Admissions to Nursing Programs
Nursing Programs and options offered at SCC:
• Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) – Generic Students
• Practical Nursing (PN) – Generic Students
• Advanced Placement Option (Transition to ADN for Licensed Practical Nurses)
• Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) to Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Online Option
Sampson Community College follows special admission procedures for nursing programs and options offered. Applicants seeking entry to the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN), Practical Nursing (PN) programs, or the options listed above must meet additional admission requirements beyond those established for general College admission. Students who provide false information when applying to any of the program options, will be disqualified for admissions.
Students interested in enrolling in one of the nursing programs or options must complete the following admissions requirements and application process as stated.
ADN & LPN (Generic)
Additional Admissions Requirements for ADN and PN Programs
1. Evidence of successful completion of ALL prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or higher. Prerequisite courses are:
1. General Chemistry:
High school or general Chemistry course (equivalent to CHM-092 or CHM-151) with respective labs
2. General Biology:
High school or general biology course (equivalent to BIO-110 or BIO-111) with respective labs
3. Math Skills:
MAT-025 unless waived.
4. English Skills:
ENG-025 unless waived.
5. Completion of BIO-168 (or a course equivalent) with a C or higher.
2. Submit an SCC admissions application.
3. Applicants must have successfully completed a North Carolina approved Certified Nurse Aide I program and be currently listed on the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry with no substantiated findings.
4. Current CPR Certification – American Heart Association Basic Life Support Provider Course. Certification card is required (no certificates are accepted). Certification in CPR must remain current throughout the nursing curriculum.
5. Students who have completed courses within their program of study (Associate Degree Nursing or Practical Nursing) prior to enrolling in the program must have earned a grade of “C” or higher to be considered for acceptance into the Nursing Program.
6. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in all program related coursework.
7. Completion of the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills Test (TEAS). Test scores are valid for three calendar years. Two retakes per calendar year are permitted. The most recent score will be used. This is true regardless of testing site. Applicants must obtain an Academic Preparedness level of Proficient, Advanced, or Exemplary to be eligible for admission. SCC does not accept non-proctored TEAS examination scores.
8. Students are provided up to two admissions into the ADN program, the PN program, the Advancement Placement option, and the LPN to ADN online option.
ADN and PN Application Process
Students seeking admission to the nursing program (Associate Degree Nursing or Practical Nursing) must complete the following steps by January 31st to be considered for the Fall semester. All applicants meeting the requirements for consideration will be reviewed after the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be accepted or reviewed. The College reserves the right to extend the application period when warranted.
1. Students who have completed all prerequisites and achieved the required ATI TEAS scores must submit their ATI TEAS score report, ATI TEAS transcript, CPR card, and all other relevant supporting documents in the online application portal. All applications and supporting documents must be submitted through the online link.
2. Complete the Admissions Requirements Checklist located in the application portal.
3. Applicants from previous years who met the program requirements must submit an updated SCC admissions application and resubmit their Admissions Requirements Checklist.
Review Process for ADN and PN Application
Admission into the Nursing Programs is a competitive selection process for a limited number of students. Fully qualified students will be ranked based on a point system. Points will be awarded for the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS) and other criteria. Using a point system that assigns numerical values to specific criteria, all applicants will be ranked. Acceptance into the ADN or PN programs will be based on the highest cumulative scores. In case of a tie, the earliest date of the submission of the application will be used to select applicants for admission to the program.
ATI TEAS Testing Policy ADN and PN
All nursing applicants must achieve a proficient, advanced or exemplary level on the ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills Test) to be eligible to apply to the nursing programs. The ATI TEAS must be completed within three years of the applicant’s application date.
Testing will begin in the fall semester and will end by January 31st of each academic year. The college reserves the right to extend testing after January 31st. The examination is offered at Sampson Community College or it can be taken online via remote proctor. SCC only accepts exams administered by a proctor. Students are allowed three attempts to test per academic year, regardless of location. When retesting for higher scores, the most recent score will be used. Scores from more than one test will not be split, mixed or combined. If testing at SCC, students must wait a minimum of 30 days between testing attempts and can only be registered for one test at a time.
