Nursing Prelicensure Program

Prelicensure Nursing Application Information Meeting (AIM)!

1. How should I list my healthcare hours?
   • List all hours that count towards healthcare experience in the designated box.  Healthcare experience hours can give you points in your application so you want to ensure you have a correct count.  Faculty evaluating applications cannot guess the number of hours based on other information that is present, you must complete this section to get these points. (Healthcare experience may be broad,employment  or volunteer experience, if you have questions about what qualifies, list it and then we can decide if it applies).
2. I worked as a CNA (or other healthcare position). Do I list it under Work Experience AND Health Care experience, or just one or the other?
   • CNA or other health care paid positions should be listed under both categories. 

1. What should I put for the end date if I am still at the job currently?
   • Currently the online application requires an end date.  You can put today’s date on the application and leave a comment in the “reason for leaving” that states that you are still currently employed.

1. Is there a minimum GPA requirement?
   • There is a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0.  However, the average GPA of a cohort is generally higher than the 3.0 minimum.
2. How important are my grades to my application?
   • Grades are an important part of the application and admittance process.  You receive points based on grades and GPA (see point system below).  All courses must be passed with a C or better. Some prerequisite courses can also be counted as general education courses.  Work with your advisor to plan your courses so you can complete required prerequisites and complete the course on your desired timeline.
3. Can I still be completing classes when I apply to the nursing program?
   • Yes you may apply to the nursing program when you have no more than 18 credits outstanding, including those you are currently enrolled in. Grades for classes you are taking when your application is submitted need to be submitted to the department when you finish the classes to complete your application.  If you do not submit the grades, even if you have been accepted into the program, you may be disqualified.  Acceptance will be contingent upon successful completion of those courses with a grade of C or better.

1. Do the transcripts have to be official? 
   • For the application you may submit unofficial transcripts.  Once you are accepted, the nursing department will require all transcripts to be sent to the university officially.
   • Include all transcripts in your application including those from SUU.

• Essays give the faculty evaluating your application the chance to get to know you as a person. Make the answers applicable to you. Use the questions to tell us your story. The essays account for a large portion of the available points.  It is advised that you specify exactly which question you are addressing and answer it thoroughly. Numbering the questions you are answering would be great.  It is also important to adhere to the font size, spacing and formatting requirements.  You should attempt to use as much of your page allowance as possible, however, do not go over.

1. Is there a way to follow up?
   • After you submit your application you will be able to log in and view the status of your recommendations.  They will say complete or incomplete.  If they are still incomplete, you will have a link option to resend the recommendation.
2. What if I have more than 3?
   • You may submit more than three recommendations if you wish, and all will be included in your application.  However, only the first three recommendations on the list go towards the points that are allotted for recommendations. Additional recommendations will be read and considered as part of your application, they just will not give you additional points. 
3. Can I reuse recommendations from previous applications
   • Yes, once you have used the online application the first time, you will have the option to reuse previous recommendations.
4. Is it ok to ask your references up front if they will give you a highly recommend?
   • This is a decision that you have to make when asking for a recommendation. Some recommenders are happy to answer this question and others think that it is unethical or unprofessional to ask. It is recommended that you know the person well enough that you are asking to know how to ask professionally and ethically for a recommendation.

1. Is there a TEAS or HESI required?
   • We do not require any entrance exams to apply or be admitted to the nursing program.

1. What do I receive points for in my application?
   • Comprehensive list of the points that are available to earn during the application process
   • Grades for each of your core courses required for the nursing program carry the largest percentage of points that are available in the application.  Each core course can earn you up to 10 points each.  It is important to do as well as you can in these courses.
   • You are awarded points for your core gpa as well as your cumulative gpa.
   • The second largest percentage of points comes from your essays.  Essays are weighted based on content, grammar, and meeting the requirements of the essays (answering the question posed).
   • Each of your three recommendations are awarded points based on if the recommender highly recommends, recommends or does not recommend you. 
   • Additional points are given for health care experience, being an alternate in the previous application period, being a Southern Utah resident and serving in the armed forces. 
   • It is important to note that while the point system allows the nursing department to rank students, selections are not made or guaranteed based on points alone.  SUU nursing utilizes a holistic approach to the selection process.

2. Advisors.

• You are required to meet with your advisor prior to submitting your application.  This can be done virtually or in person.  They will assist you in completing the “Department of Nursing Advisement Sheet” and can also answer questions and assist you with your application process if needed.  Consult with your assigned College of Health Sciences Student Success Advisor.

