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 School 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 approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

End of Program Student Learning Outcomes

1. Patient-Centered Care: Plan patient-centered care to individuals and families using principles of science (biological, behavioral, natural, and social) with integration of patient preferences, values, and needs. 
2. Teamwork and Collaboration: Practice within nursing and inter-professional teams to achieve quality patient outcomes through use of effective communication and decision-making.
3. Evidence-Based Practice (EBP): Prioritize nursing care using best practices reflecting current evidence, clinical expertise, and patient identified preferences.
4. Quality Improvement (QI): Connect data with improvement methods to develop and evaluate interventions to continuously enhanbce patient care systems.
5. Safety: Employ strategies to reduce risk of hamr to those within the health-care environment.
6. Informatics: Use information and technology to promote safety, support clinical judgment, and enhance communication.

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.

Shawnee State University School of Nursing

Associate Degree Nursing

Criteria for Admissions (Beginning for Spring 2026 applicants)

· 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.

· For students with college credit: Any Science courses considered for application towards their degree must have been completed within the last seven years with a minimum grade of C. SSU School of Nursing requires the following science courses for degree completion: BIOL 1130, BIOL 1131, BIOL 3650, and BIOL 3750. The sciences of applicants who have earned a degree and currently work in the healthcare field may be considered at the discretion of the Admission, Progression, and Graduation Committee or the Director of the School of Nursing.

· The TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) entrance exam from the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) is a requirement for admission consideration at Shawnee State University School of Nursing. This exam measures the applicant’s level of performance in Math, Science, Reading, and English/Language to ensure applicants are prepared to begin nursing courses. All Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program applicants must achieve a composite score of 70% or higher on the TEAS exam and a minimum of 70% in each of the four subjects. Applicants are responsible for the cost of the exam. Applicants who do not pass the exam must complete the remediation and may retake the exam up to two additional times within one year. A minimum of 14 days between each attempt is required.

· To be considered for admission, international students must demonstrate a minimum TOEFL score of 84 with an English-speaking score of 26 or higher or a minimum Duolingo score of 120.

 

• • Students may repeat any required science course only one time to achieve a grade of “C” or better. Science courses must be taken within 7 years of application to be considered during admission process.

 

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 School of Nursing.
• Current CPR Basic Life Support Certification
• State and Federal BCIs
• Drug Screening
• Other health records as mandated by the clinical agency
• Proof of influenza vaccination (submit proof during flu season)

For individuals with experience in the armed forces of the United States, or in the National Guard or in a reserve component, the SSU School 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 or a Duolingo score of 120 to be considered for admission.