Pre-Nursing Student Handbook
School of Nursing
Welcome
The Nursing Advising Team welcomes you as you begin your academic and professional journey of becoming a nurse. The Pre-Nursing Student Handbook is an essential resource for you to read and understand the advising structure, program requirements, policies, and resources that comprise your pre-nursing years.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the material contained within this handbook. However, all policies, procedures, and program information are subject to change. The provisions of this handbook do not constitute a contract between the student, the college, or the School of Nursing. Students will be responsible for and held to changes in the Pre-Nursing Student Handbook.
Contents
- Advising
- Nursing (BS) 4-YEAR PLAN
- Nursing Prerequisites
- Core GPA Calculator
- Repeat Core Prerequisite Policy
- AP and IB Examination Scores
- 5-Year Limit for Core Science Prerequisites
- Minimum Grade Prerequisites for NURS 282
- Grading
- Course Substitutions
- Course Waivers
- Application
- English Language Proficiency Requirement
- Application Procedures
- TEAS Exam
- Group Interview
- Admission
- Nursing Assistant Requirement
- Compliance Deadlines
- Student Expenses
- Student Documentation Required for Experiential Learning
- Immunizations and Health Screening Requirements
- Licensure and Certification
- Transfer Students from Other Nursing Programs
- Pre-Nursing Appeal
- Appendix A
Advising
Structure
The Nursing Advising Team is the assigned academic advisor for all students pursuing admission to the Pre-Licensure program. The Team open advising model, allowing students to meet with any nursing advisor, allowing for choice and flexibility. Once admitted to the Pre-Licensure Program, students will be reassigned to a nursing faculty instructor for academic advising and support throughout the 4-semester program until graduation.
Services & Support
Nursing Advising offers a variety of services to current students. This includes, but it not limited to, individual and group advising, weekly walk-ins, alternate program planning, early and mid-term alert outreach, nursing progression assessments, long term planning, and student engagement events. The Pre-Licensure Program Advising webpage is an essential source to bookmark and access for critical information and resources.
The Nursing Advising Team is available for individual appointments (in-person & ZOOM). Appointments may be scheduled for any reason, but generally pertain to academic planning, program requirements, policies, course registration, resources, and referrals. Current students should use Navigate360 to schedule advising appointments or contact the Allied Health & Nursing Advising Office (507) 389-6315 for assistance. The office is located on the 3rd floor of Wissink Hall, room 360.
Group Advising is required for two terms for all students in their first year of attendance at MSU. These sessions cover critical information pertaining to program requirements, policies, advising tools, major progression, and registration guidance. These sessions ensure all students receive consistent and accurate program information and are prepared for individual academic advising appointments.
Communications
The Nursing Advising Team utilizes university email and Navigate360 for advising announcements and information sharing. Students are encouraged to send any inquires to NursingAdvising@mnsu.edu.
Nursing (BS) 4-Year Plan
Pre-Nursing Semester 1
BIOL 201 Anatomy & Physiology I (4cr)
ENG 101 Foundations of Writing & Rhetoric (4cr)
PSYC 101 Intro to Psychological Science (4cr)
General Education/Graduation Requirement Course (3-4cr)
Pre-Nursing Semester 2
BIOL 202 Anatomy & Physiology II (4cr)
STAT 154 Elementary Statistics (4cr)
General Education/Graduation Requirement Course (3-4cr)
General Education/Graduation Requirement Course (3-4cr)
Pre-Nursing Semester 3
CHEM 111 Chemistry of Life Processes (5cr)
KSP 235 Human Development (3cr)
NURS 286 Relationship-Based Care (3cr)
General Education/Graduation Requirement Course (3-4cr)
General Education/Graduation Requirement Course (3-4cr)
Pre-Nursing Semester 4
BIOL 271 Principles of Microbiology (4cr)
FCS 242 Nutrition for Healthcare Professionals (3cr)
NURS 236 Family & Societal Inquiry for Healthcare Professionals (3cr)
NURS 282 Pathophysiology for Healthcare Professionals (3cr)
Pre-Licensure Program Semester 1
NURS 310 Professional Nursing (3cr)
NURS 311 Physiologic Integrity I (4cr)
NURS 312 Pharmacology for Nurses (3cr)
NURS 313 Assessment & Nursing Procedures (4cr)
NURS 317 Nursing Simulation & Procedures I (1cr)
Pre-Licensure Program Semester 2
NURS 350W Critical Inquiry in Nursing (3cr)
NURS 351 Physiologic Integrity II (5cr)
NURS 353 Psychosocial Integrity (3cr)
NURS 356 Nursing Care of Families I: Perinatal, Sexual & Reproductive Health (3cr)
NURS 357 Nursing Simulation & Procedures II (2cr)
Pre-Licensure Program Semester 3
NURS 410 Quality, Safety, and Informatics in Healthcare (3cr)
NURS 411 Physiologic Integrity III (5cr)
NURS 413 Population Focused Care (3cr)
NURS 416 Family Transition in Vulnerable Populations (2cr)
NURS 417 Nursing Simulation & Procedures III (1cr)
NURS 426 Nursing Care of Families II: Pediatric/Adolescent Health (3cr)
Pre-Licensure Program Semester 4
NURS 450 Nursing Leadership and Management (3cr)
NURS 451 Physiologic Integrity IV (4cr)
NURS 456 Societal & Global Health: Implications for Families in Crisis (2cr)
NURS 457 Nursing Simulation & Procedures IV (1cr)
NURS 458 Professional Role Integration (3cr)
Nursing Prerequisites
Core Prerequisite Courses
The core prerequisites must be completed with a minimum C grade before applying to the program.
