Lakeview College of Nursing does not discriminate in the admission of students on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, veteran status, marital status, ancestry, or disability.  Additionally, the College prohibits students discriminating against others based upon race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, veteran status, marital status, ancestry, or disability.

Applicant should have a minimum of 45 credit hours completed at the time of application to be considered for admissions. The following are the requirements for consideration for admissions into Lakeview College of Nursing: 

1. Minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

2. Admission Test Scores

3. 60 Credit Hours in General Education and Prerequisite Courses with a grade of “C” or better.  (Must be completed before starting any LCN nursing courses.  Please see appropriate prerequisite plan for listing of required coursework within academic requirements section of catalog).

• All prerequisites must be completed from a regionally accredited college or university

• Lakeview College of Nursing accepts CLEP Examination Credit for equivalent general education and prerequisite coursework. Credit may be awarded for CLEP Examinations depending upon the score earned on the examination and other factors as indicated below.  Please visit The College Board website, http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html

• Limitations of credits earned through the CLEP Examinations are as follows: (1) duplicate credit in the same subject is not awarded in any case; (2) the total number of credits that may be awarded is limited to 30 credits.

Additional Admission Test Information

If an applicant has a disability and needs to request accommodations on the admissions test, he/she needs to contact Vicky Welge at vwelge@lakeviewcol.edu or 217-709-0939.

The admission test consists of several academic exams. The online questions are in a multiple-choice test that evaluates basic reading, math, writing, and science skills. Applicants may check with the Admission office to inquire about re-taking the exam.

It is highly recommended preparing for this test by purchasing a study guide and/or reviewing in some manner. An internet search for “nursing school entrance exam” will provide the resources needed to prepare.

Academic Forgiveness Policy

Last 48 hours of completed coursework

Lakeview College of Nursing understands a student may have had difficult times in his/her life resulting in a sub-standard academic performance at a previous institution. Applicants in this situation can write a statement asking the Admission Committee to exclude this previous coursework from the cumulative GPA calculation. The cumulative GPA will then be figured using the last 48 credit hours of coursework, which must be a 2.5/4.0. Students requesting academic forgiveness will not qualify for an early admission decision.

Time Limitations

Science Course Time Limit

There is a time limitation on the prerequisite science courses needed for the nursing program. Anatomy and Physiology I & II, Chemistry I & II, and Microbiology MUST be taken no more than 5 years prior to the start of the nursing program, unless the student is currently a licensed RN.

Please note the following consideration will be given to two-part courses (e.g. Anatomy & Physiology Part I and Anatomy & Physiology Part II as well as Chemistry I & Chemistry II): As long as one of the two-part courses is complete within the last 5 years, the credits for the other part of the course will be recognized as long as it meets other transfer guidelines.

If a student has prerequisite science courses that are not recognized due to time limitation he/she will need to either repeat the course or pass a college proficiency test. For more information regarding our proficiency options please contact our admissions office. There is a cost associated with proficiency exams.

Documentation

All applicants must have established legal residency within the United States.  Lakeview College of Nursing does not issue I-20s for student visas and therefore requires each student to be either a U.S. Citizen or Permanent U.S. Resident.  Documentation will be required at the time of application.  A naturalization certificate or a green card may be used as documentation for those born outside the United States.

Nursing is an occupation which involves daily contact with individuals and requires ability to perform a wide variety of activities. Some individuals might not be suited to perform the activities of a registered nurse. Many hospitals require physical examination, laboratory testing and x-rays prior to hiring an individual to rule out pre-existing conditions which could cause problems in performing the expected duties. If you have any condition which might impair your ability to perform the activities required of a registered nurse, you might wish to reconsider applying for admission to the nursing program. Indicated below are core performance standards for admission and progression in the BSN program.

Core Performance	Standard	Examples of Necessary Activities (not all-inclusive)
Critical Thinking	Clear and rational thinking and analysis utilized to develop objective opinion to form an educated judgement.	Clinical judgement and reasoning utilized in the clinical setting and exams.
Communication	Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form.	Explain treatment procedures, initiate health teaching, document and interpret nursing actions and patient responses.
Interpersonal Relationships	Respectful speaking and conversational skills utilized to communicate and interact with individuals or groups for successful professional interactions.	Open and respectful demeanor utilizing both verbal and non-verbal communication.
Mobility	Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces.	Move around in patient rooms, work spaces and treatment areas, bend and stoop, push and pull objects such as wheelchair, cart, gurney and/or equipment. Administer cardio-pulmonary procedures.
Motor Skills	Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care.	Calibrate and use equipment, lift and/or re-position patients, administer medications orally and parenterally.
Hearing	Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs.	Hears and responds to verbal communication and requests: monitor alarms, emergency signals, percussion and auscultation sound, and hear cries for help.
Visual	Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in nursing care.	Observes patient responses; recognizes subtle physical changes.
Tactile	Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment and performance of skilled nursing activities.	Performs palpation, functions of physical examination and/or those activities related to therapeutic nursing interventions, e.g. insertion of a catheter or starting an IV.

 

Classification of students is based upon the number of credit hours earned in required general education courses and required nursing courses applying to the Lakeview College of Nursing curriculum. Additionally, students are considered to be enrolled in LCN after they have attended the first day of the first LCN class for which they are registered.

Student orientation is mandatory for all new incoming students. Orientation will occur the week prior to the start of a semester. Failure to attend will prevent a student from starting any clinical course.

