ATTENTION ALL INTERESTED APPLICANTS!!!

         Beginning May 1, 2008, the admission process is based on an Admission Point Scale.  The application, and all necessary information required for admission, must be submitted by December 31st of the current school year to be considered for admission into the next scheduled class.  Applications that are incomplete will not be considered.  For further information about the school click here or contact us at 724-656-4052.   

     The Admission Point Scale contains objective criteria upon which the student will receive a point ranking.  After December 31st, all completed files will be ranked according to the point scale.  Based on the number of students that will fill the freshman class, candidates will be ranked,  with the top candidates receiving acceptance into the Freshman Class.  The remaining candidates will be ranked and placed on a wait list.

     College courses required for admission into the School of Nursing must be completed with a grade of "C" or better by the end of the spring semester prior to the start of the nursing program.

     Conditional Admission:  The Admission Point Scale is a calculation of the candidate's status based on all work done by December 31st.  An applicant will have one (1) additional semester to complete the required college course work.  The applicant's total points will be tallied based on the work completed and the candidate will receive admission on a conditional basis.  The remainder of any college course work must be completed with a grade of "C" or better in one (1) semester for the admission to be converted to full admission.  If the candidate does not meet the criteria, the candidate's admission status will be converted to denied.

     Applications that have been deactivated have a one (1) year time frame, from the date they were received at the school, in which they may be reactivated by written request.  After one (1) year, an applicant must submit a new application and pay the required application fee.  

     Admission to the School is open to all qualified applicants regardless of sex, marital status, age, race, color, national origin, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. 

     Applicants must be citizens of the United States or have Permanent Resident Status with the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service.  Applicants with visas do not qualify as a permanent resident with a green card.

     The Admission Committee gives careful consideration to all available information about each candidate and accepts those who seem to possess the motivation, academic potential, and personal qualities required to attain professional standards.

     The State Board of Nursing will not issue a license to an applicant who has been convicted of a felony unless at least ten (10) years have elapsed from the date of  conviction.  (Other signs of rehabilitation also must be met according to the law.)  Applicants who have been convicted of a misdemeanor --includes judgment, admission of guilt, plea of nolo contendere, probation without verdict, and incomplete ARD should seek advice from the State Board of Nursing before applying to the School.
www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa

Admission Criteria
1.   Academic Records
      A.      High School transcript - QPA of  2.5 or above is preferred.  The
                following high school units are required:
                -English 4 units
                -Mathematics 2 units (1 of which must be Algebra)
               - Social Studies 3 units
               - Science 2 units (Chemistry with a lab and General Biology with a lab are
                 required).
               -Electives 5 units (recommended additional science, mathematics,
                foreign language, typing/keyboarding)
                Grade of  "C" or above in required academic subjects is preferred.
                Rank in the upper 2/5's of the graduating class is preferred.
             

         B.     All College and Post-Secondary Transcripts

         C.    General Equivalency Diploma (GED) - May be used to meet the high
                 school graduation requirement.  In addition, Algebra I and Chemistry
                 with a lab and General Biology with a lab are required.  (Refer to above
                 statement regarding science units)

         D.    Home Study or Correspondence School - Diplomas issued by the
                 Pennsylvania Homeschoolers Accreditation Agency, The Buxmont
                 Christian Educational Institute, Erie County Homeschoolers, Alethia
                 Learning Center, The Home School Academy/Northeast Christian
                 Academy and Mason-Dixon Homeschoolers may be used as
                 fulfillment of the high school graduation requirement.
  
              An applicant can also be considered a graduate of an approved high
              school if they submit certification completed by the local
              superintendent that the home educated applicant has complied with
              P.S.  24 1327.1 related to home education programs.
          
              All other applicants receiving correspondence or home study diplomas
              are, therefore, required to obtain a Commonwealth Secondary School
              Diploma (GED) to comply.

2.         Testing
           A.   Pre-Admission Examination - ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic
                 Skills)  All applicants must take the ATI TEAS Test. An applicant may
                 take the ATI TEAS Test only one time.  If an applicant cannot attend 
                 the scheduled appointment, the School of Nursing must be notified within
                 twenty-four (24) hours prior to the scheduled appointment.  If an applicant     
                 does not show to take the test or does not give the appropriate notice, their
                 application for admission will be deactivated.           

            B.   A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).  Applicants for
                  whom English  is a  second language are required to take the TOEFL.
                  "The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) measures the
                  ability of nonnative speakers of English to use and understand North
                  American English as it is used in college and university settings."
 

TOEFL EXAM	REQUIRED SCORE
Paper/Pencil	550 or higher
Computer-Based	213 or higher
Web-Based	80 or higher

                             Note:  Only one (1) exam is required.         
                  You may visit the TOEFL homepage, www.TOEFL.com to receive    
                  information about taking the test or contact them at 1-609-771- 7100 or by
                  Fax:  1-609-771-7500.
 

