Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below is a listing of the most frequently asked questions from nursing majors. If you don't see your most pressing questions listed, please contact the School of Nursing Advising Team.

What is the difference between Pre-Nursing and Pre-Licensure?

Any student can declare a major in nursing. ‘Pre-Nursing’ is the term used when referring to students who are working towards application and admission to the official nursing program, called Pre-Licensure Program. Students admitted to the Pre-Licensure Program are no longer referred to as ‘Pre-Nursing.’ 

How will I get an academic advisor?

All nursing majors are assigned to the School of Nursing Advising Team for academic advising, not one particular advisor. This open advising model allows students to work with any of the nursing advisors. Current students may schedule an advising appointment via MavConnect or by contacting the School of Nursing (507) 389-6315.

How many classes do pre-nursing students take each semester?

Pre-nursing students typically register for 13 – 15 credits each semester. This tends to be around 4-5 classes. To ensure timely progression, it’s important to connect with the School of Nursing Advising Team at least once a semester for academic advising.

Can I take a core or support pre-requisite for a Pass/No-Credit grade?

No. A grade of C or better must be achieved in all core and support pre-requisites. (Exception: Credit awarded from AP/IB exam)

What happens if I don't pass a core pre-requisite with a minimum C grade? (i.e. C-, D+, D, D-, F, and W)

The School of Nursing allows students two attempts for each core pre-requisite. The average grade will then be used to calculate the Core GPA for admission ranking. A withdraw is considered one attempt and a .33 reduction will be assigned for calculation (Exception: Students whose first attempt was taken in high school. These two grades will not be averaged). 

How is the Core GPA calculated if I transferred-in a core pre-requisite through an AP/IB exam?

If an AP/IB exam score awards you credit for a core pre-requisite, the School of Nursing will assign a letter grade, only to be used during the admission ranking process (5=A, 4=B, 3=C). This letter grade will not be represented on your degree audit or any other official academic records.

What should I do if I no longer want to pursue nursing?

If you unsure about the nursing major, that is perfectly normal. We encourage you to meet with a nursing advisor who can discuss your concerns, assist you in the exploration process and help plan your next steps.

When will I be eligible to apply to the Pre-Licensure Program?

Students are eligible to apply to the Pre-Licensure Program when they have met the following two criteria: a minimum total cumulative GPA of 3.0 and completion of all core pre-requisites with a minimum C grade. The most common time new entering students are eligible to apply is the spring semester of their sophomore year.

When does my certification as a Nursing Assistant (CNA) need to be completed?

Prior to STARTING the Pre-Licensure program. It does NOT need to be done before you apply.

How do I complete the Nursing Assistant requirement?

Students have 3 options to prepare for the test-out and become Certified as a Nursing Assistant. Many students opt to secure a Nursing Assistant in Training position at a long-term care facility, while some will complete an approved CNA training course and competency test-out at a community college or local healthcare agency. Other students may utilize the free study materials provided by the MN Department of Health and test-out independently.

Where can I complete my Nursing Assistant (CNA) requirement?

Review the Nursing Assistant Requirement document for available opportunities.

Are nursing majors required to select a minor?

No. Having a minor is optional for nursing majors. Please review the Minors & Certificates for Nursing document for more detailed information on these opportunities.

I don't have enough classes remaining to stay full-time, what are my options?

It depends on how many additional credits you may need. To be considered full-time for most financial aid awards, students must enroll in at least 12 credits. Some students will select elective courses to achieve that credit amount, while others who need significantly more credits may pursue a minor or certificate.

What is a parallel plan? Do I need to have one?

Nursing is a limited access major. This means we have more qualified applicants than we have space in the Pre-Licensure Program. 72 students are admitted each semester and 70-80 historically apply. Most recently, around 100 have applied. Parallel planning means planning for your current nursing major while concurrently developing an alternate plan. All students should develop a parallel plan. Visit with a nursing advisor for more details and access resources HERE.

What are my chances of getting admitted to the Pre-Licensure Program?

The School of Nursing Advising Team believes transparency is essential regarding the admissions ranking process. Students need accurate information and data to make informed decisions about their future. At least once a semester nursing majors should calculate their Core GPA and evaluate their progression towards application eligibility and the recommended pre-nursing milestones. On average, admitted applicants historically achieve a Core GPA between 3.4-3.6, a TEAS score between 77-78%, and an interview score of 21.8/23.

I'm an international student, does the school of nursing have a separate English Language Proficiency requirement?

Yes. International F-1 Visa students from non-English speaking countries must demonstrate minimum English proficiency to be eligible for application to the Pre-Licensure Program. These applicants must meet one of the following standards: TOEFL iBT minimum score of 84 with a minimum speaking score of 26, TOEFL PBT minimum score of 560, or ELTS overall score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 on all modules.

When can I take the TEAS exam?

Students are expected to take the TEAS exam during the semester they apply to the Pre-Licensure Program. The exam must be completed prior to the application deadline. TEAS exams may be completed only once per semester. Scores are valid for one year. Online-proctored exam scores are not permitted.

What is on the TEAS exam?

The four subject areas include reading, mathematics, science, and English & language. For additional information about cost, scoring and preparation materials, please review the TEAS Exam sub-section.

What does the group interview entail?

The group interview is led by 2 nursing faculty members and contains up to 5 student applicants. For additional information about the purpose and how to sign-up, please review the Group Interview sub-section.

Minnesota State University, Mankato Logo

Mankato, MN 56001
1-800-722-0544

Visits and Tours

Request Information

Apply Today