Nursing Application Process

Nursing Program Application

Candidates must review all program requirements including physical demands of the profession and affirm individual abilities.

Physical Requirements (Click for details)

Abilities and Skills Necessary to Meet Curriculum Objectives

Students must have the knowledge and ability to effectively assess a client’s biopsychosocial and physical needs.  In addition, each student must be able to analyze the data in order to state a client’s problem, plan for a full range of independent and collaborative interventions, safely carry out the plan of care, and evaluate the care given and the client’s response to the care.   In order to safely care for any client, the student must have observation, communication, motor, cognitive, psychosocial, and behavioral abilities sufficient to carry out the aforementioned responsibilities.  Technological compensation can be made for some disabilities in some of these areas, but a student must be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.  The use of a trained intermediary is not acceptable since a student’s judgment would be influenced by someone else’s observations.   The following abilities and skills are representative of those necessary to meet the requirements of the Nursing Curriculum:

  1. Visual acuity with corrective lenses to identify such entities as cyanosis and absence of respiratory movement in clients; to read very fine, small print on medication containers and physicians’ orders; and to discern equipment calibrations.
  1. Hearing ability with auditory aids to understand the normal speaking voice without viewing the speaker’s face; hear monitor alarms, emergency signals, call bells from clients, and telephones; auscultate or hear blood pressures, and heart, lung, vascular, and abdominal sounds with a stethoscope.
  1. Physical ability to stand for prolonged periods of time, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, lift clients and objects of 35 pounds or more, and move from room-to-room with coordination, dexterity, and mobility required to meet the clients’ needs.
  1. Communicate effectively in verbal and written form by speaking clearly and accurately when explaining treatment procedures, describing client conditions, and implementing health teaching. Students must also write legibly and correctly in the client’s chart/record for legal documentation.
  1. Manual dexterity to perform and maintain sterile technique to insert catheters, withdraw blood, prepare and administer medication (oral, intramuscular, intravenous), change dressings, and any other procedures required for client care. Fine motor skills include those clinical skills essential for patient care such as, but not limited to, manipulating equipment, entering client data both with a pen/pencil and keying in information on a computer keyboard.
  1. Function safely under stressful conditions with the ability to adapt to an ever-changing environment inherent in clinical situations involving client care.   If a student cannot meet the above requirements, the faculty will meet to determine if the student can continue in the Nursing and Allied Health Program.

  NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENTNorthern Maine Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, age, or Vietnam era veteran status in its programs and activities. If you have a physical, learning, or health disability and wish to request accommodations in order to have reasonable access to programs and services offered by NMCC, you must register with the ADA Services Coordinator by contacting the Director of Counseling at 207-768-2793, located at the main NMCC Campus in the Christie Building.

Application Timeline

Applications for the Fall 2024 program will be accepted beginning September 1, 2023. For early acceptance considerations, applications and all supporting documentation (transcripts, recommendations, etc.) must be received by the Admissions Office by December 31, 2023.  Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications as soon as is practical to ensure sufficient time to complete the admission process.  Candidates selected for admission will be notified by March 2024.  NMCC does not maintain a waitlist for the program.  If you should not be selected for the current cohort, it is recommended that you submit an application for the next year.

Program Prerequisites*

To be considered for admission for the Fall 2023 cohort, all prerequisites must be successfully completed prior to the start of the fall 2023 semester with preference given to applications who have prerequisites completed by January 15, 2023.  The prerequisites required for admission to NMCC’s Nursing program are:

  • College Algebra OR Quantitative Reasoning (Preferred grade of “B” or 3.0)
  • English Composition (Preferred grade of “B” or 3.0)
  • Anatomy & Physiology I with lab (Preferred grade of “B” or 3.0)

*Current high school students seeking admission who have not yet completed College Algebra or Quantitative Reasoning, English Composition and Anatomy & Physiology I with lab must meet the following high school equivalent prerequisites:

  • Algebra I (minimum grade of “B” or 3.0)
  • English (minimum grade of “B” or 3.0)
  • 2 years of lab sciences with preference in Biology, Chemistry and Anatomy & Physiology (minimum grade of “B” or 3.0)

High school candidates must meet all other admission criteria including achieving the appropriate TEAS pre-entrance exam scores.