The examination cost is set by the company and is the responsibility of the applicant. Applicants will not be allowed to take the exam without photo identification. The College’s website includes additional information regarding registration, cost, and dates for the exam.
Point System for ADN and PN Applicants
Admission to the Nursing Program is competitive and based on a point-ranking system. Applicants who meet the minimum admission requirements will be awarded points based on academic performance, standardized testing, healthcare-related education, professional certifications, and residency status. Applicants are ranked according to their total points earned.
- Anatomy and Physiology Competency (Maximum 15 Points): Applicants will be awarded points based on grades earned in Anatomy and Physiology coursework. Because success in these courses is strongly associated with success in nursing education, additional weight is given to BIO 169.
- BIO 168 (Anatomy and Physiology I)
- A = 6 points
- B = 3 points
- C = 1 point
- BIO 169 (Anatomy and Physiology II)
- A = 9 points
- B = 6 points
- C = 3 points
- Co-Requisite Course Competency (Maximum 19 Points): Points will be awarded for successful completion of required co-requisite courses based on the highest grade earned.
- ENG 111, ENG 112, PSY 150, and PSY 241
- A = 4 points
- B = 3 points
- C = 2 points
- Humanities/Fine Arts Elective
- Completion with a grade of C or higher = 2 points
- ACA 122
- Completion with a grade of C or higher = 1 point
- ATI TEAS Competency (Maximum 14 Points): Applicants must complete the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). Points are awarded based on the Composite Score and performance in the Science and Reading sections.
- Composite TEAS Score
- Proficient (58.7%–79.3%) = 1 point
- Advanced (80.0%–91.3%) = 3 points
- Exemplary (92.0%–100%) = 6 points
- Science Section Score
- 50%–60% = 1 point
- 61%–70% = 2 points
- 71%–80% = 3 points
- Above 80% = 4 points
- Reading Section Score
- 50%–60% = 1 point
- 61%–70% = 2 points
- 71%–80% = 3 points
- Above 80% = 4 points
- Related Education (Maximum 4 Points): Applicants who have earned a healthcare-related degree at the associate level or higher will receive additional points. Two points will be awarded for each qualifying healthcare-related degree, up to a maximum of four points.
- Active Medical Certifications (Maximum 6 Points): Applicants with current healthcare credentials may receive additional admission points. Certifications must be active and verifiable through documentation uploaded to the nursing application portal. Expired certifications will not be considered. Two points will be awarded for each qualifying certification, with a maximum of six points awarded in this category.
- Examples of qualifying certifications include:
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic
- Nurse Aide II
- ECG Technician
- Certified Medical Assistant
- Medication Aide
- Medical Laboratory Technician
- Surgical Technologist
- Registered Health Information Technician
- Certified Respiratory Therapist or Registered Respiratory Therapist
- Radiographer or Radiation Therapist
- Military healthcare training equivalent to one of the above credentials
- Other relevant healthcare certifications as approved by the Nursing Admissions Committee
- Sampson County Residency (2 Points): Applicants who are residents of Sampson County at the time of application will receive two additional points.
Applicant Ranking
Applicants who meet all admission requirements will be ranked according to the total number of points earned through the admissions ranking system. Admission offers will be extended to the highest-ranked applicants until all available seats have been filled.
Clinical Requirements
Students admitted to these programs must comply with the requirements set by outside clinical agencies which may include a criminal background check, drug screen, physical, and/or specific vaccines. Decisions about an individual student’s presence in the clinical environment are made by the clinical agencies. The results of the background check and drug screen may determine if a student is eligible to enter clinical agencies. Students are responsible for the cost of the background check and drug screen. Applicants should be aware that a student must be able to enter and/or remain in all clinical agencies to progress within the program.
If a clinical site denies a student placement in their facility, the student would be unable to complete the required clinical components of the course; therefore, the student will be withdrawn from all NUR courses and will not be allowed to progress in the program.
