Admission Procedures

Students intending to complete a degree in nursing will be enrolled as pre-nursing students with the designation of PRN. Once students have met the minimum criteria for admission to nursing, submitted their application, and been formally admitted to the nursing program, they will become nursing majors with the designation NUR.

Regular Admission to the Nursing Program

The following are minimum threshold requirements to be considered for admission into the nursing program. If space is limited, not all qualified applicants may be admitted.

1. Be admitted to Bethel University.
2. Achieve a cumulative Bethel GPA of at least 2.75.  
3. Achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 in the required prerequisite science ­courses. 
4. Earn a C or better for all prerequisite science, health, and psychology courses.
5. Submit a recent ATI TEAS test score. Students are allowed to take the exam a maximum of two times, no sooner than two weeks apart.
   1. Pre-nursing students must achieve a score of proficient or higher in order to be admitted to the Nursing program. Submit the results to Bethel University St. Paul, MN from ATI. Students should test at a PSI site or remotely as soon as they graduate from high school, and no later than the summer before their sophomore year.
6. Demonstrate competency in oral and written communication.
7. Demonstrate a level of personal health consistent with safe nursing practice as determined in a physical examination.
8. Provide documentation of current immunizations as required by clinical agencies prior to beginning the nursing program.
9. Give evidence of personality, character, and emotional stability consistent with the mission of the nursing department and the role and responsibility of the professional nurse.
10. Be recommended for admission into the nursing program by one person outside the nursing program.
11. Have completed the required prerequisite courses, including the general education courses: GES 160; Inquiry Writing Seminar, GES 130; Christianity and Western Culture (CWC) or GES 145; Humanities I: Greco-Roman through Middle Ages.
12. Applicants taking prerequisite science courses at Bethel will be more competitive.
13. Students can only reapply once for admission to the nursing program.
14. Provide documentation of successful completion of a Certified Nursing Assistant/Nursing Assistant Registered Program prior to beginning the nursing program.
15. Students who submitted a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score as part of their application process to Bethel must have a TOEFL IBT overall score of 84 with a minimum speaking score of 26. (These scores were established by the Minnesota Board of Nursing as minimum eligibility criteria for taking the licensure examination for registered nurses.)

Application materials and procedures are available from the nursing department for students interested in the traditional baccalaureate nursing program.

Transfer and/or Advanced Standing

Transfer students applying for admission to the nursing program must meet the regular admission requirements in addition to the requirements below:

1. Transfer students must achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 2.85 for all college level courses prior to admission to Bethel
2. Transfer students must attend Bethel at least one semester (12 credits minimum) prior to starting the nursing program or receive program director permission to directly begin the program. Students may complete nursing and/or general education prerequisite courses during this semester. 

Transfer student requirements are found in the Academic Information section of this catalog. Further details on departmental policies and procedures are described in the Pre-licensure Nursing Program Student Handbook.

The nursing department requires a score of 4 or better on the AP exams in order for the exams to be used to fulfill the science course prerequisites for the nursing program. However, the nursing department recommends students with a 4 or better take the science prerequisites, particularly BIO 120/BIO 120D and CHE 101/CHE 101D, at Bethel. Students with a score of 3 on AP science prerequisite courses will receive elective credit or receive credit toward General Education requirements.

Early/Direct Admission to the Nursing Program

Highly qualified students may apply for early admission to the Nursing Program. This means that after acceptance, but before enrolling at Bethel University, they may also be accepted into the Nursing Program. This option is available to a limited number of first year and transfer students entering Bethel as pre-nursing majors.

1. Freshman Early/Direct Admission

Admission is competitive, and not all qualified applicants are guaranteed admission. To be considered for early admission an applicant must:

• Be a current high school senior student
• Submit an ATI TEAS score of advanced or higher or an ACT score of 26 or higher
• Be accepted to Bethel by April 15
• Be declared Pre-Nursing

The Admissions and Progression Committee will invite qualified applicants to apply. To apply, the student must write an essay and submit one reference from a high school teacher or counselor. 

If students submit an ACT score of 26 or higher, they will also need to submit a recent ATI TEAS test score to complete their application. It is recommended students take the TEAS test the summer prior to starting at Bethel.

2. Transfer Early/Direct Admission

Early/direct transfer students are accepted into the sophomore fall semester with a planned nursing program start the coming spring. Early transfer applicants must meet the regular admission requirements in addition to the requirements below:

1. Submit a TEAS exam score of advanced or higher or an ACT score of 26 or higher. [All students must submit a recent ATI TEAS test score.] 
2. A cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher.
3. Prerequisite science courses completed within the past 5 years with no courses retaken. 

Early/Direct Admission and Early Admit Transfer application materials are available from the College of Arts and Sciences traditional baccalaureate nursing program. 

Additional Requirements

Courses in the nursing program require students to spend substantial time in off-campus clinical sites, such as hospitals, clinics, and public health agencies. Students must furnish their own transportation to and from these clinical sites, some of which may not be conveniently reached by public transportation.

In addition, students should be aware that Minnesota state law requires that healthcare facilities complete background checks on all employees (and students); background checks include fingerprinting. If an employee (or student) has been convicted of certain crimes, he/she may not be allowed to work in such facilities. All prospective students need to be aware of this law because a student convicted of these crimes may be unable to complete the clinical requirements of the nursing program and, consequently, may not be able to graduate from the program or be eligible to practice as a registered nurse. Any questions should be addressed to:

Minnesota Department of Human Services
Division of Licensing, Background Study Unit
444 Lafayette Road
Saint Paul, MN 55155-3842

or

The Minnesota Board of Nursing
1210 Northland Dr. #120
Mendota Heights, MN 55120

Students are required to provide evidence of current health insurance as a condition of beginning the program. Information about health insurance is available through the Office of Student Life. Malpractice insurance is also required (see the Finances section of this ­catalog).

Program Performance Requirements

Nursing is a practice discipline, and the baccalaureate nursing education program prepares nurse generalists. All nursing students must demonstrate a wide variety of cognitive, interpersonal, and motor skills. A list of core program performance standards is available from the nursing department. The university will provide reasonable accommodations to eligible students who can demonstrate need based on a qualifying disability in accordance with the applicable law. Students seeking reasonable accommodations must request them in a timely manner in order to avoid scheduling delays. A minimum of 30 days advance notice prior to the start of a semester is required because of the complex nature of clinical and laboratory courses. Consultation related to reasonable accommodations is available through the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services.

Progression for Students

To progress in the program, the student must meet the Bethel University requirements for academic progress. In addition, a student must:

1. Earn a grade of C or better in each nursing course. Select nursing courses require that the overall combined exam score is at least 75% in order to pass the course. This indicates satisfactory achievement of objectives and completion of course requirements. Details are provided in the syllabi for the select courses.
2. Maintain a major GPA of at least 2.75.
3. Function in a safe and ethical manner.
4. Successfully complete each prerequisite nursing course before progressing to the next sequential course.
5. Complete at least half of the credits designated as Nursing (NUR) in residence at Bethel.
6. Successfully complete all NUR400 level courses in residence at Bethel University.
7. Inform program director of any changes in health status that would affect performance as a nursing student.

Appeals Process

Students have the right to appeal a final grade, clinical evaluation, or dismissal from the program. If a resolution cannot be reached with the faculty member most immediately involved, students may appeal to the Admissions and Progressions Committee, as described in the Pre-licensure Nursing Program Student Handbook. 

Admissions decisions are final and may not be appealed. Applicants may request a review of an admission decision by the Dean of Nursing.

Students who are dismissed from the nursing program will be administratively withdrawn from nursing courses in which they are registered for the next term.