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to have the final grades from prerequisite courses taken through adult education or another college mailed to the Admissions Office.  Applicants are strongly encouraged to follow up and ensure that all materials have arrived for your file.  Additionally, if you are currently enrolled in prerequisite courses and/or required nursing general education courses, make sure the Admissions Committee is aware of the course, institution name and anticipated completion date.

 

Application Requirements

The following must be submitted to the Admissions Office to be considered for admission (December 31, 2023 is the deadline for early decision):

Required Documents (Click for details)
  • Official high school transcript or GED (must have completed at least a high school level Biology and  Chemistry with labs within the past 10 years; must also have had at least one year of algebra)
  • Official academic transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. * Regardless of whether transfer credit is being sought, applicants must disclose all prior colleges attended. Failure to furnish all information on past education may constitute an adequate reason for disqualification of your acceptance or subsequent dismissal from the College as well as possible retraction or denial of financial aid funds.
  • Placement testing (may be required):
    • ACCUPLACER – scores must meet or exceed the MCCS recommendations on all on all three sub-sections: Sentence Skills, Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Reasoning OR
    • Scholastic Aptitude Test (evidence-based SAT) – score 480 or above Reading & Writing and 500 or above Mathematics OR
    • proof of successful prior college courses
    • PLEASE NOTE: Candidates who fail to meet the standard on placement testing will be deferred.
    • Recommendation requirements: As part of the application process for the Nursing Program at NMCC, you are required to submit two (2) references attesting to your motivation and commitment. These should not be given to a relative, but rather to an employer, former employer, guidance counselor, instructor, etc.
      Please complete the top portion of the reference forms and submit them to the evaluator. Also, we encourage you to sign the optional space concerning the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (Public Law 93-380) on each form. The reference forms are to be returned by the evaluator directly to: Admissions Office, Northern Maine Community College, 33 Edgemont Drive, Presque Isle, ME 04769
  • Two confidential recommendations on official NMCC Reference Forms from professional or academic persons (new recommendations are required each year). Please print and use the required recommendation forms.
  • Supplemental Questions – candidates are required to submit typewritten answers to a series of question developed by the Nursing Department Faculty and Director of Admissions and Outreach.
  • Personal interview with the Nursing Admission committee
  •  TEAS™– Test of Essential Academic Skills – NMCC Administration
TEAS™ Test Information (Click for details)
Candidates who meet the placement testing requirement proceed to the next steps in the admission process: TEAS™ testing and admission decision.  To check the status of your application, log into MyNMCC.  Click on the Admissions tab and on the left side under “Admissions”, click (>) on Applicant Status > Folder Items > View Folder Items. If you have any other listing under “Requirements Not Yet Met”, you should submit those documents immediately in order to complete your file.  You must have a complete file for consideration.  This is your responsibility. **Applicants can take the pre-admission Nursing entrance exam (TEAS™) two times per application cycle. To ensure ample preparation the College recommends at least six weeks between separate testing attempts.  TEAS™ scores are good for 2 years. Test dates will be scheduled annually with additional test dates in the months of October, November, and December.

  • Candidates must create an account, register and pay for this test at www.atitesting.com.  ATI accepts credit and debit cards.
  • Registration for any TEAS™ administration closes 48 hours prior to the test.  Register early, space is limited. Refunds are not made for no-shows or cancellations within 48 hours before the test.
  • Be sure to indicate Northern ME CC TEAS in your profile.
  • Candidates must bring a photo id and their ATI ID – candidates without this information will not be admitted into the test session.  To find your ID, log into your account at atitesting.com.  On the Student Home tab under My Account, click on the Go button to view your information. Late admission into the test session is not permitted; please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to scheduled test administration time.

TEAS testing will be administered on the NMCC Campus for NMCC nursing applicants only on the following dates.  Tests will be administered at the Testing Center, located in the A.K. Christie building Admissions Suite.

 

2023-2024 TEAS test dates:

Monday, October 2, 2023, 9:00 a.m.

Friday, October 27, 2023, 12:00 p.m.

Friday, November 2, 2023, 9:00 a.m.

Monday, November 6, 2023, 12:00 p.m.

Friday, November 17, 2023, 12:00 p.m.

Monday, November 20, 2023, 9:00 a.m.

Monday, December 4, 2023, 12:00 p.m.

Friday, December 8, 2023, 9:00 a.m.

Monday, December 18, 2023, 9:00 a.m.

Friday, January 5, 2024, 12:00 p.m.

Monday, January 22, 2024, 12:00 p.m.

