UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Educational Qualifications

To qualify for admission to Bellin College of Nursing a student should be a graduate of a recognized high school or its equivalent. The following high school courses are required. Coursework should be in a college-bound curriculum. Demonstration of successful completion of college coursework can be used to meet some of the educational qualifications.

• English - 4 years (one of which may be speech)
• Social Science - 3 years (for example: History, Psychology, Sociology)
• Mathematics - 3 years (one must be Algebra, and two advanced math courses)
• Biology - 1 year
• Chemistry - 1 year
• Advanced Science - 1 year (for example: Anatomy and Physiology, Physics, Advanced Biology, Advanced Chemistry)

Elective academic credits are recommended in: advanced algebra, advanced science, English composition, computer concepts and foreign language.

Deficiencies in any of the above requirements will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants are required to submit American College Test (ACT) scores for admission/placement purposes.

Applicants with a high school grade point average of 3.25 or greater on a 4.0 scale and a composite ACT score of 23 or above will be given priority acceptance.

Applicants with a high school grade point average of 2.9 to 3.24 or a composite score of 21 or 22 will be considered on an individual basis. 

Applicants still in high school will be conditionally admitted.  Official admission is contingent upon receipt of the final official high school transcript by July 15 for fall enrollment.

Nontraditional Applicants

An applicant who has been out of school for several years is encouraged to contact Bellin College of Nursing Admissions Department regarding eligibility.

Criminal Background

Prior to final acceptance, a criminal background check will be completed.  This background check is completed to remain in compliance with the Wisconsin Caregiver Background Check and Investigation Legislation. Applicants who have been convicted of specific crimes/offenses that would bar them from clinical experiences as a student or employment and/or licensure as a caregiver will not be admitted to the College.

Drug Screen

All newly admitted students will have a drug screen completed at orientation or as arranged by the College.  Students whose drug screens note the use of illegal drugs will have their admission cancelled. (Drug screens of a continuing student may be required when the conduct of the student warrants it.)

Health Qualifications

Each applicant is required to have a physical examination and fulfill specified immunizations and testing prior to official admission to the program.  The physical and mental health of the applicant must be deemed adequate for meeting the program outcomes of the degree.

Tuberculosis Testing

The hospital regulatory agency guidelines as published in the Wisconsin Administrative Code, Chapter HSS 124 state that all persons having frequent and direct contact with hospital patients must be assessed for the presence of active pulmonary tuberculosis.  The Mantoux tuberculin skin test is administered at no charge by the Health Office for all BCON students each May.

Personal Qualifications

The successful applicant demonstrates motivation, initiative, self-direction, responsibility, integrity, maturity, effective communications, an interest in people and leadership potential. These qualifications are established by references and a personal interview.

Minimum Technical Criteria

In compliance with the Americans with Disability Act, Bellin College of Nursing does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, student aid and other College-administered programs nor in the employment of its faculty and staff.

The skills listed below are essential requirements for this program. Students in the program and those who complete the program will be expected to demonstrate the ability to satisfy these criteria with or without the help of compensatory techniques, assistive devices or other reasonable accommodations.

Any potential student is invited to meet with the Director of Admissions to discuss any potential issues with meeting these requirements.

• Ability to make decision based upon:
  • Depth perception (3 dimensional)

  • Visual acuity

  • Color perception
• Ability to Monitor:
  • Body sounds
  • Mechanical devices
• Sensation:
  • Hearing
  • Touch, palpation
  • Temperature
• Manual Dexterity (wrists, hands, fingers, arms):
  • Grasping
  • Pulling
  • Pushing
  • Carrying
  • Twisting (rotating)
  • Pinching
  • Cutting
• Motor Abilities:
  • To position another person
  • To support another person
  • To provide motion exercise
  • To transfer to/ambulate with walker, cane, crutches, bed, chair
  • To perform CPR; resuscitation
• Communication Abilities:
  • Assertiveness
  • Sensitiveness  
  • Effectively consulting and negotiating as part of a team
  • Delegating
  • Attending
  • Clarifying
  • Coaching
  • Facilitating
  • Ability to communicate orally and in writing
• Ability to measure:
  • Body (height, weight, etc.)
  • Vital signs
  • Intake and output
  • Outcomes, results (lab tests)
  • Evaluate psychological status
  • Using a variety of monitoring techniques
• Ability to obtain samples (specimens)
• Ability to use sterile techniques and universal precautions
• Ability to operate and maintain equipment (ex. computer, electronic monitor)

G.E.D. Applicant Policy

The College will consider for admission, students who have completed the tests for the GED based on the following criteria:

Review of high school work completed.

• A combined GED test score of at least 2650 with no individual test score below the 50th percentile.
• An ACT composite score of at least 23.
• Admission into an approved college or university for the completion of liberal education requirements.
• Review of three (3) references.
• A personal interview.

Information for Transfer Students

Persons with prior college coursework may apply for admission into the program. They are required to complete the College admission application in the same way as any other applicant. Only courses with a grade of ‘C’ or higher are accepted for transfer credit. There are three different transfer options available to students.

15-Month Accelerated Transfer Option

Students with prior liberal education credits may be eligible for this fast-track program. Students with 60 of the Bellin College of Nursing required liberal education credits are able to complete the program in approximately 15 months. 

Sophomore Transfer Option

Students who have completed all freshmen required liberal education courses (29 credits) and have a 2.7 GPA are eligible for the sophomore option. Students are able to complete the program in three years and a summer session.

Regular Transfer Option

Students who do not meet the criteria for either the Accelerated Transfer Option or the Sophomore Transfer Option are eligible to enter the four year traditional track program. Once a student is enrolled in a track, they cannot switch to another option.

Transfer of Pass/Fail Course Policy

Students on occasion may sign up for a course that is graded as a pass/fail.  A letter grade is not issued. The following criteria will be applied for a course that awards a pass/fail: 

1. No pass/fail grades will be accepted for transfer to Bellin College of Nursing for required courses, with the exception of a challenge course,  per the current Bellin College policy.
2. Only two pass/fail courses will be accepted while enrolled at BCON as transfer courses.

Courses taken for pass/fail will not count toward GPA or honors within the Bellin College of Nursing program.  They are recorded on the transcript as transfer courses.

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