Section II: Admission to the College

Section II: Admission to the College jeff

Lakeview College of Nursing does not discriminate in the admission of students on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, veteran status, ancestry, or disability.  Additionally, the College prohibits students discriminating against others based upon race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, veteran status, ancestry, or disability.

Non-discrimination Policy

Non-discrimination Policy jeff

Lakeview College of Nursing does not discriminate in the admission of students on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, veteran status, ancestry, or disability.  Additionally, the College prohibits students discriminating against others based upon race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, veteran status, ancestry, or disability.

Admission Academic Requirements

Admission Academic Requirements jeff

Applicant should have a minimum of 45 credit hours completed at the time of application to be considered for admissions. The following are the requirements for consideration for admissions into Lakeview College of Nursing: 

  1. Minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

  2. Admission Test Scores

  3. 60 Credit Hours in General Education and Prerequisite Courses with a grade of “C” or better.  (Must be completed before starting any LCN nursing courses.  Please see appropriate prerequisite plan for listing of required coursework within academic requirements section of catalog).

    • All prerequisites must be completed from a regionally accredited college or university

    • Lakeview College of Nursing accepts CLEP Examination Credit for equivalent general education and prerequisite coursework. Credit may be awarded for CLEP Examinations depending upon the score earned on the examination and other factors as indicated below.  Please visit The College Board website, http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html

    • Limitations of credits earned through the CLEP Examinations are as follows: (1) duplicate credit in the same subject is not awarded in any case; (2) the total number of credits that may be awarded is limited to 30 credits.

Additional Admission Test Information

If an applicant has a disability and needs to request accommodations for the Admissions Test, the applicant needs to contact Vicky Welge at vwelge@lakeviewcol.edu or 217-709-0939.

It is highly recommended preparing for this test by purchasing a study guide and/or reviewing in some manner. An internet search for “nursing school entrance exam” will provide the resources needed to prepare.

Lakeview College of Nursing reserves the right to change admission requirements or to make appropriate revisions, amendments or corrections at any time, with or without notice.

Transfer Credit Policies

Transfer Credit Policies jeff

Academic Forgiveness Policy

Last 48 hours of completed coursework

Lakeview College of Nursing understands that students may have had difficult times in their lives resulting in sub-standard academic performance at previous institutions. Applicants in this situation can write a statement asking the Admission Committee to exclude this previous coursework from the cumulative GPA calculation. The cumulative GPA will then be figured using the last 48 credit hours of coursework, which must be a 2.5/4.0. Students requesting academic forgiveness will not qualify for an early admission decision.

Time Limitations

Science Course Time Limit

There is a time limitation on the prerequisite science courses needed for the nursing program. Anatomy and Physiology I & II, Chemistry I & II, and Microbiology MUST be taken no more than 5 years prior to the start of the nursing program, unless the student is currently a licensed RN.

Please note the following consideration will be given to two-part courses (e.g. Anatomy & Physiology Part I and Anatomy & Physiology Part II as well as Chemistry I & Chemistry II), as long as one of the two-part courses is complete within the last 5 years, the credits for the other part of the course will be recognized as long as it meets other transfer guidelines.

If a student has prerequisite science courses that are not recognized due to time limitation he/she will need to either repeat the course or pass a college proficiency test. For more information regarding our proficiency options please contact our admissions office. There is a cost associated with proficiency exams.

International Students

International Students jeff

Documentation

All applicants must have established legal residency within the United States.  Lakeview College of Nursing does not issue I-20s for student visas and therefore requires each student to be either a U.S. Citizen or Permanent U.S. Resident.  Documentation will be required at the time of application.  A naturalization certificate or a green card may be used as documentation for those born outside the United States.

Application Procedure

Application Procedure jeff
 

Degree-Seeking Students

Degree-Seeking Students jeff

Fall Deadlines (processing begins January 15th)

  • Early Decision – March 1st *
  • Regular Decision – April 1st

Spring Deadlines (processing begins June 15th)

  • Early Decision – August 1st *
  • Regular Decision – September 1st

Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale may apply for an early decision. 

All applicants will receive an e-mail confirmation after their application has been received and processed containing additional information about our program as well as a transcript evaluation if official transcripts have been submitted. This will be sent to the e-mail address provided on the application for admission.

Admission decisions are mailed out approximately 30 days after the admission deadline. See dates listed above.

The following are the steps required to make a full application:  

  1. A completed admission application form.

  2. One (1) copy of a personal composition of 150-250 words addressing your view of nursing and professional goals and why you wish to pursue a BSN degree.