Health records are mandatory for all students. A copy of the following physical/immunization records are required to be on file by December 1^st to start in the spring semester and by July 1^st to start the fall semester. Students will be dropped from all clinical courses if not submitted by the stated deadline. Students should make a copy of all health records as there will be a $5 fee for any copies made by Lakeview after submission.

Requirements:

• Current Physical Examination (To rule out infections or contagious disease) within the last year
• Tetanus Booster (Tdap) – Current within the last 10 years.
• Hepatitis B Series or Hepatitis B Antibody Titer
• Influenza Vaccine
• 1 Varicella Titer – Required even if you have been vaccinated or had the disease in the past.
• 1 MMR Titer – A titer for Measles, Mumps and Rubella are required even if you have been vaccinated in the past.
• Two-Step Tuberculosis (TB) or TB Quantiferon
• 10 Panel Urine Drug Screen
• Current CPR Card – Only 2 courses accepted are: The American Heart Association-BLS Healthcare Provider –OR– The American Red Cross-CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Health Care Providers.
• Hepatitis A and Meningococcal vaccines are highly recommended due to the high at-risk population and occupation (CDC, 2011), but is not required.

Additional information regarding health requirements is provided within admission packet.

All nursing students who are offered admission are required to have a criminal background check. Students will receive the appropriate information to complete this requirement once admitted. Clinical rotations that require a criminal background check may deny a student’s participation in the clinical experience because of a felony or misdemeanor conviction. As participation in clinical experiences are a required part of the curriculum and a requirement for graduation, denial of participation by a clinical site may result in delay of graduation or the inability to graduate from the nursing program.

If a student questions their qualification for licensure in the State of Illinois, the student should go to www.idfpr.com and complete and submit the Non-Binding Advisory Opinion form (currently no fee required). This is a pre-application process to verify licensure qualifications. If you plan to seek licensure in another state please refer to that state’s department of regulations to verify qualification for licensure. Students should be aware that health care agencies complete a background check on employees and students taking the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) must complete a background check to be licensed as a registered nurse.

A student who has academically been dismissed or who has withdrawn from the nursing program may apply for readmission. The readmission policies are:

1. A student’s application for readmission may be reviewed by the Admission Committee no more than two (2) times. If readmission is not granted after the second application, the student becomes ineligible for readmission.
2. If health concerns are a factor for the student leaving the College, then documentation for ability to continue in the program must be provided with readmission paperwork.
3. A student may only be readmitted into Lakeview College of Nursing once.
4. A student must meet all current readmission criteria.
5. A student repeating a clinical nursing course must repeat both the theory and clinical components of the course.
6. A student that is readmitted into Lakeview College of Nursing is required to meet the readmission course progression requirements.  Any LCN classes that are being repeated due to a previous failure or withdraw must be passed with a “C” or higher with the exception of N210: Foundations of Professional Practice must be passed with an “A” or “B”. In order to remain in the program a student cannot withdraw or fail any of these courses for which they have been previously enrolled.
7. A readmitted student is allowed to withdraw from one class that has not previously been taken.  The remainder of the coursework must be passed with a “C” or higher with the exception of N210 Foundations of Nursing Practice, which must be passed with an “A” or “B”, and must follow the guidelines included within the Student Academic Progression (SAP) policy.
8. Graduation requirements must also be met.

The Admission Committee must approve any exceptions to the above policies.

Steps for Readmission

A student who has been academically dismissed or who has withdrawn from the Nursing Program and would like to seek readmission must submit items listed below to the Director of Enrollment according to the following schedule:

• Readmission for the next semester (e.g. a student is dismissed from the spring semester and would like to be readmitted for the summer semester)

  • 7 days from the last day of the semester in which the student was dismissed

• Readmission for a future semester (e.g. a student is dismissed from the spring semester and plans to sit out the summer semester and return for the fall semester)

  1. July 1 – Fall Semester

  2. November 1 - Spring Semester

  3. April 1 – Summer Semester

The following items will be required:

1. A completed readmission application form.

2. Recommendations from:

   1. Two (2) Lakeview Nursing Faculty who have taught the student in class or clinical and

   2. One (1) additional professional recommendation.

   Follow instructions on the Faculty Reference forms and submit them to the Registrar by due dates.

3. Letter addressed to the Admissions Committee requesting readmission into (semester, year). Within the letter a developed action plan for success consisting of:

   1. Description of the reason(s) leaving the program

   2. Analysis of factors that led to this outcome

   3. Goals to be accomplished during your remaining time at Lakeview College of Nursing  

   4. Plan of action to meet your goal(s); be specific.

The student will be notified by e-mail the date they will need to meet with the Admission Committee. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure Lakeview has the correct contact information.  

Readmission into Lakeview College of Nursing will be dependent on the clinical space available to accommodate additional students. If the number of applicants exceeds available space, the decision will be based on LCN GPA, admissions GPA, admissions science GPA, and academic history of coursework previously taken at Lakeview College of Nursing and applicants may be deferred to a subsequent semester.

Re-admitted students will be required to update their criminal background check and drug screen before the first day of class if enrollment in the program has not been continuous (i.e. if they have not been enrolled at Lakeview for one or more semesters). Check with the Records Office regarding whether immunizations, TB skin test, and/or CPR certification will be required.