Please read below to determine if you are eligible to apply. Current or former students may also use the Pre-Advisement Plan on myRichland to review unmet prerequisites. If you have questions, please speak with an advisor in Student Services.

Prerequisites and Admission Criteria

Recent high school graduates may be eligible to apply if the following criteria are met:

• Eligibility for MATH 098 Intermediate Algebra or successful completion of MATH 091 and 106 with a "C" or better
• Eligibility for ENGL 101
• A minimum score of 120 on each area of the Nelson-Denny Reading Test (Vocabulary, Reading, and Composite)
• Two years of high school biology and one year of high school chemistry or physics within the last three years with a "B" or better in each course or completed BIOL 101 with a "C" or better
• Minimum ACT subscores and composite [Reading (15), Math (15), English (15), Science Reasoning (20), Composite (21)] within the last three years or have comleted, or in progress of comleting, at least 15 credit hours of the ADN genereal education requirement with a "C" or better and the Program GPA* is at least 2.5
• A high school GPA of at least 2.5 if the student has less than 15 credit hours of the ADN general education requirement
• A "C" or better in any courses applicable to the ADN general education requirement and a Program GPA* of at least 2.5
• Currently enrolled in a Nurse Assistant Training class (documentation may be requrested if not attending Richland) or currently listed on the Health Care Worker Registry as a CNA in good standing. Students who did not have a FEE APP background check will be asked to have their most recent employer update their employment history on the the Health Care Worker Registry. Students who have let their CNA lapse must recertify before the program begins. Students currenlty enrolled in a nurse assistant training program must successfully pass the written compenency exam before the program begins. 

All other students are eligible to apply once the following criteria are met:

• Eligibility for MATH 098 Intermediate Algebra or successful completion of MATH 091 and 106 with a "C" or better
• Eligibility for ENGL 101
• A minimum score of 120 on each area of the Nelson-Denny Reading Test (Vocabulary, Reading, and Composite)
• BIOL 101 with a "C" or better or have completed two years of high school biology and one year of high school chemistry or physics within the last three years with a "B" or better in each course
• Completion of, or in progress of completing, at least 15 credit hours of the ADN general education requirement with a "C" or better and the Program GPA* is at least 2.5 or obtained the minimum ACT sub scores and composite  [Reading (15), Math (15), English (15), Science Reasoning (20), Composite (21)] within the last three years
• Currently enrolled in a Nurse Assistant Training class (documentation may be requrested if not attending Richland) or currently listed on the Health Care Worker Registry as a CNA in good standing. Students who did not have a FEE APP background check will be asked to have their most recent employer update their employment history on the the Health Care Worker Registry. Students who have let their CNA lapse must recertify before the program begins. Students currenlty enrolled in a nurse assistant training program must successfully pass the written compenency exam before the program begins. 

* For admission, the Program GPA is calculated using the grades and credits earned in the ADN general education requirement. Courses include: BIOL 201, 202, 220, ENGL 101, HLTH 197, NURS 154, PSYCH 110, 145, SOCIO 110, and a fine art elective. Transfer and Richland credits are used in calculating the Program GPA.

Note: If students have comleted BIOL 201, 202, or 220, one must be within the last five years.

The ADN Program follows the Health Profession selective admissions process. Students will use the online Pre-Advisement Plan on myRichland to submit an application during the designated application period. Students must check their Richland student e-mail to verify completion of the application.

Each spring and fall, 24 students are conditionally admitted tot he program. in the event of a tie for the 24th position, the student with the highest Program GPA is admitted. The following components are the basis of ranking:

1. High School or Program G.P.A. (minimum 2.5)
2. High School Science G.P.A. or Biology G.P.A. (minimum 2.0)
3. Number of required biology courses completed
4. ACT Scores or number of general education courses completed
5. Nelson Denny reading level
6. Number of biology and/or nursing courses withdrawn (W) or completed with a grade lower than "C"

Shortly after the deadline, the ADN Program Admission Committee will meet to review the admission rubrics, rank students, and determine who will be admitted to the program. The rubrics are not attached to any indentifying student characteristics besides the student ID number. This allows the Committee to review the rubrics using non-discriminatory practices.

The top 24 ranked students will be offered conditional admission to the ADN Program. All applicants are notified in writing of their admission status within four weeks after the Admission Committee’s meeting.

Admission is conditional. This means that students must meet certain criteria before registering for the first ADN course. The criteria are as follows:

• Students must have a “C” or better in all prerequisites and program courses and a 2.5 minimum Program G.P.A. All courses and the Program G.P.A. will be reassessed at the end of the semester in which the student applied to determine if the student is still eligible for the ADN Program
• Students must submit their acceptance letter by the deadline
• Students must have a physician complete the Health and Immunization Record Form and have updated immunizations and proof of CPR certification. The completed form should be submitted by the deadline
• Students must complete a drug screen prior to beginning the program.
• Verify that the CNA is active and in "good standing," meaning the background check is clear of disqualifying offenses (or a state-granted waiver is documented) and the student has maintained active certification.
  • To ensure cerfification is active, a letter from a recent employer may be required.
  • If currently enrolled in a nurse assistant training programs students must successfully pass the written competency exam before the next program begins.

Students not meeting all of the above criteria will forfeit their admission and the open position will be filled from the alternate list.

Alternate List

After the top ranked students are extended conditional admission, an alternate list of other qualified students is developed in the event that someone should cancel or not meet the conditional admission criteria. To remain eligible, students must continue to meet all eligibility requirements. Up to the day prior to the first nursing course, the alternates may be notified. The ADN program does not maintain a waitlist. If not admitted, students must reapply to the program each semester.