- BIOL 201 Anatomy & Physiology I (4cr)
- BIOL 202 Anatomy & Physiology II (4cr)
- CHEM 111 Chemistry of Life Processes Part II (5cr)
- ENG 101 Foundations of Writing & Rhetoric (4cr)
- KSP 235 Human Development (3cr)
- STAT 154 Elementary Statistics (4cr)
Support Prerequisite Courses
The support prerequisites must be completed with a minimum C grade before staring the program.
- BIOL 271 Principles of Microbiology (4cr)
- FCS 242 Nutrition for Healthcare Professionals (3cr)
- NURS 236 Family & Societal Inquiry (3cr)
- NURS 282 Pathophysiology for Healthcare Professionals (3cr)
- NURS 286 Relationship-based Care (3cr)
- PSYC 101 Intro to Psychological Science (4cr)
Core GPA Calculator
Pre-nursing students should regularly calculate their Core GPA (GPA calculated from the 6 Core Prerequisites) to understand how competitive they are for program admission. Monitoring this GPA helps students determine whether they are on track for acceptance, need to improve their academic performance, or should consider an alternate academic program.
Core GPA Calculator
Repeat Core Prerequisite Policy
Core prerequisites may only be repeated one time each (two overall attempts), regardless of letter grade. The School of Nursing will use the average grade from the two attempts to calculate the Core prerequisite GPA for admission ranking. A withdraw from a Core prerequisite will be considered one attempt, and a (0.33) quality point deduction will be assigned to determine the average grade.
Example 1: A student earns a C in a 4-credit course and then retakes that course and earns an A, the average will be a B.
- 1st attempt: A C is worth 2.0 quality points. 2.0 X 4 credits = 8 GPA points.
- 2nd attempt: An A is worth 4.0 quality points. 4.0 X 4 credits = 16 GPA points.
- 24 GPA points/8 credits = 3.0 quality points.
- In this example, the average grade for this 4-credit course will be 3.0, or a “B”.
Example 2: A student withdraws from a 4-credit courses and then retakes that course and earns a B, the average will be a B-.
- 1st attempt: A W is worth -0.33 quality points. -0.33 X 4 credits = -1.32 GPA points.
- 2nd attempt: A B is worth 3.0 quality points. 3.0 X 4 credits = 12 GPA points.
- 68 GPA points/4 credits = 2.67 quality points.
- In this example, the average grade for this 4-credit course will be 2.67, or a “B-”.
Exception
An exception to this policy applies to students who completed a Core prerequisite during high school. These students may choose to repeat the course. This is their final attempt. The two grades will not be averaged. The highest of the two letter grades will be used to calculate the Core prerequisite GPA.
AP and IB Examination Scores
Minnesota State University, Mankato awards credit for Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) Examinations. A successful AP or IB exam score may award credit for ENG 101 and/or STAT 154, which are Core prerequisites. To calculate the Core Prerequisite GPA for admission ranking, the following letter grades will be assigned according to the original exam score.
- AP/IB Score of 5 = A
- AP/IB Score of 4 = B
- AP Score of 3 = C
5-Year Limit for Core Science Prerequisites
All core science prerequisite courses (BIOL 201, BIOL 202, and CHEM 111) must be completed within 5 years of the program application deadline. Students with science credits older than five years will need to retake the applicable coursework. An appeal is not needed if courses are retaken due to the 5-year limit.
