Pre-Nursing Track Policy

Effective 9/17; Revised: 5/17, 6/18, 8/21; Reviewed: 10/21
Updated: 7/22
Contact: Department of Nursing

  1. The Pre-nursing (PRENR) track is for students, not eligible for direct entry, to focus their coursework on fulfilling necessary prerequisites and academic progression requirements to be eligible to participate in a competitive admission process to major in Nursing.
  2. Students on this track may be test-optional students or transfer students to the College who have yet to participate in the formal nursing admission process.
  3. Students admitted conditionally may not declare Pre-nursing track or Nursing as their major.
  4. Upon admission to the College, students who elect the Pre-nursing track will complete an Intent to Begin form on Etrieve declaring the semester they intend to begin the program if accepted. Students may only defer their nursing program intended start date one time before becoming ineligible to continue on the Pre-nursing track.
  5. Pre-nursing track students are required to participate in a competitive selection process based upon academic and additional requirements. Due to the limited number of seats in the program and competitive selection process, some students who fulfill necessary prerequisites and academic progression requirements may not be selected for the nursing program or declare a major in Nursing.

Academic Requirements

  • Achieving and maintaining a 2.8 or higher cumulative GPA at the time of consideration and must be maintained through the start of the program
  • Record of successful academic progression with prerequisite grades a B- or better on the first attempt.
    1. Chemistry and lab (CHE 113 or 121)
    2. Basic Psychology (PSY 101)
    3. Microbiology and lab (BMS 126)
    4. Human Anatomy and lab (BMS 243)
    5. Human Physiology and lab (BMS 250)
    6. Written Communication (CTI 102 )
    7. Math for the Liberal Arts or Calculus I (CTI 105 or 109)
  • An attempt is defined as enrollment in a class with the following indication on a transcript a) course grade, b) incomplete = I, c) Withdraw = W.
  • Any nursing courses, such as Nutrition, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology, must have a grade of B- or better on first attempt.
  • Successful completion of college required Core Curriculum level I coursework
  1. The Responsible Self (CTI 100)
  2. Identity and Society (CTI 150)
  • Students must complete the Application to Nursing Program form every semester. This form is to be submitted to the Nursing Student Liaison within two weeks of final grades posting.
  • Students at any time not meeting academic requirements will be advised to change the Pre-nursing track to a major other than Nursing.

Additional Requirements

  • Submission of a 250-500-word essay answering the following topics: “Why do you want to become a nurse and what is your plan for success through the program?”
  • One letter of recommendation (academic or professional) that addresses the candidate’s character and ability to complete an intensive course of study
  • An interview with one or more members of the Department of Nursing
  • A written summary of any community, volunteer and health-related experiences
  • Completion of a nursing school entrance examination, as administered by the Department of Nursing may be required (exam fee to be paid by the student)

Verification of Requirements

  1. The Nursing Student Liaison will verify students are on track to start the nursing program upon receipt of the Application to Nursing Program form. Form must be submitted within 2 weeks of final grades posting.
  2. Any prerequisite courses still in progress at that time will be evaluated at the end of the semester in which they are completed.
  3. The NSL will notify the Department of Nursing Chair and advisor of each individual student’s status. Students will be classified as having met or not met academic and additional requirements.


    Criteria Met: Students beginning the program in the following semester who have met all academic and additional admission requirements satisfactorily (with enrolled prerequisite courses still in progress) and are classified as meeting academic and additional requirements will be approved to begin the nursing program as a contingently admitted student. Students will be instructed to complete contingent admission requirements (see below) upon notification from the Clinical Compliance Coordinator.

    Criteria Unmet: Students who have not met all academic and additional admission requirements satisfactorily (excluding prerequisite courses they are currently enrolled in at the time) will no longer be considered eligible to begin the nursing program. These students will be advised to change from Pre-nursing track to a major other than Nursing.

  4. Contingent Requirements for admission are completed during the semester prior, only after contingently admitted to the nursing program. These contingent requirements are as follows:

    Completion of a criminal background check as stipulated by the guidelines of the Department of Nursing’s policy posted on William Jewell College’s Department of Nursing web page. Background check fee to be paid by the student.

    Completion of a random drug screening as stipulated by the guidelines of the Department of Nursing’s policy posted on Jewell’s Department of Nursing web page: www.jewell.edu/nursing. Assignment of drug screening will be designated randomly by the Department of Nursing. Drug screening fee to be paid by the student.

  5. Once approved to start the program, students are considered contingently admitted to the nursing program until all academic, additional, and contingent requirements of admission are met.
  6. Students failing to successfully complete any/all requirements on time will be advised to change to a major other than Nursing.