Nursing Admission
Requirements

We are happy to learn of your interest in our Nursing program. Ellsworth Community College offers a Practical Nursing diploma program and Associate Degree Nursing (RN) program.

Admission into either the Practical or Associate Degree Nursing program is separate from admission to the College. The first step students must take is to complete your Nursing Admissions Folder; the following items must be submitted to ECC Admissions.

PRACTICAL NURSING ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Application for College admission completed.
   1. Apply to Ellsworth Community College (online form)

2. Application for the Nursing program completed.
   1. ECC Nursing application form (online form)

3. Official high school transcript or GED/HSED equivalency diploma required (send to ECC Admissions Office).
4. Official transcripts from other colleges you have attended, if applicable (send to ECC Admissions Office).
5. The Iowa Core Performance Standards Form for health career programs must be reviewed, signed, and returned by email to ECC Admissions. Applicants unable to meet the core performance standards must discuss the possibility of reasonable accommodations with the Nursing Program Director at 641-844-5731 or 1-866-622-4748, Ext. 5731.
6. All students must earn a minimum ACT composite score of 18, OR pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) prior to acceptance into the Practical Nursing program. It is required  students wait until they have completed and passed BIO168 to take the TEAS exam. To register for the TEAS Exam please contact the Nursing Advisor. The minimum required TEAS test scores are: Reading, 47.6%; Mathematics,
   46.7%; Science, 33%; and English and Language Usage, 40%. NOTE: If you have earned a bachelor’s degree the TEAS requirement is waived. NOTE: ACCUPLACER scores will assist advisors in the placement of students in developmental courses, as needed, in order to enhance their chances of meeting the entrance requirements for the nursing program.
7. Applicants must complete the following five General Education courses with a C- or higher and must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.7000 prior to entry:
   • BIO151 Nutrition* (3 credits)
   • BIO168 Human Anatomy & Physiology I* (4 credits)
   • BIO173 Human Anatomy & Physiology II* (4 credits)
   • BIO186 Microbiology* (4 credits)
   • EDU160 Human Growth & Development (3 credits)

* All science courses must have been completed within the past 10 years.

8. Documentation to verify the successful passage of the Iowa CNA Written and Skills Certification Exams is required for entrance into the Nursing program.
9. As an applicant for the Nursing program, you are responsible for turning in all required documentation to ECC Admissions.
10. If you graduate from a high school out of the US, TOEFL scores are required unless your country is on exempt list. Exempt countries for TOEFL scores

While working on the above requirements, all students are considered Pre-Nursing Liberal Arts majors. If officially admitted into the Nursing program, a student will then be a Practical Nursing major.

Applications for the Practical Nursing Program are accepted throughout the year with a new class beginning each fall. Applications are due March 15th for priority consideration.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Application for college admission completed.
   1. Apply to Ellsworth Community College (online form)

2. Application for the Nursing program completed.
   1. ECC Nursing application form (online form)

3. Official high school transcript or GED/HSED equivalency diploma required (send to college Admissions Office).
4. Official transcripts from other colleges you have attended (if applicable). Transcript from your successfully completed Practical Nursing program also required.
5. Copy of current Practical Nursing license. (NOTE: Summer graduates must submit copy of PN license no later than the start of the fall semester Associate Degree Nursing program classes. Failure to do so will be grounds for administrative withdrawal from the program. Extenuating circumstances will be subject to approval by the Nursing Program Director.)
6. The Iowa Core Performance Standards Form for health career programs must be reviewed, signed, and returned to ECC Admissions. Applicants unable to meet the core performance standards must discuss the possibility of reasonable accommodations with the Nursing Program Director at 641-844-5731 or 1-866-622-4748, Ext. 5731.
7. Must complete these general education courses with a C- or higher prior to entry:
   • BIO151 Nutrition* (3 credits)
   • BIO168 Human Anatomy & Physiology I* (4 credits)
   • BIO173 Human Anatomy & Physiology II* (4 credits)
   • BIO186 Microbiology* (4 credits)
   • EDU160 Human Growth & Development (3 credits)

* All science courses must have been completed within 10 years.

8. Must complete these general education courses with a C- or higher prior to graduation (it is highly recommended to have them completed prior to program entry):
   • ENG105 Composition I (3 credits)
   • PSY111 Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
   • SOC110 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
9. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.7000 in all Nursing prerequisites and general education courses is required for entry.
10. As an applicant for the Nursing program, you are responsible for turning in all of the required documentation to the ECC Admissions Office.
11. TOEFL score for students with English as a second language will be required beginning fall 2022. (Reading-18, Listening-17, Speaking-20, Writing-17). Exempt countries for TOEFL scores

Applications for the program are accepted throughout the year, with a new class beginning each fall. Applications are due March 15th for priority consideration.