Minimum Grade Prerequisites for NURS 282
Students must have a minimum C grade in BIOL 201, BIOL 202, and CHEM 111 to enroll in NURS 282 Pathophysiology for Healthcare Professionals.
Grading
All nursing prerequisites must be completed with a minimum C letter grade. A C- is not passing. Pass/No credit grades are not accepted.
Standard Grading Scale
The standard grading scale uses straight A, B, C, D and F letter grades, in addition, faculty members have the option of using +/- for further differentiation of achievement. Every grade carries with it a certain number of ‘quality points’ used for GPA calculation.
|
Grade |
Quality Points |
|---|---|
|
A+ |
4.00 |
|
A |
4.00 |
|
A- |
3.67 |
|
B+ |
3.33 |
|
B |
3.00 |
|
B- |
2.67 |
|
C+ |
2.33 |
|
C |
2.00 |
|
C- |
1.67 |
|
D+ |
1.33 |
|
D |
1.00 |
|
D- |
.67 |
|
F |
0.00 |
Double-Letter Grading Scale
Some post-secondary institutions use the double letter grading system (e.g. AB, BC). To convert a double-letter grade to the standard scale, the School of Nursing uses the following calculations:
- Take the standard quality points for the first letter grade, and multiply by the course credit.
- Next, take the standard quality points for the second letter grade, and multiply by the course credit.
- Add the two outcomes together and divide it by double the amount of the course credit.
Example: 4-credit course with AB letter grade
- A is worth 4 quality points. Multiply by 4 credits. This equals 16.
- B is worth 3 qualify points. Multiply by 4 credits. This equals 12.
Add 16 and 12. This equals 28. Divide 28 by the total credits of 8. This equals 3.5 quality points.
Course Substitutions
Course substitutions may be awarded if a transfer course was not determined equivalent to a nursing prerequisite. The School of Nursing may award a substitution if the course is determined to be comparable in nature, content, and level to the MSU prerequisite course.
- It is the responsibility of the student to contact the Student Advising Director when seeking a course substitution. Students may be asked to provide a course description and/or course syllabus. Further consultation with the Program Director may be necessary.
- If a substitution is granted, official paperwork must be completed for the course to accurately fulfill the requirements on the Degree Audit.
Once a substitution is approved, the Repeat Core Prerequisite policy applies.
Course Waivers
Course waivers may be provided by the School of Nursing when students have satisfied course prerequisites through other educational or employment experiences. A course waiver indicates students have the background necessary to continue in the academic program.
- Students inquiring about a waiver should meet with the Student Advising Director to discuss prior learning experiences. Additional materials may be requested for full consideration.
- If a waiver is granted, official paperwork must be completed for the course to accurately fulfill the requirements on the Degree Audit.
Waivers do not provide any college credit towards the degree and will not impact the Core prerequisite GPA for admission ranking. Students may need to take additional credit to meet degree requirements.
Application
Application for admission to the Pre-Licensure Program is a separate competitive process that occurs after acceptance to Minnesota State University, Mankato. Because enrollment is limited, meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee program acceptance.
Application Criteria
- A minimum total cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Completion of Core Prerequisites with a minimum C grade.
- International students from non-English speaking countries must meet the School of Nursing English Language Proficiency Requirement.
English Language Proficiency Requirement
Purpose
The School of Nursing’s minimum score requirements are intended to reflect the level of English language proficiency believed necessary for entry-level nurses to perform nursing responsibilities safely and effectively. The School of Nursing’s minimum English proficiency requirements were established using the recommendations set forth by the National Council of State Boards for Nursing.
Requirement
For application eligibility, international students from non-English speaking countries must demonstrate minimum English proficiency in one of the following ways:
- TOEFL iBT minimum score of 84 with a minimum speaking score of 26
- TOEFL ITP minimum score of 560
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 on all modules
Students must submit an official score report (TOEFL or IELTS) by the program application deadline. Students unable to achieve the minimum scores will be ineligible to apply. Students are encouraged to test one year prior to program application.
On Campus Testing Option
The Center for English Language Programs offers the TOEFL Institutional Testing Program (ITP) on campus twice a year for a $50 non-refundable testing fee. A minimum score of 560 is required for application eligibility.
Registration Deadlines
- March 15 for April testing
- October 15 for November testing
Register for the TOEFL ITP:
Students must email Dr. Olga Nelson (Olga.Nelson@mnsu.edu) with their 8-digit Tech ID by the registration deadline.
