Nursing Application Checklist
SCC's Nursing Program focuses on your success from day one. We offer a caring, student-centered environment that helps you become a confident and compassionate healthcare professional. Through hands-on training, dedicated faculty support, and strong partnerships with local healthcare providers, you'll gain the skills you need to thrive in a rewarding nursing career. Join us, and let SCC guide you toward a future of caring, excellence, and lifelong learning.
Below you'll find information related to the program's application process.
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Apply to South Central College
Applicant must be fully admitted to the college before Nursing Application will be considered.
- Deadline for SCC Admission: One week before the nursing program application deadline.
- Official High School transcripts must be submitted to Student Affairs.
- All official transcripts from non-Minnesota State Colleges must be submitted to Student Affairs.
- For additional college admissions information, please visit the Admissions webpage.
Attend Nursing Information Session
An original Nursing Information Session Certificate of Attendance is required. Certificates of Attendance are valid for 1 year.
Individuals who would like to learn more about the Registered Nursing or Practical Nursing programs at South Central College should attend one of our monthly Nursing Information Sessions. Sessions are scheduled for two hours each. Participants should arrive 5–10 minutes early for check-in before the session. Some topics that will be discussed:
- Steps for applying to South Central College as a Pre-Nursing student
- Differences in the RN and LPN Nursing programs
- Program Policies
- Admission criteria
- Entrance exam requirements
- A question/answer period is included
- Attendance at one Info Session is required for application to the nursing programs
Students will complete a brief essay question at the end of the information session. This response will be collected and included as part of their program application.
Sign Up to Attend an Info Session:
Pre-Requisite Classes
| Qualification | LPN (Practical Nurse) | RN (Registered Nurse) |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry: Provide evidence of completion of CHEM 108 or 110 or equivalent college course (science courses are valid if taken within the last 5 years). | No — Chemistry is not required in the PN program. | Yes — CHEM 108 Intro to Chemistry, 4 credits or CHEM 110 Chemistry for the Health Sciences, 4 credits is required. It is also a pre-requisite to BIOL 230 Human Physiology, 4 credits. |
| Human Anatomy: Provide evidence of completion of BIOL 220 Human Anatomy, 4 credits. | Yes — Anatomy & Physiology I and II are accepted; courses must be taken from same college. | Yes — Anatomy & Physiology I and II are accepted; courses must be taken from same college. |
| English Composition: Provide evidence of completion of ENGL 100 English Composition, 4 credits. | Yes | Yes |
| First Aid: Provide evidence of completion of HLTH1952, 1 credit. | Yes | No |
| Medical Terminology: Provide evidence of completion of HC1000, 3 credits. | Yes | No |
GPA Requirements
| Qualification | LPN (Practical Nurse) | RN (Registered Nurse) |
|---|---|---|
| GPA Requirement: In addition, a minimum of "C" grade in general education courses is used for the Nursing Program. | 2.5 | 2.7 |
| Appeal Policy: An appeal must be submitted if the same general education course is failed twice or three different general education courses are failed. | Yes | Yes |
| Repeated Classes: Same class may be taken no more than two times with a passing grade. | Yes | Yes |
| Good Academic Standing: Must be demonstrated at the college. | Yes | Yes |
Entrance Exam Information
The Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT) is a standardized test designed to measure critical thinking skills essential for success in health science programs. It assesses key areas such as analysis, inference, evaluation, and reasoning in clinical and academic settings. Many nursing programs use the HSRT as an entrance exam to evaluate applicants' readiness for the rigorous decision-making and problem-solving demands of healthcare education and practice. For admission to South Central College's nursing programs, the following minimum overall HSRT scores are required: Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN): 74 or above. Practical Nursing (PN): 70 or above. Please note that these requirements are subject to change in the future.
HSRT Information
Exam cost: $45 (Refund up to 48 hours before the exam)
Approximate testing time: One Hour
Number of students per exam: 20
Please note:
- South Central College will not accept HSRT scores taken at other institutions; the exam must be completed through SCC.
