Admission Procedures
All applicants are required to take the American College Test (ACT) and meet all College general admission requirements and Practical Nursing (PN) program admission requirements. Nursing courses taken at another institution are not transferable.
The Practical Nursing program admits annually in the fall. Applications for the PN Program may be obtained online in myEC under the Future Student Tab. The priority application deadline for fall entry is February 1. All entrance documents must be on file in the Office of Admissions and Records by the priority application deadline.
Admission Requirements
- The applicant must apply for regular admission and be accepted by ECCC.
- The applicant must complete the Practical Nursing Program online application in myEC.
- The applicant must submit proof of a minimum 16 composite score on the ACT.
- The applicant must have a high school diploma, high school equivalency certificate, or equivalent.
- All applicants are required to complete Anatomy & Physiology I with lab (or upper-level equivalents with lab) and Anatomy & Physiology II with lab (or upper-level equivalents with lab) with a letter grade of “C” or higher in each course prior to taking the first nursing course.
*An applicant may be accepted into the PN program prior to completing these courses, but courses must be successfully completed prior to beginning nursing classes in the fall.
- All applicants are required to pay the College’s business office for pre-admission fees, which may include, but not limited to, pre-entrance examination.
- All applicants are required to take a pre-entrance examination test specified by the Office of Healthcare Education with a minimum cumulative score of 51%. Tests will be scheduled by the Office of Healthcare Education after the Febraury 1 deadline. Each applicant will be notified of scheduled test dates via email from the Office of Healthcare Education.
- Post-acceptance requirements for students selected for admission into any healthcare education program are:
- Physical examination completed by a licensed healthcare provider. Any applicant who is unable to meet the essential functions related to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) core standards is advised to contact the ADA Coordinator prior to admission.
- Proof of the following immunizations:
- Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), or rubella titer
- Hepatitis B vaccination (3-series), a positive Hepatitis B titer, or a signed declination statement
- Varicella vaccination (2-series) or a positive Varicella titer
- An annual influenza vaccination
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers card
- Satisfactory criminal background check, as scheduled by the office of Healthcare Education
The number of students admitted into the program will be a maximum of 40 in the fall. Qualified applicants for the PN Program will be given priority based on admission criteria and the expertise of the Policy, Admission, and Progression Committee members. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.
Any student accepted into the PN program must agree to be randomly tested for drugs at any point and time while enrolled in the PN program. The student is responsible for all expenses associated with testing. (Drug testing fees are included in the student’s lab fees accessed by the College).
Prior Credit
Prior learning credit is granted only for East Central Community College Practical Nursing courses for a student who re-enters the program within 24-month period of exiting the program. All nursing courses must be taken within two years of the initial admission date to the Practical Nursing Program. The student re-entering the program during the 24-month period must repeat all courses for the semester of re-entry. The student will receive credit for coursework successfully completed prior to the semester of re-entry.
Progression/Graduation Requirements
The student must obtain the following to complete the PN program:
- Semester average of 80 or above in PN courses, grade of “C” or above in all required courses, mastery of selected nursing skills, completion of required assessment examinations, and satisfactory completion of clinical.
Upon successful completion of the Practical Nursing (PN) program, graduates should meet State Board of Nursing application requirements to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN®). Program completion does not guarantee a graduate will be allowed to take the examination by the State Board of Nursing. The State Board of Nursing may refuse any individual the right to take the NCLEX-PN® based on criminal history records.
Withdrawal
Registration for a course makes the student responsible for attending the class until the course is completed or until, with permission of the Dean, the Office of Admissions authorizes withdrawal from that course. All students who withdraw from a course must meet with their advisor prior to withdrawal. A student who withdraws from a course or courses must complete the withdrawal form online in MyEC. Failure to comply will result in the recording of failing grades in all nursing courses in which the student is registered. Withdrawals, if completed by the last drop day as specified by the college, will be recorded as W.
Upon withdrawal from the East Central Community College Nursing Program, an exit interview will be conducted. The nursing faculty will meet with the student in order to identify factors that contributed to withdrawal from the nursing program.
Dismissal
A student will be allowed to withdraw from the nursing courses, if withdrawal is within the College deadline time, or be dismissed with a grade of “F” at any time from the nursing program for any behavior determined to be unprofessional, unethical, unsafe or illegal or for performance that is unsuitable for the practice of nursing. If a student is placed on a Plan of Improvement and violates the terms of the Plan of Improvement, the student will meet with the Dean of Healthcare and may be dismissed from the program with a grade of “F” or allowed to withdraw if withdrawal is within the College deadline time.
Acceptance Criteria
The applicant’s files must be complete and submitted to the Office of Admissions & Records to be considered for acceptance into the program. The student is responsible for assuring all information and data is correct and received before the application deadline.
Students admitted into any nursing course must adhere to the policies in the current East Central Community College Catalog and the Nursing Student Handbook. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- All students will be required to have annual influenza vaccinations.
- Tuberculosis (TB) testing is required for all admissions.
Admission Points Criterion
Applications for the PN Program are reviewed and ranked using the following Admissions Points criteria:
1. Lives within ECCC’s district or previously enrolled at ECCC. Points: 1
2. ACT® Composite Score
SCORE POINTS
25 and higher 4
22-24 3
19-21 2
16-18 1
3. Each required science course: A=3 points B=2 points C=1 point
Sciences completed with labs. Points
Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab or upper-level equivalents ____
Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab or upper-level equivalents ____
Total:
*NOTE: Cumulative Points are not rounded.
4. Admission examination. (Note: A minimum score of 51% is required for admission into the program.)
CUMULATIVE SCORE POINTS
81% and above 4
71%-80% 3
61%-70% 2
51%-60% 1
PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAM
HESI A2 ADMISSION EXAM SUBCATEGORIES
Grammar
Score Percentage Points Point/s Awarded
90% to 100%: 3
80% to 89%: 2
75% to 79%: 1
74% or below: 0
Reading Comprehension
Score Percentage Points Point/s Awarded
90% to 100%: 3
80% to 89%: 2
71% to 79%: 1
70% or below: 0
Math
Score Percentage Points Point/s Awarded
90% to 100%: 3
80% to 89%: 2
75% to 79%: 1
74% or below: 0
Critical Thinking
Score Percentage Points Point/s Awarded
900-1000: 3
800-899: 2
700-799: 1
699 or below: 0