The background check and drug screening must be completed by the specified date. Failure to complete the process as specified will jeopardize enrollment in the program. Applicants to the nursing program should be aware that if they have pled guilty to or have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor (other than a minor traffic violation) the NC Board of Nursing may restrict or deny licensure. The NC Board of Nursing requires criminal history checks for each person applying to practice nursing in the state of North Carolina.
Advanced Placement
Advanced Placement Option Application Process
(Transition to the Associate Degree Nursing program): (Preference to our graduates)
Licensed Practical Nurses may be granted advanced placement into the third semester (summer) of the Associate Degree Nursing program under the following conditions:
1. Candidates must show evidence of a current unencumbered North Carolina license to practice as an LPN. License must remain unencumbered while enrolled in the nursing program.
2. Candidates must show current CPR Certification Card (American Heart Association BLS Provider) course. Letters or certificates are not acceptable.
3. Candidates must have worked a minimum of 2,000 hours as an LPN or have graduated from a PN program within the last year. A letter of reference from your current employer is required.
4. Students applying to the LPN to ADN Advanced Placement option must achieve a score of 90% Probability of Passing NCLEX PN on the entrance exam. Applicants must submit a copy of their passing exam score with their application. Scores are acceptable for a period of three years.
5. Students applying to the LPN to ADN Advanced Placement option must achieve a grade of C or higher in BIO-168 (Anatomy and Physiology I) or a course equivalent.
6. Complete all first-year related course work for the Associate Degree Nursing program with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or above (ACA-122, BIO-169, PSY-150, PSY-241). Preference will be given to students who have completed all related courses as of January 31st. Refer to the Associate Degree Nursing program brochure for a list of related courses or Appendix 5 of this handbook.
7. Upon admission to the Associate Degree Program, complete an SCC Health History Examination Form (supplied by the nursing department), including the practitioner’s examination section and admission counseling process.
8. Students will submit to criminal background checks and drug screening upon admission to the Associate Degree program and initial and/or random drug screenings, as directed by affiliating clinical agencies. The results of the background check and drug screen may determine if a student is eligible to enter clinical agencies. Students are responsible for the cost of the background check and drug screen. Applicants should be aware that a student must be able to enter and/or remain in all clinical agencies to progress within the program. If a clinical site denies a student placement in their facility, the student would be unable to complete the required clinical component of the course; therefore, the student will be withdrawn from all NUR courses and will not be allowed to progress in the program. The background check and drug screening must be completed by the specified date. Failure to complete the process as specified will jeopardize enrollment in the program.
8. Applicants to the nursing program should be aware that if they have pled guilty to or have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, the NC Board of Nursing may restrict or deny licensure. The NC Board of Nursing requires criminal history checks for each person applying to practice in the state of North Carolina.
LPN to ADN applicants must assume responsibility for confirming that required documents, official transcripts, scores, and grades have been received by the Admissions Office by the application deadline.
LPN to ADN Online Option: (Preference to our graduates)
The LPN to ADN online/hybrid option is a unique two semester online/hybrid option which includes a clinical component. Although primary instruction will be delivered via the Internet, students may be required to come to campus for specified activities such as orientation and tests. It is a limited enrollment associate degree program.
1. Applicants must be currently licensed and practicing LPNs. Applicants must have 2000 hours experience in the role of an LPN. There are NO exceptions to this requirement.
2. Hold a current unrestricted LPN license in North Carolina (or compact state).
3. CPR certified: American Heart Association – BLS Provider .
4. The LPN to ADN online option requires ALL of the following ADN support classes are completed (earning a “C” or better) at an accredited institution BEFORE being eligible to apply to the program:
• BIO-168 Anatomy & Physiology I 4 credit hours
• BIO-169 Anatomy & Physiology II 4 credit hours
• ENG-111 Expository Writing 3 credit hours
• ENG-114 Prof Research & Reporting 3 credit hours OR
• ENG-112 Writing/Researching in the Discipline 3 credit hours
• PSY-150 General Psychology 3 credit hours
• PSY-241 Developmental Psychology 3 credit hours
• HUMANITIES Elective 3 credit hours
o (ART-111, ART-114, ART-115) (MUS-110, MUS-112) (PHI-215, PHI-240) (HUM-115)
5. All students entering the LPN to ADN online program must complete the Viking CREW Course. Due to the nature of the LPN to ADN Online Option, students must possess effective computer skills, have an active e-mail address and access to a computer meeting the minimum standards for on-line education and be willing and able to purchase and install appropriate software.
