This information is also found in the Application Materials for the PN program (see below)

1) Admission to the College

• New RCC students or students that have been separated from the college for more than three years must complete a separate application for admission to RCC before applying to the Practical Nursing Program. Applications may be obtained online at the RCC website, edu,or from the admissions office at the college. Please be sure to indicate either the Pre-Practical Nursing CSC or the Pre-Nursing CSC as your program of interest so that you will receive current information about the appropriate nursing program.

• High School students entering STEM academies and Technical Centers will be admitted to the college by the Dual Enrollment Advisor at the time you take your first dual enrollment course. Dual enrollment students do not need to complete another college application to be eligible for PN and other courses.

• Continuing students do not need to complete another application to the college. Students who are admitted to the PN program will complete a form to have their program plan changed to the Practical Nursing Certificate Program.

• Financial Aid: Applicants needing financial aid should complete a FAFSA form and return it to the financial aid office as soon as possible. Go to https://www.rappahannock.edu/admissions/financial-aidand meet with a financial aid advisor if you have any questions.  All students (except high school students) must meet with financial counselors and supply a FAFSA form unless you have completed a four-year degree already.

• Be sure to keep your personal information updated in the Student Information System (SIS).

2) Completion of Academic Requirements Students must meet the following requirements prior to application:

• Graduation from High School or completion of a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) by the time of application; 

• Successfully completed one unit of high school biology, developmental biology (BIO 01), or the college equivalent (BIO 101) with a grade of C or better;

• Completion of college placement tests in reading, writing, and mathematics or multiple measures equivalents.

• Completed all applicable developmental courses (MTE modules 1-3 completed) and ENF 3 (eligible to take ENG 111);

• Completed the Kaplan Nursing School Admissions Test with­in 2 years with a minimum overall score of 40% or greater.  The average of the math and science scores must be equal to 40% or higher.  Ranking will be determined by the average of the math and science scores.  The test may be taken up to two times in one academic year.

• Earned a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in high school or in college courses taken, whichever is more recent. 

Supplemental requirements for students who have taken college courses and expect credit by transfer, or will use courses to satisfy program requirements:

• Complete and submit an application to the nursing program by the designated time in the semester preceding the start of the pro­gram (see nursing link on RCC webpage for more information).

• If offered a seat in the practical nursing program, the student must accept or deny admission by the stated due date.  If the student fails to respond, the seat will be forfeited. 

• Transfer courses must be evaluated by the Registrar, Dean of Health Sciences, and/or Program Head of the Practical Nursing Program prior to substituting these courses for required courses. Courses with a NUR or PNE prefix, or courses in a nursing sequence from another college or school will not be accepted for transfer credit.  Dual Enrollment courses with a NUR or PNE prefix will be accepted if RCC has given the credit for the courses. 

• Official transcripts in sealed, unopened envelopes from all colleges and high schools must be attached to this application, unless they are RCC or VCCS transcripts.  If you have already verified with Admissions and Records that your transcripts have been received and processed, you do not need to attach them. 

• Once accepted into the program, students must submit to a criminal background check and drug screen by the stated due date prior to continuing in the Practical Nursing Program.  In the event you have questions about your background, you are urged to contact https://www.castlebranch.com/for a consultation. 

• Students who are not in good standing for rehire at a clinical site may run the risk of not being able to participate in the clinical experiences in that facility.  If there are no alternative clinical sites available, the student may not progress in the program and will be counseled to withdraw.   

 Admission Requirements for Early College/Evening Program option and High School Programs

1. Early College/Evening Program

In addition to the requirements for admission to the college, the applicant must meet the following prerequisites for admission to the practical nursing program:

• Graduation from high school or satisfactory completion of the General Education Diploma (GED) unless you are a current high school senior. If so, you must have the permission of the principal to attend RCC Early College in the evening format
• Completion of college placement tests in reading, writing, and mathematics or multiple measures equivalents.
• Completed all applicable developmental courses (MTE modules 1-3 completed) and ENF 3 (eligible to take ENG 111); High school students are strongly urged to complete algebra in the 11^th grade and take ENG 111/112 as dual enrollment courses in the senior year.
• Completion of one unit of high school biolo­gy or the college equivalent (BIO 101) with a grade of “C” or better.
• Cumulative GPA of 2.0.
  • Completed the Kaplan Nursing School Admissions Test with­in 2 years with a minimum overall score of 40% or greater. The average of the math and science scores must be equal to 40% or higher.  Ranking will be determined by the average of the math and science scores.  The test may be taken up to two times in one academic year.
• High School students in Early College may take the Kaplan Nursing School Admissions Test after completing the senior year in high school, but must take it and earn acceptable scores prior to progressing to PNE 162.
• Complete and submit an application to the nursing program by the designated time in the semester preceding the start of the pro­gram (see nursing link on RCC webpage for more information).
• If offered a seat in the practical nursing program, the student must accept or deny admission by the stated due date. If the student fails to respond, the seat will be forfeited. 

