Nursing

The health sciences programs have additional admission requirements including background checks, health records and training requirements. Please review these requirements for program admission.

The ADN program is a ladder-concept program. In addition to the College admission procedures outlined, applicants must complete the HESI A2 admission assessment and achieve a score of 80 on both the reading and mathematics portions. The following courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C- or above within five years from the date of application:

• Human Anatomy and Physiology I w/Lab [BIO:168]
• Human Anatomy and Physiology II w/Lab [BIO:173]
• Dosage Calculations [PNN:200]
• Intro to Nutrition [PNN:270] or Nutrition [BIO:151]

Once completed, students will be accepted into the Nursing program. Students who graduate from the NICC Practical Nursing program are eligible to complete the sophomore year to achieve an AAS in nursing. Students must meet the admission requirements for entry into the Associate Degree Nursing program. Admission requirements are: Cumulative GPA of 2.2 in all Practical Nursing core courses (as noted by *) and achieve a minimum score of 850 on the HESI PN Exit examination.

Advanced-standing students who are current LPNs can articulate into the sophomore year only after meeting program requirements. Advanced standing students must successfully complete the LPN to ADN Admission Assessment with a minimum score of 850 as an entry requirement to the ADN program. Also required are space availability and district wide head of Nursing approval. A licensed practical nurse seeking admission will need to provide proof of current licensure and complete ADN:232, BIO:168, BIO:173 and a life-span growth and development course prior to starting their sophomore year. The advanced-standing students will begin coursework with ADN:232.

All nursing students are required to attend a program orientation prior to entrance into the program. Notification of dates and times will occur after acceptance to the Nursing program. Introduction to Nursing Concepts is in term one of the Nursing program and is the first clinical course.

For clinical assessments, visual and hearing acuity is essential. Travel to clinical sites in outlying areas is required at times throughout the program. Students are responsible for any travel costs. You will need to show proof of high school graduation or equivalent prior to taking the NCLEX licensure exam. The Iowa Board of Nursing will no longer review criminal history prior to application for licensure. Students are required to complete each program level within three years.

Exit Requirements

Students are required to pass the established benchmarks on the HESI exam in order to graduate from the program. The established benchmarks are stated in the annual District-Wide Policy and Procedure Manual for the Administration of Nursing Programs.

Continuing students who plan to enter the NICC Associate Degree Nursing program must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.2 in all Nursing core courses (as noted by *) and achieve a minimum score of 850 on the HESI PN Exit examination as an admission requirement to progress into the ADN program.

View the Nursing Program Admission Checklist.