to MTSU’s nursing program will not be retained if they fail one nursing course at MTSU.

                                            vi.      Students who have received a failing grade, as defined above, in two or more nursing courses at other colleges or universities will not be considered for acceptance into the nursing program at MTSU.

8. R.N. students are held to the same admission standards as any other enrolling student.  However, R.N.’s are not considered in the admission process with generic students.  R.N. students are advised to consult faculty in the School of Nursing for specific information related to their specific admission requirements.

III.  Selection for Admission to Nursing Courses

1. Approximately 64 students are selected each semester from the pool of applicants.

a.       Admission is limited to the number of students who can be accommodated by the number of faculty and the spaces available in the clinical facilities.

b.       If there are more than 64 eligible applicants for admission, a list of eligible alternates for possible admission will be ranked.  All alternates not selected must reapply the next semester.

c.       All remaining applicants not selected must reapply the next semester.

2. Applicants are considered by the School of Nursing Admissions Committee and admitted on a competitive basis according to the admission criteria cited in section II above.

3. Notification of selection will be sent via U.S. mail from the Director’s office in the School of Nursing.  Students who do not accept the admission slot by the date written on the notification letter will be dropped from the list of admissions.  Notification letters are sent via certified mail.

4. Successful completion of all prerequisite courses by the end of the Summer session (for those entering in the Fall semester), or by the end of the Fall semester (for those entering in the Spring semester) must occur in order to finalize admission and upper-division status.

5. If any student declines admission; does not notify the School of Nursing of acceptance of the position by the date given in letter from the School of Nursing; does not maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above at the end of the semester; or makes a grade less than “C” (2.00) in any prerequisite course at the end of the semester, he/she will be dropped from the list of admissions.  An eligible alternate will be notified from the list of alternates for admission.

6. Any applicant who does not update records and/or respond to communications from the School will be automatically removed from active status and will be classified as inactive.

IV.    Requirements After Acceptance to the Nursing Program and Prior to Entering Nursing Courses

A.      After a student has been accepted to the nursing program and has been notified by the School of Nursing, he/she must provide a record of physical examination no later than two months following entrance into the program.  This health history and physical examination:

1. Must be on file in the School of Nursing by the deadline date.
2. Must be performed by a qualified practitioner.
3. Must be completed on the official form from the School of Nursing.
4. Includes the requirement that a skin test or chest x-ray for TB must have been done within a designated timeframe and the results must be on file in the School of Nursing.
5. Requires that the immunization record must include a rubella titer (or revaccination for measles, mumps, and rubella), chicken pox titer, verification of beginning a series of hepatitis B vaccinations, and other immunizations required by clinical agencies.
6. Requires that necessary treatments or corrections must be taken care of prior to beginning the nursing courses.
7. States that pregnancy is not grounds for denial of admission, but the health of the student must be adequate to meet class and clinical requirements.
8. Requires that the student be physically, emotionally, and cognitively able to meet the criteria required for clinical skills (see Performance Standards).  Student must be able to perform clinical skills without physical or psychological threat to themselves or others. Students who have chronic health conditions that are controlled and which do not put themselves or others in danger are eligible to be considered for admission.  Students may be asked to present evidence of physical and/or mental health prior to or at any time during their enrollment in the nursing program.
9. Note:  Students with disabilities should present themselves to the Director of Disabled Services for identification of needed services and advice.

B.      After acceptance into the program, a Criminal Background Check is required by a specified date which will be in the acceptance letter.

C.      After acceptance to the nursing program, and no later than the beginning of the second semester of courses, students must provide evidence of a current BCLS (CPR) certification for the American Heart Association’s Health Care Provider Course; this is the course required by clinical agencies.  The Red Cross CPR course is NOT ACCEPTABLE.  Students must provide evidence of current CPR certification throughout the Nursing program and may be requested to produce evidence of certification any given semester.