RN PRELICENSURE ASSOCIATE DEGREE

Basic Program Requirements:  Minimum 17 years of age and 12th grade education. Must show ID such as driver’s license, and original diploma or official transcript of high school or GED. International transcripts must be accompanied by an academic evaluation of equivalency to US courses.

Entrance Test (RN PL):  Proctored online entrance test uses ATI TEAS in Science, Reading, English and Math. Applicants are responsible for the testing/retesting fee(s) and must pay the vendor prior to the scheduled test date. The minimum passing score is 65% in each section. All sections will be included when retesting. After passing the entrance test, applicants must submit an official transcript of required general education course(s) and their course description, if eligible for credit.

How to apply: Applicants for the Associate of Science in Nursing must complete an application form and submit a non-refundable application fee of $100.

LVNs who want to transition to RNs may apply as advanced placement students and must submit the following:

  1. Official transcripts of required general education and science courses (see list found under “Programs”) completed with a minimum grade of “C” for each course.
  2. Official VN transcript and LVN license.
  3. Evidence of 6 months current/recent LVN experience such as a letter on the employer’s letterhead signed by the Human Resources officer or Facility Administrator attesting to the applicant’s employment dates and status.
  4. Three letters of reference, two from nursing professionals and one for personal character reference.

Upon complete submission of the above, advanced placement applicants will be eligible to attend an LVN to RN Transition Course to be considered for the RN PL program. The “Transition” course is designed to prepare the LVN to enter a prelicensure RN program and focuses on expanding nursing knowledge and skills to facilitate the LVN’s assumption of the distinctly different role of an RN. Speak with the admissions staff for additional information and current fees for the Transition course.

LVNs may also inquire about the 30-unit option.  Students must meet program requirements for the RN AD Nursing degree and complete the LVN to RN Transition Course to be considered for the RN PL program.  The enrollee who becomes at risk of or is failing in the program shall not be able to change from the “30-unit option” to the regular RN PL program.  The option may pose limitations in future employment and plans for advancement in nursing education.

 

VOCATIONAL NURSING PROGRAM

Basic Program Requirements for the VN PROGRAM: Minimum 17 years of age and minimum 12th grade education. Must show ID such as driver’s license, and original diploma or official transcript of high school or GED. An equivalency review of international transcripts is required.

Entrance Test (VN): Proctored online entrance test uses ATI TEAS in Science, Reading, English and Math. Applicants are responsible for the testing/retesting fee(s) and must pay the vendor prior to the scheduled test date. The minimum cumulative passing score is 60% with up to two attempts. All sections will be included when retesting. After passing the entrance test, applicants must submit an official transcript of any required course(s) and their course description, if eligible for credit.

How to apply: Applicants for the VN program must complete an application form and submit a non-refundable application fee of $100. International transcripts must be accompanied by an academic evaluation of equivalency to US courses.

 

CREDIT FOR PREVIOUS EDUCATION OR EXPERIENCE

Transfer of credits for the RN prelicensure program or the vocational nursing program may be granted for related previous courses completed with a minimum of “C” at Xavier College or other accredited schools. Examples of completed courses from accredited schools are registered nursing or vocational nursing courses; psychiatric technician courses; U.S. military services’ nursing courses/training; general education courses up to 25 units or other courses determined by the College as equivalent. Accreditation of other institutions shall be from an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

 

HEALTH RECORDS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BOTH RN AND VN PRELICENSURE PROGRAMS:

  1. Submit evidence of CPR Certification current through the duration of the program; negative TB test (skin or chest x-ray) and updated immunizations including Rubella, Rubeola, Mumps, Varicella Zoster, Tdap, Hepatitis B screening, Covid 19, and influenza vaccine.  Students must demonstrate absence of evidence of controlled substances use: cocaine, barbiturates, amphetamines, cannabinoids, opiates, benzodiazepines, phencyclidine.
  2. Submit a report of physical examination completed not earlier than 90 days from the first day of the program, and show medical certification that they are able to stand, walk, sit, bend, stoop and lift at least fifty (50) pounds, discriminate sounds and have normal (or corrected) visual acuity to perform the required clinical laboratory and practice.  The physician or provider must certify that the applicant does not have physical or psychological disorder(s) that may pose potential harm to self or others.
  3. Negative result of Covid-19 test and completed screen for symptoms and recent travel outside the US.

 

What happens after applicants pass the entrance test? After all applicants complete the entrance test, the faculty will review all applications, determine the students qualified to be admitted for each class, and notify applicants of their selection or non-selection. Notification may take approximately three months from the date of initial application.

Tuition cost and other charges: The application fee for applications received for all programs is $100. The cost of entrance tests is the applicant’s responsibility and must be paid prior to the scheduled test. Total tuition for the VN program effective January 1, 2025, is $30,000. The total tuition if attending all courses in four semesters of the ASN program is $51,950. The LVN to RN Transition course fee is $3,000, is separate from the cost of the RN ASN Prelicensure program, and is non-refundable once the class starts.

Tuition includes the cost of books, online final exams and learning resources, uniforms and background screens.  Applicants with histories of criminal, drug, and violent sexual offense must review the RN and LVN boards’ websites for guidance before applying to the nursing programs.

Financial Aid:  Xavier College is approved for federal student financial aid. Eligible students must complete FAFSA online prior to submitting an application.