Off Campus Testing Options
Students who choose to test off campus are responsible for making their own arrangements.
Application Procedures
Students making application to the Pre-Licensure Program are required to submit the program application, complete the TEAS Exam, and participate in a group interview. Application packets are made available on the Pre-Licensure Program Advising website November 15 and May 1 of the respective application cycle. The application deadline is always the 3rd Friday of fall or spring term.
TEAS Exam
Purpose
The ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS) measures basic essential skills deemed most appropriate and relevant to indicate readiness and success in a nursing program. It is a computerized exam and required for admission consideration.
Format
Multiple Choice, 170 questions
Time Limit
209 minutes (about 3 ½ hours). Each subject area has a time limit.
Subject Areas
- Reading - 64 minutes
- Mathematics - 54 minutes
- Science - 63 minutes
- English & Language Usage - 28 minutes
Scoring
The total score from the exam will be used toward the admission ranking. There is no minimum score requirement.
TEAS Exam Policies
- The TEAS must be completed by the application deadline.
- The TEAS should be taken the semester a student applies to the Pre-Licensure Program.
- TEAS scores are valid for one year.
- The TEAS may only be completed once a semester.
- If the TEAS is taken more than once a semester, the School of Nursing will only use the score from the first attempt.
- The highest valid TEAS score will be used toward admission ranking when attempts occurred in different semesters.
- Students may test in-person at another site. Official TEAS transcripts must be sent to the School of Nursing and received by the application deadline.
Registration & Payment
Registration & payment will be completed online through the ATI Website.
Register for the TEAS:
- Go to the ATI Website.
- Select I’m a Nursing Student.
- Select TEAS and then Register for TEAS.
- Register for In-Person Proctored by an Institution.
- Search by School Name and enter MN for state.
- Select MN State U Mankato TEAS.
- Create an ATI Account and complete the registration process.
Registration for the TEAS will close at 12:00am, 24 hours prior to the exam date.
Minnesota State University, Mankato offers the TEAS exam to eligible applicants every semester. The TEAS exam is administered on campus the week before the start of a new term in the months of August and January.
Accommodations
Every attempt will be made to accommodate qualified students with disabilities. Students on file with Accessibility Resources are advised to contact atiTEAS@mnsu.edu at least two weeks prior to the scheduled test dates for arrangements. Reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance to the plan established with Accessibility Resources.
Published test dates on ATI's website does not guarantee accommodations are available for that session.
Preparation
ATI recommends approximately 6 weeks of preparation prior to taking the exam. ATI TEAS prep offers a variety of products and packages for purchase.
Group Interview
Applicants must participate in an on-campus group interview for admission consideration. Each group interview may hold up to 5 students and will be conducted by two nursing faculty members.
After the application deadline, applicants will be contacted via email with interview information including available dates, times and sign up. Interviews will take place in September and February during the respective application cycles. Sample interview questions will be provided after selected interview date and time is confirmed.
The purpose of the interview is to evaluate the students’:
- Ability to communicate independently and within a group.
- Ability to critically think and articulate their ideas.
- Professional behavior in demeanor, dress, and interactions.
Admission
Admission Ranking
Each applicant pool is rank ordered using the Core Prerequisite GPA (GPA calculated from the 6 Core Prerequisites), the total TEAS score and the group interview score.
- Core Prerequisite GPA is 50%
- Total TEAS score is 25%
- Group interview score is 25%
The School of Nursing offers admission to the top 72 students from each applicant pool.
Admission Data
Historically, successful applicants demonstrate strong academic performance, with admitted students typically earning a Core GPA above 3.4.
While each applicant pool is unique, students are encouraged to consult Nursing Advising to understand the most recent competitive trends.
Admission Notification
Admission notifications will be emailed five weeks after the application deadline to the applicant’s university email address. Admitted students are required to attend a mandatory Admission Advising session held the following week.
Admission Requirements
Full admission to the Pre-Licensure Program requires students to fulfill the following requirements prior to program start date:
- Certified as a nursing assistant and listed as active on a Nursing Assistant Registry in the United States.
- Completion of required Support Prerequisites with a minimum C grade.
- Approval to work with patients without supervision from the Minnesota Department of Health Background check.
Nursing Assistant Requirement
Students admitted to the Pre-Licensure Program must be certified as nursing assistants and listed as active on a Nursing Assistant Registry in the United States prior to program start date. It is not required to be Certified to apply.
