Frequently Asked Questions

Part II: BSN CORE Curriculum Advising Worksheet  This form can be found at www.apsu.edu/cochenerd.

Student Name ______________________________                                           “A”  Number _______

Advisor:  Debbie Cochener cochenerd@apsu.edu                             Date           _________

BEFORE coming to your advising appointment:

1. Please list, in the order received, ALL of the grades that you have received in each of the courses below. (verify with your transcript on APSelfServ)
2. If currently enrolled in the course, place the semester and the year in the blank: example FA08 or SP09 or SU09
3. Place an X in the blank next to the courses proposed for the upcoming semester.
4. Bring this completed form with you to your advisement session.
5. If you are in your last semester and need supplemental courses to bring your schedule to full time status, you may email a request to me and I will send you a list from which to choose.

The following  courses are required before making application to the School of Nursing. You will apply to the School of Nursing the semester that you are completing these requirements.

Nursing PreRequisites Must be completed before starting the Nursing Program	Grade(s) Earned or Semester enrolled	Proposed for upcoming semester	APSU Core Requirements			Grade(s) Earned or Semester enrolled	Proposed for upcoming semester
Biol 2010 Anatomy & Physiology I			APSU 1000 (waived for transfer students
Bio 2011 lab			Eng 1010 English Composition
Biol 2020 Anatomy & Physiology II			Eng 1020 English Composition
Bio 2021 lab			Eng 2030 World Literature
Biol 2300 Principles of Microbiology			Comm 1010  Speech
Bio 2311 lab			Hist 2010 American History I
Psy 1010 General Psy			6 hours humanities from two of the following disciplines
Psy 3100 Dev. Psychology			Art  1030
Soc 2010     Intro to Sociology			Music 1030
Math 1530   Elements of Statistics			Thea 1030
			Phil 1040	Phil 1030	Phil 2200

Part III: Admission Requirements to the School of Nursing (classes designated NURS)

Q.         I have been under the old admission requirements. Do the new requirements apply to me?
Yes, all students applying for Fall 2008 and beyond will be under the new requirements.

Q.         I have repeated a course(s). Which grade be used in computing my GPA?
All attempts will be included when computing your GPA regardless of where the course was taken.

Q.         I have applied the Care Policy or the Fresh Start Policy to my grades, will that affect which grades are used in computing my GPA?
Yes. Any grades affected by either Care or Fresh Start will not be used in computing your GPA.

Q.         What are the dates for the new admissions test and where will it be given?
The TEAS admission test will be administered on the main campus at Austin Peay. Dates will be posted on the home page for the School of Nursing: www.apsu.edu/nursing01. The test will be administered on 4 days in April and August of each year in McCord 336 computer lab .

Q.         I took the TEAS test at another school. Can that score be used at APSU or do I need to take the test again?
We encourage students to take the TEAS test here at the university but exceptions can be made.

Q.         Can I use a calculator on the test?
No.

Q.         I do not live near APSU. Do I have to take the TEAS test (admission test) on campus?
Yes, you do have to the test on campus. If you have extenuating circumstances, please contact Debbie Cochener cochenerd@apsu.edu to see what arrangements can be made.

Q.         Can I take the test more than one time per admission period?
Students can only take the test one time during each admission cycle. Scores are valid for two consecutive admission cycles. If you have taken the TEAS in two consecutive admission cycles, the most current score will be considered for your application.

Q.         How do I prepare for this test?
You will find both a study guide and practice tests on the ATI testing site. For more information go to www.atitesting.com, click on student and then on TEAS. There will be no formally organized study sessions provided by SON.

Q.         How much does the test cost?
The test costs $25 (subject to change by ATI) which will be paid on-line at the time of testing with either a debit or credit card. No checks or cash are accepted.

Part IV: Applying to the School of Nursing

Q.         When are students admitted to the School of Nursing? When should I apply?  
BSN Program (Pre-Licensure Students):
Applications to the School of Nursing are taken twice a year (Fall and Spring).  Students will apply to start in Fall Semester or Spring Semester.  All applications will be online during the available periods and must be printed, filled out, and dropped off or mailed to the School of Nursing through the US Postal Mail. 