3.   Basic Math Proficiency Test. 
      This test is administered at the time of the mandatory Information Conference and is
      used  as a guide in determining an applicant's ability to do basic math calculations,
      which are required  in the safe administration of medications.  Calculators are not
      permitted.
      To request a sample Math Test email: tforletta@jamesonhealth.org

4.   References -Three references are required from current teachers, school
      counselors, employers, etc.  No family member or close friends. Submitting
      inappropriate references will delay the admissions process. Submit the three (3)
      reference forms with your application or have your references mail the forms to the
      school address, which is listed on the form.  Your application is not considered
      complete until the application, the $50.00 application fee, and the three (3) reference
      forms have been received.

5.   Criminal Record Check - A criminal record check is required for acceptance.   
      Applicants who are admitted to the School of Nursing will have a Criminal
      Background Check completed during the mandatory pre-admission day held
      in June.  The cost is $10.00 and must be paid at the time the background check is
     done.  All applicants must also submit an FBI Criminal Background Check. The
     applicant is responsible for submitting the form (s) to the appropriate agency/agencies
     with the required processing fee (s) [current fee is $30.25.] 

       A Child Abuse History Clearance is required of all students prior to the beginning
       of the second level.

6.    College Courses-All college courses must be successfully completed with a grade
       of "C" or better prior to beginning the nursing program.  Should an applicant be
       accepted provisionally and receives a grade below a "C", their appointment will
       automatically be withdrawn.

7.   Licensed Practical Nurse Applicants - Challenge of the first nursing course 
      (N-101) is available to licensed practical nurses who have been admitted to the
      program. Once an applicant has successfully completed the entire challenge
      process, the individual will then be granted advanced placement as appropriate.
      For further information please call 724-656-4052.

8.   Applicants who are not citizens of the U.S. must provide documentation of
      immigration or citizenship status.  The Test of English as a Foreign Language
     (TOEFL) is required for all applicants for whom English is a second language. 
     Refer to 2b.

9.   An applicant who has been accepted into the Jameson Memorial Hospital School
      of Nursing and who has paid the matriculation fee, may request in writing that their
      appointment be delayed for a period of one (1) year. An applicant who cannot enter
      the School of Nursing within the one (1) year limit must reapply to the school and, if 
      accepted, pay another matriculation fee.  

      The written request to delay the appointment must be made before May 1
      of the year the applicant was to start.  An applicant who fails to notify the School
      within the designated time period, will have their appointment withdrawn, must
      reapply and, if accepted, pay another matriculation fee.

THE FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE SCHOOL OF NURSING RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES IN EDUCATIONAL POLICIES, REQUIREMENTS AND CURRICULUM.

Application Process
     One Class of students shall be admitted in August of each year. Beginning May 1, 2008, the admission process is based on an Admission Point Scale.  The application, and all necessary information required for admission, must be submitted by December 31st of the current school year to be considered for admission into the next scheduled class.  Applications that are incomplete will not be considered.  

     The Admission Point Scale contains objective criteria upon which the student will receive a point ranking.  After December 31st, all completed files will be ranked according to the point scale.  Based on the number of students that will fill the freshman class, candidates will be ranked,  with the top candidates receiving acceptance into the Freshman Class.  The remaining candidates will be ranked and placed on a wait list.

     College courses required for admission into the School of Nursing must be completed with a grade of "C" or better by the end of the spring semester prior to the start of the nursing program.

     Conditional Admission:  The Admission Point Scale is a calculation of the candidate's status based on all work done by December 31st.  An applicant will have one (1) additional semester to complete the required college course work.  The applicant's total points will be tallied based on the work completed and the candidate will receive admission on a conditional basis.  The remainder of any college course work must be completed with a grade of "C" or better in one (1) semester for the admission to be converted to full admission.  If the candidate does not meet the criteria, the candidate's admission status will be converted to denied.

The following sequence is suggested to facilitate prompt action.

1)    Request for Application Form
        May be made in person, by a telephone call to (724)656-4052, or by downloading
        from the website: application 
 
        Mail application to:
        Jameson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing
        1211 Wilmington Avenue
        New Castle, PA  16105-2595

2)    Transcripts
        Applicants must request official transcripts from high school and all other
        schools and colleges attended.  An official transcript must have a signature,
        bear the seal of the school, and be mailed directly to the School of Nursing.
        If the applicant is still attending high school or taking college courses, another
        transcript must be sent after graduation or completion of the course(s)
        and be received no later than three weeks after graduation or completion of
        the course(s).

3.     Informational Conference (Click on link for dates)
        All applicants must attend one (1) Informational Conference as part of the admission
        process.  The conferences are scheduled several times throughout the year. 

 Acceptance
1)    Admission
        Meeting the admission criteria does not guarantee admission to the School
        of Nursing.  The credentials of each applicant are reviewed by the Admission
        Committee.  The decisions and recommendations made concerning admission
        are based upon consideration of each individual's past experience and educational
        background.  The applicant will be notified in writing of the decision.

