Nursing Program Admissions and Requirements

The Early Action option is specifically for high school seniors looking to secure their place in the nursing program before starting college. This option is your chance to get ahead if you are still in high school and know that nursing is the career path for you!

Students seeking to apply for the Early Action option must do the following:

• Complete an application to Rockford University and be accepted for admission.
• • Submit Early Action Application (located on the Nursing webpage) to the nursing program by March 1^st of their senior year.

• Schedule and complete an interview with nursing chairperson or designee – in person or via zoom.
• High school transcript demonstrates a 3.5 cumulative grade point average demonstrating completion of the following courses:
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • English (4 years)
  • Math (2 semesters including one semester of Algebra)

• Submit college transcripts if dual credit courses were taken.
• Selection:
  • Selection is competitive and only a limited number of applicants may be accepted.
  • Students will be notified of an admission decision by April 1 of their senior year, if the application was submitted by the priority deadline of March 1. Actual enrollment is contingent on receipt of official high school transcript by July 1 of the year of enrollment, verifying that all admission criteria have been met.

A student who is accepted under the Early Action option for high school students must meet the following progression requirements prior to enrollment in Junior 1 nursing courses:

• Demonstrate a science GPA (SGPA) of ≥ 2.500 on the required science support courses;
• Demonstrate a cumulative GPA (CGPA) of ≥ 2.750;
• Obtain a TEAS Exam score of 58.7 or higher on the overall score and on all subscores (reading, math, science and English language usage); and
• Complete all health and safety requirements as outlined under the Health and Safety Requirements for Nursing.

Admission to Rockford University does not guarantee admission to the nursing program. To be successful as a Rockford University nursing student, the Nursing Department has established minimum entrance requirements prior to enrolling in courses with the intent of pursuing a major in nursing.

To be accepted into the nursing major all students must:

1. Complete an application to Rockford University and be accepted for admission.
2. Demonstrate a minimum CGPA of 2.75 at Rockford University or on transferable course work.
3. Submit an application to the Nursing program prior to February 1st for entry into the Fall semester and September 1st for entry into the Spring
4. Complete a minimum of 60 credits at the conclusion of the semester preceding entrance to the program.
5. Complete the following required support courses with a minimum “C” grade or better prior to entrance to the nursing program. Courses with a pass/fail grading system will not be accepted unless a letter grade and quality points are assigned to the course, though courses completed during spring 2020-spring 2021 will be considered on an individual basis.
   1. BIOL 209 (Foundations of Anatomy & Physiology)
   2. BIOL 230 (Microbiology & Infectious Diseases)
   3. CHEM 104 (Introductory Chemistry) or CHEM 105 (General Chemistry)
   4. HDEV 215 (Lifespan Development)
   5. MATH 223 (Beginning Statistics) or MATH 224
   6. PSYC 100 (Introduction to Psychology)
   7. RHET 101 (Introductory Rhetoric)
   8. RHET 102 (Intermediate Rhetoric)
   9. NURS 150 (Contemporary Nutrition)
6. Demonstrate science completion at time of application:
   1. Minimum cumulative science GPA (SGPA) of 2.50 on required science support courses (BIOL 209 – Foundations of Anatomy & Physiology, CHEM 104/105 – Introductory or General Chemistry, and BIOL 230 – Microbiology & Infectious Diseases).
   2. All three science support courses must be completed prior to starting the nursing program (no time restrictions on completion to meet the course requirements for the nursing major).
7. The required science support courses must each have an in-person lab component. Demonstrate math competency by achieving one of the following:
   1. Math placement exam score of 3 or higher
   2. TEAS subcategory math score of 58.7 or higher.
8. Complete the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) entrance exam
   1. Apply for and pay for the TEAS exam through the Student Administrative Services (SAS) Office.
   2. TEAS must be taken at Rockford University or an authorized testing center; online TEAS exams will not be accepted. If the student lives elsewhere, they may take the TEAS at a location where it is offered in person and request ATI to send Rockford University the results. Note that in person testing will be verified.
   3. Obtain a score of 7 or higher on the overall score and on all subscores (reading, math, science and English language usage).
   4. Scores older than three (3) months at the time of application will not be accepted.
   5. Applicants taking the ATI TEAS for Rockford University will be allowed to retake the exam one time during the same admission process, however, there must be 45 days between tests. The TEAS can be taken twice in the same admission process. After two unsuccessful attempts the student will need to take the TEAS again the following semester. The maximum is three attempts total.
   6. If an applicant has taken two ATI TEAS exams for an admission cycle, only the exam score with the highest Adjusted Individual Test Score will be used in the admission process. Combining scores across two exams in not allowed.
9. Submit up-to-date clinical requirements, including immunizations, CPR certification, TB screening, and proof of health insurance to Lang Wellness Center as stated in the RU Nursing Program Welcome Letter. The immunization policy and printable forms are available on the University’s Lang Wellness Center webpage.
10. Current Rockford University students may be given priority.

