Welcome to the JoAnne Gay
Dishman Department
of Nursing
Prospective Undergraduate Students (ADN & BSN)
Prospective Graduate Students (MSN) GO HERE!
Students enrolled at Lamar University must submit an application for Admission to Nursing programs. Students wishing to change their major to nursing must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, have met the TSI requirement, and be in good standing in the University.
Students not enrolled at Lamar must submit two separate applications: one for admission to Lamar (obtained from the Office of Admissions), and one for admission to the specific nursing program (obtained from the Advising Center, Room 257A, Ward Health Sciences Building).
Applications for admission to the Nursing Programs must be received by March 1 prior to the fall semester admission and by October 1 for spring admission. Applications to the LVN-Mobility Program and RN to BSN program must be received by March 1 prior to the summer semester for which admission is sought. In addition, the following items must accompany the application:
- Application fee
- Official transcript
- Official transcript evaluation by Lamar University
- Written documentation of passing all components of TSI.
Applicants are urged to follow application instructions carefully to ensure processing by the admission committee. Students are responsible for assuring that their applications are complete, including transcript evaluation. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Students seeking readmission are also required to submit an application fee.
Applications for Admission are evaluated on the following basis:
- Admission to the University (See prospective Students)
- Transcript evaluation of previous college work. Specified test scores may be required. Official transcript evaluation by Lamar University is required for all transfer credits. Transfer credits which are not equivalent to Lamar credits must be evaluated on an individual basis by the appropriate department chair. Note that some courses require specific course titles to be eligible for transfer, for example if you want to transfer a philosophy course for core credit it needs to be titled "Introduction to Philosophy".
- Evidence of physical and emotional capability of completing the program of instruction and clinical practice. Health examinations are required. Forms are available with application forms.
- Admission may be limited by available space.
- See program of choice for additional requirements.
Additional costs above tuition and fees are involved in nursing programs. Uniforms, equipment, instruments, liability insurance, health examinations, special testing fees, course packet fees, additional course fees and transportation to clinical facilities are the student's responsibility. Financial aid is available for eligible students (see Financial Aid and Awards).
Liability insurance and health examinations must be renewed each year of Nursing programs. Students may be assigned to clinical experiences during day, evening, night or weekend hours. Clinical agencies may require additional health examinations, dress codes or conformity with other policies. Students will be informed in advance of such requirements.
For progression in the Program, a minimum grade of "C" must be maintained in English composition, nursing and science courses, and an overall GPA of 2.0 must be maintained in all course work. A student who fails to perform satisfactorily in clinical practice will receive a failing grade in the nursing course regardless of the theory grade.
Under no circumstances may a nursing course be repeated more than once. The student may repeat no more than two different nursing courses. A third failure will constitute program failure.
Due to the required sequencing of the Nursing program courses, students who fail a nursing course will not be allowed to progress to the next semester courses. In addition, they will not be able to re-enter the program until the following year when the appropriate course sequence is offered. Re-admission to the program is not guaranteed and is based upon space availability and assessment of previous grades.
Students requesting readmission or transfer must submit an application for readmission to the Admissions Committee by October 1 for Spring admission and March 1 for Summer and Fall admission.
Eligibility for Graduation
In addition to the University graduation requirements and compliance with the written degree plan, students must pass a nationally standardized examination in order to graduate from the respective program. Further explanation is provided in the Department of Nursing Student Information Guide.