  3. If currently enrolled, submit a current course schedule along with a plan for completing any remaining prerequisite coursework (official transcript evaluation will reflect future plans of completing required prerequisites).

  4. Two (2) reference forms from a recent employer or an educator.  References from relatives or personal friends will not be accepted.  Reference letters/forms become the property of LCN.

  5. $100 non-refundable fee payable to Lakeview College of Nursing. 

  6. Official transcripts from each individual college institution attended. Paper and electronic transcripts are accepted. International transcripts and credentials must be translated into English with letter grades through a foreign evaluation service.

  7. LPNs and RNs applying for admission must also submit a copy of their current Illinois nursing license.

  8. A naturalization certificate or a green card may be used as documentation for those born outside the United States. 

All documents submitted to Lakeview College of Nursing for admission or transfer purposes become the property of the College. Transcripts from other institutions will not be released to a student, nor will they be forwarded to other educational institutions or agencies unless specified by state or federal regulation.  A student needing copies of documents from other institutions must contact those institutions directly.

Transferring from another Nursing Program

Transferring from another Nursing Program jeff

Applicants that have attended another nursing program need to provide the additional information at the time of application: 

  1. One (1) of the two (2) required references must be from the Dean/Director/Chair of faculty member of the program from which was attended.
  2. Only nursing courses with a grade of “B” or better will be considered for transfer.  Applicants must provide course syllabi for any nursing class they are seeking to transfer.
  3. If the transfer applicant has attended a nursing program that offers Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI), Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) testing or Kaplan (KAP), they should submit copies of their testing results.

Additional Requirements for Admission

Additional Requirements for Admission jeff

Once an applicant has been granted an admission decision of provisional admission into the program, full acceptance is pending receipt of all required documents and the determination that the following requirements are met:

  • Official transcripts showing successful completion (Grade of “C” or better) of prerequisite requirements (must be provided before Lakeview's semester drop date)

  • Completed health record requirements

  • Completed acceptable background check

Student Orientation

Student Orientation jeff

Student orientation is mandatory for all new incoming students. Orientation will occur the week prior to the start of a semester. Failure to attend will prevent a student from starting any clinical course.

Classification of Students

Classification of Students jeff

Classification of students is based upon the number of credit hours earned in required general education courses and required nursing courses applying to the Lakeview College of Nursing curriculum. Additionally, students are considered to be enrolled in LCN after they have attended the first day of the first LCN class for which they are registered.

Non-Degree Seeking Students

Non-Degree Seeking Students jeff

Students applying to take Chemistry, Statistics or Medical Terminology can fill out the non-degree application indicating exactly which class(es) they are wanting to take as listed on the application. Students must submit transcripts verifying prerequisites have been met for the non-degree courses in which they are enrolling. Once the non-degree application has been processed and the student has been registered, an e-mail will be sent to the e-mail address provided on the application.  Students enrolled as non-degree seeking will not be eligible for financial aid (including Lakeview scholarships). Enrollment as a non-degree student does not constitute admission into the nursing program. Non-degree students must apply for admission to be considered for degree status.

Health Record Requirements

Health Record Requirements jeff

Health records are mandatory for all students. A copy of the following physical/immunization records are required to be on file by 12 noon the Friday of the second week of class. Students will be dropped from all clinical courses if not submitted by the stated deadline. Students should make a copy of all health records as there will be a $5 fee for any copies made by Lakeview after submission.

Requirements:

  • Current Physical Examination (To rule out infections or contagious disease) within the last year
  • Tetanus Booster (Tdap) – Current within the last 10 years.
  • Hepatitis B Titer
    If non-immune to Hep B, series of immunizations must be started or a declination waiver must be signed. You can obtain a waiver from Lakeview Colege of Nrusing. You must submit documentation of each shot as you receive.
  • Influenza Vaccine
  • 1 Varicella Titer – Required even if you have been vaccinated or had the disease in the past.
    If titer indicates low or no immunity, two boosters of Varicella vaccine 4 weeks apart followed by a titer 4-6 weeks after second booster shot is required. You must sumit documentation of each booster and titer.
  • 1 MMR Titer – A titer for Measles, Mumps and Rubella are required even if you have been vaccinated in the past.
    If titer indicates low or no immunity, two boosters of MMR vaccine 4 weeks apart followed by a titer 4-6 weeks after second booster shot is required. You must sumit documentation of each booster and titer.
  • TB Quantiferon
  • 10 Panel Urine Drug Screen
  • Current CPR Card – Only two courses accepted are: The American Heart Association-BLS Healthcare Provider –OR– The American Red Cross-CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Health Care Providers.
  • Proff of Meningococcal vaccines
  • Hepatitis A is highly recommended due to the high at-risk population and occupation (CDC, 2011), but is not required.

