First-Year Nursing
The four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Hood College is competitive direct-entry program, and we recommend that students apply early in their senior year of high school. There is no additional application required for nursing applicants, but students will be reviewed through a two-step process in which they are accepted to Hood College prior to being evaluated for acceptance into the nursing program. Students will be considered for admission into the program in two rounds.
Round 1: Students who are accepted to Hood College before Dec. 1 will be considered for acceptance to the nursing program during round one. Decisions will be mailed by Dec. 15. Students accepted during the first round are asked to respond to the offer by March 1; this response is non-binding.
Round 2: Students who are not accepted to the nursing program during round one will be automatically considered during round two and are encouraged to submit mid-year senior grades to supplement their applications. The round two deadline is March 1, and decisions will be mailed by March 15.
Students who are not accepted to the nursing program may still enroll at Hood and take the first-year nursing courses. If these students show exceptional achievement and promise, they may apply to formally enter the nursing program at the end of their freshman year.
Can I declare nursing as my major when I apply?
Yes. Students who declare nursing should take all pre-requisites for nursing in their first year so they are prepared to start nursing courses their second year. After grades and GPA are finalized at the end of the first year, the Nursing Department will review these and offer an acceptance to the nursing program if all requirements have been met (must earn a C or higher in BIOL 104, BIOL 204, CHEM 100 or 101 and PSY 101 AND minimum composite GPA is 2.75).
What is the average class size?
Nursing is one of Hood’s largest majors, so class sizes are bigger but sometimes split into two sections or split into groups in the classroom to keep class sizes smaller. This is necessary in order to keep days open for clinical, lab and simulation.
Are classes taught by professors?
Our nursing courses are taught by nursing professors who hold a doctoral degree in nursing and have related practice experience.
Why get a BSN?
- A BSN prepares students for graduate study in nursing.
- A BSN provides opportunities for certification in specialty areas and career advancement, such as serving as a nurse manager or director of nursing.
- A BSN prepares graduates to meet employer requirements to earn a BSN within so many years of hire into an RN position.
What are the specific requirements for admission to and progression through the nursing program?
- Nursing majors are preparing for a role that requires critical thinking and clinical judgements about those they care for. Therefore, the nursing curriculum is a rigorous course of study. Academic progression in the nursing program is framed from the perspective of providing safe, quality care, and overall achievement of basic level competencies to be successful on the nursing licensure exam; therefore, minimum standards are identified which support these goals.
- Grades and progression in the Nursing Program: maintain a composite grade point average of 2.75 or higher in order to progress to the subsequent level of the nursing program. If a student’s composite GPA falls below 2.75, the student has one semester to bring the GPA back up to a minimum 2.75. Failure to meet the composite GPA benchmark will be subject to review by the Department of Nursing and may prevent the student from continuing in the program. All nursing and nursing-required courses must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or higher. Students may repeat only one nursing course AND two nursing-required courses ONE TIME EACH.
Can I take nursing courses in any order?
Students need to follow the program’s course sequence plan. All courses have pre-requisites for this reason. Level 2 courses must be completed before students can move to level 3, and level 3 courses must be completed before students can move to level 4 courses.
Do I need to take an admission exam?
Admission assessments refer to nationally-used assessments that provides the school with a benchmark for your knowledge in math, anatomy and physiology and reading comprehension. It is a requirement for admission to Hood for transfer students and part of the Foundations of Professional Nursing course for current Hood students.
When do I start clinical courses?
Nursing clinical courses begin in the 2nd year/level 2 of the nursing program with the NUR 201 course in the spring semester.
Is Hood Nursing accredited?
Hood’s BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
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