6. Submit the LPN to ADN electronic application and upload all supporting documentation by January 31st of the year desiring admission. This is including but not limited to:
a. Verification of Practice Form
b. Copy of your American Heart Association BLS Provider CPR card
c. ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor Score
7. Submit the SCC Application for Admission and ALL official transcripts to the Admissions Office to begin the file review process by January 31st of the year desiring admission.
8. Students applying to the LPN to ADN online option must achieve a score of 94% Probability of Passing NCLEX PN on the ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor. Applicants must submit a copy of their passing exam score with their application. Scores are acceptable for a period of three years.
9. Eligible applicants not accepted will not be carried over to a waiting list for the following year and must re-apply in the next LPN to ADN Online Option application period.
10. Each of the two LPN to ADN courses require 144 hours of clinical practice, UNPAID, and under the supervision of an RN. This may be arranged as close to the student’s place of residence as possible. If applicable this can be within the current place of work but may not be within the same unit of employment. All clinical experiences must be within North Carolina and the nursing faculty must make final approval of facilities and preceptor(s).
11. Upon successful completion of the two semesters, the student will graduate at the end of Spring Semester with an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Nursing and be eligible to take the NCLEX– RN.
12. Incomplete applications will not be considered for admission into the LPN to ADN online program.
LPN to ADN applicants must assume responsibility for confirming that required documents, official transcripts, scores, and grades have been received by the application deadline.
ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor
In addition to general admission requirements, students requesting admission to the LPN to ADN options will be required to validate their nursing knowledge and skills. Applicants should complete the ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor under the supervision of a proctor. Students must make a minimum probability of passing the PN NCLEX score of 90% on the predictor to be eligible for advanced placement or a minimum score of 94% for the LPN to ADN online option.
Testing will begin in the fall semester and will end by January 31st of each academic year. The college reserves the right to extend testing after January 31st. The examination is offered at Sampson Community College or it can be taken online via remote proctor. SCC only accepts exams administered by a proctor. Students are allowed three attempts to test per academic year, regardless of location. When retesting for higher scores, the most recent score will be used. If testing at SCC, students must wait a minimum of 30 days between testing attempts and can only be registered for one test at a time.
The examination cost is set by the company and is the responsibility of the applicant. Applicants will not be allowed to take the exam without photo identification. The College’s website includes additional information regarding registration, cost, and dates for the exam.
Point System for LPN to ADN Applicants (Advanced Placement and Online)
Admission to the LPN to ADN Bridge Programs is competitive and based on a point-ranking system. Applicants who meet the minimum admission requirements will be awarded points based on academic performance, standardized testing, healthcare-related education, professional certifications, and residency status. Applicants are ranked according to their total points earned on a 60-point scale.
- Anatomy and Physiology Competency (Maximum 15 Points): Applicants will be awarded points based on grades earned in Anatomy and Physiology coursework. Because success in these courses is strongly associated with success in nursing education, additional weight is given to BIO 169.
- BIO 168 (Anatomy and Physiology I)
- A = 6 points
- B = 3 points
- C = 1 point
- BIO 169 (Anatomy and Physiology II)
- A = 9 points
- B = 6 points
- C = 3 points
- Co-Requisite Course Competency (Maximum 18 Points): Points will be awarded for successful completion of required co-requisite courses based on the highest grade earned.
- ENG 111, ENG 112, PSY 150, and PSY 241
- A = 4 points
- B = 3 points
- C = 2 points
- Humanities/Fine Arts Elective
- Completion with a grade of C or higher = 1 points
- ACA 122
- Completion with a grade of C or higher = 1 point
- Practical Nursing Comprehensive Predictor Competency (Maximum 15 Points): Applicants will be awarded points based on their ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor examination score.
