Nursing Admission Requirements

IVCCD Nursing Programs

The Iowa Valley Community College District (IVCCD) offers pathways into nursing through both Marshalltown Community College (MCC) and Ellsworth Community College (ECC). Students can pursue either a Practical Nursing (PN) diploma or an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN/RN) program, depending on their educational and career goals.

Admission to the Nursing programs is separate from general college admission. Students must complete a Nursing Admissions Folder and submit all required documentation to the appropriate campus Admissions Office.

Click here to access the MCC Nursing Checklist

Click here to access the ECC Nursing Checklist

Practical Nursing (PN)

Application Requirements

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.

  1. Complete application for admission to MCC or ECC
  2. Submit official high school transcript or GED/HSED
  3. Submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges (if applicable)
  4. Complete and submit the Iowa Core Performance Standards Form for health careers. 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.
  5. Meet with the Nursing Program Director if accommodations are needed

Academic & Testing Requirements

All students must 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 at 641-844-5710.

The minimum required TEAS test scores are:

  • Reading, 47.6%
  • Mathematics, 46.7%
  • Science, 33%
  • English and Language Usage, 40%

Important Update: TEAS tests are exclusively offered during the spring semester. Click here to sign up for 2026 TEAS Testing.

If you need assistance, accommodations are available.

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.

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) or PSY121 Developmental Psychology (3 credits)

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

Documentation to verify the successful passage of the Iowa CNA Written and Skills Certification Exams is required for entrance into the Nursing program.

As an applicant for the Nursing program, you are responsible for turning in all required documentation to MCC or ECC Admissions.

MCC: MccInfo@iavalley.edu

ECC: EccInfo@iavalley.edu 

If you graduate from a high school out of the US, TOEFL scores are required unless your country is on exempt list.

Health and Training Requirements

As the healthcare environment continues to evolve, we work with our clinical partners to provide the best learning opportunities for Nursing students. Because of your contact with vulnerable patients and/or infectious environment with patients, you are at risk for exposing patients and/or being exposed to and possible transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases. Maintenance of immunity is, therefore, an essential part of prevention for healthcare workers. It is important to recognize that most infectious diseases are contagious before a person is symptomatic. It is your professional responsibility to know and keep current with your immunizations and health requirements.

IVCCD contracts with Verified Credentials to manage background checks, and clinical educational and health requirements. You will receive more information regarding these requirements at orientation.

It is the student’s responsibility to purchase the Verified Credentials package and meet the associated deadlines. Students that fail to purchase this package and/or meet the health, training, and background requirements will not be allowed to enter or continue in the program. Students are responsible for all financial liabilities associated with not meeting these requirements

  • History & Physical - Complete IVCCD History & Physical forms (provided).
  • COVID-19 or Declination- Documentation of COVID-19 vaccination or a signed and approved IVCCD exemption form. Medical or religious exemption forms are available upon request.
  • Seasonal Flu or Declination– Documentation of annual flu vaccination to be completed by October 15th or a signed and approved IVCCD exemption form. Medical or religious exemption forms are available upon request.
  • Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) – Must have DT booster within the last 10 years. The Tdap is highly recommended of the two.
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) – Documentation of two doses of the vaccine or serological proof of immunity.
  • Varicella – Physician documented proof of disease, documented serological proof of immunity, or documented two-dose vaccine series.
  • Hepatitis B – Documentation of the three-dose vaccine series, serological proof of immunity, or a signed waiver declining vaccination. Waiver forms are available through Verified Credentials.
  • TB Screening - Documentation of TB skin test to be completed annually. If the student has a positive skin test, the following must be provided:
    • Documentation of the TB Skin Test result
    • Results of a baseline chest radiograph
    • Symptom evaluation
    • Documentation of treatment history TB disease if applicable.

Other Requirements

  • CPR – Must be the American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers. – Must include in-person skills test out.
  • Bloodborne Pathogen Training (Infection Control) – Must include completion done through CE solutions.
  • HIPAA Training - Must include completion done through CE solutions.
  • Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training - Must include completion done within the past 3 years through DHS.
  • Dependent Adult Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training - Must include completion done within the past 3 years through DHS.

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.

Associate Degree Nursing (ADN/RN) 

Application Requirements

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.

  1. Complete application for admission to MCC or ECC
  2. Submit official high school transcript or GED/HSED
  3. Submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges (if applicable)
  4. Complete and submit the Iowa Core Performance Standards Form for health careers. 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.
  5. Meet with the Nursing Program Director if accommodations are needed

Academic & Testing Requirements

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.

  • 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) or PSY121 Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
    • All science courses must have been completed within 10 years.
  • 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)

A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.7000 in all Nursing prerequisites and general education courses is required for entry.

As an applicant for the Nursing program, you are responsible for turning in all required documentation to MCC or ECC Admissions.

MCC: MccInfo@iavalley.edu

ECC: EccInfo@iavalley.edu 

If you graduate from a high school out of the US, TOEFL scores are required unless your country is on exempt list.

Health and Training Requirements

As the healthcare environment continues to evolve, we work with our clinical partners to provide the best learning opportunities for Nursing students. Because of your contact with vulnerable patients and/or infectious environment with patients, you are at risk for exposing patients and/or being exposed to and possible transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases. Maintenance of immunity is, therefore, an essential part of prevention for healthcare workers. It is important to recognize that most infectious diseases are contagious before a person is symptomatic. It is your professional responsibility to know and keep current with your immunizations and health requirements.

IVCCD contracts with Verified Credentials to manage background checks, and clinical educational and health requirements. You will receive more information regarding these requirements at orientation.

It is the student’s responsibility to purchase the Verified Credentials package and meet the associated deadlines. Students that fail to purchase this package and/or meet the health, training, and background requirements will not be allowed to enter or continue in the program. Students are responsible for all financial liabilities associated with not meeting these requirements

  • History & Physical - Complete IVCCD History & Physical forms (provided).
  • COVID-19 or Declination- Documentation of COVID-19 vaccination or a signed and approved IVCCD exemption form. Medical or religious exemption forms are available upon request.
  • Seasonal Flu or Declination– Documentation of annual flu vaccination to be completed by October 15th or a signed and approved IVCCD exemption form. Medical or religious exemption forms are available upon request.
  • Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) – Must have DT booster within the last 10 years. The Tdap is highly recommended of the two.
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) – Documentation of two doses of the vaccine or serological proof of immunity.
  • Varicella – Physician documented proof of disease, documented serological proof of immunity, or documented two-dose vaccine series.
  • Hepatitis B – Documentation of the three-dose vaccine series, serological proof of immunity, or a signed waiver declining vaccination. Waiver forms are available through Verified Credentials.
  • TB Screening - Documentation of TB skin test to be completed annually. If the student has a positive skin test, the following must be provided:
    • Documentation of the TB Skin Test result
    • Results of a baseline chest radiograph
    • Symptom evaluation
    • Documentation of treatment history TB disease if applicable.

Other Requirements

  • CPR – Must be the American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers. – Must include in-person skills test out.
  • Bloodborne Pathogen Training (Infection Control) – Must include completion done through CE solutions.
  • HIPAA Training - Must include completion done through CE solutions.
  • Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training - Must include completion done within the past 3 years through DHS.
  • Dependent Adult Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training - Must include completion done within the past 3 years through DHS.