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How To Apply

Admission Criteria

Admissions Coordinator
Ms. Desma B. Lans
(757) 823-2205
dblans@nsu.edu

Applications for the Traditional are open to all qualified students and highly competitive. Admission is not guaranteed.

Prospective Students

Individuals who do not give permission to conduct the criminal background check/drug screen or who fail to provied the reports as required will not be allowed to matriculate or continue enrollment in the Nursing Program. Students who do not have an up-to-date record on file of all required immunizations, health requirements, insurance, CPR certification, drug screen, and criminal background check will be administratively withdrawn from all nursing classes. 

Clinical documentation for all enrolled students will be collected, filed, and may be released, if requested, to clinical agencies/clinical site to which the sutdents report (Appendix D). If a student refuses to consent to the release of requested information, the student will not be allowed to attend the clinical experience and will fail the course. Upon refusal, the student will have to drop/withdraw from the course or be administratively removed from the course.

  • Criminal Background Check - Students are required to submit a criminal background report (criminal history and sex offender searches.) The independent vendor (Castle Branch) has been identified by the Department of Nursing and Allied Health to provide the criminal background check. Students are responsible for initiating the background check by registering and paying on the Castle Branch website.
  • Drug Screen - 10 Panel Drug Screen is required and is to be completed through Castle Branch via Lab Corp lab Company via urinalysis. A positive finding on a urinalysis drug test will prevent enrollment in the program for one year. Students must consent to the screening and will report for screening per guidlines. The unlawful manufacture, sale, discribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance or marijuana is prohibited on campus and in clinical sites and any violations of this policy shall subject a student to discipinary action up to and inlcuding permanent dismissal.

***Beginning Fall 2025, the Nursing Program will begin once a year admissions and will not offer spring admission.  Spring 2025 is the final spring admission opportunity.***

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Already a Pre-Nursing Student?

You must be accepted to NSU and be enrolled as a Pre-Nursing major for your first two years of general education courses.

At least one semester prior to your desired semester of entry into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, you must take the HESI A2 exam.

You must submit a Nursing Program Admission Application.

Transferring to NSU?

If you’ve taken courses at other schools for nursing, you may be able to apply that credit to your NSU BSN. You may also receive credit for equivalent non-business courses you’ve taken from other colleges and universities, including those in the Virginia Community College System.

Our Office of Transfer Admissions & Services can help you have a seamless and positive transfer experience.

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What are the Admissions Criteria?

In addition to the HESI A2 score, criteria such as cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 and previous academic performance will be used to help the Admissions Committee evaluate each applicant’s ability to successfully complete the nursing program and subsequent licensing examination.

Nursing Program Admission Application

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HESI EXAM INFORMATION

Students seeking admission to the Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program at Norfolk State University are required to complete the Health and Environmental Science Institute Admission Assessment Exam (HESI-A2).  This exam is designed to assess the academic and personal readiness of prospective students.

  • The HESI A2 Entrance is a computer-based test. 
  • Students must earn a 75% or greater in all subject areas on the HESI A2, plus a cumulative score of 75% or greater to be considered for admission.
  • Students will be allowed to take the HESI A2 twice during an academic year at NSU (September – February).
  • Applicants must take and pass the HESI A2 Exam by the specified listed date (no exceptions).  You must complete the entire exam.
  • Applicants must take the exam at NSU only; we will not accept scores from any other academic institution.

Preparing for the Test

  • To prepare for the HESI A2 Exam, an official study publication entitled “HESI Admissions Assessment Exam Review, 4th Ed.” is available for purchase through the publisher Elsevier, at any Barnes & Nobles Bookstore, or Amazon.com. 
  • Additional information on the HESI A2 can be found on the Elsevier website at https://evolve.elsevier.com.  
  • Students May Only Attempt the Exam Twice Per Academic Year
    •  Please prepare adequately and utilize resources listed above. 

TEST dates and REGISTRATION

  • Visit the Testing Services website at or contact Testing Services at testingcenter@nsu.edu or call Dr. Gladys Bennett at 757-823-8611 to request instructions for registering and taking the HESI A2 exam.
  • The Nursing Department does not handle HESI A2 Registration or testing.

 

After the Test

  • You may review your exam score within the testing environmnet before exiting the HESI A2 Assessment.
  • Information regarding test score assessment can be discussed with your advisor after your test.
  • Please do not contact the Nursing Department for test results on the day of the exam. 
  • You will receive an email if you receive a passing score on the exam. 
  • Exam scores are valid for 3 years.