- Advanced Placement Program:
- 90%–93% = 5 points
- 94%–97% = 10 points
- 98%–100% = 15 points
- Online Bridge Program:
- 94%–96% = 5 points
- 97%–98% = 10 points
- 99%–100% = 15 points
- Related Education (Maximum 4 Points): Applicants who have earned a healthcare-related degree at the associate level or higher will receive additional points. Two points will be awarded for each qualifying healthcare-related degree, up to a maximum of four points.
- Active Medical Certifications (Maximum 6 Points): Applicants with current healthcare credentials may receive additional admission points. Certifications must be active and verifiable through documentation uploaded to the nursing application portal. Expired certifications will not be considered. Two points will be awarded for each qualifying certification, with a maximum of six points awarded in this category.
- Examples of qualifying certifications include:
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic
- Nurse Aide II
- ECG Technician
- Certified Medical Assistant
- Medication Aide
- Medical Laboratory Technician
- Surgical Technologist
- Registered Health Information Technician
- Certified Respiratory Therapist or Registered Respiratory Therapist
- Radiographer or Radiation Therapist
- Military healthcare training equivalent to one of the above credentials
- Other relevant healthcare certifications as approved by the Nursing Admissions Committee
- Sampson County Residency (2 Points): Applicants who are residents of Sampson County at the time of application will receive two additional points.
Applicant Ranking
In accordance with the Sampson Community College mission and vision statements, a designated number of seats in each Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Bridge Program cohort may be reserved for graduates of the Sampson Community College Practical Nursing (PN) program. The number of designated seats available for SCC PN graduates will not exceed more than 50% of available seats in each cohort. Eligible graduates who satisfy all published admission requirements shall be ranked in accordance with the established admissions criteria and considered for admission within the designated allocation of seats. Admission under this provision is competitive and contingent upon available capacity and is not guaranteed.
Reserved seats not filled by eligible SCC PN graduates shall revert to the general applicant pool and be awarded through the standard competitive admissions process. All applicants shall be evaluated in accordance with published admissions requirements, policies, and ranking procedures. The College reserves the right to modify the number of reserved seats or suspend the priority admission process based on enrollment, accreditation, regulatory requirements, or programmatic needs.
Applicants who meet all admission requirements and are not SCC PN graduates will be ranked according to the total number of points earned through the admissions ranking system. Admission offers will be extended to the highest-ranked applicants until all available seats have been filled.
Appeal for Non-Acceptance/Admission Decision Policy
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the appeal process for applicants who have been denied acceptance into a special admissions program within Sampson Community College. The policy aims to ensure that applicants have the opportunity to request a review of their denial decision based on specific grounds.
Scope
This policy applies to all applicants who have been denied acceptance into a special admissions program offered by Sampson Community College.
Grounds for Appeal
Applicants may appeal a denial decision based on one or more of the following grounds:
• Procedural errors or irregularities in the admission process.
• Allegations of bias or discrimination during the admission process.
• Other compelling reasons as deemed appropriate for appeal.
Appeal Process
The Appeal Process shall include the following steps:
• Initial Submission of Appeal
o The applicant must submit a formal written appeal to the Nursing Program Director and the Dean of Health Sciences within 5 business days from denial notification. The Program Director and Dean will respond within 5 business days.
• If the Program Director and Dean uphold the initial decision, the applicant can then submit an appeal to the VP of Academic & Student Affairs. The VP of Academic & Students Affairs will initiate the following process:
o Appeal Review Committee
An Appeal Review Committee shall be formed to review the appeal. The committee shall consist of impartial faculty members and administrative staff not involved in the initial admission decision.
o Review of Appeal
The Appeal Review Committee will consider the appeal, review relevant documents, and may request additional information from the applicant or other parties involved.
o Decision Notification
The Appeal Review Committee will render a decision based on the merits of the appeal and notify the applicant of the outcome in writing within a reasonable timeframe.