Application for Fall Semester entry will be available from February 1^st to May 1^st of each year and are due to the School of Nursing by May 1 of the year the student plans to starting nursing courses in August.  

Application for Spring Semester entry will be available from June 1^st to September 1^st of each year and are due to the School of Nursing by September 1 of the year prior to starting nursing courses in January.

Late applications will not be accepted.

Applying for admission to the university is not the same as applying for admission to the School of Nursing. There is a specific application for the School of Nursing, which may be obtained on-line at the School of Nursing web site. A completed application to the School of Nursing includes a signed application form, attached copies of transcripts, and a written plan for completion of the remaining pre-nursing and general education core classes, and transcripts of all prior credits completed.

Q.         How do I apply to the School of Nursing?         
Current APSU Students:
To obtain an application to the School of Nursing, go to the main web site page www.apsu.edu/nursing01. The link for the application appears at the top of the home page during the specified times indicated above. Complete and submit the application by the deadlines indicated above.

Transfer Students:
►All applicants who are not currently attending APSU must apply also for admission to the university. Admission to the university does not guarantee admission to the School of Nursing. Instructions and requirements for admission to the university can be found at the APSU Office of Admissions website (www.apsu.edu.edu/admissions).

►Obtain an application to the School of Nursing website online. Complete and submit application by the deadlines listed above.

Q.         How hard is it to get into the School of Nursing? What is evaluated for admissions?  
Admission to the School of Nursing can be competitive. To enhance the likelihood of admission, students need to maintain a high grade point average calculated solely from the Nursing Core and Nursing Pre-requisite Courses (a cumulative GPA is not evaluated). To be eligible for admission, a student must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 comprised of courses required for the BSN degree, a grade of "C" or better in nursing prerequisite classes, completed the TEAS admission test, and completed all science courses within the past 7 years of the application date.  Letters of reference and interviews are not required or considered for entry into the School of Nursing.

Q.         Is there a waiting list for admission?  
The Admission and Retention Committee of the School of Nursing selects the students to be admitted to each nursing class. Typically, there are more qualified applicants than admission positions available, so some applicants may end up on a waiting list. If students offered an admission position decline their place in the class, students from the waiting list will be "pulled up" and offered their place. Students on the waiting list that are not offered a position to enroll in the School of Nursing must reapply if they want to be considered for admission the following semester. A waiting list is not maintained past the start date of the semester of application.

Q.         Can I go to nursing school part time?   
Students may take all of their nursing prerequisites and university core classes part time. Once a pre-licensure student is accepted into the School of Nursing and is taking nursing classes (classes with NURS prefix), the student will be required to attend classes full time for five (5) semesters. A part-time curriculum track is available to RN-BSN degree completion students.

Q.         Are there evening classes in nursing?   
Many of the nursing prerequisites and university core classes are offered in the evening on the main campus and at the Fort Campbell campus. Once you are admitted to the School of Nursing and taking upper division nursing classes (classes with a NURS prefix), all classes will be offered during the day.

Q.         If I am a nursing major, do I need to have a minor?  
Nursing students are not required to have a minor for graduation.  Students who elect to pursue a minor should plan to take all the classes for their minor before starting nursing classes or during the summer.

Q.         Where will I do my clinical experiences? 
Nursing students at APSU have clinical experiences in a wide variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, shelters and community agencies (within a 50-60 mile radius). Some of the places students attend clinical include:  Clarksville, Dover, Springfield, Nashville Erin, TN, Hopkinsville and Fort Campbell, KY.   Students are expected to provide their own transportation to and from clinical sites.

Q.         Are there any scholarships for nursing students?  
There are several scholarships specifically for nursing students.  Most scholarships require that the recipient be enrolled in nursing classes. Once a student is accepted into the School of Nursing, information regarding scholarships will be made available.  Pre-nursing students may inquire about general scholarship opportunities in the university financial aid office