Use the worksheet below for specific information about prerequisites and to plan a course of study to complete the prerequisite courses.

 Admission Information

 Spring 2010 admission is now closed

There will be an information meeting at the beginning of each semester prior to the application deadline.  Watch here for time and location.  Typically, it will be the first Friday of the semester at 3:00 in the Taylor Health Science Building. 

This will give applicants an opportunity to ask questions about the application process, and to be informed of any admission changes.  If possible, please plan on attending prior to applying for the nursing program.  

Applications are available online only   

During open application periods download the application here  

Checklist /Application for students reapplying to the PN/ADN program. 

Applications will be accepted during the following dates:

·          Fall semester Admission - Applications are due March 1st - March 15th                 (Courses completed during current Spring Semester WILL be calculated in prerequisite GPA)

·         Spring Semester Admission - Applications are due September 1st - September 15th      (Only courses completed thru Summer Semester will be calculated in prerequisite GPA.  Courses completed during current Fall semester WILL NOT be calculated in prerequiste GPA)              

 Applicants will be notified by email of their status by May 31st for fall admission and October 31st for spring admission.

Applicants will be admitted into the PN program without discrimination as to age, sex, creed, ethnic origin, or marital status and must be able to demonstrate physical abilities sufficient to pass each nursing course. 

Applicants must also be admitted to Dixie State College of Utah.  (See link below)

 Space in the PN program is limited making acceptance competitive.  Applicants will be evaluated on the following:                            

·         Academic Excellence

·         Entrance Examination

·         Program Essay

It is the applicant's responsibility to make sure everything is completed according to instructions.  Incomplete applications will not be accepted.  Make sure the instructions included with the application are followed completely.   

All requests for exceptions to the application policies must be submitted in writing to the nursing admissions committee for consideration.  

• Academic Excellence &  Prerequisite/Support Courses

 A crucial element for success in a rigorous PN program is academic excellence in prerequisite courses.    

Prerequisite and support courses for the PN program provide students a solid foundation of knowledge and are essential for success in the PN program. 

         All prerequisites must be completed before the start of the program.  It is recommended that transfer students consult with an advisor for more information. 

         Students must complete all prerequisite courses with a minimum “C” grade,  and have a cumulative GPA of 2.7 in those courses.

          Classes may be repeated only once.  A student who has repeated any prerequisite or co-requisite course more than once, and neither grade has met the minimum requirement of  "C" or higher,  is ineligible to apply for the nursing program.

          Applicants will not be scored without a transcript showing successful completion of either Human Anatomy or Human Physiology.   For Spring admission at least one of these courses must be completed no later than the previous Summer Semester.   For Fall admission at least one of them must be completed no later than the end of Spring Semester, and the other may be completed during the Summer.     

         Fall admission

o    Applicants must submit a transcript with their application for all prerequisite courses taken prior to spring semester.

o    Applicants must submit a transcript by May 7th showing successful completion of all  prerequisite courses taken during spring semester .   APPLICATION WILL NOT BE SCORED WITHOUT THESE GRADES  

o    Students may complete prerequisite courses during summer term and must submit transcripts by August 1st. 

         Spring admission

o    Applicants must submit a transcript with their application for any prerequisite courses taken prior to fall semester .   (Only courses completed thru Summer Semester will be calculated in prerequisite GPA.  )   

o    Students may complete prerequisite courses during fall semester and must submit transcripts by December 20th showing completion of ALL prerequisite courses.    (Courses completed during current Fall semester WILL NOT be calculated in prerequiste GPA)

• Entrance Examination

Students will be required to pass the TEAS®   Entrance Exam.  This exam will evaluate the student’s projected academic success in the program.  It includes areas in: math skills, science, reading comprehension, and English. 

         Students will be allowed to take the test once per application period.  The highest score will be used for scoring purposes.  

         The test will be administered during regular Testing Center hours at the testing center located in the bottom floor of the Financial Aid/Career Center building at Dixie State College of Utah.   

o    Out of area students must arrange with ATI Testing for a proctored test locally.  Please call Toll Free: (800) 667-7531 

         The TEAS®  consists of four areas as outlined below.  Calculators are NOT allowed on this test.

         It is highly recommended that students prepare well for the TEAS test.  There are study guides available thru ATI and on reserve at the DSC library.

•   Program Essay (Complete information is included in application packet.)

 Because the nursing programs are writing intensive, applicants are required to write an essay to demonstrate their writing abilities.  The essay provides an opportunity for students to express their understanding of the different nursing roles, their personal feelings about nursing, indicate background and experience in the healthcare field, and their opinion as to why they would be a good candidate for the nursing program. 

         The essay is to be completed at the testing center at Dixie State College of Utah. 

o    Out of area students will be required to find a suitable proctor for the essay.  Prior approval must be received from the nursing department. Have the proctor email  Alice Clegg, Nursing Advisor, directly for instructions and permission. 

         The maximum length is not to exceed 2 pages, double spaced, word processed. 

         There is a 2 hour time limit for the essay.

         Essays will be evaluated on the following criteria: (see scoring rubric)

o    Following instructions

o    Logical, concise essay, demonstrating command of the English language

o    Proper grammar and spelling

o    Appropriateness of content 

         Discuss the following in your essay:

o    Why you want to become a nurse

o    Why you feel you would be successful in the nursing program

o    The specific strategies you will use to fulfill the intensive requirements of the nursing program

o    The roles and responsibilities of a nurse including how a nurse’s role differs from that of a CNA

o    Personal and/or professional experience in healthcare-related areas  - Include time spent 

•  Application Fee  

There is a $25 application fee due at time of application.  Applicants must include a copy of their receipt with the application.  For non-local students, this fee may be paid by credit card.  Call the cashier:  435.652.7605   Ask them to send a copy of the receipt to the nursing department. 

•    Nurse Assistant State Certification

Students must have a current Nurse Assistant Certificate before being admitted to the PN program.  Students who are not CNA certified at time of application must be able to successfully complete all course requirements and certification testing before the start of the program.  Students accepted into the program will be required to provide a copy of their certificate by the deadline given in the acceptance packet.   It is highly recommended that this be completed prior to application since it takes several weeks after the completion of the course to obtain testing vouchers, dates and actual certificate.  This course may be completed through a college or private institution.  DSC CNA Course Information.   Questions about actual certification or recertification should be directed to the Utah CNA Certification Center - 801.547.9947

•  Grants and Scholarships

All students are encouraged to contact the financial aid office  for information on grants and scholarships that may be available for them.  There is limited amount of endowment money available to award scholarships to nursing students based on financial need and academic achievement.  These scholarships are available only to students that have been accepted into the PN or ADN program.  More information will be given after acceptance.

 All students are encouraged to contact the financial aid office  for information on grants and scholarships that may be available for them.  There is limited amount of endowment money available to award scholarships to nursing students based on financial need and academic achievement.  These scholarships are available only to students that have been accepted into the PN or ADN program.  More information will be given after acceptance.

•  Health Requirements

After acceptance into the PN program, students will be required  to meet and maintain certain health and safety standards. Specific details regarding these requirements will be given to students after acceptance

These include:

         Healthcare provider level CPR certification (American Red Cross or American Heart Association)  MUST include AED training

         5 Panel drug screen.  Cost:  $30-$50 

         Immunization for:  

o    MMR (2 required -1 after age 18)

o    HEP B Series of 3 (2 required for admission - Allow 1 month between)  

o    TDaP (Must include Pertussis and after age 18, preferably within 3 years)

o    Chicken Pox  -  letter

         Negative TB test (annually)

         Background screen.  Cost:  $45

•   Approximate Program Costs