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA): Roles and Responsibilities
An individual becomes Certified by passing a nursing assistant state competency exam. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) work under nurse supervision and provide direct, daily care to patients. Their duties include bathing, dressing, feeding, toileting, taking vitals and repositioning patients. These positions are critical for monitoring health changes and ensuring resident safety. CNA’s primarily work in long-term care facilities, hospitals, assisted living communities and home health services.
Pathways to Completing the State Competency Exam
Minnesota State University, Mankato does not provide nursing assistant training courses or study materials for the state competency exam. Students are responsible for independently completing the steps necessary to successfully pass the exam.
Individuals may choose any of the following options to prepare for the competency exam:
- Complete a state‑approved nursing assistant training course.
- Obtain employment as a Nursing Assistant in Training.
- Test Out/Challenge the state competency exam.
Compliance Deadlines
Provisionally admitted students must meet all stated deadlines for submitting compliance documents and completing required actions as outlined in their acceptance letter and as directed by the Director of Undergraduate Clinical Placements and/or the Pre-Licensure Program Director. Failure to meet these deadlines will result in rescission of admission without exception, and the next eligible candidate on the waitlist will be offered the position.
Student Expenses
Find more information on tuition and fees,
In addition to tuition and fees, students may incur expense related to tuberculosis testing, CPR certification, and special fees.
Program Fee
Students in the nursing major are assessed a program fee while they are in the program. Students should be aware of these fees and plan accordingly. Expected fees for fall 2026 admits (All fees are subject to change).
- ATI Optimal Bundle
- Clinician Nexus
- Official Uniforms (2 tops and 1 polo)
- Name Badge
- Nursing pin
- SNA Membership-Local & National
- Respiratory PPE
Student Travel to Clinical/Experiential Learning Sites
The School of Nursing uses a variety of clinical or experiential learning agencies in rural and urban areas. Students are expected to independently arrange transportation to and from assigned clinical and experiential learning sites, which may be located at considerable distances from the university. Accordingly, access to a personal vehicle and possession of a valid driver’s license are essential. Students will be required to travel to these clinical agencies at their own expense. In addition, students who stay overnight at a distance from their home must make their own accommodations at their own expense.
Additional Expenses
In addition to the Student Travel to Clinical/Experiential Site expenses, there may be other unforeseen expenses not mentioned that a student has financial responsibility.
Nursing students may be eligible to receive an adjustment in their financial aid awards because of the additional costs of the program. Minnesota State University, Mankato has an emergency grant program for students. There are also many scholarships available to nursing students for a listing of the School of Nursing awards and scholarships.
Student Documentation Required for Experiential Learning
Students are required to submit personal documentation, required by clinical agencies, prior to attending experiential learning activities. Like a licensed professional, students are expected to monitor their documentation for expiration dates and must maintain current clinical documentation requirements to participate in experiential learning experiences.
Students admitted to the program have met all compliance deadlines as outlined in their acceptance letter. Failure to meet these deadlines prior to admission results in rescission of admission.
Students must be fully compliant with all documentation requirements by Day 1 of their clinical experience. Students who are not compliant on Day 1 will be removed from the course. This will constitute an unsuccessful attempt at a course.
Background Study
Admission and/or progression is contingent upon completion of a successful background study through Minnesota State University, Mankato. Minnesota State law requires background studies on all persons who provide services involving direct contact with patients and residents in facilities and programs approved by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) or the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Students must pass, or be qualified, by the Minnesota Department of Health to provide direct patient care. Students will be asked to complete an online background study form and be fingerprinted upon entering the program. DHS background studies are good for 24 months. Students who are enrolled in the major longer than 24 months may need to pay to redo the DHS background study.
The School of Nursing can monitor a students’ “qualified” status using the Minnesota Department of Health website. If requested, the School of Nursing must provide a student(s) background study results to the clinical agency where the experiential learning activity occurs.
An individual who is disqualified from having direct patient contact as a result of the background study, and whose disqualification is not set aside by the Commissioner of Health, will not be permitted to participate in an experiential learning experience, including clinical placement in a health care facility. Failure to participate in an experiential learning experience, including clinical placement required by the School of Nursing, could result in ineligibility to qualify for a degree in this program, and may affect the ability to obtain professional licensure post-graduation. Students who have a disqualification must meet with their assigned faculty advisor and the Pre-Licensure Program Director.
