RN to BSN Admissions
Requirements for Admission
Priscilla Simmons, RN-BSN director and professor, demonstrates techniques in a darkened classroom.
The admissions selection process is designed to identify those students who have potential for completing a university degree program. Degree completion programs are designed to build on experience and previous college credit. As a first step, your background and goals are assessed to determine where you are in relation to the degree program.
To begin the degree program you must:
- Transfer credits. Nurses who received diplomas from NLN approved diploma schools have earned 45 semester hours of credit that will transfer into our program. Fifteen addition semester hours of credit from accredited community colleges or four-year institutions with a minimum of 2.0 grade point average is desirable.
- Hold state licensure as a Registered Nurse.
- Possess life experience as a registered nurse from which learning can be demonstrated.
- Demonstrate writing skills that will allow you to complete summary papers for each course, life-learning papers as needed and longer research-based writing assignments.
- Have current work experience or significant volunteer involvement that will provide a forum to practice professional nursing concepts and provide the setting for the applied research project.
*Diploma nurses may earn up to 45 semester hours of credit which they may apply towards admission to EMU, providing their program was approved by the National League for Nursing and that they have passed state board exams. Admission may be granted based on 45 hours provided the student will complete a college composition course prior to enrollment or during the first semester of program enrollment.
Application Process
You must complete the following nine-step process to properly enroll in the program:
- Speak with a program representative about the program and application process.
- Submit an application with a $25 fee.
- Request that a letter of recommendation be sent directly to EMU at Lancaster by your nursing manager (whenever possible).
- Request that official transcripts be sent to EMU at Lancaster from all accredited community colleges or four-year institutions you have attended.
- Submit a two-page writing sample.
- Write your autobiographical outline.
- Meet with the assessment counselor to talk about your portfolio and what general education courses you might need to complete the program.
- Complete financial aid information and payment arrangements.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition, books and fees for the RN-BSN adult degree completion program vary from year to year. The current cost (through January 2008) for the 18-month nursing major program is $15,747. General education courses are not reflected in this total. Addition fees may be charged for portfolio assessment. Each credit (semester hour) costs $345.
Financial Aid
Students in the RN-BSN adult degree completion program are eligible to apply for financial aid. A complete financial aid packet is available from the program representative. To be eligible to receive federal financial aid, you must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid on-line.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is processed by a federal processor (an envelope is included with the form). The results are reported to you on a Student Aid Report. After you receive the Student Aid Report, students must complete the Financial Aid Information Sheet and submit it to the EMU Financial Aid Office. The staff in this office will determine your eligibility to receive federal grants, scholarships and loans. Students will not be notified of any grants or aid until they have been admitted to EMU and the RN-BSN adult degree completion program.
Applying for financial aid in a timely manner and following up on any request for aid or loan information is very important. Federal guidelines are strict and if all information is not submitted within certain time frames, you risk becoming ineligible for aid.
Some students may receive financial assistance for the program from their employers. If you are receiving employer assistance, you will need to have your employer authorize payment for the program. Other students will pay for the program with personal funds. These students may pay at the beginning of each semester or use a monthly payment plan. Upon acceptance into the program, you will receive payment information. The RN-BSN adult degree completion program also has funds available in the form of church matching grants.
To avoid jeopardizing financial aid eligibility, you should not withdraw from the program without first consulting with your academic coordinator. It is important to begin classes on the entrance date cited at the time of application.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please call the program representative at (866) 368-5262, ext. 23 or the Financial Aid Office at (800) 330-9683.