Friday, February 9, 2024, 9:00 a.m.

Friday, March 15, 2024, 12:00 p.m.

Monday, April 8, 2024, 9:00 a.m.

Friday, May 17, 2024, 9:00 a.m.

Pre-test study manuals are available online from ATI.  A wide variety of other no-cost study materials/guides is also available online.  All students are strongly encouraged to prepare for the test prior to taking it.

Updated: 06/07/2023

Selection Process

The selection process used for the Nursing program involves an objective assessment of each applicant’s academic history including prerequisite and college-level coursework, pre-admission test results, supplemental question responses, references, and personal interviews. The Nursing Admission Committee reviews all eligible candidates and forwards recommendations to the NMCC Director of Admissions. To be seriously considered, applicants must:

  • Successfully complete the TEAS™ with the minimum adjusted individual scores of Reading 73.8; Math 70.0; Science 52.1; English and Language Usage 63.3; Composite 65.
  • Earn A’s or B’s in all prerequisite coursework (higher grades carry more weight in the selection process);
  • Earn A’s or B’s in academic courses (high school and/or college) relevant to the nursing program;
  • Provide well-constructed, thoughtful answers to the supplemental questions;
  • Ask for recommendations from individuals who know your strengths particularly as related to becoming a nurse. Keep in mind that recommendations are confidential and the content of these recommendations will not be revealed to you.

Personal interviews are used as part of the selection criteria; interviews are scheduled with each candidate when all documentation and TEAS exam results have been received.

Candidates selected for admission must provide all required documentation and deposits by the date stated in Offer of Acceptance letter or admission will be revoked.

  • NMCC Immunizations Requirement and Physical Exam Form – NOTE: All Immunizations, titers, physical exam as required on the NMCC Immunization Requirement and Physical Exam form must be completed and documented by an appropriately licensed healthcare provider.
  • Health Inventory
  • Offer of Acceptance Form
  • American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers Level certification

Once all of this information is received, an official letter of acceptance will be forwarded to you.

Nursing Program Admission for Advanced Standing (LPNs)

Information for LPNs (Click for details)
Licensed practical nurse applicants, with a minimum of one year of experience, must meet the general requirements of NMCC and the following requirements:

Apply for program admission on or after September 1st for following year entry (i.e. Sept. 1, 2021 for spring 2022)

  • Submit application and application fee along with all required documentation:
    • Submission of HS and college transcripts
    • Submission of proof of current (at time of acceptance) LPN license.  NOTE:  LPN license must be current throughout the program.
    • Transcript of practical nursing education (prior to acceptance) that shows successful completion of a state board approved practical nursing program similar to practical nursing programs in Maine.
    • Two (2) nursing related references from the most recent employers.
    • Supplemental questions – candidates are required to submit typewritten answers to a series of questions developed by the Nursing department faculty.
  • Successful completion of the following general education courses:
    • Anatomy & Physiology I and II w/lab (within the last 10 years of application date)
    • English Composition
    • College Algebra and/or Quantitative Reasoning

To be seriously considered, applicants must:

  • Earn preferably A’s and B’s in all prerequisite coursework (higher grades carry more weight in the selection process)
  • Provide well-constructed, thoughtful answers to the supplemental questions;
  • Ask for recommendations from individuals who know your strengths particularly as related to becoming a nurse.  Keep in mind that recommendations are confidential and the content of these recommendations and/or point value assigned during the selection process will not be revealed;

Personal interviews are used as part of the selection criteria; interviews are scheduled with each candidate when all documentation has been received.

The Nursing Admission Committee reviews all eligible candidates and forwards recommendations to the NMCC Director of Admissions.

  • Candidates selected for admission must provide all required documentation and deposits by the date stated in pre-admission letter or admission will be revoked.
    • Medical compliance, immunizations, health physicals/inventory, etc.
    • Background checks
    • Classroom deposits
    • Offer of Acceptance
    • American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification

Upon successfully meeting the above requirements, LPNs will receive credit for ALH124, NUR100, NUR117, and NUR125 (the equivalent of the first semester coursework in the Nursing program).

For additional information, please contact us:

NMCC Admissions Office

33 Edgemont Drive

Presque Isle, ME 04769

Phone: 207-768-2785 Email: admissions@nmcc.edu Fax: 207-768-2848

Hours: 7:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday-Friday or by appointment