Learn More About Nursing
Nursing Admission Requirements
Students must:
- Meet residency requirements.
- Complete the JJC Application.
- Submit official transcripts from any college/education training program attended before the nursing application deadline (if applicable).
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in prerequisites, general education and recommended courses for the program
Note to Nursing Applicants
CNA Requirement – Beginning with the June 1-15, 2024 application period and all future application periods, all applicants must have completed a CNA course or have completed the JJC NA 101 course. Applicants must have a CNA certificate and be eligible on the CNA Registry prior to the application period.
- One-time exception - June 2024 Application Only: Students enrolled in NA 101 CNA course at JJC or elsewhere prior to the June 1-15, 2024 will be allowed to apply with the understanding that they will complete the course with a grade "C" or better and be on the CNA Registry prior to entering the Nursing program in spring 2025. Failure to obtain the CNA certification prior to the spring 2025 semester will result in the candidate's removal from the nursing program.
Vaccine Requirements
All nursing programs (CNA, RN, LPN, LPN Transition) strongly recommend that all students be fully vaccinated and boosted for Covid-19 prior to entrance into the program in order to complete clinical requirements of the program. Proof of other immunity and/or vaccination, a drug screen and criminal background check are also required and will be communicated to applicants when provisionally accepted into the program. If a student is accepted into the program and fails the criminal background check or drug screen and/or does not have the mandatory vaccinations, the student will be removed from the program.
Did you complete other educational/training programs before JJC?
If so, complete a transcript evaluation form. Make sure to select "Associate in Arts" and the correct applicant type located under the Transfer Evaluation Request Information section. Then, order official transcripts from your former college to be sent to the JJC Transfer Credit Evaluation Office. Questions? Email transfercredit@jjc.edu.
Placement Test/ACT Scores
Students must meet at least one of following requirements.
- Complete a JJC placement test or submit valid ACT scores or
- Complete the required developmental courses in Reading (ENG 020 and/or ENG 021), Writing (ENG 098 and/or ENG 099) and Math (Math 090) with a grade of "C" or better or
- Complete previous college credit in English and/or Math (from another institution)
Complete the Nursing Program Entrance Exam, ATI-TEAS
The ATI-TEAS (Test of the Essential Academic Skills Version 7) exam evaluates math skills, reading comprehension, English and science proficiency.
How to Study for the Exam
What You Need to Know About the Exam
- Cost: approximately $90
- Scores from other schools will not be considered
- Students must take the TEAS test in-person on a JJC campus in order to be considered into the program. Test results from remote testing or proctoring will not be accepted
- Must be scheduled in advance and paid online
- Must be completed before the application period; can only be taken once per semester
- Only three attempts allowed in a five-year period (scores do not expire)
TEAS Scores & Eligibility
Students who score an 82 or above on the TEAS Composite are guaranteed to be admitted into JJC's nursing program depending on:
- your background check and drug screening
- when you complete the nursing application
- other factors (see below)
If there are more students than available seats, a ranking system will be used to determine who gets admitted first (see below). Students who score below 82 will also be ranked. Minimum TEAS score is 60.
After Taking the Exam
Schedule an appointment with a nursing advisor. Call 815.280.2435. Note: Make sure you have met placement test requirements and have submitted college transcripts first (if applicable).
Ranking System
Each eligible application will be given a number for anonymity. All demographic data will be removed. Applications are sent to the Nursing Admissions Committee.
When Will I Know If I've Been Accepted Into The Program?
Within 3-5 weeks of submitting the nursing application, students will receive an email sent to their JJC email account informing them if they qualified.
Applicants will be scored and ranked based on:
- TEAS Composite Score - weighted 40%
- *Calculated GPA based on grades for ENG 101, PSYC 101, PSYC 215, HEAL 109, BIO 250 and BIO 251 - weighted 30%
- Percentage of general education classes completed: BIO 250 and BIO 251 - weighted 20%
- Percentage of prerequisite/general education classes completed: ENG 101; PSYC 101; PSYC 215; HEAL 109 - weighted 10%
*If a class was taken more than once, the better grade will be used. If a student has "clepped" out of a class (CLEP Test), the grade will be counted as a "C"
Important
This criteria is subject to change. It is the applicant's responsibility to review the criteria on a regular basis.
Transfer for Your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Students who want to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing should complete JJC's Associate of Applied Science degree first and then enroll in an RN to BSN program at a four-year college/university.
Another option for students is complete the Associate in Arts degree and transfer to a college/university with a pre-licensure nursing program or nursing major.
JJC has agreements with several institutions. Meet with a nursing advisor to learn more.
Thinking about becoming a nurse out of state?
Before you start at JJC, contact the nursing licensing agency in your chosen state. Ask them if JJC coursework meets requirements for you to to take a nursing exam in that state. Learn more about nursing state requirements