- No phones, smart watches, personal items (water bottles, backpacks, calculators, etc.)
- Photo ID required for check-in
- Paper and pencils will be provided
Helpful Links
- Critical Thinking: What It Is and Why It Counts
- Example Questions/Demo — Click on "I have been assigned an assessment" and then click on "Continue as a guest"
- iPrep Critical Thinking Practice Test
Transfer Students
South Central College's Nursing programs include many transfer students. If you are a student who has completed general education coursework at other educational institutions, there are a few items to be aware of.
- All credits considered for transfer must have been completed with a grade of "C/2.0" or better.
- Students requesting credit transfers must have an official transcript from all previously attended colleges submitted to the Admissions Office. (Once admitted to SCC, MinnState transcripts can be accessed by advisors.)
- Students may need to provide documentation (course syllabus or course outline) from the college or university for the course to be reviewed for equivalency.
- Students may appeal the decision of the Transfer Credit Evaluation as outlined in the MinnState Undergraduate Transfer Policy.
Transfer resources:
- www.Transferology.com
- Course Equivalents Tab in E-Services — Go to 'Courses and Registration' then 'Search for a Course'
Students who have transfer questions may contact:
Kris Lovstad
Transfer Specialist
transfer@southcentral.edu
Phone: 507-389-7394
More transfer information is available on the transfer student website.
Experience & Attributes
The nursing application will ask students to provide information about their experiences and personal attributes, such as healthcare-related volunteer work, leadership roles, teamwork skills, and commitment to patient care. These factors will be considered as part of their overall candidate score.
Prospective students applying to our nursing program must provide proof of Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification or Paramedic licensure at the time of application.
For those applying to the LPN to RN pathway, applicants must submit proof of active LPN licensure in good standing with the state of Minnesota.
All documentation must be included with the application to be considered for admission.
Program Application
Applications for the SCC RN and PN Nursing Programs can be viewed and submitted twice a year.
| Semester Start | Applications Accepted | Result Letters Sent | # of LPN Starts | # of RN Starts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | April 1 – June 15 | July 1 | 24 | 32 |
| Spring | September 1 – November 15 | December 1 | 24 | 32 |
| Summer (LPN to RN Transition Program Only) | March 1 – April 15 | May 1 | 8 |
Be 100% admitted to SCC one (1) week before the nursing program application deadline including transcripts from high school and other colleges by the admission date (see above).
After applying to the Nursing Program, there are 4 possible outcomes:
- The application was incomplete and the applicant was not considered
- Accepted for the Fall/Spring for which you applied
- Informed you are on a wait list for the semester you applied (in the event of an opening in the program, applicants on the wait list may be called up to start their Nursing courses)
- Informed you were not accepted. Applicants who were not accepted are encouraged to reapply during the next application period after reviewing the criteria above and taking steps to improve their chances of being selected.
LPN to RN Transfer Pathway Application
PN Application
RN Application
Admitted Student Requirements
- Please be aware that travel will be required for all following:
- Courses
- Clinicals
- Labs
- Immunizations
- Tdap
- MMR
- Varicella
- Hep B
- Influenza (annually)
- Tuberculosis screening
- COVID (optional)
- CPR Certification
- HIPPA Training
- Health Insurance
- Background Study
For more program specific information, please see the Nursing Handbook.
Required Background Check
SCC Nursing Applicants must pass a Background Check (for purposes of clinical placement).
Minnesota law requires that any person who provides services that involve direct contact with patients and residents at a health care facility licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health have a background study conducted by the state. 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 a clinical placement in a Minnesota licensed health care facility. Failure to participate in a clinical placement required by the academic program could result in ineligibility to qualify for a degree in that program. Questions and concerns about the background check can be directed to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Licensing Division, 444 Lafayette Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55144-3824. Phone (651) 296-3971, Fax: (651) 296-1490. Web address mn.gov/dhs