Additional information regarding health requirements is provided within admission packet.

Background Checks

Background Checks jeff

All nursing students who are offered admission are required to have a criminal background check. Students will receive the appropriate information to complete this requirement once admitted. Clinical rotations that require a criminal background check may deny a student’s participation in the clinical experience because of a felony or misdemeanor conviction. As participation in clinical experiences are a required part of the curriculum and a requirement for graduation, denial of participation by a clinical site may result in delay of graduation or the inability to graduate from the nursing program.

If a student questions their qualification for licensure in the State of Illinois, the student should go to www.idfpr.com and complete and submit the Non-Binding Advisory Opinion form (currently no fee required). This is a pre-application process to verify licensure qualifications. If you plan to seek licensure in another state please refer to that state’s department of regulations to verify qualification for licensure. Students should be aware that health care agencies complete a background check on employees and students taking the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) must complete a background check to be licensed as a registered nurse.

Readmission Policy

Readmission Policy jeff

A student who has academically been dismissed or who has withdrawn from the nursing program may apply for readmission. The readmission policies are:

  1. A student’s application for readmission may be reviewed by the Admission Committee no more than two (2) times. If readmission is not granted after the second application, the student becomes ineligible for readmission.
  2. If health concerns are a factor for the student leaving the College, then documentation for ability to continue in the program must be provided with readmission paperwork.
  3. A student may only be readmitted into Lakeview College of Nursing once.
  4. A student must meet all current readmission criteria.
  5. A student repeating a clinical nursing course must repeat both the theory and clinical components of the course.
  6. A student that is readmitted into Lakeview College of Nursing is required to meet the readmission course progression requirements.  Any LCN classes that are being repeated due to a previous failure or withdraw must be passed with a “C” or higher with the exception of N210: Foundations of Professional Practice must be passed with an “A” or “B”. In order to remain in the program a student cannot withdraw or fail any of these courses for which they have been previously enrolled.
  7. A readmitted student is allowed to withdraw from one class that has not previously been taken.  The remainder of the coursework must be passed with a “C” or higher with the exception of N210 Foundations of Nursing Practice, which must be passed with an “A” or “B”, and must follow the guidelines included within the Student Academic Progression (SAP) policy.
  8. Graduation requirements must also be met.

The Admission Committee must approve any exceptions to the above policies.

Steps for Readmission

A student who has been academically dismissed or who has withdrawn from the Nursing Program and would like to seek readmission must submit items listed below to the Director of Enrollment according to the following schedule:

  • Readmission for the next semester (e.g. a student is dismissed from the spring semester and would like to be readmitted for the summer semester)

    • 7 days from the last day of the semester in which the student was dismissed

  • Readmission for a future semester (e.g. a student is dismissed from the spring semester and plans to sit out the summer semester and return for the fall semester)

    1. July 1 – Fall Semester

    2. November 1 - Spring Semester

    3. April 1 – Summer Semester

The following items will be required:

  1. A completed readmission application form.

  2. Recommendations from:

    1. Two (2) Lakeview Nursing Faculty who have taught the student in class or clinical and

    2. One (1) additional professional recommendation.

    Follow instructions on the Faculty Reference forms and submit them to the Registrar by due dates.

  3. Letter addressed to the Admissions Committee requesting readmission into (semester, year). Within the letter a developed action plan for success consisting of:

    1. Description of the reason(s) leaving the program

    2. Analysis of factors that led to this outcome

    3. Goals to be accomplished during your remaining time at Lakeview College of Nursing  

    4. Plan of action to meet your goal(s); be specific.

The student will be notified by e-mail the date they will need to meet with the Admission Committee. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure Lakeview has the correct contact information.  

Readmission into Lakeview College of Nursing will be dependent on the clinical space available to accommodate additional students. If the number of applicants exceeds available space, the decision will be based on LCN GPA, admissions GPA, admissions science GPA, and academic history of coursework previously taken at Lakeview College of Nursing and applicants may be deferred to a subsequent semester.

Re-admitted students will be required to update their criminal background check and drug screen before the first day of class if enrollment in the program has not been continuous (i.e. if they have not been enrolled at Lakeview for one or more semesters). Check with the Records Office regarding whether immunizations, TB skin test, and/or CPR certification will be required.