Selective Admission Programs

Admission Procedures

A student’s admission to the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN), the Practical Nursing (PN), and PTA programs is based upon a comparison of grades, GPA, and entrance test ranking with other applicants.

Minimum Application Requirements: All Nursing Programs

Students must complete the following to apply to these programs:

1. SCC General Admissions Application
   Students complete the application to the college online.
   NOTE: There is no separate admission application for the nursing programs. After completing the application to the college, students applying to nursing programs should contact the Instructional Assistant for Health Sciences (Carol Roberts at 336-386-3275 or robertscd@surry.edu) and request the “Intent to Apply” form.  This form allows students to identify which nursing program they are applying to. The Instructional Assistant will provide instruction on registering to take/submitting scores for the required nursing admission test. **Students applying to the RIBN will also need to apply to Western Carolina University.
2. Official Transcripts
   Provide Surry Community College Admissions and Records Office with the following official transcripts and records:
   1. High school diploma, high school equivalency, or adult high school diploma.
   2. All colleges attended, if applicable.
   3. Documentation of successful completion of a state approved program for Nurse Aide I training is required for ADN, PN, & RIBN applicants.
   4. Documentation of one-year clinical experience as an LPN with direct patient care in a health agency within the last three years or LPN licensure and graduation from a PNE program within one year is required for LPN-ADN applicants.

NOTE: Official transcripts should be mailed from the institution(s) attended or be hand delivered by applicant in an envelope sealed by a representative of the school(s) attended.

3. Placement
   Meet or exceed the benchmark scores for the placement test(s) or successfully complete all developmental prerequisites. Students have numerous ways to demonstrate they are college ready, as indicated below.
   1. RISE for High School/High School Equivalencies:

An applicant who has graduated from a US high school within the past 10 years and has 2.8 or higher unweighted GPA, or has a GED taken since 2014 with a score of 17- or higher in every section, or has HiSet scores with a 15 in every section and a minimum of a 4 on the essay
OR

2. SAT/ACT scores (valid for 10 years): Specific scores will meet the English/Reading and/or Math requirements

For tests taken prior to March 2016:

SAT Critical Reading - 500+ OR SAT Writing - 500, or ACT Reading - 22+ OR ACT English - 18+ will meet required competency in English/Reading

SAT Math - 500+ OR ACT Math - 22+ will meet required competency in Math

For test taken in March 2016 or later:

SAT Evidence Based Reading and Writing - 480+, or ACT Reading - 22+ OR

ACT English - 18+ will meet required competency in English/Reading
SAT Math - 530 OR ACT Math - 22+ will meet required competence in Math
OR

3. Completion of College level English and Math from a regionally accredited college or university.

A grade or “C” or higher in a college level English composition and math course that meets program requirements
OR

4. Completion of an associate’s or bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited US College

OR

5. Placement Test Scores (all scores are valid for 10 years):

While discontinued at Surry Community College in 2019, the NC-DAP Math (DMA) and NC-DAP Reading and English (DRE) tests will be valid for 10 years. The following are the required scores is using NC-DAP test:

Applicants for the ADN, LPN-ADN, and PN programs who have taken the NC-DAP for math must demonstrate mastery in DMA 010, 020, 030, 040 and 050. 

Applicants for nursing programs who have taken the NC-DAP Reading Comprehension and Sentence Skills must demonstrate mastery in DRE 096, 097 and 098.

If DRE/DMA or DMS shell courses from other NC community colleges are being used to meet this requirement, submission of the placement test scores will also be required by the deadline date.

The following tests may also be used to meet English, Reading or Math competencies if taken within the past 10 years:

RISE placement testing is available for applicants who a) graduated more than 10 years ago from high school or b) do not meet the GED/HiSet requirements, or c) do not meet any of the above criteria completely including those without a valid unweighted high school GPA.

If an applicant is eligible to take the RISE placement test, the following scores must be met:

Important information

Applicants who do not meet any of the above methods completely must enroll in either or both the English (ENG 002  grade of P2) and Math (MAT 003  grade of P2 for ADN, PN, & LPN-ADN) transition courses and complete them by the specified deadline to be eligible for consideration.

Applicants who are required to take a co-requisite course with the program-level English and/or Math must pass the program-level course with a grade of C or better by the specified deadline to be eligible for consideration.

