Nursing Programs FAQs

When can I apply for the Nursing Program?

You can apply online beginning in August of each year.  The priority deadline for Fall admission is January 15th; Spring admission is May 1st.  The School of Nursing will review all qualified applicants after the priority deadline.  Students should expect to hear about their admission status 4-6 weeks following the completion of review of applicants.   Students may continue to apply after the priority deadline and will be reviewed as spots are available for admission or on the wait list.

When does the actual program begin?

The Traditional RN Program track accepts students for both the fall and spring terms.

The LPN to ASN Program track accepts students for both the fall and spring terms.

The Hybrid/Weekend ASN  Program track accepts students for the fall term only.

How long does it take to complete the program?

The Traditional ASN program is 4 semesters, with summers off.

The LPN to ASN program is 3 semesters, including summer.

The Hybrid/Weekend ASN Program is 4 semesters, including summer.

Upon completion of any of these program tracks, the student receives the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree  and is eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Can I apply for both the fall and spring term in an academic year?

You will need to apply for each semester of the program in which you would want to be considered. 

Do I have to reapply if I don’t get in the first time?

Yes. If you are not admitted, you will need to reapply for any future academic semesters or years.

If I have to reapply will I have to submit my credentials again?

You will have to submit a new application. Certain other credentials may have to be submitted again, like updated transcripts (if you have taken more classes) or a new TEAS test. You will be notified of any additional credentials that are required by the Office of Admissions.

What type of application do I need to submit?

New students to Fairmont State University must submit the regular application for admission to the university.  In addition, students will need to submit an applicaiton to the nursing program.  If you are applying for the ASN program (traditional, LPN to ASN or hybrid/weekend) make sure that you choose the ASN program applicaiton.  If you are applying for the RN-BSN program, please select this applicaiton.  The Nursing Program Application does not have a fee.

Is there a deadline for applications?

You can apply online beginning in August of each year.  The priority deadline for Fall admission is January 15th; Spring admission is May 1st.   The School of Nursing will review all qualified applicants after the priority deadline.  Students may continue to apply after the priority deadline and applications will be reviewed as spots are available for admission or on the wait list.

What is the class size that is accepted for each program?

The Traditional ASN Program accepts 48 students in the fall and 48 students in the spring of each academic year.

The LPN to ASN Program accepts 32 students in the fall and 32 students in the spring of each academic year.

The Hybrid/Weekend ASN Program accepts 32 students in the fall term only. 

What happens when the class is full?

Students qualified for admission may be placed on the wait list to see if a spot becomes available.  If an admitted student decides not to come in to the program a student from the wait list may be admitted.  The wait list will be destroyed in August for Fall admission and December for Spring admission.  If the student is on the wait list and not admitted to the program he/she will need to reapply to the program for admission consideration. When the wait list is full no additional applications will be reviewed for admission. A separate wait list exists for each program.

 

 

 

How does the wait list work?

There is a separate wait list created for each program and for each semester.  When a space becomes available the first person on the wait list is offered admission to the program.  Once the wait list reaches capacity, students will no longer be reviewed for admission eligibility. 

 

Where are classes taught?

The Traditional ASN Program is taught on the main campus in Fairmont.  Clinicals are held within the Fairmont State University region.

The LPN-ASN  Program is synchronous online classes with clinicals held on FSU’s main campus and area hospitals.

The HybridWeekend ASN  Program will have their courses taught on the main Fairmont campus with an occassional lecture taught virtually. Clinical labs will be conducted in regional hospitals and healthcare organizations. Skills labs and Simulation labs will be held on the Fairmont main campus.

Are there required classes that I need to complete prior to starting a program?

There are no pre-requisite courses for the traditional ASN program.

There are no required pre-requisite courses for the hybrid/weekend ASN program; however it is helpful to take as many non-nursing courses as possible prior to coming into the program.

There are several required pre-requisite courses for the LPN to ASN program.  The courses include: 

  • ENGL 1101 and 1102 (Written English I and II, 3 cr each, total 6 cr),
  • PSYC 1101 (Introduction to Psychology, 3 cr)
  • *NUTR 1110 (Nutrition, 3 cr),
  • *BIOL 1180/1181 (Anatomy and Physiology with Lab, 6 cr). 
  • *LPN to ASN students are eligible to take CLEP exams for NUTR 1110 and BIOL 1180/1181.  Please speak with the Dean in the School of Nursing regarding CLEP exams.

 

What additional costs are associated with the program?

Tuition and fees are based on the number of credit hours taken and is set by the University. Students must meet clinical agency requirements including drug screen, background check, CPR, health insurance, vaccinations and titers, etc. Additionally, books and supplies for the first semester can range from $1,000-$1,500 or higher. Other semesters, books can range from $250-$500. All nursing books are used throughout the program. There is a uniform fee of approximately $200 for the first semester. There is a program fee each semester of approximately $550, which is prorated for part-time students. There is a standardized testing fee of approximately $200 per semester for students in the ASN program (traditional, LPN to ASN, hybrid/weekend).  During the last semester, students will need to pay fees associated with taking the licensing exam and state requirements for RN licensure.

What else do I need to submit? What are the requirements for admission?
  • An overall 2.0 GPA in high school/home school or GED/TASC equivalent****
  • One of the following ACT or SAT scores if you graduated or received your GED/TASC within the last five years:****
    • ACT composite score of at least 18
    • SAT combined score of at least 870 (Critical Reading and Math scores taken prior to March 2016)
    • SAT Total Score of at least 950 (test taken March 2016 or after)
  • A Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) minnimum composite score of 60.
  • An overall 2.0 GPA on all college work taken, if applicable
  • A copy of your LPN license, if applicable (must be a current license)
  • A copy of your LPN transcript, if applicable

****Current, Transfer or Readmitted students who have completed 24 or more college credit hours are exempt from this requirement.

What is TEAS?

TEAS is short for Test of Essential Academic Skills. It’s a 4 part on-line assessment of Reading, Mathematics, Science and English.

We will accept TEAS V and/or TEAS VI (ATI TEAS).

How can I sign up for the TEAS test, what is the cost, and where is it given?

Registration: For information about the TEAS exam at Fairmont State University visit the following website: https://www.fairmontstate.edu/academics/lead-center/teas-exam.

If I take TEAS at another site how do I get scores sent to FSU for consideration?

Go to atitesting.com and order a transcript to be sent to ‘Fairmont State University TEAS.’ 

How often can I take the TEAS test?

You may take the TEAS test twice in any calendar year,  Jan. 1 to Dec. 31.

TEAS scores are valid for two years prior to the beginning of the academic year for which you are applying. ONLY SCORES TAKEN WITHIN THIS TIME FRAME WILL BE CONSIDERED. For example, if you are applying for the fall 2021 or spring 2022 term, your TEAS scores are good if taken on, or after, August 15, 2018.

Academic Year Academic Term Earliest Acceptable
Test Date
2021-2022 Fall 2021 August 15, 2019
Spring 2022
2022-2023 Fall 2022 August 15, 2020
Spring 2023
2023-2024 Fall 2023 August 15, 2021
Spring 2024
What services are available if I need help passing the TEAS test?

The LEAD Center on the 2nd floor of the Library provides tutoring services. Please refer to their website for hours.

ATI TEAS Prep Products are available https://www.atitesting.com/teas-prep

How will I know my status?

You will receive a series of letters regarding your admission status. 

What should I do if I have questions?

For more information, visit www.fairmontstate.edu/schoolofnursing, or call the School of Nursing at 304-367-4133.