By law, the State of Minnesota requires a criminal background check prior to issuing a registered nurse license. This legislation is done to meet the public expectation that health care providers are safe, ethical, and competent. The criminal background check will involve a review of the licensure applicant’s criminal history by using fingerprint-based state and federal systems. For more information, visit Department of Human Services Background Studies.
Professional Liability Insurance
All nursing students must carry professional liability insurance; insurance fees will be attached to courses that require insurance. Students who pay for liability insurance at any time during the academic year are covered until the end of summer. Minnesota State professional liability insurance policy meets clinical agency requirements. The policy protection is limited to those nursing activities that are performed during experiential learning experiences and supervised by School of Nursing faculty or mentored by faculty arrangement. The student needs to be aware that this insurance does not provide protection for nursing actions that are performed as an employee in a health care agency.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
Students admitted to the School of Nursing are required to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of patient confidentiality and privacy. Prior to beginning core nursing classes, admitted students are required to complete online HIPAA training offered by the Minnesota Department of Health. Students are required to complete the following modules:
Data Security & Privacy (15 minutes) and the corresponding assessment link. How to Protect Information (35 minutes) and the corresponding assessment link.
After each learning module, students must take the course assessment and obtain a “passing” score on the assessment. When the course is passed, print the page with the passing score (press control-P simultaneously to print the screen). The printed assessment documents, indicating the passing score, must be turned in to the Clinical Requirements D2L.
Basic Life Support
Students must be certified in professional two-rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of adults and children before scheduled experiential learning experiences. Accepted certifications are limited to:
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers
- American Red Cross Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers
- American Red Cross CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Health Care Providers
Basic life support skills training must be in person. Blended formats are acceptable but online certifications will not be accepted. Written evidence of current BLS/CPR certification must be submitted through Clinician Nexus. Students must be fully compliant by Day 1 of their clinical experience, or they will be removed from the course.
Personal Health Insurance
Students are required to maintain active major medical health insurance while enrolled in the School of Nursing. Upon admission to the nursing program, students will provide evidence of current health insurance coverage by submitting a photocopy of their insurance card. Health share programs are not considered health insurance and will not be accepted. Students are required to update the School of Nursing with any changes in their health insurance information and should realize failure to do so could result in permanent removal from the nursing program. If a student has an insurance company that does not issue cards, the student may complete and submit the School of Nursing’s Medical/hospitalization Insurance Coverage form (see Appendix H). Find additional information on student health insurance options. Any health care costs incurred during experiential learning and other course activities is the responsibility of the student.
Health
Students enrolled in the nursing major must be in good physical and mental health to provide safe and effective care. In the presence of evidence to the contrary, the individual faculty reserves the right to ask the student to seek professional assistance, to withdraw from or to take a leave of absence from the nursing curriculum. If there is disagreement between the student and a faculty member that cannot be resolved, then the Pre-Licensure Program Committee, or Pre-Licensure Program Director, may be consulted for definitive action.
Essential Functional Abilities
Provisionally and fully admitted students in the Pre-Licensure Program must be able to perform essential functional abilities. The essential functional abilities reflect work completed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (1996).
Students must be able to meet all the essential functional abilities; if a student cannot meet one or more of the abilities, with or without reasonable accommodations, the student will need to forfeit their admission to the Pre-Licensure Program. The Pre-Licensure Program in conjunction with Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Accessibility Resources will determine, on an individual basis, whether a reasonable accommodation can be made.
Students will complete the Essential Functional Abilities checklist and form found in the Pre-Licensure Handbook, providing a self-evaluation for each essential functional ability. The student, indicating if accommodations are requested or not, must complete an Essential Functional Ability Statement by Student. Last, the student is responsible to take completed aforementioned documents to a health care provider for review. A Statement of Physical and Emotional Health by Provider must be completed. All forms must be submitted to the School of Nursing.
Provisional and fully admitted students in the Pre-Licensure Program will be required to verify that they understand and meet these essential functional abilities, or that they believe that the essential functional abilities can be met with specific accommodations. Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Accessibility Resources will evaluate a student who indicates that they could meet the program’s essential functional abilities with accommodation and confirm that the stated condition qualifies as a disability under applicable laws.
If a student states that they can meet the essential functional abilities with accommodations, then Minnesota State University, Mankato and the School of Nursing will determine whether it agrees that the student can meet the essential functional abilities with reasonable accommodation. A review will include whether the accommodations requested are reasonable, considering the effect of the requested accommodation on student and patient safety, clinical site requirements/limitations, and/or the impact on the student/faculty experience in didactic and experiential learning activities.