4. GPA:
   ADN, LPN-ADN, and PN applicants must achieve and maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher in all college courses. For high school students who have not completed any post-secondary courses, the student must have at least a 3.0 unweighted GPA in their high school courses. A GPA of 3.0 is required for RIBN applicants.
5. Science Courses:
   • ADN & LPN-ADN applicants who have not successfully completed BIO 168 (Anatomy and Physiology I)  must have completed Biology and Chemistry with a grade of “C” or better in high school or BIO 111  and CHM 131  (preferred) or CHM 151  and associated lab component with a grade of “C” or better in order to take BIO - 168 Anatomy and Physiology I .
   • BIO 163  is the science course in the PN curriculum, but BIO 168  and BIO 169  (both courses required) can be substituted.
   • RIBN applicants who have not yet completed BIO 168  must also have completed the Biology prerequisite in the first bullet above.
   • Completion of CHM 131  and CHM 131A  are requirements for admission to RIBN.

In addition to the materials listed above, students must:

Meet or exceed the benchmark score on the nursing admissions test (TEAS). The benchmark score set by Surry Community College for the TEAS test for the ADN, PN, and LPN-ADN programs is 60% with no component (subtest) measuring less than the 25th percentile. The RIBN Collaborative Program with Western Carolina University requires a minimum score of 70% on the TEAS test. The TEAS is scheduled by the Health Sciences Division. Students may take the test at any location and have an official transcript of the TEAS test sent by ATI to Surry.

All materials listed above are due by:

Applicants should contact the Instructional Assistant for Health Sciences to register for the TEAS test and to complete the Intent to Apply form (even if planning to transfer scores to Surry from a different location). This registration is the prompt that indicates student is applying to a health sciences program. Contact Carol Roberts at 336‑386‑3275 or robertscd@surry.edu.

Pre-Nursing Courses

Students applying for a nursing program may complete courses in the curriculum plan that do not have an NUR prefix. The courses listed below in bold are courses that may earn students points for admission.

*Students earning a grade of B or higher in these courses will earn points toward admission. See point count worksheets for details.

Required Grades and Length of Time Since Completing Science if Taken Prior to Admission.

Students must have achieved a grade of “C” or higher in all required curriculum courses with no more than three attempts. Applicants for health sciences programs are encouraged to have taken A&P courses recently, but the time limit on BIO 168  & BIO 169  completion has been removed.

LPN-to-ADN APPLICANTS MUST HAVE AN UNRESTRICTED PRACTICAL NURSING LICENSE IN NORTH CAROLINA OR ONE OF THE COMPACT STATES.

Nursing Admission Testing

Nursing applicants must take the nursing entrance exam (TEAS) at Surry or have their TEAS transcript sent from ATI to Surry by the deadline for the respective program. Students testing at Surry should contact the Instructional Assistant for Health Sciences in H-314 (336-386-3275 or robertscd@surry.edu). Deadlines for registration are indicated on the registration form (provided by Instructional Assistant). Approximate cost of the test is $70.00 and is due at the time of registration.

The nursing entrance exam is one component of the admission process. The Associate Dean of Health Sciences will provide Student Services with a list of students who have met the benchmark score on the TEAS. The Coordinator of Special Admissions will conduct an audit of each student’s file for admission criteria compliance.

• Students must score at or above the benchmarks set for Surry Community College- 60% overall score for ADN, LPN-ADN, and PN programs with no subtest scoring less than 25% or 70% overall score for RIBN program with no subtest scoring less than 25%.
• Students may take the nursing admissions test only every 90 days (regardless of the site of testing) to qualify for consideration into the program. Scores are valid for one year.
• Students may take the nursing admissions test at any location and have an official transcript from the vendor transferred to Surry, Attn: Associate Dean of Health Sciences (Note: Charges from the vendors may apply for this service).

Criteria for Selection of Nursing Students

ADN STUDENTS (Including LPN-ADN) - Applicants with the highest rank on their GPA, the nursing entrance test, and grades earned in BIO 168 , BIO 169 , ENG 111 , ENG 112  or ENG 114  and MAT 152  will be admitted into the ADN program.

PN STUDENTS - Applicants with the highest rank on their GPA, the nursing entrance test, and grades earned in BIO 163 , ENG 111 , and MAT 152  will be admitted into the PN program.