Transfer students must follow all the steps for standard admission, and also complete the following:

• Submit transcripts from all prior institutions for evaluation.
• Students who have taken nursing courses in another nursing program, whether planning on requesting transfer of credit or not, are required to schedule an interview with the Nursing Department Chairperson.
• Transfer students will be evaluated by the prerequisite course criteria, GPA requirements, and TEAS exam results.
• Transfer students wishing to have nursing coursework reviewed for transfer credit must provide:
  • Nursing Coursework must be from an accredited Nursing Program;
  • Syllabi from nursing courses wishing to transfer (no more than 12 nursing credits will be accepted in transfer if approved);
  • ATI/HESI scores from nursing courses being reviewed for transfer credit (if applicable);
  • Letter of recommendation from the previous College/University’s Department of Nursing Dean and/or Chair (on official letterhead, mailed directly) to the Rockford University Nursing Department Chair;
  • The student must have earned a “B” grade in the nursing course(s) being reviewed for transfer credit.
  • Transfer credit is at the discretion of the Department of Nursing.

• All transfer course grades will count toward cumulative GPA (CGPA) for nursing program admission consideration.

Students must achieve a minimum of a “C” 2.0 grade in the prerequisite courses below. Although a “C” 2.0 is the minimum requirement, the overall natural science prerequisite GPA must be at least 2.5 and overall GPA must be at least 2.75.

• Natural Sciences (no time limit):
  • Anatomy & Physiology (BIOL 209)
  • Microbiology (BIOL 230)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM 104 or 105)
• General Education Courses:
  • RHET 101 (Intro Rhetoric/English 1)
  • RHET 102 (Intermediate Rhetoric/English 2)
  • PSYC 100 (Introduction to Psychology)
  • HDEV 215 (Human Development/Lifespan Development)
  • MATH 223 or 224 (Statistics)
• Students must also demonstrate math competency by achieving one of the following:
  • ACT (or SAT equivalent of 520) math score of 20 or higher
  • Successful completion of college algebra (equivalent to MATH 120)
  • Math placement exam score of 3 or higher
  • TEAS math score of proficient or higher on overall score and subcategory scores.

To be eligible for nursing program admission, students must meet the following criteria for grade point average (GPA) and credit hours:

• Minimum science course GPA: 2.5  (Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, and Inorganic Chemistry)
• Minimum overall GPA: 2.75
• Credit Hours: 60+ credit hours completed

The ATI TEAS exam must be completed within 6 months of the nursing application deadline that the student is applying for. To meet admission criteria, students must obtain a score of proficient or higher on the overall score as well as on the reading, math, science, and English language usage subcategories. Applicants taking the TEAS will be allowed to retake the exam during the same admission process, however, there must be 45 days between tests. The TEAS can be taken twice in the same admission process. After two unsuccessful attempts the student will need to take the TEAS again the following semester. The maximum is three attempts.

If an applicant has taken two ATI TEAS exams within the last six months, only the exam score with the highest Adjusted Individual Test Score will be used in the admission process. No super scoring (combining or averaging scores from multiple exam attempts) will be allowed.

All students entering the nursing program are required to undergo a criminal background check and random urine drug/alcohol screen.