Health requirements may be obtained at the University Health Service by appointment, or, if the student wishes to pay the fee, from a private health care provider. Students are responsibility for obtaining health provider signatures and any expenses related to required program immunizations, and functional abilities assessment.
Immunizations and Health Screening Requirements
Tuberculosis Screening
Evidence of TB screening must be completed within three months prior to the start of the nursing program and annually thereafter.
For students starting the nursing program in the Fall semester, a TB screen must be completed in June, July, or August just prior to starting the program. For those students starting the nursing program in the Spring semester, a TB screen must be completed in November, December or January just prior to starting the program.
All submitted documentation must include student full name, date of birth, medical source name, and dates of testing.
Acceptable forms of TB screening include 1) TB blood test - OR- 2) Two-step TB skin test. A one-step TB skin test is acceptable when certain conditions are met.
- TB BLOOD TEST (preferred).
A TB blood test completed within three (3) months prior to the start of the nursing program. Examples of TB blood tests include T-spot, IGRAs, and QuantiFERON-TB Gold.
Annual testing thereafter: TB blood test or a two-step TB skin test must be completed. - TB SKIN TEST.
Should a student elect TB skin test screening, a two-step TB skin test is required for initial TB screening. A one-step skin test will be accepted, but only when certain conditions are met.- Two (2) TB skin tests administered at least 7 days apart, but no more than 21 days apart; the most recent of which must be completed within 3 months prior to the start date of the nursing program.
Annual testing thereafter: The student will submit a one-step TB skin test within 12 months following the previous TB skin test. If a student exceeds 12 months from previous skin test, a two-step skin test or TB blood test must be completed. - One (1) TB skin test completed within 12 months prior to nursing program start date and One (1) TB skin test completed within three (3) months prior to nursing program start date.
Annual testing thereafter: The student will submit a one-step TB skin test completed within 12 months of the previous TB skin test. If a student exceeds 12 months from the previous TB skin test, a two-step TB skin test or TB blood test must be completed.
- Two (2) TB skin tests administered at least 7 days apart, but no more than 21 days apart; the most recent of which must be completed within 3 months prior to the start date of the nursing program.
POSITIVE TB SKIN TEST:
A TB Blood test is required if a skin test is positive.
If the blood test is also positive, students must submit:
- A chest X-ray
- A SON Positive TB Screen Follow-up/Medical Clearance Form indicating the student is free from active tuberculosis must be completed annually by the student’s healthcare provider
- Associated lab and radiology reports must accompany the completed and signed form.
The SON Positive TB Screen Follow-up/Medical Clearance form can be found within the associated step of Clinician Nexus and Appendix J.
MMR Immunity
MMR vaccinations, or a positive titer result for all three diseases—measles (rubeola), mumps, and rubella. Submitted document(s) must include the medical source name, dates, and student name.
Tdap/Td Vaccination
Must have received one adult dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), or Tdap over 10 years ago with Td (tetanus) in the past 10 years. Submitted document(s) must include the medical source name, dates, and student name.
Influenza Vaccination
Vaccination for current flu season by September 30th annually, or a written medical exemption signed by a healthcare professional and approved by the clinical agencies the student is conducting clinicals. Submitted document(s) must include the medical source name, dates, and student name.
Hepatitis B Vaccination
A two or three dose series of Hepatitis B vaccine (2-dose series only applies when 2-doses of Heplisav are used at least 4 weeks apart), or positive titer blood test results. Submitted document(s) must include the medical source name, dates, and student name.
Varicella Immunity
Two vaccinations or positive titer blood test results. Self-reports of chickenpox immunity are not accepted. Should a titer not indicate immunity, the vaccine will need to be administered again. Submitted document(s) must include the medical source name, dates, and student name.
COVID-19 Vaccination
The School of Nursing recommends that students receive vaccination and boosters to protect against serious illness related to COVID-19. For more information, visit the CDC COVID-19 website.
Immunization Exemptions
Any student wishing to decline vaccinations and/or testing must have a signed and approved exemption with the clinical agency prior to attending clinical experiences.
The School of Nursing does not determine vaccination exemptions for clinical agencies. The School of Nursing does not determine when the clinical agencies will notify students of their religious/medical exemptions for vaccinations and/or testing have been honored.
Students wanting more information should contact the Director of Undergraduate Nursing Clinical Placement.
