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Practical Nursing Admission Guidelines

for Fall 2024

Please refer to BCI Policy before applying

APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2024 (Apply in May from 5/1 - 5/31)

Students interested in taking the nursing pre-admission HESI A-2 exam for the PN program in preparation for the May (PN) admission period should send an email to [email protected].

Students should complete the pre-requisite courses prior to taking the pre-admission exam.

 Fall Practical Nursing Program:

  • Warwick/Day

Minimum requirements to apply to the Nursing program:
  1. CCRI Application for Enrollment into General Studies with a pre-practical nursing concentration.

  2. Official copy of a high school transcript, GED® transcript or baccalaureate transcript from an accredited institution, including date of graduation or completion.
                                                                                                 
    • Reading Comprehension Requirement:
      • Score of 90 or above in Classic Accuplacer is required in Reading Comprehension or score of 259 or above in Next Generation Accuplacer is required in Reading Comprehension or ENGL 0890: Critical Reading with a grade of "B-" or better, OR ENGL 0950 Integrated Critical Reading and Writing with a grade of B- or better.
    • Mathematics Requirement:
      • Score of 80 or above in Classic Accuplacer is required for Math (Arithmetic)
        or score of 255 in Next Generation Accuplacer is required for Math (Arithmetic)
        or MATH 0100: Fundamentals of Mathematics with a grade of "B-" or better
      • ACCUPLACER test issued by CCRI's Department of Advising and Counseling.                                                       
                                                            .                                                                                             
  3. HESI A2 Test. Score 70 percent or better on each section.*

  4. Complete the following required prerequisite courses:

    • ENGL 1010: Composition I with a grade of "C" or better
      Note: This course is limited to two attempts. All attempts prior to Jan. 1, 2015, including transfers, are considered ONE attempt regardless of the number of times the class was taken. If a student fails to meet the satisfactory grade requirements within the two attempts, the student must wait five years from the last attempt to retake the course.

    • *BIOL 2201 will be required for admission for the Fall 2025 semester *
  5. A minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 2.0 is required to apply to the program and must be maintained while enrolled in Nursing.

    Requirements 1-7 must be met satisfactorily BEFORE submission of the performance-based Health Science application and does not guarantee acceptance. Students declining acceptance into the program for the semester must resubmit a performance-based Health Sciences application for the program and meet current requirements. Once accepted into the Practical Nurse Program, the student must attend a mandatory orientation conducted by the Nursing Department.


  6. Complete and submit an online performance-based Health Sciences application at: www.ccri.edu/oes/admissions/performancebasedapplications.html. The deadlines are listed on the form.

  7. Conditionally accepted students are required to complete the following:
    • When notified by the Office of Enrollment Services, submit a background check and health record requirements through CastleBranch.com by the deadlines identified. Results of BCI may prevent admission due to clinical agencies' requirements. Please refer to the Criminal Background Check Policy before applying.

Final acceptance is based upon completion of the above criteria.

Please note: Requirements are subject to change.

For more clarifying information regarding any of the above, please visit www.ccri.edu/nursing/admissionfaq or contact the Office of Enrollment Services at:

Deb Watson, Newport County Campus: 401-851-1637, [email protected]

* HESI A2: Students are limited to two (2) attempts. Students who do not meet the benchmark after the second attempt can retest after three (3) months from the second attempt. Please note: HESI test scores do not expire.


Practical Nursing Program
Admission Criteria Point System

Cumulative GPA 20-40 points
(e.g., 2.0=20 points or 4.0=40 points)
Grade and GPA Point Allocation
A (4.0) 40 points
A- (3.7) 37 points
B+ (3.3) 33 points
B (3.0) 30 points
B- (2.7) 27 points
C+ (2.5) 25 points
C (2.0) 20 points
Grade in ENGL 1010 Prerequisite GPA 20-40 points
(e.g., 2.0=20 points or 4.0=40 points)
Grade and GPA Point Allocation
A (4.0) 40 points
A- (3.7) 37 points
B+ (3.3) 33 points
B (3.0) 30 points
B- (2.7) 27 points
C+ (2.5) 25 points
C (2.0) 20 points
HESI A² Preadmission Test HESI Categories Points
HESI Categories Point Allocation
Reading 7.0 - 10 points
Vocabulary/General Knowledge 7.0 - 10 points
Grammar 7.0 - 10 points
Math 7.0 - 10 points
 

Example: If Reading score = 70, 7.0 points will be added. If Math score = 90, 9 points will be added.

Current CNA Certification*.................................. 12 Points
Maximum Total Points........................................... 132 Points

In the event of a tie, the prerequisite GPA will be used as the tie-breaker.

Credits granted through AP, CLEP, challenge exams or assessment of prior learning will be recognized as satisfying course requirements and will be assigned points equivalent to a grade of “B”.

Please review the Department of Health website to learn about licensing requirements for the health sciences professions.

Please Note:

A Social Security number is required to begin the licensing process for the health sciences professions.

*CNA Certification is not required for entry into the program. These 12 points are in addition to other points acquired and do not guarantee entrance into the program.

The ADN and PN programs have competitive admissions. The ADN program and LPN-to-RN Option admit students twice per year, while the PN program admits students only once per year. Each application period, qualified students are denied admission due to limited space. Registered Nursing and Practical Nursing are different professions; therefore, students who have accepted a seat in the ADN program, LPN-to-RN Option, or PN program are not eligible to apply to other nursing programs or options. Students must, in advance of the application process, determine which career path they would like to pursue. Effective September 5, 2018, if a student does apply to both programs, the first program to which the student is accepted invalidates the application to the second program. Students who are not accepted into the program of their choice may reapply to that program, or apply to a different program, during the next application period.