Shawnee State’s associate degree nursing program began in 1969. For over 30 years, the ADN program has graduated quality nurses who have assumed multiple roles in health care facilities in the community, region, and across the nation.

The awarding of the ADN does not license one as a registered nurse. The board of nursing in the state in which the applicant wishes to be registered administers a separate examination (NCLEX-RN). The Department of Nursing certifies completion of degree requirements, but meeting other requirements for licensure is the responsibility of each candidate.¹ After successfully passing this examination, graduates are licensed as registered nurses and are capable of providing nursing care at a beginning level in hospitals, nursing homes, doctors’ offices, clinics, and selected community agencies.

The Ohio House Bill 327 requires a criminal records check for new applicants for licensure and for individuals from another state endorsing as an RN into Ohio. Candidates who wish to sit for the NCLEX RN examination are required to submit (electronically) their fingerprints to the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BC&I) and to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for identification and criminal background verification.

Accreditation

The program is fully approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

Admission Requirements

Admission is determined on a competitive basis. The total number of students admitted to the program is based upon available facilities and faculty. Qualified applicants are admitted to the associate degree in nursing program annually for the fall semester; however, students may be required to complete designated courses the summer prior to the fall of official admission. Qualified applicants are selected beginning February 1, and selection continues until all spaces in the class are filled.

Criteria for admission:

• If less than 20 hours of college credit —

• Official high school transcript or GED test score transcript (along with partial high school transcript) showing a C or above in algebra, biology, and chemistry.
• A GPA of 2.0 or higher in high school and college credit.
• A score of 18 or above in all sections of the ACT.
• An autobiography form.
• Shawnee State ENGL placement score or transfer credit equivalent to ENGL 1101 or 1102.
• Shawnee State MATH placement score or transfer credit equivalent to MATH 1200.
• Students with an overall ACT score of 24 or better and no category below 18 are eligible for automatic acceptance into the associate degree nursing program provided they meet the February 1 deadline for application. Admission after February 1 for these students is possible though not guaranteed.

• If 20 hours of college credit —

Preference given to students who have successfully completed selected science courses.

• Official high school transcript and official transcripts from all colleges attended.
• College or high school algebra, biology, and chemistry with a “C” or better.
• A grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale.
• An autobiography form.

¹ Conviction of certain classes of misdemeanors or any felony conviction requires permission from the board of nursing of the state in which the applicant wishes to be registered.