1. What are the functional requirements of a student to be able to attend the nursing program?
   • Must be able to independently push, pull, and lift a medically fragile adult when positioning or transferring.
   • Must have the ability to palpate body structures and be able to differentiate and report subtle variations in temperature, consistency, texture and structureMust be able to identify and distinguish subtle variations in body sounds such as breathing.
   • Must be able to read, understand, and apply printed material which may include instructions printed on medical devices, equipment and supplies.
   • Must be able to visually distinguish subtle diagnostic variations in physical appearance of persons served.  An example would be “pale color”.
   • Must be able to distinguish subtle olfactory changes in physical characteristics of persons served.
   • Must be able to walk and stand for extended periods of time.
   • Must possess the ability to simultaneously and rapidly coordinate mental and muscular coordination when performing nursing tasks.
   • Protracted or irregular hours of work.
   • Ability to work in confined and/or crowded spaces.
   • Ability to work independently as well as with coordinated teams.
   • Potential exposure to harmful substances, blood borne pathogens and/or hazards.
   • Ability to maintain emotional stability during periods of high stress.
   • Ability to work in an emotionally charged or stressful environment.

• Only qualified complete applications submitted on or before the deadline date will be reviewed.
• All prerequisite/support courses must be completed successfully prior to starting the nursing program
• Acceptance is contingent on a clean/clear background report
• All nursing students are required to provide documented proof of current immunizations
• Satisfactory progress through the nursing program requires attendance in both theory and clinical sections.  Clinical hours may include evenings, nights and weekends and will include out of town travel.
• Students must supply their own transportation to clinical sites
• Body alterations (extreme hair color, tattoos, gauges, piercings other than one conservative earring per ear, etc) must be completely coverable and/or removed for all clinical experiences.
• In level one (your first semester)  you will receive your clinic schedule the first day of class, not before.

1. What/Are immunizations required for nursing students?
   • Yes, immunizations are required for students to attend clinical rotations.  Required immunizations are driven by the requirements of the facilities in which we complete clinical rotations. The Department of Nursing is required to verify that each student has received the immunizations that facility requires. That requirement is part of the contract that allows students to come into the facility.   Some waivers may be available, but as these requirements change, if you have questions about the immunization requirements, please contact the program manager or department chair.

• Yes, but your job needs to be flexible to accommodate your school hours.  We will not excuse students from class or clinical because they have jobs.

• Yes to both
• ROTC needs to get their schedule to the clinical instructor one month prior to the beginning of each semester.
• Athletes must get their athletic schedule to the clinical instructor one month prior to the beginning of each semester. 
• The NCAA allows for rescheduling of class for sanctioned meets/games and travel to and from the meets/games.
• We have had students from both disciplines graduate successfully in our program.

SUU Nursing Program admission is competitive and based on review of all application materials. To be eligible for Nursing Admission students must have:

1. Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.**
2. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on all “Required Support Courses” with no course grade less than a C (C- is not acceptable).**
3. Completion of the Degree Requirements including General Education Core and Required Support Courses or a maximum of 18 pre-requisite credits left to complete upon application (acceptance will be contingent on the successful completion of any remaining course requirements).

** As admission is competitive, the GPA of the applicants admitted is usually significantly higher than the minimum 3.0 required.

Once all criteria has been met, you may submit a completed online, electronic application:

1. Completed online admission application for Prelicensure Nursing option. 
2. Completed “Department of Nursing Advisement Sheet" signed by applicant and adviser. Consult with SUU, College of Health Sciences Student Success Advisor (as listed Academic Advisors)  as a part of your on-line application.
3. $40.00 non-refundable nursing application fee as part of the online application.
4. One (1) transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from EACH community college, college, and university you have attended (this includes SUU transcripts).
5. Completed Bulleted List.
6. Completed Essay's.
7. Three (3) letters of recommendation submitted through the online admission application. It is the application/student responsibility to make sure all three (3) recommendations are received by the Department of Nursing by the application deadline date.
8. Signed Functional Requirement for Student Success Form.
9. Non-SUU Students have submitted an SUU application to the Office of Admissions, with all required documentation and fees.

Pre-Licensure applications need to be submitted to the Department of Nursing ON or BEFORE 12:00 PM, September 4, to be considered for the Spring 2025 semester (Applications received/completed after this deadline will NOT be considered for admission to the program until the following semester). Applicants are notified of the committees’ decision by mail, mid to late October.

Please note: it is required that you meet with a SUU Student Success Advisor to complete the Nursing Application Advisement Sheet. This must be completed no less than one week prior to the application deadline date.

To support you in the admissions process, Ms. Vikki Robertson, SUU Department of Nursing is available to answer any questions you may have concerning the Nursing Program. She can be e-mailed at robertsonv@suu.edu. If you have questions regarding transfer credits or advisement, please contact one of the Student Success Advisors; contact information is available at  https://www.suu.edu/advising/chs-advisors.html.

Pre-Licensure Application - Spring 2025  ( DUE:  on or before 12:00 PM, September 4, 2024).

Pre-Licensure Application Admission Point System