Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

1. Attain admission in good standing to the University.
2. Submit the completed application and required supporting documents to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences by the published deadlines.
3. Must have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher from a recognized college or university with an overall GPA of 2.80 or higher. In addition to degree GPA, grades on courses in Area F (excluding the Area F elective and Human Growth & Development) and Area D Elementary Statistics as noted below will be considered with preference given to those with higher grades than minimum. These grades will make up your Nursing GPA and must be 2.80 or higher. All attempts are calculated for the Nursing GPA.
4. Must have completed the following prerequisites at the time of application:
   • Area F with grade of C or higher: 
     • BIOL 2251K Anatomy and Physiology I*
     • BIOL 2252K Anatomy and Physiology II*
     • BIOL 2260K Microbiology*
     • PSYC 2103 Human Growth and Development
       • *These courses must be taken within 5 years of the anticipated entry date.
   • Area D with grade of C or higher:

     • MATH 2204 Elementary Statistics (or equivalent course)

     •  (A Nursing GPA will be figured using course grades in Area D -Statistics only and F (excluding the elective in Area F) as noted above with preference given to those with high scores, but they must have a minimum Nursing GPA of 2.80 with all attempts calculated.  An unofficial transcript verifying final course grades must be submitted to the College of Nursing Student Services Coordinator ASAP after completion.)

5. Must take the HESI A2 exam and request HESI transcript -- students have two attempts within two years and must receive a minimum score of 75%. 
6. Must not have been excluded from this or any other nursing program for any reason, including but not limited to, academic misconduct, disruptive behavior, or program failure within the five years of the application date. A nursing course failure in another institution counts as a failure in this institution.

It may not be possible to admit all students who meet the minimum requirements for admission. If there are more qualified applicants than positions available in a nursing class, selection for admission will be based upon the following:

• Grade Point Average - greater than the minimum of 2.80 Nursing GPA.
• Grades in Area F Science courses - minimum of B is preferred
• HESI Admission Assessment A2 - minimum score of 75%---two attempts within two years.
• Patterns of withdrawal from courses/schools
• Grades of Ds and/or Fs
• Written communication ability
• Availability of space in clinical sites
• Availability of faculty resources

The state of Georgia is a member of the Nurse License Compact (NLC), which allows graduates of the Georgia Southwestern’s ASN and BSN programs who pass the NCLEX-RN exam to apply for a license that will be good in all forty-two states that belong to the compact. If you are an out-of-state student and you plan on moving back to your home state after graduation, it is strongly advised that you make sure your home state is a part of this compact. More information can be found on the Out of State Students Webpage below:

•  Out of State Students Information

• Upon applicant’s acceptance to GSW, a letter of acceptance and transcript evaluation will be available to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. These documents must be on file in GSW office of admissions and are required before the Admission & Progression Committee can review the College of Nursing and Health Sciences application.
• If applicant is taking or in progression of courses at other institutions during the admission process, applicants must make note of what courses they are taking on their nursing application.
• Applicant must submit an official transcript verifying final course grades to Registrars office and an unofficial transcript verifying final course grades to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences Student Services Coordinators office ASAP after completion.

Transfer applications will require a transcript evaluation so be sure to apply early so this document can be completed before the deadline.

HESI Admission Assessment

The HESI (Health Education Systems, Inc.) Admission Assessment (A2) is a computerized exam designed to assess prospective students entering the health science fields. The HESI A2 consists of eight different exams, seven of which are required by the Nursing program at Georgia Southwestern State University.

• HESI Information and Study Guide
• HESI Registration & Additional Information

Students must receive a 75 total composite score as a requirement and the HESi exam can only be taken 2 times within two years.

TOEFL

The official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test scores are required for applicants whose first language is not English.  Exemption from the TOEFL requirement is allowed for undergraduate students who complete courses equivalent to English Composition I and II at a regionally accredited United States college or university and earn at least a “C” on the courses.

• Second-Degree BSN Application Form (Requires CanesNet Credentials)
• BSN Reference Form (Must have two References)
• HESI Information and Study Guide
• HESI Registration & Additional Information
• Students are required to have a laptop for in-class use. Chromebooks and iPads/tablets are not compatible with current software. Please visit our System Requirements for recommendations on personal devices.