Department of Nursing
Admission Requirements

Generic Program

Students can be admitted to the program as freshmen, transfers or an internal change of major. Freshmen applications are considered up to June 1st. The transfer and internal change of major deadline is February 1st. Generic undergraduate students are only matriculated for the Fall Semesters. The admissions committee advises students that the admission process is academically competitive and that a high GPA will enhance their chances for selection.

Freshmen may be admitted directly into the major if they meet the University’s admission requirements, have taken both a biology and chemistry course, with laboratory, in high school, and earned a combined minimum of 1050 on the mathematical reasoning and critical reading sections of the SAT’s with a minimum score of 500 on the critical reading component.

Transfer* students with a GPA of 2.5 are eligible for admission following the universities application process and review by the department. It is recommended that the candidates achieve the highest GPA possible to enhance their potential admission into the nursing program. The application deadline is February 1st.

Students accepted must complete BI0 112, BIO 113, BIO 170, PSY 110, and PSY 210 (with grades of C or better) before being permitted to begin the Nursing Laboratory sequence of courses. Permission to take courses in the nursing program is dependent on evidence of student achievement in preparatory courses and the number of available seats.

Students enrolled in the University may apply for a Change of Majors* to nursing online through WPConnect, after completing twelve (12) credits at William Paterson University. One of the completed courses must be a laboratory science course. Recommended courses include BIO 112, 113 or 170 or CHEM 131/031, 132/032. Students choosing to change their major must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. The student is advised that the change of major process is academically competitive and maintaining the highest GPA possible may enhance their position in successfully changing their major to nursing. The admissions committee of the department will review applications February 1st of each year for matriculation in fall semester nursing courses.

*Transfer students and Change of major students who have earned grades of C- or below in co-requisite or nursing major courses are not eligible for admission even if they have repeated the course successfully. The co-requisite courses are General Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Anatomy and Physiology I with Laboratory, Anatomy and Physiology II with Laboratory, Microbiology with Laboratory, College Chemistry with Laboratory, Organic Biochemistry with Laboratory, Statistics, Nutrition, and Advanced Anatomy and Physiology with Laboratory.

All students must complete BI0 112, BIO 113, BIO 170, PSY 110, and PSY 210 before being permitted to begin the Nursing Laboratory sequence of courses. Permission to take courses in the nursing program is dependent on evidence of student achievement in preparatory courses and the number of available seats.

RN to BSN

RN to BSN applications are accepted in an ongoing basis. It is recommended you utilize your credentials on your application to inform the Admissions Office that you are an RN to BSN applicant. Upon admission students will meet with the RN to BSN coordinator to determine which courses the student should register for. Further information may be available at RN to BSN Program.

Policies
Nursing students are required to have a yearly physical examination and submit a Nursing Clearance form to the Nursing Department from the Campus Health and Wellness Center.

Nursing students are required to have a criminal background check completed by the Department vendor at their own expense prior to starting any clinical course. Results are submitted to the affiliate agencies for their interpretation in keeping with the accreditation standards of the Joint Commission Accreditation of Health Organizations (JCAHO) and the State of New Jersey.

Nursing laboratory courses are conducted both on and off campus. Automobile transportation is required for most off-campus experiences.

Students who do not maintain a 2.0 grade point average in the major and co- requisite courses or who do not achieve a grade of C or better are evaluated for retention or progression in the nursing major.

Adjustment of Degree Requirements
Students seeking an evaluation of a course(s) from another college as equivalent to a WPC course should observe the following steps identified below.

1. For courses taken at a community college within New Jersey check the web site NJTransfer.
2. If item #1 does not offer an answer, meet and confer with your assigned faculty advisor.
3. Upon evaluation of your request, your advisor will assist you to complete an Adjustment of Degree Requirements form.
4. If your request is approved by the Chairperson & Dean, notification is sent to the Registrar.

Leave of Absence or Withdrawal
Students requesting a Leave of Absence or Withdrawal from the nursing major will meet with the Chairperson of the Department to explore options and/or assure a space in a future class. The student must then file an application in the Registrar's Office.