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Program InformationThe curriculum in pre-nursing offered by the College of Humanities and Sciences meets the minimum academic requirements for application to many professional programs, including the bachelor of science degree program in nursing offered by the VCU School of Nursing. Students intending to apply to a professional program at another institution should consult that institution's bulletin for specific prerequisites.
Admission to and satisfactory completion of the one-year preparation program offered by the College of Humanities and Sciences does not constitute admission to the professional program in the School of Nursing. In the fall of the year preceding the year of desired admission, the student must apply separately to the professional program on the MCV Campus through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Advising InformationThe pre-nursing program at VCU will prepare students to enter a bachelor’s degree program in nursing at the VCU School of Nursing, resulting in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The pre-requisites to prepare students to enter other schools of nursing can be taken at VCU, but these requirements differ from one nursing school to another, so students should identify the specific schools to which they want to apply before choosing courses. Individual nursing school Web sites list the pre-requisites for different schools. All Nursing Schools, an online guide to nursing education, provides a list of and links to all the nursing programs in the United States.
Pre-requisite course work for students entering VCU before fall 2007 To enter VCU’s traditional B.S.N. nursing program, students take pre-requisite requirements for a minimum of one year in the College of Humanities and Sciences and then, if accepted into that program, spend three years in our School of Nursing.
Students who wish to enter the nursing program during their second year should complete the necessary 27 hours of pre-requisites as first-year students.
A copy of the pre-nursing worksheet, for students who entered VCU before fall 2007 is available online.
Prerequisites for students entering VCU in fall 2007
Pre-requisites for students entering VCU in fall 2007 Students who have room in their schedules, or who need more than one year to complete pre-requisites, may take the courses listed on the back of the worksheet. English composition - three semesters Mathematics - one semester Introductory Biology - one semester Anatomy - one semester Nutrition - one semester *Elective science or general chemistry *Students must also take college level chemistry if they did not take chemistry in high school or complete the community college equivalent with a “C” or better.
Sample schedule Fall semester: BIOL 101 Biological Concepts (3) **Check the worksheet for more details on course options. Spring semester: BIOL 205 Basic Human Anatomy (4) BIOL 217 Principles of Nutrition (3) SOCY 101 General Sociology (3) UNIV 112 Focused Inquiry II (3) **Elective Science or General Chemistry (3-4 credits) **Elective Science or General Chemistry (3-4 credits)
Standardized tests Nursing program applicants are required to take a standardized test; both SAT and ACT scores are accepted, with the minimum acceptable SAT score being 900 on the verbal and math sections. However, successful applicants to the program have had combined Math and Verbal SAT scores of 1100 and an ACT score of 25. Students with lower scores may retake the SAT or ACT during the first semester they are completing prerequisites provided new scores are received by the Jan. 15 deadline. Registration for the SAT or ACT is available online.
Freshman entry High school seniors with outstanding credentials may apply directly to the School of Nursing for admission as a freshman. Details regarding admission can be found on the School of Nursing’s Application Process page.
Application information Students should apply to the traditional program by Jan. 15 of their freshman year, provided that all pre-requisite course work can be completed by the beginning of the following fall semester. The application may be sent prior to the posting of fall grades provided all other required documentation is submitted with the application.
Competing the application process involves filling out the paper application, collecting three letters of recommendation (We recommend that they come from college faculty.), writing a personal statement, collecting transcripts from high school and all college-level course work, and completing the Pre-requisite Course Completion Form. VCU students do not need to include their VCU transcripts in the packet. It is also recommended that students order copies of their SAT or ACT scores. All of these documents should be placed in one envelope and submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions on the MCV Campus. Keep in mind, that if you submitted your high school transcript, SAT or ACT scores, references, or any college transcripts (including dual enrollment work) for admission as a pre-nursing student, you will need to re-request these items for inclusion in your admission packet to the School of Nursing.
Letters of recommendation The Office of Pre-Health Sciences Advising does not collect letters of reference for pre-nursing students. Students should collect the letters themselves and submit them, along with the application, transcripts and personal statement. Provide a copy of the recommendation form and an envelope to individuals who will be writing your recommendations, and ask that they return it by a specified date. Further advice for collecting letters of recommendation is available on the Applying to a Professional Program page.
If you aren't accepted Don't be discouraged. The traditional nursing program is very competitive, with about four applicants for every spot available.
Students not accepted into the nursing program have the following options: 1. Reapply. Complete additional course work (consider suggestions from the worksheet and see a pre-health sciences advisor for more information), attempt to improve GPA and retake the SAT or ACT. 2. Other nursing programs: Obtain an associate’s degree in nursing through a community college or licensure as a registered nurse (R.N.) through a hospital-based program. 4. Accelerated B.S. program: Students can change their major, complete their undergraduate degree in another area, take the necessary pre-requisite courses, then apply to the accelerated B.S. program. See the School of Nursing Web site for more information.
Pre-nursing listserve The pre-nursing listserve is owned and maintained by the director of pre-health sciences advising. The purpose of the list is to publicize all activities that are relevant to the academic advising and application processes to nursing school. All students who have VCU e-mail addresses and have declared pre-nursing concentrations are automatically added to the list each spring semester. To subscribe to the pre-nursing listserv, send an e-mail to listserv@lists.vcu.edu. In the body of the message, type “subscribe pre-nursing” and your name.
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Virginia Commonwealth University | University College Hibbs Hall | 900 Park Avenue | P.O. Box 842507 | Richmond, Virginia 23284-9079 Phone: (804) 827-UNIV (8648) | Email: ucollege@vcu.edu Last Revised: 14.05.2008
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