Pre-Practical Nursing

Students interested in completing the Practical Nursing program at Madison College must start by applying for admission to the program. Qualified applicants will be admitted in a pre-program status and should review the Start of Semester Checklist to guide you through your next steps in preparing for your first day of classes at Madison College.

After being admitted in a pre-program status, students are then selected for entry into core program courses through the Petition Process.

Applicants are responsible for submitting official high school transcripts, college transcripts, or test scores that show completion of the below requirements. Learn how to submit prior coursework that may transfer in and satisfy petition requirements. Coursework must be completed or in-progress before you can begin the petition process. See our Transcript page for information on submitting transcripts. View our Testing Services page for information on completing a test for admissions. 

Admission and petition requirements are subject to change; please review the requirements prior to submitting your application or petition.

This program petitions for entry into the following terms:

Fall - Petition window opens on April 1

Spring - Petition window opens on September 1

Review the Petition Process for details on how and when to petition.

 

  • 1.

    Petition Workshop Requirement

    As soon as students are placed into a pre-program status, they will be added to a program-specific Petition Workshop via BlackBoard. This workshop is mandatory and will provide additional insight into the program as well as institutional resources and advisor support. Students must log into BlackBoard to review what is required for completion of the workshop.

  • 2.

    Prerequisite Requirements

    It is recommended that students complete prerequisite requirements first as they can improve success in and may be required to register for the course requirements.

    If fulfilling any of the prerequisite requirements with courses completed in high school, college, or at Madison College, a grade of C or better is required; a grade of C- will not be accepted.

    MATH

    Students must demonstrate algebra competency in one of the following ways:

    1. Test Scores: Minimum test score within four years (2025-2026 applicants = September 1, 2021 to present)

    • ACT Math 20+
    • ACCUPLACER NextGen Quantitative Reasoning 241+

    2. Courses: Madison College courses that satisfy this requirement are:

    • Mathematical Reasoning (10804134)

    3. Educational Experience

    • Bachelor's degree or higher in a related biological science

    CHEMISTRY OR BIOLOGY

    Students must demonstrate chemistry or biology competency in one of the following ways:

    1. One year of high school chemistry or biology with lab components; high school chemistry classes must be college-preparatory.

    2. One semester of college-level chemistry or biology with lab components. Madison College courses that satisfy this requirement are:

    • General Chemistry (10806134) 
    • Body Structure and Function (10501153 or 31501153) or General Anatomy and Physiology (10806177) or Anatomy Physiology 2 (20806208)
  • 3.

    Course Requirements

    After completing the prerequisite requirements, you should complete the course requirements.

    For all courses, a grade of C or better is required; a grade of C- will not be accepted.

    • Nursing Assistant (30543300) 
    • English 1 (20801201) or Written Communication (10801195) 
    • Body Structure and Function (10501153 or 31501153) or General Anatomy and Physiology (10806177) or Anatomy Physiology 2 (20806208)
    • Human Growth and Development (31543356)
    • Oral/Interpersonal Communication (10801196) or Speech (10801198)
  • 4.

    Testing Requirement

    Completion of the prerequisite and course requirements can improve success in the testing requirement. Therefore, you should complete the prerequisite and course requirements prior to testing.

    Students must be able to demonstrate academic readiness with one of the following:

    Composite test score within four years (2025-2026 applicants = September 1, 2021 to present):

    • HESI: Cumulative score of 70%+
      Due to the customizable nature of HESI, the test must be completed at Madison College.
       
    • ACT: Composite score of 18+
  • 5.

    Petition and After Petitioning

    Your Degree Progress Report will determine if you have met the petition requirements. Completion will be identified by transfer credit, test scores, final grades, or an in-progress enrollment status. Once you are eligible and ready to begin core program courses, you must petition for your program.

    If awarded a seat, you will receive instructions regarding the below required items. If you do not complete the required items, it may result in losing your seat and starting the application process from the beginning. Please view the Health and Nursing Programs Policies for more information.

    • Healthcare Provider CPR Certification
    • Health Screening Form
    • Background Information Disclosure Form (Criminal Background Check). An acceptable background check is required prior to starting clinical courses.
    • Enrollment in core program courses. Students who are awarded a seat are expected to start the core program courses for the awarded term. Students who choose not to begin the core program courses or are not able to begin core program courses may be discontinued from pre-program status.
    • Mandatory Nursing Orientation via BlackBoard