Nursing Program

Nursing Program Admission Criteria

For Academic Year 2013-2014

See Also: Nursing Program Application for Admission | HESI Admission Testing Dates and Instructions

The admissions criteria listed below will be used to select the students who are admitted for the cohort of students who will begin fall 2013 and spring 2014. Separate applications must be submitted for fall 2013 and spring 2014.

In order to be considered for admission, applications and all admission documents must be received by the deadlines noted below.

  • For fall 2013 the deadline is May 31, 2013.
  • For spring 2014 the deadline is September 13, 2013.

Applications for fall 2013 admission will be available on January 31, 2013. Applications for spring 2014 admission will be available on July 1, 2013.

Required Admission Documents

  1. Completed/signed Nursing Program Application
  2. HESI A2 Admission Assessment exam
  3. Official transcripts from all previous college work submitted to TMCC's Office of Admissions and Records, and received by the application deadline

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • 2.75 GPA for previous lower division college courses leading to the AAS-Nursing degree.
  • 3.00 GPA for pre-requisite science courses: must be taken within the five (5) years prior to application.
  • BIOL 223, 224 and 251 and MATH 120 (or equivalent courses).
  • HESI A2 Admission Assessment exam scores of at least 75% in Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Math, Grammar, Reading Comprehension, and Vocabulary sections. The HESI exam must be administered by TMCC.
  • Completion of a Medical Terminology course with a "C" or better, or passing a written medical terminology test (to be administered by TMCC; see below) with a minimum score of 75%.
  • Completion of CNA training, or proof of previous or current certification as a certified nursing assistant.

Pre-Admission Testing: HESI and Medical Terminology

The Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) A2 Admission Assessment is a timed, computerized test that consists of:

  • Reading Comprehension (38 questions)
  • Vocabulary and General Knowledge (50 questions)
  • Grammar (50 questions)
  • Math (50 questions)
  • Anatomy and Physiology (A & P) (25 questions)
  • Biology (25 items)
  • A learning style/personal profile assessment

Point Based Admission Scoring: HESI, GPA and residency

HESI A2 Admission Assessment exam scores are weighted at 50%. A minimum 75% score is required in Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Grammar, Math, Reading Comprehension, and Vocabulary. The Learning Styles and Personality Inventory sections are not scored.

GPA is weighted at 50%. Grades from coursework taken toward the AAS-Nursing degree will be used in the computation of the GPA. The pre-requisite Biology courses may be taken a maximum of two (2) times within the previous five (5) years. The highest grade of the first two times will then be used to calculate both overall and science GPA.

An average score for the HESI A2 Admission Assessment exam will be calculated. The average percent score will be divided by the number 25. GPA will be calculated on a 4.0 scale. (Example: a student who scored an average of 85% on all administered tests would receive 3.4. Adding the overall GPA of 3.4 would calculate to 6.8 points.)

Students will be ranked by descending order, admission being offered to those ranking higher first.

All available openings will be offered to Nevada residents first. Note: all students to whom the Good Neighbor policy (eliminated in fall 2011) continues to apply will be grandfathered, so long as they are continuously enrolled in a NSHE institution.

Non-residents are considered after all available openings have been filled by Nevada residents.

HESI Admission Assessment Exam

Scheduling the HESI Exam: Students must register in person or online for the HESI exam. Students interested in registering for their HESI exam online can now use the TouchNet Service. If you have a question using TouchNet please contact Howard Craig.

  • Your full name
  • A valid email address
  • Your phone number
  • Your TMCC student ID number
  • Receipt number (received from the Controller's office upon payment of the testing fee if paying in person)

Cost: The cost of the exam is $70.00.

Time Limit: There is a maximum time limit of six (6) hours to complete this exam.

What to Bring: Students taking the exam will need to bring the following:

  • A valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, military id, etc)
  • Your TMCC student ID number
  • A valid email address
  • Proof of payment for the HESI exam (receipt)

Confirmation of Registration: All students registered for the HESI exam will be given a testing ticket and have a detailed confirmation email will be sent to them. This testing ticket and email will outline information regarding testing day procedures and instructions.

2013 HESI Exam Dates (All Fridays)
Month Dates
February 20138, 22
April 20135, 12, and 19
May 20133, 10, and 24
June 201314 and 28
July 201312 and 19
August 20132, 9 and 16

Medical Terminology Challenge Test

Instructions: The test is 50 items of commonly used medical terms that would be found in a medical office or health care setting.

Cost: The cost of the exam is $40.00.

Scheduling the Medical Terminology Exam: The Medical Terminology test is done on a walk-in basis Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. (check the Testing Services Calendar).

What to Bring: Applicants will need to present their valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, military id, etc) and proof of payment for the Medical Terminology exam.

Students will need their valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, military id, etc), be a current TMCC student and have proof of payment for the exam (receipt).

Note: TMCC's Nursing Department is responsible for all admission requirements and decisions regarding the HESI exam. Testing Services only provides the scheduling and proctoring of the HESI exam. Registrations completed in person will be expedited over requests submitted by email. All requests made by email will be processed within two business days.