Application Process

No matter where you are in your career, PNW’s College of Nursing has a program to help you move forward. Learn about applying.

Bachelor’s Programs

Applicants must be officially accepted by PNW before their application can be considered for the College of Nursing. Admission to the university doesn’t guarantee admission to the College of Nursing.

Applications for Baccalaureate Degree: Professional Option

Our four-year professional BSN undergraduate program offers fall and spring admission. Applicants for fall admission must apply by February 1, and applicants for spring admission must apply by October 1.

Placement Scores (Test Optional for SP/FA 2022)

  • SAT scores 1080 or higher (combination of math and reading score) OR
  • ACT scores composite 22 or higher (combination of English, math, reading and science scores)
  • Superscores for like exams accepted

Current High School Transcript

  • High School GPA minimum 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Five Subject GPA 3.0 or higher (English, foreign language, history, math, lab sciences and social science)

Applicant with a GED must complete nine hours of university credit OR must meet the SAT/ACT criteria as listed above.

Meets following high-school subject matter:

CoursesSemesters
English8 semesters
Algebra4 semesters
Geometry2 semesters
Chemistry2 semesters
Biology2 semesters
Addition Lab Science (Biology, Physics, Anatomy & Physiology recommended)2 semesters

Note: Simply meeting the above requirements does not guarantee admission to the nursing program. All applicants to nursing are reviewed and the best qualified are admitted. Enrollment is limited.

Applicants who do not meet the nursing admission requirements but do meet general university requirements will be admitted to Exploratory Advising.

  • Minimum 3.0/4.0 cumulative grade point average in all core courses as listed below. Grades from repeated core courses will replace previous core course grade.
  • Students are eligible to apply to the 4 year Baccalaureate Program when they have successfully completed or are currently enrolled in a minimum of two (2) non-science core courses (from: ENGL 10000/10400 or HONR 111, ENGL 10500, PSY 12000) and a minimum of two (2) science core courses (from: CHM 11900/11500, BIOL 21300, BIOL 21400, BIOL 22100). A minimum 3.0 grade point average is required in the top 2 Science/top 2 Non-Science courses.
  • All required courses must have a grade of 2.0 (C) or better. The cumulative GPA in the core classes must be a minimum of 3.0.
  • Laboratory science courses need to have been completed within five (5) years of an application to the College of Nursing. Special consideration may be given to applicants working in a science or medically related field.
  • Applicants transferring from or who have previously attended another nursing program must submit a letter of good standing from the Dean or designee of their previous nursing program.
  • Change of degree and transfer students who have not completed but are currently enrolled in their required pre-requisite courses (two sciences/two non-sciences from the Core) may submit a nursing application. Priority will be given to students who apply and meet the admission requirements by the application date. Acceptance into the program will be contingent on those semester grades, meeting admission requirements, and the availability of spots. Once capacity is reached, no further applications will be accepted until the next application deadline.

Note: Simply meeting the above requirements does not guarantee admission to the nursing program. All applicants to nursing are reviewed, and the best qualified are admitted. Enrollment is limited

Applications for Accelerated Second Degree Option

Second degree accelerated BSN student applications are only accepted once per year due by February 1 for fall admissions.

  • Baccalaureate degree in any major from an accredited institution completed by semester prior to application deadline.
  • Have a cumulative minimum grade point average of 3.0 from prior baccalaureate.
  • Have a minimum grade of “C” or better in all prerequisite courses.
  • The following are the required pre-requisite courses:
CourseCredit Hours
*Human Anatomy and Physiology8 credit hours (lab required)
*Microbiology
4 credit hours (lab required)
Computer Information Technology3 credit hours
Statistics3 credit hours
Nutrition
3 credit hours
English Composition6 credit hours
Behavioral Sciences6 credit hours
Humanities3 credit hours
Communications3 credit hours
*Lab Sciences (Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology) may not be older than 5 years.
  • CORE (2 top sciences) GPA minimum of 3.0 completed by the semester of the application deadline and no older than five years old.
  • Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN applicants who are currently enrolled in their required pre-requisite courses (two sciences) may submit a nursing application. Priority will be given to students who apply and meet the admission requirements by the application date. Acceptance into the program will be contingent on those semester grades, meeting admission requirements, and the availability of spots. Once capacity is reached, no further applications will be accepted until the next application deadline.
  • Applicants transferring from or who have previously attended another nursing program must submit a letter of good standing from the Dean or designee of their previous nursing program
  • Summer courses are only available at the Hammond campus.
  • Students accepted into the program will be asked to take a test for essentials of safe medication administration. If they do not pass the test they will be asked to complete NUR 27400, a 2 CR HR class the summer before they start nursing.

Applications for Online RN to BSN Completion Program


Master’s Programs

Applicants must have:

  • Graduated from an accredited baccalaureate program in nursing.
  • A minimum undergraduate cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0 on a 4 point scale or equivalent “B” average. Applicants not meeting this criterion may be considered for conditional admission status.
  • Current U.S. RN (registered nurse) licensure.
  • Evidence of successful completion of an introductory statistics course.
  • International degree-seeking applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet-based Test, International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Pearson Test of English (PTE) scores per Purdue University Graduate School policies.

Apply to the Graduate School

Master’s Application Guide


Post Master’s Certificate Programs

Applicants must have:

  • Master’s degree in nursing from an accredited institution or admission and enrollment in a master’s degree program in nursing.
  • Minimum graduate GPA of 3.0/4.0 with the possibility of conditional admission for applicants who do not meet this requirement.
  • Graduate school requirements for non-native speakers of English.
  • Evidence of current registered nurse licensure within the United States of America.
  • A minimum of one year or 1,500 hours of experience as a registered nurse. (Note: Experience is not required for the Nursing Education Post-Master’s Certificate)

Apply to the Graduate School

Master’s Application Guide 


Doctor of Nursing Practice

Applicants must have:

  • Graduated from an accredited program with a master’s degree in nursing
  • Grades in all previous master’s coursework of “B” or better, with the possibility of conditional admission for applicants who do not meet this requirement.
  • Current U.S. registered nurse license in the state in which practice will occur.
  • Evidence of successful completion of an introductory statistics course within the last five years.
  • Personal interview (will be scheduled following submission of application and all related documents)

Apply to the Graduate School

Doctor of Nursing Practice Application Guide