Q: If I retake a pre-requisite course to get a better grade, how is the GPA calculated?
A: When multiple attempts are made in pre-requisite courses, all graded attempts in the last nine semesters will be included in the GPA calculation.
Q: What employment and certifications/licenses are needed for admission?
A: We do not consider work experience or licenses as part of the admissions process.
Q: How is the HESI test scheduled?
A: Students will be able to take the HESI exam at the Testing Center on campus.
Q: What if I am taking a pre-requisite course in the fall semester after the September 1st application deadline?
A: Students are able to have courses in progress at the time of application. The course must be 50% complete by October 15th. Students will receive a letter from the Nursing Department to forward to the course instructor granting permission to release the mid-term and final grades. The mid-term grade will be used to initially rank students. Offers of acceptance are provisional pending final grades.
Q: Can I turn in application materials after the application deadline?
A: All documents must be submitted with the application and prior to the application deadline. No materials can be added to an application after the deadline. The only information added to an application will be for any pre-requisite courses in-progress. We will receive a mid-term grade by Oct 15th, as well as the final grade and official transcript at course completion.
Q: Is there an interview?
A: No. Interviews are not currently part of the admission process.
Q: When will I find out if I am provisionally accepted into the program?
A: Provisional acceptance offers generally go out the end of October or early November. Those accepted will receive information on next steps in preparation to start the program. A mandatory nursing orientation will be held in December for those accepted to the program.
Q: What does provisional acceptance into the program mean?
A: All offers of admission are provisional. Applicants offered admission must successfully pass a criminal background check and drug screen prior to officially being admitted to the program. The drug screen will test for controlled substances, including marijuana and marijuana derivatives. Re-testing is not allowed.
A: There is not a waitlist. All applicants will be ranked according to the ranking criteria sheet. A ranked alternate list will be followed for those that are not initially accepted in the program. In the event that a student declines acceptance, the next student on the alternate list will be offered admission.
Q: If I’m accepted, can I defer my offer of admission to the next year?
A: No. If you decline your offer of admission, you will need to re-apply to the program.
Q: What could disqualify me from the nursing program?
A: Please see the MSU Denver Background Check Guidelines. In addition, a drug test will be done prior to admissions.
Q: Am I able to work full-time while in the program?
A: Working full-time is difficult and not recommended. Both the ANO and TNO programs are very time intensive and requires students to make Nursing school their main priority. Students will be involved in classes, skills labs, and clinicals and need to have 24/7 availability. Students that do chose to work must have a flexible part-time job. The Traditional (TNO) program has the exact same rigor and time commitment as the Accelerated (ANO) program.
A: The estimated cost is approximately $40,000 which includes tuition, MSU Denver student fees, health insurance, uniforms, books, and supplies. Please note that program costs are subject to change. This is a cash funded program and receives no state funding; therefore the cost is the same for in-state and out-of-state students.
Q: How many clinical hours will I need to complete during the program?
A: There are 765 clinical hours throughout the nursing curriculum.
Q: Which nursing courses have clinicals?
A: The following nursing courses have clinical components: Foundations of Professional Nursing (45 clinical hours), Medical Surgical Nursing Care I (90 hours), Mental Health Nursing (90 hours), Nursing Care of the Childbearing Family (90 hours), Medical Surgical Nursing Care II (90 hours), Child and Family Health Nursing (90 hours), Community Health Nursing (90 hours), and Nursing Senior Experience (180 hours).
Q: Where are clinicals held?
A: Clinical experiences are offered mainly throughout the Denver metro area. However, occasionally students may be as far North as Greely or South to Colorado Springs. Students are responsible for transportation to and from clinical sites. It is important to have personal, reliable transportation while in the program. Students will attend clinicals in a variety of settings which may include hospitals, long-term care, out-patient facilities, schools, etc.
Q: How often do I go to clinical?
A: Clinical schedules will vary throughout the program. Typically, students are assigned two, twelve hour shifts per week. The majority of clinical shifts are 7am-7pm; however, clinical times may vary and can include weekend and night shifts. Students will also be attending class and required labs during the week.
Q: How many students pass the NCLEX-RN exam?
A: The MSU Denver Nursing Program consistently has a higher pass rate on the national licensure examination than both the national and state averages. Pass rates for all Colorado nursing programs can be found on the State Board of Nursing website.
Q: What happens if a student doesn’t pass the NCLEX-RN exam?
A: See the State Board of Nursing website for further information about retesting.