“The transition from a student to a new nurse was easier because the nursing program prepared me for it. Every day at work I use the skills and knowledge from my professors and clinicals.”

Information for a First Year Nursing Student
someone who has not attended college before and dreams of becoming a nurse

Through the Columbia College of Nursing and Mount Mary College Nursing Program students learn the textbook and clinical knowledge necessary to be a successful nurse. Students are involved early and often in working with patients, gaining experience, knowledge and skills as they prepare for daily patient care. The practice-rich nursing faculty share their knowledge of current trends and methods in caring and friendly manner.

The Nursing Program is open to both male and female students and now offers the option of direct admission into the program.

Students who stay on track with their academics can complete their nursing degree in four years: two years of classroom experience followed by two years of clinical experience. See a sample four year plan.

Admission to the Nursing Program

There are two admission points to the nursing program: direct and standard admission. All students must first apply and be accepted to Mount Mary College. At time of acceptance to Mount Mary College, students will either be directly admitted into the nursing program, or admitted to Mount Mary College as a pre-nursing student. Pre-nursing students apply to the nursing program under the standard admission policy as a current student in their last semester of non-nursing coursework. All applications are evaluated individually using the criteria outlined below..

Direct Admission Information

First Year students should have:

• graduated from high school within the last two years
• successful completion with a grade of C or better of high school biology, chemistry and algebra
• at least a 3.0 cumulative high school grade point average on a 4.0 scale
• an ACT composite score of 23 or higher or SAT composite score of 1590 or higher

Students earning a GED or HSED are not eligible for direct admission to the nursing program.

Standard Admission Information

Pre-nursing students who seek to enter the nursing program must apply prior to March 1 for entry in the fall term and October 1 for entry in the spring term. The application and requirements (also outlined below) to the nursing program are found online at www.ccon.edu.

To be considered for admission to the nursing program, students must meet the following criteria:

• cumulative GPA of 2.8 or greater on a 4.0 scale
• successful completion with a grade of C or better in all essential behavioral and natural science courses. These courses must have been completed within the last seven years
• fulfill core and graduation requirements of Mount Mary College. See Mount Mary's undergraduate bulletin for details
• meet the residency requirement of at least 16 non-nursing credits completed at Mount Mary College

See the comprehensive admission policy handout.