        Provisional admission status may be granted at the discretion of the Admission
        Committee.

       Applicants whose credentials do not meet nursing admission requirements are
       notified promptly so they may pursue other opportunities.  Candidates are advised
       of their status by letter.

       Conditional admission status may be granted at the discretion of the Admission
       Committee.  Applicants whose credentials do not meet nursing admission
       requirements are notified promptly, so that they may pursue other opportunities.
       Candidates are advised of their status by letter.

2)     Health Status
         A complete physical examination, including a drug screen, is required of each
         applicant two (2) to three (3) months prior to the date of admission.  All
         appointments to the School are tentative until the results of the physical examination
         are known.  In the event of failure to qualify on the basis of physical findings, the
         student will be notified as to the reason for disqualification.  All corrective action
         that is recommended by the Work Health physician and/or dentist must be
         completed prior to admission.  This includes dental work, glasses, hearing aids,
         and other prosthetic devices that are deemed necessary by the representative
         doctors.

        All applicants will have a urine drug screen by the Health System Health Nurse.

        Required immunizations include: DTap (Adacel) [previously known as
        Tetanus] (if no booster within past 5 years); Varicella (if no history of disease
        and/or no documentation of vaccine); Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (if no
       documentation of 2MMR vaccines); Hepatitis B surface antibody titer
       (if previously immunized against Hepatitis B).
     
       The applicant must be physically and mentally capable of meeting all requirements
       of the program.

3)    Criminal History Record Information   (CHRI)
        A CHRI is required for final acceptance.  Applicants who are 
        admitted to the School of Nursing will have a Criminal Record Background
        Check completed during the mandatory pre-admission day held in June of each
        year.  All applicants must also submit an FBI Criminal Background Check. The
        applicant is  responsible for submitting the form(s) to the appropriate
        agency/agencies along with the required fee(s) [current fee is $30.25.] 
        An unfavorable CHRI may prohibit acceptance.  

        A Child Abuse History Clearance is required of all students prior to the
        beginning of the Second Level.

       Final acceptance is contingent upon a satisfactory health status and Criminal
       Background/FBI Check.  

   
Admission with Advanced Placement
    Any individual with previous nursing education may request advanced placement.

      Applicants with Previous RN Nursing Education

      Individuals who wish to transfer from another nursing program must complete a
      minimum of one (1) full-time academic year at Jameson Memorial Hospital School of
      Nursing in order to meet the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing requirements.

THE FACULTY RESERVE THE RIGHT TO DETERMINE PLACEMENT AND SEQUENCE OF COURSES IN ORDER TO MEET REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION.

      All applicants requesting admission must first take the ATI TEAS test and achieve at
      the 70th percentile or higher in the "Percentile Rank-National" in order to be
      considered for admission.  Applicants who do not achieve at the 70th percentile will
      not be considered for admission.  An applicant may take the ATI TEAS test only
      one (1) time.

     All students seeking advanced placement must meet Jameson's admission
     requirements, be admitted to the School of Nursing, pass the appropriate Math
     Proficiency Exam with a grade of at least 90 percent (90%), and participate in an
     orientation.

Applicants must request the following letters from their former program:

     1) a letter from the Director of the School of Nursing stating the reason for leaving the
         program and giving a recommendation;

     2) a letter of recommendation from a recent clinical Faculty member.

Students who have been dismissed for unprofessional conduct or unsafe clinical performance, or who have received an unsatisfactory clinical grade will not be considered for admission. 

Nursing students who have been out of their program for more than one (1) year must begin with the first nursing course (Nursing 101).  However, the School of Nursing reserves the right to waive this requirement based on individual circumstances.

LPN Applicants Requesting Advanced Placement:

1.     Must show proof of current practical nurse licensure.

2.     Must follow Guidelines for LPN Challenge Process for Nursing 101.

Required College Courses
     Transfer credit may be granted for required college courses, which have been successfully completed at an accredited college or university with a grade of "C" or better.  Science courses (Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology) must have been taken within the past five (5) years and successfully completed with a grade of "C" or better.  The five (5) year time limit ends with the year in which the applicant is seeking to begin the program. 
(Example:  Anatomy was taken in 2004 and the applicant is seeking admission to start in August 2009, the course will be accepted.  However, if the course was taken in 2003, it would be over the five (5) year time limit and would need to be retaken).  Individual consideration may be given for courses taken beyond the five (5) year time limit if within a reasonable time frame.
College courses are not calculated into the Quality Point Average.

The School of Nursing does not accept CLEP scores for any required college courses.  Transferability of college courses to other colleges cannot be guaranteed.

*Effective with the Class of 2011 (entering August 2009), all college courses must be successfully completed with a grade of "C" or better prior to starting the nursing program.