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BSN: FAQ's About Admission to Nursing
Stage II Admission to the Nursing Program
Stage II Admission begins at the conclusion of the Fall Sophomore Semester for admission to the nursing program the following year. Again, selection to the program is based on all student qualifications; however, grade point average (GPA) factors strongly. Minimum requirements for enrollment to the program include:
- Complete supplemental application is on file.
- Cumulative GPA of at least 2.8 (not 2.79) or higher when selected for admission to the program
- Cumulative GPA of at least 2.8 or higher at the completion of the semester preceding entry into the nursing program. Students with a GPA lower than 2.8 at completion of the semester prior to program entry will lose their admission to the program.
- Cumulative GPA of at least 2.8 or higher at the time of enrollment in the program
- Completion of all prerequisite (or approved equivalent) courses with grade of C- or higher at the time of enrollment in the program
- Ability to meet the department's Technical Standards
- All university requirements as outlined in the JMU catalog
Any exceptions to these requirements are at the discretion of the BSN Coordinator and/or Department Head. If the student has further questions and wishes to schedule an appointment or would like a hard copy of the information packet and Supplemental Application Form, contact the main nursing office at 540-568-6314.
Can I send the Supplemental Application before I am admitted to JMU?
Please wait until you have been admitted to JMU to send us your Supplemental Application to nursing. We encourage you to send us this application as soon as you come to JMU.
I would like to transfer to JMU and enter the nursing program. How should I proceed?
If you plan to take courses elsewhere before you come to JMU, you should enroll in courses that will transfer to JMU as equivalent to the required nursing Prerequisite Courses. As soon as you are admitted to JMU, you can request a transfer analysis from the JMU Registrar’s Office . This analysis will allow you to determine whether you need additional General Education courses and Nursing Prerequisite courses, and when you can be ready to enter the nursing program. Please, visit our BSN website Transfer student section for further information, www.nursing.jmu.edu.
I’m a student in the Virginia Community College System. If I am admitted to JMU, will I also be guaranteed admission to nursing?
Admission to JMU does not guarantee admission to nursing. If you are a student in the VCCS who plans to transfer to the JMU Nursing Program, you should consult the Transfer Guide for VCCS and Richard Bland College on the JMU website. If you complete an Associate in Science Degree in the VCCS, you do not need to complete General Education courses at JMU. However, you do need to complete the courses that are listed in the transfer guide as equivalent to each of the nursing Prerequisite Courses at JMU. You can take these prerequisites either at JMU or in the VCCS.
If you do not earn an Associate in Science degree in the VCCS, you will need to complete both General Education requirements and the Nursing Prerequisite Courses before you can enter the nursing program. You can use the Transfer Guide for VCCS and Richard Bland College to help you determine which courses will best prepare you for transfer to JMU.
It also is a good idea for transfer students to contact the Department of Nursing to schedule an appointment with the Undergraduate Academic Counselor or BSN Coordinator for further planning.
Please, visit our BSN website Transfer student section for further information, www.nursing.jmu.edu.
Is there ever a wait list?
If a class fills students who meet and maintain Stage 1 criteria have the option to enter the program the next semester. Students who meet Stage II criteria remain in the applicant pool and are considered competitively for the next semester. Selection from the applicant pool is based on all qualifications, but GPA factors strongly.
What happens to me if my GPA is <2.8?
Students whose GPA falls below 2.7 prior to enrollment in nursing are normally classified as “Not Now Qualified.” We maintain your student records and keep you in our data base. When your GPA reaches 2.7, you can contact the Department of Nursing and ask to be considered for admission to the program.
What is repeat-forgive?
The Repeat Forgive credit option is recommended for failed courses. However, you only get two the entire time you are at JMU, so they need to be used wisely. It is a good idea to use repeat forgive if you receive a D or lower in a course that is prerequisite to nursing. Repeat Forgive substitutes the “repeat” grade for the “failing” grade in your GPA. It is a good idea to discuss repeat forgive decisions with your advisor.
How many students are in the applicant pool?
The number of students in our applicant pool changes all the time and truly is a moving target. Not all students in our applicant pool will meet qualifications for admission.
What are my odds of getting into the program?
Although it is not possible to predict the odds of admission, we can give you some trends. The number of applicants to the JMU nursing program has increased during the past four years as a result of the nursing shortage and increased salaries and benefits associated with nursing. Admission is competitive, based on all academic qualifications.
