Associate Degree Nursing Admission Guidelines FAQ

A: Please select General Studies as your first choice, then pre-nursing as your concentration.

Q: When should I apply to the Nursing program?

A: Students who wish to begin classes in the fall semester must apply to the program in February. Students who wish to begin in the spring must apply in August.

Q: When and where are the programs offered?

A: The nursing program offers day and evening/weekend courses on the four CCRI Campuses. Day classes are offered at the Knight (Warwick), Liston (Providence), or the Newport campus. Evening/weekend classes are offered at the Flanagan (Lincoln) campus.

Q: What amount of time should I prepare to spend on the Nursing program once accepted?

A: Students who enter the Nursing program can expect to spend 55-60 hours per week focused on the Nursing program between class time, clinical rotations, and studying.

Q: How is placement in a particular program determined?

A: Applicants will be provided the opportunity to select either a day and/or evening program, as well as a choice of campus locations. Campus assignments will be based on PBHS points earned and space availability.

Q: What if I have a bachelor’s degree? Will you only accept high school or GED® transcripts?

A: Students with an advanced degree may choose to submit their college transcripts for consideration.

Q: What if I do not get the required score on the HESI A 2 Test?

A: Students are limited to two (2) attempts. Students who do not meet the benchmark after the second attempt can retest after three (3) months from the second attempt.

Q: What if I do not meet the minimum grades in the prerequisite courses?

A: Students are allowed to repeat the prerequisite courses only ONE additional time. If a student does not achieve the required grades (in a maximum of two attempts) BIOL 2201: "C" or better, ENGL 1010: "C" or better, and PSYC 2010: "C" or better - he or she will not be eligible to apply to the nursing program.

Q: I have taken a required in-program course such as BIOL 2202 or BIOL 2210 prior to admission and did not achieve the required grade. May I still be accepted to the program?

A: Students will be given ONE additional opportunity to take the course while in the program. If in this SECOND attempt, the student does not achieve the required grade ("C" or better in BIOL 2202 and/or "C" or better in BIOL 2210), the result will be dismissal from the Nursing program.

Q: I have taken a required, in-program course like BIOL 2202 or BIOL 2210 TWICE prior to admission and did not achieve the required grade. Can I still be accepted to the program?

A: We recognize that this is a possibility. Students will be given ONE FINAL opportunity to attempt the course while in the program. If in this final attempt the student does not achieve the required grade ("C" or better in BIOL 2202 and/or "C" or better in BIOL 2210), the result will be dismissal from the nursing program.

Q: Do any completed courses have a time expiration?

A: Yes, BIOL 1020. If you have previously taken BIOL 1020 more than six years prior to admission into the Nursing program, you will be required to repeat the course. Because we are constantly discovering new ways in which the human body works, physiology is a course that must have been taken recently. If you have taken a stand-alone physiology course (such as BIOL 1020 at CCRI), it cannot be more than 6 years old at the time of application to the program. Because physiology is covered in both BIOL 2201 and BIOL 2202, we want to account for the need to retake two courses; therefore we require those courses to be no more than 6 years old at the time of application.

Q: If I get an “A” in BIOL 2201 and a “C” in BIOL 2202, will you combine them and give me a B average for both courses? I’ve heard that some colleges do that.

A: Students are required to achieve a "C" or better in each of those courses.

Q: I want to prepare myself for my nursing education the best way I can. Before I apply, are there any courses that you suggest I take, in addition to the prerequisites?

A: Yes! Students who take both anatomy & physiology 2 (A&P2 BIOL 2202) and microbiology (BIOL 2210) before starting the Nursing program say that it’s one of the best decisions they made. It’s not necessary, of course, for you to take both of them before applying, but we think you’ll be glad if they’re done before you start your nursing courses! Another excellent idea is to take HEAL 1060, “Dosage Calculation for Medication Administration.” You will learn “med math” in your Pharmacology classes, but if you know that math isn’t your strongest suit, taking HEAL 1060 will be great preparation!

Q: I’ve been conditionally accepted to the Nursing program. What if I have questions about getting a background check (BCI) and submitting my health care requirements?

A: While information can be found on the CCRI Nursing website, the Clinical Coordinator and the Information Services Technician II will be able to answer any questions you may have. Please contact them by either calling (401) 825-2162 and pressing 1, or emailing [email protected].

Q: I received a BCI within the past year for work or for reasons unrelated to the Nursing program. Do I need a new one?

A: Yes. All students conditionally accepted into the Nursing program and students who have been officially accepted but are due for their annual BCI renewal will need a background check through CastleBranch.com

Q: I wasn’t conditionally accepted into the Nursing program. Now what?

A: That is unfortunate news. Students who are not accepted into the program are eligible to reapply during the next application period. It is helpful to review the Nursing Program Admission Criteria Point System in the Nursing Admission Guidelines to see how to increase the number of points that make up your score. If needed, Academic Advisors in the Office of Enrollment Services are available to help you determine what you need.

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