Admission to the AAS: Nursing (RN) Program

Students wishing to enter the AAS: Nursing (RN) program must complete an application by:

  • Fall Admission: May 1st
  • Spring (January start: Evening/Weekends program): December 1st


Students currently completing the Practical Nursing (LPN) program at NCCC may be granted conditional acceptance contingent upon successful completion of the Practical Nursing (LPN) program. Students required to take a competitive nursing exam will also receive conditional acceptance contingent on successful completion of the exam. Recent graduates of the NCCC LPN program must take the first possible LPN exam to ensure licensure prior to the fall semester of enrollment in the AAS: Nursing (RN) program. All potential students must have successfully completed all examinations prior to commencing the fall semester. Meeting these requirements will not guarantee admission to the program, which is highly competitive. Students must meet the following admission requirements prior to enrollment:

  • Successful completion of an accredited PN program.
  • Achieved a minimum of 2.5/4.0 in the following courses:
  • ENG 101 English Composition I
  • PSY 101 Introductory Psychology
  • BIO215 Anatomy & Physiology I (and lab)
  • BIO216 Anatomy & Physiology II (and lab)
  • NUR 101 Nursing I
  • NUR 102 Introduction to Pharmacology
  • NUR 105 Maternal Child Nursing
  • NUR106 Nursing II
  • NUR 108 Pharmacology II
  • Hold a valid CPR (AHA or RC) card for infant, child, and adult.
  • Be in good academic standing from previous institutions.
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5/4.0 from a PN program.

The following criteria are used to determine admission to the program:

  • Successful completion of a State-approved practical nursing program. Completion of the practical nursing course of study DOES NOT ENSURE admission into the AAS: Nursing (RN) Program. Applicants are ranked for admissions based upon the CORE GPA as it is mentioned above.
  • Recent graduates of NCCC's Certificate of Practical Nursing program may be provisionally accepted until successful completion of the NYS comprehensive nursing exam. Recent graduates of the NCCC Practical Nurse program must take the first possible LPN exam to ensure licensure prior to the Fall semester of enrollment in the Registered Nurse program. 
  • Successful completion of this exam must occur prior to August 1st (Fall entry) and December 1st (January entry) and verified proof must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office of the College.
  • PN License holders from states other than New York State must complete necessary paperwork with the New York State Office of Professions to be licensed in NYS.
  • BOCES/Vocational School Practical Nurse Students: Students who complete a BOCES Practical Nursing Program must successfully pass a comprehensive nursing exam for consideration into the AAS: Nursing (RN) Program. It is the student’s responsibility to register with the Director of Nursing at NCCC to sit for this exam. Students who successfully pass a comprehensive nursing exam will be granted 17 credits to apply toward their degree at North County Community College. This exam will stand in lieu of Nursing I & II, Maternal Child Nursing, Introduction to Pharmacology, and Pharmacology II.
  • Any applicant who graduated from the NCCC Practical Nursing program five or more years prior to admission, may need to complete a comprehensive nursing exam prior to admission at the discretion of the Director of Nursing.
  • The following requirements must be on file at the College by August 1st: Nursing student insurance, Completed Health/ Immunization Records and all students must have an official copy of their Practical Nurse License. Any student who does not have this information on file by August 1st (Fall entry) or December 1st (January entry) will deregistered administratively for any RN nursing courses.

Please note:

  • Students who do not meet any one portion of the requirements will be granted admission into A.S. Health Science (or similar open enrollment program), and may re-apply for future admission when the requirements have been satisfied.
  • Admission is limited based on space available.

For additional information, please refer to the College Catalog or contact the Admissions Office at 888-TRY-NCCC ext 1686 or admissions@nccc.edu.