Admission Requirements For Associate Degree in Nursing

Polk State College Associate Degree in Nursing is a limited-admission 72 credit-hour program. Each applicant must first be admitted to the College and meet pre-admission requirements. Students must then formally apply to the Nursing program, which is a separation application. Official transcripts from all former colleges must be on file at Polk State College at the time of application to the Nursing program. Applications are available in Student Services at all Polk State College locations during the application period.

INITIAL ADMISSION PROCESS:

Apply for admission to Polk State College.
Submit official high school and college transcripts, if any, to the Admissions Office.
Take an approved college placement test if required.
Complete any required college preparatory courses.
Complete all of the following prerequisites with a grade of C or better.

ENC 1101
PSY 2012
MAC 1105 or MGF 1106
BSC 2085C
BSC 2086C
NUR 1010C (LPNS with a valid Florida license are exempt.)
Transition Option students must also complete NUR 1140C (Plan to take in Fall or Spring terms as there is no guarantee this course will be available in the summer term.)

Complete as many of the following additionally required courses as possible:

MCB 2010C
DEP 2004
An approved Humanities course, such as HUM 2020

GPA: Must have minimum overall GPA of 2.5 at time of application; however, the higher the GPA, the more points in the selection process. Most students admitted have GPA of 3.0 and above.
Take the TEAS-V test and make sure that your score is posted to your Polk State College records.

Minimum score of 60 is required; however, the higher the score, the more points in the selection process. Most students admitted have scores of 70 or above.

ADMISSION TO NURSING PROGRAM:

See an Academic Advisor to verify eligibility to apply. At time of application students must have completed the required pre-requisite courses or be enrolled in final pre-requisite courses and must meet minimum TEAS-V score and minimum GPA requirements.
Application Deadlines:

Transition Option: May 15 - 30
Generic Option: May 15 - 30 for August class; September 1 - 15 for January class

Applications are not available until the application period and will be available in Student Services on each campus and center at that time.
The completed application must be submitted in-person to an Academic Advisor by the deadline.
To be considered a "complete" application, the forms must have all questions answered, signatures as required, and be notarized. TEAS-V results and all supporting documents required must be included. Official transcripts of all college work must also be on file in the Registrar's Office by the application deadline. An incomplete application will not be processed.
Applications are not processed and reviewed by the Admissions Committee until the close of the application period. The application review and admissions decision process will not be completed for approximately 4 weeks, at which time students will receive notice by mail regarding acceptance status. Individuals not accepted for admission must reapply to be considered for the next application period. There is no "waiting list."
Transition students who are not sure about which option is best for them are encouraged to apply for the generic option also. We do not move applications from one stack to another so a separate application is required. The Transition option is an accelerated pathway and students with significant family or work responsibilities are encouraged to consider the generic option.

Potential applicants for admission should be aware they will be required to meet specific health requirements before being allowed to take clinical nursing courses. This includes current certification in CPR for Healthcare Providers, current PPD screening, drug screening, and immunization and physical examination requirements. The details are available in the College Catalog and will also be provided upon acceptance for admission. Applicants should be aware that fingerprinting and background checks from an approved vendor are requirements for enrollment in nursing courses. Applicants with felony charges and selected misdemeanor charges may ultimately be denied enrollment in nursing courses. Students must be free of offienses which would potentially disqualify them from working in a healthcare environment (Florida Statutes 456.0635, 435.04, and 316.193). Pursuant to Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes, the Florida Board of Nursing shall refuse to issue a license, certification, or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examiniation if the applicant has been:

Convicted or plead guilty or nolo contender (no contest) to a felony violation, regardless of adjudication of Chapters 409, 817, or 893 Florida Statutes; or 21 U.S.C. ss 801-970 or 42 U.S.C. ss 1395-1396, unless the sentence and any probation or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the application.
Terminated for cause from Florida Medicaid Program unless the applicant has been in good standing for the most recent five years.
Terminiated for cause by any other State Medicaid Program or the Medicare Program unless the termination was at least 20 years prior to the date of the application and the applicant has been in good standing with the program for the most recent five years.

Admission into clinical is at the discretion of the clinical agencies and these agencies may require more stringent limitations than those outlined above; therefore, applicants with any felony charges and selected misdemeanor charges may ultimately be denied enrollment in nursing courses.

Please click here for information on how to contact an Academic Advisor.