New applicants will be selected in a competitive process with probable changes to the current admission criteria.
In August, SLCC suspended applications to the nursing program and will announce new admission standards November 1, 2011. If you printed out the requirements previously and have been diligently plowing through the pre-reqs, this may be news to you. Personally, I think the way SLCC has handled this is really unfair to students getting close to finishing the prereqs and applying. For those of us just starting out, we have much more time to adapt.
On August 29th, advisors held two information sessions and I was able to attend part of the evening session. I'm interested in hearing from other Utah students who are in the process of completing SLCC's prereqs or already on the current wait list, or in the program. With the elimination of the wait list, there also may be UVU and WSU students out there who now see SLCC's program as a viable option. My understanding is the Fall 2012 cohort may have a "few" slots available to compete for once people on the current waiting list submit their intentions.
The information sessions were for all the health science programs, not nursing specifically. However plenty of people asked questions specific to the individual programs. If you asked a question and got an answer that actually provided any information, post it here.:) The answer to many questions was simply wait until Nov. 1st for the new admission standards to be posted. It would be great if something "leaked" here from people in on the process!
Admissions test: The nursing department indicated that they are strongly leaning toward a nursing entrance examination, but were absolutely mum on which one they might pick. UVU (ADN w/BSN option) and Roseman (BSN program) require TEAS V; sure would be nice if SLCC picked this one also. But I am under the impression they use HESI testing in the program so I wouldn't be surprised if they picked the HESI pre-admission exam. If someone in the program can clarify if they use HESI testing, that would be helpful.
Additional classes or elimination: You should not expect any changes (additions to or subtractions from) the courses that are required as prerequisites to our program. However, it would be within reason to expect that under the new criteria, in addition to the prerequisites, students may be required to also have ENGL 1010, HLTH 1020, PSY 1100 or FHS 1500 and CNA Certification (the required Support Courses for nursing) completed prior to applying for the nursing program.Any other criteria that may become part of the admissions requirements are still some distance from being decided or approved.
CNA certification: It was strongly suggested that not only CNA certification, but actual CNA work experience (and not other healthcare experience), would now be required.
GPA requirements: When questioned about the use of overall GPA vs prereq GPA, the woman representing the nursing department said she did NOT anticipate that they would be "elitist" and use overall college GPA in the selection process. Univ of Utah (BSN program) does. She thought only GPA in the prerequisite courses would count, but did not address retakes.
November 1st seems so far away! If you have any information, thoughts, ideas, share it here!
