Admission Requirements

Interested applicants should possess the following qualities:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) OR accredited Associate Degree in Nursing program with a bachelor's degree in another discipline.
• Minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate course work; to include courses in which the student is currently enrolled
• Hold a current and unencumbered RN license in the state of Illinois
• The applicant must be employed as a school nurse at the time of application to the certificate program
• The applicant must have secured a preceptor who meets criteria to serve as a preceptor for the student's clinical experience in NUR 418.  Preceptor criteria is as follows:  
  • Licensed as Registered Professional Nurse in Illinois and a bachelor's degree
  • A Professional Educator's License (PEL) in Illinois 
  • Certified School Nurse endorsement
  • Two years' full-time experience as a school nurse
  • One full year of full-time employment with current employer

Post-Admission Requirements

Health and Safety Compliance

All students entering their respective nursing program are expected to be compliant with all health & safety requirements of the University, MCN, and the clinical sites they are assigned to or have selected, at all times. In addition to any University and MCN expectations, all students engaged in a clinical for credit are subject to any applicable policies and/or procedures of the clinical site, including immunizations and other requests. Upon admission, students receive a comprehensive list of health & safety compliance requirements that must be adhered to prior to nursing course registration.  These include but are not limited to the following: immunizations, blood titers, TB skin test, influenza vaccination, criminal background checks, and drug tests. Upon clinical assignment and throughout the semester as applicable, students are provided with any additional clinical site-specific requirements beyond those outlined upon admission. If clinical rotations require more than ISU/MCN, (i.e., COVID-19 vaccination proof, weekly testing, etc.), students must meet the requirements of their clinical site by providing documentation as directed by the clinical site (i.e., directly to the site following their guidelines for compliance and/or through the College with an appropriate release). Students must comply with these requirements to receive an override to register or remain registered for clinical.  More details related to health and safety can be found in the Health and Safety section of the Student Handbooks.  Students should refer to their Health and Safety packets to be aware of requirements and deadlines.