Nursing Frequently Asked Questions
Note: These FAQs are provided for information purposes only, and do not replace academic advisement. The Program holds information sessions throughout the year; dates are posted at www.jscc.edu/nursing. To schedule an individual advising appointment, call 731-425-2622. Please be aware that changes in admissions, enrollment, and curriculum requirements may occur. Be sure to carefully review the Nursing Program Application Packet for the most up to date information.
College Admissions
I declared Pre-Nursing as my major on the college application; do I still have to submit a Nursing Program application?
Yes. In addition to the JSCC application, students must also complete a separate Nursing Program application and submit it to the Nursing Program Office, Room 137 of the McWherter Center, by the appropriate deadline.
Do I have to be enrolled and taking classes at JSCC before I apply to the Nursing Program?
No. Applicants are required to complete the JSCC admissions process to become a fully admitted student for the term in which they intend to begin the Nursing Program.
I have been to college before. Do I have to submit my high school transcript?
Yes. Unless a student has previously received a college degree, they must submit an official high school transcript to the JSCC Admissions Office.
Do I send my transcripts to the Nursing Program Office?
No. Official copies of all transcripts must be sent to the JSCC Admissions Office.
I have been to several colleges. Does JSCC need a transcript from each of the colleges I have attended?
Yes. JSCC requires an official undergraduate transcript from each school that the student has attended even if they did not complete the term. An official transcript is one sent from the college you attended directly to the JSCC Records Office and is marked with an official seal or signature. Transcripts issued to students cannot be accepted.
I requested transcripts to be sent to JSCC, but I am not sure they will arrive by the application deadline. Will the Nursing Program accept them late?
No. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all required materials are received by the appropriate application deadline. Contact the JSCC Admissions Office to determine if your transcripts have been received.
Learning Support (Developmental) Classes
I am currently taking Learning Support (Developmental) courses. If I am unable to finish them by the application deadline, can my nursing application still be considered?
No. If required by JSCC Admissions, all Learning Support (Developmental) coursework must be completed by the appropriate application deadline; this includes Math Modules 1-8.
Nursing Admissions/Eligibility
Does the Nursing Program accept applications after the deadline specified on the application?
No. Applications are not accepted after the deadline, but students may apply for a subsequent class. For, example if a student misses the deadline for the fall, they may still apply for spring admission.
Where do I submit my application?
Applications may either be mailed* or hand delivered to:
Nursing Program, MC 137
2046 N. Parkway
Jackson, TN 38301
*Mailed applications must be postmarked by the appropriate application deadline.
Can I fax my application?
No. The Nursing Program does not accept faxed applications.
What is the application deadline?
The Nursing Program accepts applications twice a year for the 2-year traditional Program. February 1st is the application deadline for the fall class and June 15th is the application deadline for the spring class. (Please be aware that deadlines are subject to change and are listed on the Nursing Application Packet.)
Will I be contacted if my application is incomplete?
No. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that all application requirements and materials have been accurately completed and submitted by the appropriate application deadline. Check to be sure that every question on the application has been answered prior to submission.
ACT
Do I have to take the ACT?
Yes. Because the ACT is the Nursing Program entrance exam, all applicants - regardless of academic background or work experience - must take the ACT if they have not already done so within three years of the application deadline.
What do I have to score on the ACT to be eligible?
There is no minimum ACT score that students must achieve in order to be eligible to apply. Applicants are evaluated using a point system. Points are awarded based on ACT scores in Reading, Science Reasoning, and Composite sections. For full details on the point system, please see the current application packet.
How do I sign up for the ACT?
National Test: Go to www.actstudent.org. When scheduling your ACT, please keep in mind that test scores take an average of three weeks to be received by JSCC and students must indicate that they want JSCC to receive scores when registering for the test. Students may take the national ACT multiple times as long as scores are received by the appropriate application deadline.
Residual Test: JSCC administers the residual ACT, which is the same test, but the scores are only reported and can only be used at JSCC. Contact the JSCC Assessment Center to register before the application deadline. Please note that students can only take ONE residual ACT per application cycle.
Does it matter whether I take the national ACT or the residual ACT for JSCC Nursing Program admissions purposes?
No. Both exams are acceptable for the JSCC Nursing Program. If you take the national ACT, contact the JSCC Admissions Office to be sure that your scores have been received by the appropriate application deadline. The residual ACT is given on campus; test scores are sent to the Nursing Program Office.
Grade Point Average
Is there a minimum GPA required for Nursing Program admissions?
Yes. You must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA by the application deadline.
How is my cumulative GPA calculated?
A cumulative GPA will be calculated based on all undergraduate college-level courses taken at all colleges or universities that you have attended. Your high school GPA will only be used if you have never enrolled in college.
Will my JSCC transcript show my cumulative GPA if I have transfer coursework?
No. A JSCC transcript only reflects the student's JSCC GPA. The Nursing Program calculates cumulative GPAs using all college transcripts.
I am not sure if I have a 2.5 GPA, can someone evaluate my transcripts for me?
Yes. If a student would like to have their transcripts evaluated, call to set up an appointment with the Nursing Admissions Director. Be sure to bring copies of all college transcripts to the appointment.
Previous Nursing Students
If I have been in another Nursing program and either failed or withdrawn from two nursing classes, does that affect my eligibility?
Yes. If two or more grades of W, D or F in any prior nursing coursework are indicated on a student's transcript, the applicant will not be eligible for nursing program admission unless Academic Fresh Start status has been granted. If an applicant needs to discuss Academic Fresh Start, please call to set up an appointment.
