Nursing

HCC admits students twice per year to the RN Traditional, Medic To ADN, and LPN to RN Bridge tracks.

• Fall admission cycle deadline: May 15
• Spring admission cycle deadline: October 30

HCC admits students once per year to the PN track.

• Fall admission cycle deadline: May 15
• No Spring admission cycle

• RN Traditional Track or Medic to ADN Track
  
  • BIO 137 Human Anatomy and Physiology I - 4 credits
  • PSY 110 General Psychology - 3 credits
  • Quantitative Reasoning math course - 3 credits (MAT 150 College Algebra, STA 220 Statistics, or other eligible course as selected with advisor)
  • NAA 100 Nursing Assistant I with passing nurse aide state exam OR have a current nurse aide certification on a state nurse aide registry
• LPN to RN Bridge Track
  • BIO 137 Human Anatomy and Physiology I - 4 credits
  • BIO 139 Human Anatomy and Physiology II - 4 credits
  • PSY 110 General Psychology - 3 credits
  • Quantitative Reasoning math course - 3 credits (MAT 150 College Algebra, STA 220 Statistics, or other eligible course as selected with advisor)
  • Current, unencumbered LVN/LPN license with a state board of nursing
• PN Track
  • BIO 137 Human Anatomy and Physiology I - 4 credit or BIO 135 Basic Anatomy and Physiology - 4 credits
  • ENG 101 Writing I - 3 credits
  • AHS 115 Medical Terminology - 3 credits (may substitute CLA 131 or MIT 103)
  • NAA 100 Nursing Assistant I with passing nurse aide state exam OR have a current nurse aide certification on a state nurse aide registry

The National League for Nursing (NLN) has discontinued the PAX exam effective June 1, 2024 and replaced with the NEX Nursing Entrance Exam.

NOTE:  Although the PAX exam is no longer available to take, a decision will be made in August 2025 as to whether PAX exam scores prior to June 1, 2024 will continue to be accepted for Spring 2026 admission.

NEX Exam: Applicants to the RN Traditional, Medic To ADN, or PN track must take the National League for Nursing’s NEX exam and submit scores to the HCC Nursing Department.  For information about the NEX, please visit the NEX webpage.

Minimum pre-admission exam scores to be eligible:

• RN Traditional or Medic to ADN Track - NEX exam composite of 149
• PN Track - NEX exam composite of 88
• NOTE:  These minimum scores are subject to change for future admission cycles pending additional data from NLN.

NACE Exam: Applicants to the LPN To RN Bridge track must take the National League for Nursing’s NACE Foundations of Nursing exam and submit scores to the HCC Nursing Department.  For information about the NACE, please visit the NACE webpage. 

Recommended NACE score:

• Composite 76%
• Depending on the applicant pool, applicants may be considered if below the recommended score but no less than a composite 74%

Applicants (except LPN-RN Bridge) must have an active status on a state nurse aide registry.  The active status can be on Kentucky’s nurse aide registry or any other state’s registry.  You will be asked to list the state and certification/registration number on your nursing application.

If you are not yet on a state nurse aide registry, you may still apply for the program.  However, you must have an active status by the end of Summer term for the Fall admission cycle or by December 31 for the Spring admission cycle.

Applicants to the LPN-RN Bridge Program must have an active, unencumbered LPN/LVN license with a state board of nursing.  The license can be with Kentucky Board of Nursing or any other state.

If you are a recent graduate of a PN Program, you may still apply for the LPN-RN Bridge.  However, you must have an active, unencumbered LPN/LVN license by the end of Summer term for the Fall admission cycle or by December 31 for the Spring admission cycle.

To receive the nursing application, you must attend a Pre-Admission Conference during the semester prior to the admission cycle for which you plan to apply.  We will host a minimum of 2 conferences for in-person attendance.  An online conference may be offered but is not guaranteed.

All attendees of the Pre-Admission Conference will be given access to the online nursing application for the upcoming admission cycle.  Applications are not available prior to the conference.