Acceptance to Morningside College does not insure admission into the nursing major. Admission to the nursing major requires a separate application and admission process. To be eligible for admission students must:

• Have completed at least 27 credits prior to entering the nursing major including the required courses of Chemistry, Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, General Psychology, and Composition and Communication.

• Earn at least a grade of "C" in all required courses for the nursing major and present a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or better. (A "C-" grade in required courses is not acceptable.  Support courses may be repeated once.)

• Present a composite ACT of 20 or above, if available.

• Submit a written application and complete an interview with a faculty member of the Department of Nursing in the spring semester of the freshman year.

• Report status of any felony conviction.

The Department of Nursing reviews all applications and determines acceptance.  Students are notified in writing of their admission status.

Applicants who have minor deficiencies in meeting the above criteria will be reviewed and may be granted conditional admission. However, enrollment may be limited to the best-qualified candidates.

After admission to the nursing major, all students are responsible for meeting the following requirements:

a. Purchase regulation uniforms.

b. Present proof of American Heart Association Healthcare Provider BLS

    certification and maintain certification while enrolled in the nursing major.

c. A criminal, sex offender, and abuse registry background check will be completed by

    the nursing department.

d. Fulfill departmental immunization requirements.

e. Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75.

f. Earn a grade of "C" or better in remaining required courses.

g. Provide their own transportation to nursing courses and clinical experiences.

h. Participate in and complete requirements of the NCLEX Assessment Plan.

Felony Conviction
The Iowa Code (Chapters 147.3 and 152.5) states that conviction of certain felonies may make an individual ineligible for licensure or registry. Previous conviction of a felony does not automatically bar an individual from eligibility for licensure or registry.

Students not eligible to take a clinical component will not be admitted to the nursing major.

Students must complete all nursing courses within 5 years of initial enrollment in the first nursing course.

Registered Nurse degree completion students must meet the same academic requirements as basic students.  When enrolled in the first nursing course (Nurs 306), a written application and an interview with a faculty member must be completed.  Current licensure as a registered nurse in Iowa is required. The Iowa Code Section 152E.1, the interstate nurse licensure compact, recognizes licensure from participating states.

Under the Iowa Articulation Plan, registered nurses choose one of four options to be granted credit for previous learning.  In all options students will receive 30 nursing credits from the initial program.

Option 1.  Direct transfer of credit for graduates of Iowa diploma and associate degree nursing programs.  This option is designed for graduates of validated diploma and associate degree nursing programs in Iowa.  At leat one-half of the total credits required for the baccalaureate degee in nursing are granted.  Additional general education and support course credit may be transferred.

Option 2.  Standardized examinations for graduates of diploma and associate degree nursing programs from any U.S.state.  This option provides the opportunity to earn at least one-half of the nursing credits for the baccalaureate degree in nursing by successfully completing standardized nursing examinations.  General education and support course credit may also be transferred.

Option 3.  This option has been removed as of December 2002.

Option 4.  Escrow/validation of credit for graduates of diploma and associate degree nursing programs from any U.S. state.  This option awards at least one-half of the required nursing credits to students enrolled in the baccalaureate program.  The credits are held in escrow until the student has successfully completed at least 3-4 credit hours of designated baccalaureate nursing course work.  General education and support course credit may also be transferred.

To be eligible for admission, the registered nurse must:

       a.  Present transcript(s) of course work completed toward an earned diploma or associate degree in nursing from a state

            approved school of nursing.

       b.  Present current licensure as a registered nurse in Iowa.  The Iowa code section 152E.1, the interstate nurse licensure

            compact, recognizes licensure from participating states.

       c.  Earned at least a grade of "C" (2.0) or better in all courses required for the nursing major which are transferred from other

            institutions.

       d.  Present a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75.

       e.   While enrolled in NURS306, submit a written application and complete an interview with a faculty member of the

             Department of Nursing.

       f.    Report status of any felony conviction.

The Department of Nursing reviews all applications and determines acceptance.  Students are notified in writing of their admission status.

After admission to the nursing major, all students are responsible for meeting the following requirements:

a.       Fulfill departmental immunization requirements.

b.      Procure professional liability insurance coverage and maintain while enrolled in the nursing major.

c.       Maintain American Heart Association Healthcare Provider BLS certification.

d.      A criminal, sex offender, and abuse registry background check will be completed by the nursing department .

e.   Earn a grade of “C” or better in remaining required courses.

f.        Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75.

g.       Provide their own transportation to nursing courses and clinical experiences.

Progression in the Nursing Major

To remain in the nursing major and to proceed to the next level of study, students must maintain a grade of "C" (75%) in the theory component, and successfully pass the clinical component, if applicable, for each nursing course.  This means that a student who earns a grade lower than "C" (75%) in the theory and/or fails the clinical component of any nursing course must repeat the whole course.  Only one nursing course may be repeated and only once.