EIU Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Traditional Prelicensure BSN Program

There are two pathways for admission to the Traditional Prelicensure BSN Program at Eastern Illinois University:

Direct Entry for High School Seniors

High school seniors may apply for guaranteed admission through the Direct Entry pathway. Students admitted through this pathway secure a seat in the nursing program prior to beginning college coursework and must meet all progression requirements to maintain their reserved seat. Please refer to the Direct Entry for High School Seniors webpage for eligibility requirements, application procedures, and deadlines.

Traditional Admission Pathway

The majority of students are admitted to the nursing major through the traditional admissinon pathway. Students entering through the traditional pathway are admitted to EIU as Pre-Nursing majors and typically spend their first two semesters completing general education and nursing prerequisite coursework. During the spring semester of the freshman year, students submit an application for admission to the nursing major.

Admission to the nursing major is competitive and based on available space. The deadline for all application materials is March 1.

Please note: Students may apply beyond the freshman year; however, delaying application to the nursing program will likely result in an extension of the student's plan of study and time to degree completion.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Earn a cumulative prerequisite GPA of 2.75 or higher, calculated using coursework from all colleges and universities attended.
• Earn a grade of C or better in all prerequisite courses.
• Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 in the following prerequisite math and science courses:
  • BIO 1004G – Practical Microbiology
  • BIO 2210 – Anatomy and Physiology I
  • CHM 1040G – World of Chemistry (or equivalent general education chemistry course)
  • MAT 1160G – Mathematics: A Human Endeavor (or equivalent general education mathematics course)
  • NUR 1511 – Pathways: Health and Human Services
• Complete the remaining prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better:
  • BIO 2220 – Anatomy and Physiology II
  • CMN 1310G – Introduction to Speech Communication
  • ENG 1001G – College Composition I
  • ENG 1002G – College Composition II
  • HSL 1800 – Lifespan Human Development
  • NTR 2100 – Personal Nutrition
  • NUR 2613 – Medical Terminology
  • PSY 1879G – Introduction to Psychology
  • SOC 1838G – Introductory Sociology
• A prerequisite course that is failed (e.g., D, F, or WD) may be repeated only once to achieve a passing grade of C or higher. The highest grade earned will be used in GPA calculations.
• Equivalent or higher-level general education coursework may be considered.
• Submit a written response to the required essay prompt.
• Submit a minimum of one reference.
• Complete and submit the Safety and Technical Standards Form to the School of Nursing by the application deadline.

Selection Process

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the nursing major. Applications are reviewed by a committee of nursing faculty and ranked based on:

• Coursework completed
• Overall cumulative GPA
• Prerequisite math and science GPA
• Essay response
• Reference(s)

Applicants will be notified of admission decisions during the summer following the application cycle in late May/early June, and no later than July 1.

Qualified applicants who are not initially admitted may be placed on a waiting list.

Reapplication Policy

Students who are not admitted may reapply one additional time. Reapplicants are considered within the new applicant pool and are ranked according to the admission criteria used during that application cycle. Previous rankings are not carried forward.

Requirements Following Admission

Students who receive an offer of admission must formally accept their seat in writing by the stated deadline. Admitted students will receive an admission packet and checklist outlining next steps.

Prior to the designated deadline, admitted students must complete the following requirements at their own expense:

• CastleBranch background check
• 10-panel drug screen
• Proof of required immunizations
• Physical examination by a healthcare provider
• Current CPR certification
• Purchase of required nursing equipment and uniforms (e.g., stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, EIU nursing scrubs)

Please note that drug screening, immunization verification, TB testing, physical examination, and other clinical compliance requirements are completed prior to the start of clinical coursework.

Important Notice

The School of Nursing reserves the right to limit the size of each entering class based on available resources, clinical placements, and accreditation requirements. Therefore, meeting or exceeding the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the nursing major.