Clinician Nexus is a HIPAA and FERPA compliant database to track student compliance with clinical agency requirements for experiential learning. The site part of The Clinical Coordination Partnership, a statewide consortium of educational and clinical partners used to manage clinical experiences for students. The SON students are managed by program faculty and staff. Student accounts will be created, and each student is required to upload and maintain required program documents, such as immunization data, onboarding, and other documents.
Licensure and Certification
In compliance with U.S. Department of Education Regulation 34 CFR 668.14(b)(32)(ii), MSU is providing the following disclosures:
The Pre-Licensure Program (PLP) curriculum at MSU, meets educational requirements for initial licensure as a registered nurse (RN) in the following states, districts, and U.S. territories:
Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mariana Islands, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Due to state-level regulations, Pre-Licensure Program (PLP) curriculum at MSU, does not meet the educational requirements for initial licensure as a registered nurse (RN) or cannot verify meeting these requirements in the following states and territories:
California and Virginia
This information was gathered from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website (last updated on June 26, 2024).
MSU assumes no liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions contained in this resource. It is your responsibility to verify the accuracy of this dynamic information.
Transfer Students From Other Nursing Programs
Students who wish to transfer to the School of Nursing from another nursing program must meet the same admission criteria as all other applicants.
A transfer student who has received two or more grades of “C-,” “D +/-,” “F,” “No Pass,” “No Credit,” or “Withdraw” in a nursing course or required related course(s) may only be considered for admission to the Pre-Licensure Program through an appeal process. This includes students who may have retaken and successfully completed these courses at another institution.
Appeals for admission consideration must be submitted to the Pre-Licensure Program Committee and must include:
- A written statement explaining the circumstances that led to academic challenges.
- Evidence of academic improvement, such as transcripts showing successful completion of previously failed or withdrawn course.
- A reflection on how the student has addressed at-risk academic behaviors.
- A plan for continued academic success, including strategies and support systems.
- Any relevant documentation, if applicable.
Students who have been unsuccessful in another nursing program may not appeal for admission unless they have had at least one quarter/semester absence from that program. The Appeal must be received no later than the second week of the semester PRIOR to the semester for which admission is requested.
Students requesting to transfer nursing course credits from other nursing programs must provide course syllabi for each course. These syllabi must include:
- Number of credits
- Number of contact hours in both classroom and experiential learning.
These documents must be submitted no later than the application deadline and will be reviewed by the Pre-Licensure Program Director and the Pre-Licensure Program Committee to determine course comparability. If the courses are not deemed comparable, the student will be required to retake the courses at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Pre-Nursing Appeal
Students may petition the Pre-Licensure Program Committee when documentable extenuating circumstances affect their academic performance, and/or students become ineligible for program admission.
Extenuating circumstances (situations outside of their control) may include the death of an immediate family member, a severe medical condition, or an unforeseen traumatic personal circumstance that affected progress in the pre-nursing curriculum.
Students in violation of the Repeat Core Prerequisite Policy, prior to university admission or declaration of nursing major, are not eligible to pursue admission to the Pre-Licensure Program or petition for appeal. This applies to incoming first-year students, transfer students and current university students.
Procedure
- The student will request an appointment with a member of the Nursing Advising Team to review the policy, procedures, deadline, and access to the Pre-Nursing Appeal form.
- The Pre-Nursing Appeal must be submitted electronically with attached documentation verifying the extenuating circumstances. If no documentation is attached, the application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. Students with medical extenuating circumstances are encouraged to have the Medical Verification Form completed by their healthcare provider (See Appendix A).
- The Pre-Nursing Appeal must be received by the deadline communicated during the advising appointment and will be reviewed by the Pre-Licensure Program Committee, in consultation with the Student Advising Director. Student names and identifying information will be redacted before formal review by committee members.
- The student will receive the appeal outcome via university email within 3-5 business days after the committee meeting.
The following information may be considered during review of the appeal:
- Total cumulative GPA.
- Core prerequisite GPA.
- Progress toward degree.
- Number of course attempts in prerequisite coursework.
- Academic course load each semester.
- Academic performance at institutions outside of Minnesota State Mankato.
- Evidence extenuating circumstance is resolved and/or plans have been put into place to ensure success.
Rationale
This policy is intended to guide pre-nursing students through the appeal process to support them in advancing their academic goals. We understand a student might experience academic difficulty due to situations outside of their control. A record of failure to meet pre-nursing requirements and policies jeopardizes timely progression, admission to the program and completion of the nursing degree.
