Shawnee State’s associate degree nursing (ADN) program began in 1969. For over 50 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 awards licensure after the successful completion of 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.

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.

Accreditation

The program is fully approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

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 and spring semesters; however, students may be required to complete designated courses the semester prior to the semester of official admission. Qualified applicants are selected beginning March 1 (Fall Class) or September 1 (Spring Class) and selection continues until all spaces in the class are filled.

There are no waiting lists.  Students not admitted for a designated semester must apply again to be considered for future admission periods.

Criteria for admission:

• If less than 20 hours of college credit —

• Official high school transcript denoting high school graduation or official GED test score transcript
• A GPA of 2.5 or higher in high school and college credit.
• A composite score of 22 with 18 or above in all other sections of the ACT.
• Students with a composite ACT score of 24 or better with a minimum of 18 in all other sections are eligible for automatic acceptance into the associate degree nursing program provided they meet the deadline for application
   

• If 20 hours or more of college credit —
• Official high school or GED test score transcript (along with partial high school transcript), and official transcripts from all colleges attended.
• A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale from all college and universities attended.
• 15 of the 20 college credits must be required non-nursing courses with a minimum of 8 of these credit hours in the required science courses.

To complete the admission process once a student has been accepted, the student must present to the nursing secretary prior to the first day of class:

• A completed Confidential Physical Form obtained from the Department of Nursing.
• Current CPR Basic Life Support Certification
• State and Federal BCIs
• Drug Screening
• Proof of influenza vaccination

For individuals with experience in the armed forces of the United States, or in the National Guard or in a reserve component, the SSU Department of Nursing will:

(a) Review the individual’s military education and skills training;

(b) Determine whether any of the military education or skills training is substantially equivalent to the curriculum

     established in Chapter 4723-5 of the Administrative Code;

(c) Award credit to the individual for any substantially equivalent military education or skills training.

International students must demonstrate a minimum TOEFL score of 84, with a minimum English-speaking score of 26 to be considered for admission.