Admission requirements

7. Nurse Aide Requirement:

  • Documentations to verify the successful completion of the Iowa CNA Written and Skills Certification Exams are required for entrance into the nursing program. Valid documentation can either be a transcript or an Iowa Nurse Aide Registry Card.

  • Effective Fall 2012, the 75-hour Nurse Aide course is no longer required for entrance into the nursing program; however, it is highly recommended (see #1 above).

8. Must complete 4 of 5 general education courses with a “C-” or higher prior to entry. The first three (3) courses completed must include: BIO168 Human Anatomy & Physiology I (4 credits); BIO173 Human Anatomy & Physiology II (4 credits); and HSC113 Medical Terminology (2 credits). The 4th course may be either BIO151 Nutrition (3 credits) or EDU160 Human Growth & Development (3 credits). The 5th course, however, MUST be completed by the end of the first semester of the Practical Nursing program.

9. Must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 or higher in 4 of the 5 courses completed above.

10. As an applicant for the Nursing program, you are responsible for turning in all required documentation to the Admissions Office.

While working on the above requirements, all students are considered Pre-Nursing Liberal Arts majors. If officially admitted into the Nursing program, a student will then be a Practical Nursing major.

Applications for the Practical Nursing Program are accepted throughout the year with a new class beginning each fall and spring at MCC and each fall at ECC. Your Nursing Admissions Folder must be complete by March 15 for Fall admission or Oct. 15 for MCC’s Spring admission. However, qualified applicants with completed admissions folders will be accepted on a “first come, first served” basis prior to these deadlines

Associate Degree Nursing admission requirements

1. Application for college admission completed

  • Apply to Marshalltown Community College (online form)

  • Apply to Ellsworth Community College (online form)

2.Application for the Nursing program completed

  • MCC Nursing application form (online form)

     ♦ For a downloadable pdf version of  all the MCC Nursing application forms, click here

  • ECC Nursing application form (online form)

     ♦ For a downloadable pdf version of all the ECC Nursing application forms, click here

3. Official high school transcript or GED equivalency required (send to college Admissions Office).

4. Official transcripts from other colleges you have attended, if applicable. Transcript from your successfully completed Practical Nursing program is also required (send to college Admissions Office).

5.Copy of current Iowa Practical Nursing license. NOTE: Summer graduates must submit copy of PN license no later than the start of the fall semester Associate Degree Nursing program classes. Failure to do so will be grounds for administrative withdrawal from the program. Extenuating circumstances will be subject to approval by the nursing program director.

6. Successful completion of 8 credit hours of BIO168, Human Anatomy & Physiology I and BIO173 Human Anatomy & Physiology II or BIO177 Human Anatomy and BIO180 Human Physiology with a “C-“ or better prior to entry.

  • Note: For your success, it is recommended that you have a strong background in biology, chemistry, and computer applications. If you do not, you may take courses prior to enrollment in the nursing program to improve your skills.

7. EDU160 Human Growth and Development course (3 credits) completed with a grade of “C-” or better.

8. It is strongly recommended to have the general education prerequisite courses of BIO186 Microbiology, PSY111 Intro. to Psychology, SOC110 Intro. to Sociology and ENG105 Composition I completed prior to entering the ADN program.

9. The Iowa Core Performance Standards for Health Career Programs form must be reviewed, signed, and returned to the Admissions Office. Applicants unable to meet the core performance standards must discuss the possibility of reasonable accommodations with the program coordinator at 641-844-5731 (MCC) or 641-648-8648 (ECC).

10. A minimum grade point average of 2.7 in all nursing and general education courses is required for entry.

11. Students who apply to Ellsworth Community College must choose which program they wish to enter, the traditional program or blended program, when they fill out the ECC Nursing Application. Students who choose the traditional program attend class on campus approximately three days per week and attend clinical two days per week. Students in the blended program complete much of their coursework learning online and are required to visit campus once every two weeks to take exams, participate in clinical simulation and additional learning activities. Blended students are also required to attend clinicals two days per week.

Enrollment in the ADN Program is limited; therefore, acceptance of eligible applicants will be based on considerations such as the number of general education courses completed prior to applying, performance in required nursing and general education courses, clinical performance, attendance, and work experience.

Applications for the program are accepted throughout the year, with a new class beginning each June. Your Nursing Admissions Folder must be completed by March 15 for full consideration.