• Purpose
  • 2004 Manual for Hospitals published by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of hospitals and Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), the major accreditation body for hospitals, requires that all staff members, student, faculty and volunteers meet standards relating to criminal background checks and freedom from drugs.
• Policy Overview
  • Students are responsible for costs associated with the criminal background check and drug screen. Students must further agree that all results are available to the nursing program and the clinical sites associated with the program. The program is responsible for ensuring that students comply with individual hospital policy regarding disclosure of results. Should a clinical agency refuse to place a student based on the outcome of the background check and/or drug/alcohol screen, the program has no responsibility for arranging an alternative clinical placement. This may result in the student being unable to complete program objectives and, therefore inability to complete the nursing program.
• Criminal Background Check
  • Upon acceptance into the nursing program, students must clear a criminal background check. Failure to complete this process will result in dismissal from the program. If the background check indicates criminal behavior, the student’s admission to the nursing program may be rescinded.
• Urine Drug/Alcohol Screening
  • The nursing program maintains a no tolerance policy regarding substance abuse. All students must clear a random urine drug/alcohol test. Failure to undergo this test, a positive drug/alcohol screen, or a tampered with urine sample will result in dismissal from the program. If the drug/alcohol screen comes back positive and a valid prescription exists, which is verified and the student is under the current treatment of a licensed medical professional, the test result will be deemed negative.

To be completed by January 1 (Spring entrance) or August 1 (Fall entrance):

• Health Examination: All students must undergo a health examination.
• Immunizations Required:
  • Diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus (within the last 10 years).
  • Annual flu vaccination.
• CPR (Must be American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Professionals): Must be renewed biennially.
• Hepatitis B Immunization: Requires a three-injection series with a reactive titer (30-60 days after series completion). The full series and titer take a minimum of six (6) months.
• TB Testing: An initial 2-step Mantoux TB skin test is mandatory. Yearly single TB skin test re-tests are required after the initial 2-step Mantoux. Positive TB skin test reactors must complete an annual questionnaire at Lang Health Center. The program also accepts initial and yearly quantiferon gold TB blood tests.
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella Immunity:
  • Laboratory evidence of immunity is required.
  • If titer is negative, two vaccines are required.
  • Option to have a titer drawn after one injection, and if not high enough, an additional injection is required.
• Health Insurance: All students must carry current health insurance.

• Estimated Fees for Nursing: Semester fees currently range $830-$860 but can vary based on vendor pricing. This includes testing services used across the program, clinical partner fee, and a lab fee.

New Nursing Majors will also need to pay for the following:

• Nursing Skills Bag – approximately $150, a one-time fee included on tuition bill.
• Nursing Uniform – price varies as we do not mandate a specific any brand. Uniform includes the following:
• a dark purple top (“grape” color only) with a school patch sewn on the left sleeve (no safety pins, tape, or Velcro);
• black uniform pants constructed in a tailored design (no tight-fitting ankle scrub pants);
• Short or long-sleeved white or black shirts may be worn under the uniform scrub top;
• White, grey or black nursing shoes or gym shoes – plain, no color strips or logos, and must be closed toe;
• White or black socks;
• Program patch on the sleeve of uniform top and jacket if allowed – $6/patch and usually need two; and
• Name badge holder – students will use their RU ID as their name badge, but will require a name bag holder – cost about $1.
• Background Check – approximately $35 (price determined by vendor), a one-time fee if no criminal background check issues.
• Drug Screen – approximately $52 (price determined by vendor), a one-time fee if there are no positive results.  

• Students must purchase uniforms and equipment. More information will be given about this after admission.
• Health and clinical requirements must remain current throughout the nursing program.
• Transportation: Students must arrange their own transportation to clinical experiences. Most clinical experiences are in the Rockford area.
• Results of drug screening and background checks may be shared confidentially with clinical agency partners according to the program affiliation agreements.
• If a student refuses to attend a clinical placement, the program is not responsible for alternative placements.
• There are essential capabilities necessary for admission and progression at Rockford University in the complex discipline of nursing. To enter or progress in the nursing curriculum, the candidate must be able to perform all of the essential capabilities (with or without accommodations). See the current Nursing Student Handbook for Essential Capabilities of Nursing Majors.
• The nursing faculty reserves the right to consider the merit of individual cases in the admissions process.
• Nursing students are required to have a personal laptop (no Chromebook) due to the required use of technology resources in the nursing program.