RIBN Students - Applicants with the highest rant on the GPA, the nursing entrance test, and grades earned in BIO 168  , BIO 169  , ENG 111  , ENG 112   or ENG 114   andMAT 152   will be admitted into the RIBN program. CHM 131   & CHM 131A   are required for RIBN admission (no points awarded for CHM 131  /CHM 131A  ).

Decision Notification

• Students can expect to receive a decision via email and a written decision in mail within a few weeks of the admission deadline for their respective program.
• The decision letter will ask for a student response with acceptance or declination.
• Decision letters will detail next steps, such as mandatory meetings prior to courses beginning.
• Final admission status is contingent upon completion of the required items (See the section on Additional Admission Requirements) by the dates requested.

Additional Admission Requirements

Admission into a nursing program is contingent upon completion of the following items by the dates requested. Prospective students must submit:

1. Valid documentation of current Nurse Aide I certification (for PN & ADN) and any other current related certifications, licenses, etc.
   • LPN-to-ADN students are exempt from Nurse Aide I requirement, and instead will have their LPN licensure reviewed during their application period.
   • Student transcripts will be evaluated prior to admission to verify completion of a state approved program for Nurse Aide I training. Curriculum or Continuing Education Courses will suffice for this requirement. The training must be completed by the application deadlines, but students have until the first day entering the program to obtain their certification. Certification is verified by the health sciences division from the NCNAR website.
2. Completed medical form with test results and the most recent dates of immunizations/proof of immunity, including:
   • Hepatitis B vaccines (series of 3 or a signed declination waiver),
   • Positive Hepatitis B titer,
   • Positive varicella (Chicken Pox) titer or documentation of two varicella vaccines (history of having chicken pox is not acceptable proof of immunity)
   • Positive MMR titer or documentation of two MMR vaccines
   • TDAP vaccine at age 10 or older and then a subsequent TD or TDAP every 10 years
   • 2-step TB screening
   • The medical form will be distributed at the mandatory information session for students offered admission to the programs. Medical forms must be completed and submitted to the vendor contracted by the nursing department by the deadlines specified. Arrangements must be made by the student to have influenza vaccines each fall when they become available as these are highly recommended (or in most instances mandatory) by the clinical facilities.
3. Valid CPR certification through American Heart Association (Health Care Provider) that is valid by the deadline set by the vendor and maintained through the end of the respective program. NOTE: Red Cross CPR certification not accepted.
4. Evidence of appropriate health and/or accident insurance (or can be purchased through school).
5. Malpractice insurance is included in tuition and fees for nursing students.
6. Required for LPN-to-ADN students only 

• ​​Documentation of current licensure as a practical nurse without sanctions on the license (past or present).
• Submission of letter from employer verifying one year of clinical experience as an LPN with direct patient care in a health care agency within the last three years.
• Students without one year of clinical experience as an LPN must have LPN licensure and graduation from a PN program within the previous year.

7. Students’ medical provider must attest to the student having the physical and emotional health to safely practice nursing.
8. Students must meet the health requirements and technical standards for nursing students.

Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screening

In the health sciences programs, students are assigned clinical rotations in a number of participating agencies. Various accrediting bodies, as well as state and federal mandates, regulate these agencies. Accrediting bodies or state and federal regulations may require that students, while practicing in a clinical setting, have a criminal background check or drug screening. The drug screening may be done once, before the student reports to the clinical agency, or randomly, during the clinical experience. If the student has a criminal conviction, tests positive for illicit drugs or for drugs in which a student cannot produce a valid prescription, the agency may refuse to allow the student to participate in the clinical experience. Additionally, students with valid prescriptions who exhibit signs of impaired thinking during the clinical experience may be prohibited by the clinical sites.

The Surry Community College Nursing Department and Workforce Technologies and Continuing Education Division are supportive of the clinical agencies that choose to perform drug tests and/or criminal background checks on these students. If a nursing student is prohibited from participating in clinical agency for any reason, the student will be dismissed from the nursing program due to his/her inability to progress.

Technical Standards and Health Requirements: Nursing Students

Prospective nursing student candidates must demonstrate the physical and psychological ability to provide safe care for patients in the clinical setting. These technical standards serve as a guide for each prospective student to assess his or her ability to provide safe and competent nursing care prior to choosing nursing as a career.