I have been in another Nursing program, but have not failed or withdrawn from any of my classes. Will my nursing classes transfer?
Maybe. The student must first submit a Nursing Program application, meet all eligibility criteria, and be accepted into the Nursing Program. Once you have been accepted, the student wishing to transfer nursing coursework must submit a written request along with copies of transcripts, course syllabi, and course descriptions for review. The Program Education Coordinator and the Nursing Curriculum Committee will evaluate the nursing courses to determine eligibility for transfer/substitution in the Nursing Program.
General Education Classes
Do I have to complete all the general education classes before applying to the Nursing Program?
No. While students often choose to complete general education courses before applying to the nursing program, they may also be completed alongside the nursing courses. The only exception is BIOL 2010, which must be completed with a grade of C or above prior to enrolling in the first nursing course. Due to the demands and time required in nursing, faculty encourage applicants who must work or have other time-consuming responsibilities to complete as many of the required general education classes as possible prior to entering the Nursing Program.
Is Anatomy and Physiology I required to be admitted to the JSCC Nursing Program?
No. However, students selected for admission must complete it prior to enrolling in NUR 110, Foundations of Nursing. Students are notified of acceptance at least one semester prior to beginning nursing classes, so there is time for this requirement to be fulfilled either during the summer (for students admitted to the fall program) or the fall (for students admitted to the spring program). If A & P I (with lab) is not satisfactorily completed by the deadline, you will not be able to enroll in nursing and must reapply to the Program.
If I have all my general education classes completed prior to starting the nursing program can I finish it in less than 2 years?
No. Nursing courses are sequenced in a specific way to ensure the student develops nursing knowledge and skill in a progressive manner. The Nursing Program courses are sequenced over 2 years, with 5 semesters of enrollment.
I have taken some of the general education courses at another college. Will those courses transfer and meet the requirements for the nursing program?
Maybe. Student's transcripts are officially evaluated during the initial term of Program enrollment. The institution reserves the right to accept all, none, or a portion of courses. Accepted courses will be posted on the academic record as earned hours only. Grades and quality points will not be calculated in the Jackson State grade point average. The Nursing Program may accept college credit courses in which grades of C or above were earned based on evaluation of the course content. Please make an appointment with a nursing advisor to discuss your coursework and determine if it is eligible to be used to meet Program requirements. Be sure to bring copies of transcripts, course descriptions, and syllabi to the appointment.
Acceptance
Do I have a better chance of getting accepted if all my general education classes are completed prior to applying?
Maybe. A & P bonus points are awarded if students have successfully completed (grades of C or above) BIOL 2010 Anatomy & Physiology I and/or BIOL 2020 Anatomy & Physiology II (with labs) less than five years prior to Program enrollment. These points contribute to your overall admissions score. See the application for the specific dates A & P courses must have been taken to earn bonus points.
However, no special consideration or bonus points are awarded to applicants for completion of other general education courses.
If I have previous medical work experience, will that help me get accepted?
Maybe. Admission bonus points may be earned if the applicant has been recently working as an LPN, CNA, Paramedic, EMT, Respiratory Therapist, or Certified Medical Office Assistant in a direct patient care role; or High school seniors with HOSA direct patient care work experience may also be eligible. Applicants must document that they have completed at least 800 hours of direct patient care service within the past three years and are in good standing with their employer(s). The Healthcare Provider form, found in the application packet, must be completed and submitted with the nursing application in order for the applicant to be considered for these points.
Is there an interview?
No. The JSCC Nursing Program does not interview applicants as part of the admissions process.
Does the Nursing Program keep a waiting list?
No. If a student is not selected, they must reapply for the next admissions term.
Does the Nursing Program accept letters of recommendation?
No. The JSCC Nursing Program does not review letters of recommendation as part of the admissions process.
How will I be notified whether or not I have been accepted?
All applicants will receive a letter notifying them whether or not they were accepted. If a student applies by June 15th, they can expect to receive notification of a decision in August. If a student applies by Feb. 1st, letters will go out in April or early May. We cannot answer questions regarding Nursing Program acceptance over the phone or via email. Applicants who are not selected for admission are encouraged to meet with a nursing advisor to review their score and plan for the subsequent application cycle
Logistics and Misc.
Can I set up an advising appointment?
Yes. Call the Nursing Program Office at 731-425-2622.
Can I audit nursing classes even if I have not been accepted to the nursing program?
No. Only students who have been accepted into the Nursing program may take nursing classes.
How much does the Nursing Program cost?
The cost of the Nursing Program depends upon the current rate of tuition, fees, textbooks, etc. Please check the current application packet for detailed lists of expenses.
I work during the day; can I take the nursing classes online, at night, or on the weekends?
No. Students should be prepared for a Monday through Friday lecture, lab and clinical schedule. Some nursing courses include Saturday and/or evening clinical hours. Course schedules change as the student progresses in the program each semester. Due to varied clinical scheduling, the Nursing Program is unable to provide specific nursing course schedule information to students prior to enrollment in the Program.
Can I take a semester off if I want a break?
Maybe. Students enrolled in the Nursing Program must complete all required courses within 150% of the intended length of the program. The Nursing Program is designed to be completed in 5 semesters; students may take up to, but no more than, 3 years to complete all the required courses. Not all courses are offered each term so students are advised to meet with the Nursing Admissions Director to discuss and plan any changes in the planned 5 semesters of enrollment.