2. High School Programs

The first semester courses in the PN program are currently taught in one Technical Center and STEM Academy.  The courses taught are dual enrollment courses and consistent with the requirements in the entire first semester of the PN program.

In addition to the requirements for admission to the college, the applicant must meet the following prerequisites for admission to the practical nursing program:

• Be admitted to the Technical Center and STEM Academy
• Complete the application to the PN program during the first week of classes
• Completed all applicable developmental courses (MTE modules 1-3 completed) and ENF 3 (eligible to take ENG 111); High school students are strongly urged to complete algebra in the 11^thgrade and take ENG 111/112 as dual enrollment courses in the senior year.
• Completion of one unit of high school biolo­gy or the college equivalent (BIO 101) with a grade of “C” or better
• Cumulative GPA of 2.0
• Students in high school are exempt from the Kaplan Nursing School Admissions Test until after completion of their senior year in high school. However, once graduated the student must take the entrance test and earn acceptable scores prior to progressing the PNE 162
• At the end of the high school courses, the student must declare if she/he plans to continue in the PN program for the following fall.

3. Students who qualify for the Guaranteed Admission provision must fulfill the following conditions:

• Complete all of the pre-requisite requirements stated in #2 above including required high school courses or the college equivalents
• Take the required Kaplan test with a minimum score of 40% and a combined Math and Science average of 40% or higher. This is used to verify your level of general knowledge, and for consideration of the nursing program option offered
• Enroll in RCC’s Career Studies Certificate in Pre-Nursing. If you have not yet done so, meet with your counselor and request to have the certificate added.
• Maintain a curricular GPA of 3.0 in all courses listed in the CSC in Pre-Nursing, with no less than a grade of C in any pre-nursing course on the first attempt. If you have received two grades in the same course (including a grade of W), you are not eligible for guaranteed admission. 
• Have completed NUR 27 and NUR 29 and are eligible to sit for the NNAAP CAN examination.
• Make an appointment with your nursing faculty advisor to determine your eligibility for guaranteed admission and to evaluate your readiness for nursing course work.

Students in the Early College (evening program) and high school dual enrollment PN courses will have guaranteed admission to continue the PN program if the student:

• Has completed and been successful in all of the first semester courses or their equivalents
• Completed and earned acceptable scores on the Kaplan Nursing School Entrance Test prior to the start of PNE 162
• Has submitted a complete background and drug screen through the college’s third party vendor
• Has declared that she/he intends to continue in the program
• Meets with a nursing program advisor prior to enrolling in PNE 162.

• Guaranteed Admission FAQs [PDF]
• New Application Information and Instructions
• New Practical Nursing Application
• New Early College/Dual Enrollment PN application
• Part-Time Application

All students entering the program will be required to undergo a background check and drug screening prior to their admittance to the clinical sites.

• Get details on the current cost of RCC classes
• RCC can help you get Financial Aid
• Learn about the many scholarship opportunities available to RCC students

Curriculum for PN Program

Jennifer Leonard, Administrative Assistant, Division of Health Sciences, Office of the Dean at 804.758.6768; email jleonard@rappahannock.edu

Ellen Koehler, MS, RN, Program Head for Nursing at 804.758.6783; ekoehler@rappahannock.edu

All of the program information is found in the current PN Student Handbook.  The handbook is revised every spring for the next cohort of students admitted to the PN program in summer term.

PN Student Handbook

The Certificate in Practical Nursing Program at Rappahannock Community College is approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing

9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300
Richmond, Virginia 23233
Phone: 804-367-4515
Web: https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/nursing/

The Practical Nursing Program at Rappahannock Community College is not nationally accredited by the NCEA or ACEN. 

Rappahannock Community College NCLEX-PN pass rates for the past five years (May also be found at the Virginia Board of Nursing Website