Eligibility and Admissions Criteria

One class of generic students is admitted to the Wilburton, McAlester and Idabel campuses each year for the fall semester. One class of students qualifying for advanced standing (Licensed Practical Nurse and Paramedic) is admitted to the Wilburton and Idabel campuses each academic year during the spring semester. Qualified applicants are selected on the basis of criteria listed. A completed application consists of an application to the nursing program as well as the school, ACT results, high school transcript or HiSET/GED results, college transcripts, and verification of physical qualifications.

Incomplete applications are not accepted. Applications must be submitted on or before February 15th for the basic program and October 1st for Transition (Bridge) program of each year.

Admissions of Persons with a History of Arrests or Convictions

The Eastern Oklahoma State College Nursing program is approved by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing. Graduates of this state-approved program are eligible to apply to write the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for (registered or practical) nurses. Applicants for Oklahoma licensure must meet all state and federal requirements to hold an Oklahoma license to practice nursing. In addition to completing a state-approved nursing education program that meets educational requirements and successfully passing the licensure examination, requirements include submission of an application for licensure, a criminal history records search including fingerprinting, and evidence of citizenship or qualified alien status [59 O.S. §§567.5 & 567.6]. To be granted a license, an applicant must have the legal right to be in the United States (United States Code Chapter 8, Section 1621). In addition, Oklahoma law only allows a license to be issued to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and legal permanent resident aliens. Other qualified aliens may be issued a temporary license that is valid until the expiration of their visa status, or if there is no expiration date, for one year. Applicants who are qualified aliens must present to the Board office, in person, valid documentary evidence of:

1. A valid, unexpired immigrant or nonimmigrant visa status for admission into the United States; 

2. A pending or approved application for asylum in the United States; 

3. Admission into the United States in refugee status; 

4. A pending or approved application for temporary protected status in the United States; 

5. Approved deferred action status; or 

6. A pending application for adjustment of status to legal permanent resident status or conditional resident status. 

The Board has the authority to deny a license, recognition or certificate; issue a license, recognition or certificate with conditions and/or an administrative penalty; or to issue and otherwise discipline a license, recognition or certificate to an individual with a history of criminal background, disciplinary action on any professional or occupational license or certification, or judicial declaration of mental incompetence [59 O.S. §567.8]. These cases are considered on an individual basis at the time application for licensure is made. Potential applicants to state-approved education programs, with a criminal history, may obtain an initial determination of eligibility for licensure or certification from the Oklahoma Board of Nursing for a fee. The Petition for Determination of Eligibility for Licensure or Certification form can be accessed at: https://oklahoma.gov/nursing/criminal-history.html.

59 O.S. §567.12

Acceptance into the nursing program in no way guarantees that a student with a history of a felony or misdemeanor will be admitted into a clinical site or approved to take the NCLEX-RN exam.

Criteria for Admission

Admission Criteria is based on GPA, ACT, academic achievement in sciences, and specific work experience. Candidates are given points according to a scale. The students with the highest points are accepted for admission according to the number of class vacancies. Only fully complete applications will be considered for admission. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Completed applications submitted after the established deadlines will be considered only if space is available. It is the student’s sole responsibility to ensure that applications are complete prior to submission for consideration of admission.

1. GPA Requirement

For students who have 12 hours or more of college credit, college GPA will be utilized. If less than 12 hours of college credit, high school GPA will be used if the student has graduated with a high school diploma. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required for admission. Points will be designated as follows:

Maximum Points = 5

2. ACT Requirements

A minimum of 19 for ACT composite score is required to be considered for admission. Points will be awarded as follows:

3. Science Requirements

Supporting sciences must be completed no more than 7 years prior to course commencement in NURS 1118 or NURS 1303. Points will be awarded for each of the following supporting sciences:

• Anatomy
• Nutrition 
• Physiology
• Microbiology

Submit copy of current state-issued License/Certification with application. 

In order to be considered for admission, all applicants must sign the physical qualification form included in the admission application.

1. Have physical strength to lift a minimum of 25 pounds.
2. Have visual capacity to read small print on medication labels.
3. Have sufficient auditory perception to receive verbal communication from clients and members of the health team and to assess health needs of people through the use of monitoring devices such as stethoscopes, IV infusion pumps, cardiac monitors, fire alarms, etc.
4. Communicate in clear English speech patterns, verbal and written.
5. Demonstrate coordinated range of motion of all four extremities without assistive devices.
6. Must be able to demonstrate appropriate and rational behavior while under mental and emotional stress

6. National Background Screening

Upon nursing program application, a national background screening must be submitted at the cost of the student. Submission for background screening is located on the nursing application.