Applicants for the nursing programs at Surry Community College must be able to meet and maintain satisfactory demonstration of these standards throughout the program for entry into and satisfactory completion of their respective programs.

Surry Community College’s Office of Accessibility Services provides equal access to programs and services through the provision of reasonable accommodations, resources and services. Students may contact the Director of Accessibility Services at 336-386-3443 or brackenl@surry.edu for further information on accessibility resources.

In addition to the Technical Standards below each nursing student must demonstrate physical, emotional and cognitive health and abilities which are broadly defined as follows.

**Students function within their respective scope of practice

Technical  Standards: Surry Community College Nursing

*These standards are adopted by the SCC Nursing Department and developed in compliance with our clinical agencies and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Readmission Policy

Student Withdrawal

Any student admitted into a nursing program who exits a nursing course before successful completion of any first semester course may apply as an applicant for the program the following year.

Any LPN-ADN student admitted in the spring semester who exits NUR 117  before successful completion in their first semester, but successfully completes NUR 214  may register to retake for NUR 117  during the summer session. All admission criteria will apply.

It is the responsibility of the student to notify the Coordinator of Special Admissions in Student Services, to make application to the program, and to contact the Instructional Assistant for Health Sciences to register for the nursing admissions test if they wish to be considered as an applicant for the next class. All admission criteria will apply.

Students who exit the program after successful completion of the first semester should submit their request for readmission in writing to the Associate Dean of Health Sciences. The letter should state the student’s desire to return to the program and the date of the requested return. Students will have two options to readmit.

1. Capacity for Readmission Must Be Met By All Students
   Having sufficient clinical, class, and lab resources to accommodate returning students is the first criteria to be considered. If the appropriate resources are present, students requesting readmission will then be assessed for their readiness for successful readmission.
2. Readiness for Readmission
   Readiness will be determined by one of two methods.
   1. Demonstration of skills/knowledge at the level of student’s last course successfully completed
      Upon successful identifications of capacity in the program students will be assessed for their readiness to readmit via demonstration of skills/knowledge at the level of student’s last course completed. The following assessment criteria is utilized to determine individual student readiness:
      1. Demonstration of hands-on laboratory skills performed correctly without prompting or remediation. Assessment will be conducted by nursing faculty in the nursing labs.
      2. Demonstration of safe medication administration skills via a written examination. Safe medication administration skills will equate to a grade of 80% for Nursing students who applying to readmit to a 2nd semester course, 85% for students who are applying to readmit to a 3rd semester course, and 90% for students applying to a 4th or 5th semester course.
      3. Knowledge retention of course materials/concepts measured by a comprehensive written examination. Successful demonstration will be noted with a grade of 77% on the examination.
   2. Auditing courses applicable to student need to facilitate readiness
      Often when students are unsuccessful in a nursing program foundational deficits in pharmacology, fundamental skills/knowledge, or other areas such as professional interaction or critical thinking are identified. When a student is unsuccessful in the program and expresses a desire to reapply into the program in the next admission cycle faculty will help the student explore their knowledge deficits to determine NUR course(s) that students must repeat to remediate knowledge/skill deficits.
      1. College’s audit policy will apply
      2. Once students have audited the course(s) recommended by faculty student will re-enter the program where they exited.
      3. Auditing courses as determined by faculty and as approved by the program director may substitute for any testing to demonstrate readiness.
      4. Courses that may be considered for readmission audits will include NUR 111 , NUR 117 , NUR 112 , NUR 113 , NUR 114 , NUR 211 , NUR 212 .

Upon successful demonstration of readiness, students will be assessed for the remaining readmission criteria. Students must:

1. Meet the technical standards of a nursing student (detailed in Nursing Student Handbook)
2. Have no record of behavioral or disciplinary issues at the departmental or campus levels

Once the assessment is completed, students will be notified in writing of the decision regarding readmission.

NOTE: Students should be aware that financial aid does not cover classes that are audited. Additionally, students who choose to audit courses must meet with the Associate Dean of Health Sciences to complete the documents required to request audit.

Students re-entering the program must submit a medical form completed by their healthcare provider with test results and the most recent dates of immunizations, documentation of CPR certification, and pertinent screenings. Students may re-enter a Surry Community College nursing program once, whether entering into the ADN or PN program. All admission criteria apply for re-entry, but TEAS testing is waived.