AOSVN Admission Policies

Please read and complete the following steps:

1. Complete an online application for the Associate of Occupational Science in Vocational Nursing degree program. Click here to apply now and start your admissions application process for an early decision.

If you are not ready to apply, but would like more information, please attend a virtual information session and campus tour offered on campus. Click here to view the info session schedule. Please note, all prospective students must apply online before moving on to the entrance exam step.

1. After submitting your online application, take the Next Generation Accuplacer examination. Secure online testing for the Accuplacer is now available. Please contact your Admissions Representative to learn more. The following preferred minimum scores on each test of this examination are required: Reading Comprehension 232 and Arithmetic 212. Scheduling your exam will be coordinated by your dedicated Admissions Representative.

The applicant may take each of the Accuplacer tests required for admission to a program up to three (3) times initially, with at least 48 hours between attempts.  If the applicant does not achieve a passing score on the required tests after three attempts, the applicant must wait two months before retaking the failed test(s).   After the two-month waiting period, the applicant may take the failed Accuplacer test(s) up to three more times.  If the applicant does not achieve a passing score after these three attempts, the applicant must wait one (1) calendar year before retaking all of the Accuplacer tests required for admission to the program.  The applicant will be allowed to take each of the Accuplacer tests up to three times after the one calendar year waiting period.  If the applicant does not achieve a passing score on each of the required test(s) after these three attempts, the applicant will not be able to take the Accuplacer tests again for admission to a program at the university.

1. Submit an official transcript of record showing possession of a high school diploma or its equivalent, such as GED, from an accredited secondary school or an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
2. Complete a background check.
3. Schedule and attend a meeting with a Financial Aid Officer.
4. Submit Official Transcripts of all courses taken at all high schools, colleges, and/or universities.
5. Interview with the Program Director or designee. Interviews are offered virtually through Zoom video conferencing.

The interviewer will use a Candidate Interview form for the interview and will award points for the applicant’s essay and responses during the interview according to a departmental rubric. The interviewer will also award points according to the departmental rubric for the applicant’s score on the Accuplacer examination; completion of an academic degree; completion of relevant prerequisite courses; grade point average for the completed prerequisite courses; and current certificates and/or work experience or volunteer work. The interviewer will combine these points with the points awarded for the interview into a total score according to the departmental rubric. Based on the total score, the applicant will be ranked among the other applicants who are applying for admission to the program with the current cohort.

1. Submit the Transfer of Credit Request form and related documentation for evaluation of possible transfer credit. Transfer credit will only be granted under the following conditions:
   • All transfer credit policies of the institution and program have been met.

1. File all required documents with Admissions at least two (2) calendar weeks prior to the interview with the Program Director or designee and ensure all required proof of physical examination, immunizations, and valid CPR card issued by the American Heart Association is submitted to Admissions seven (7) days prior to the start of orientation.

Applicants will be notified of admission to the program by a letter of invitation. An applicant may only decline the letter of invitation twice and must repeat steps 2-10 above when reapplying for admission to the program.

Applicants reapplying for admission only have to resubmit official transcripts of record if they have taken additional courses since the previous application for admission.

Applicants with Criminal Convictions

Applicants to the program are required to complete a background check form and pay the background check fee seven days prior to the start of classes.  Applicants with criminal convictions should refer to the Supplement for Vocational Nurse Applicants on page 42 for information on BVNPT licensing policies.

Many clinical facilities will not permit applicant nurses (or employees/volunteers) in the facility with certain felony or misdemeanor convictions as part of an overall employment policy.  Stanbridge University cannot admit applicants who cannot attain the state mandated requirement of 954 clinical instruction hours.  Accordingly, applicants for admission with a felony conviction will not be granted admission to the university.  Certain types of convictions, regardless of whether a felony or misdemeanor, will result in denial of admission.  These types of convictions include drug/substance abuse offenses, violent crimes and offenses requiring mandatory reporting, such as elder abuse or child abuse.

Applicants with misdemeanor convictions, other than those listed above, may be asked to provide additional information regarding the conviction in order for university administration to make a decision on admission based on the type, age, and gravity of the offense.

Background Check

Some clinical facilities require background checks for all employees, volunteers and students working in the facility, independent of the required licensure background check (see below).  Students will be required to submit their personal information for a background check in order to attend clinical sessions.

• Each facility judges the background of student nurses with misdemeanors or felonies on an individual basis. Denial of admission to the program for students with convictions will be based on a pattern of convictions, felonies, or certain misdemeanors that will bar a student from completing a clinical rotation.
• Failure to disclose a previous conviction is typically viewed as seriously as the conviction itself, if not more so.
• Some clinical facilities require submission of fingerprints as part of the background check.

Admission Under Alternative Status

The AOSVN program students admitted under “Alternate” status are allowed to attend class until the first clinical experience session at a clinical facility.  No more than 10% of the authorized number of students for a class will be enrolled under alternate status.  If these students cannot be accommodated with clinical facility experience due to lack of space, they will be given preference for regular admission to the next program start.

Students enrolled under alternate status will be charged for (and issued) courseware and supplies necessary for the on-campus portion of the curriculum.  If classroom space permits, and the student converts to regular status, tuition will be due immediately.  If classroom space precludes enrolling the alternate status student for the remainder of the Term, they will be enrolled in the next cohort to start at the beginning of the program and tuition (less the amount for courseware and supplies) becomes due for the new program.

Vaccinations Part 1

If you are accepted into the program, one of the next steps in the admissions process is to submit Part 1 of your required vaccinations for your clinical requirements.

You are required to provide proof of vaccinations, physical, and tests in two steps:

• Part 1 is due 7 days after your first day of class for both full-time and part-time students.
• Part 2 is due prior to Term 4 and for part-time students starting at the beginning of Term 2. After completing Part 1, you will receive an alert to complete Part 2.

If you need any assistance with submitting these requests, your Program Administration will be available to assist you as needed.

Part 1 – Vaccination and Test Details

Tuberculosis (TB) Test

• 1 negative TB skin test (PPD) OR TB QuantiFERON Gold (blood test) result within the past 6 months OR
  • If TB Skin Test or TB Gold test results are positive, you must get a Chest X-Ray indicating a negative result completed within the past 2 years.
• Expires after 1 year.

Hepatitis B (3-Dose Series):

• At least 1 vaccine of the series within 12 months OR Proof of completed vaccination series (3-doses [Energix-B] or 2-doses [Heplisav-B]) OR Quantitative titer (blood test) stating you are immune (positive – result) to Hepatitis B OR
  • If the titer states you are not immune to Hepatitis B, the vaccine series must be repeated.
  • Titers must be from within the past 5 years.
• Option – Decline vaccination – but you must sign the Hepatitis B declination form (provided in the VN Office).

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR):

• Proof of previous vaccination OR Titer (blood test) results stating you are immune (positive – result) to Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, AND Rubella.
  • If results state that you are not immune to ALL 3, you will need to receive the vaccine.
  • Titers must be from within the past 5 years.

Varicella (Chickenpox):

• Proof of previous vaccination OR Titer (blood test) results stating you are immune (positive – result) to Varicella.

• • If results state you are not immune to Varicella, you will need to receive the vaccine.
  • Titers must be from within the past 5 years.

TDAP:

• Vaccine administered within the past 10 years.

COVID-19:

• Most clinical partner sites require COVID-19 vaccinations. Proof of at least the first of two doses or the 1 dose vaccination. The 2^nd of the 2-dose vaccinations must occur within 2-3 weeks after the first and can be submitted at that time.

Flu Shot – Seasonal:

• Required when clinicals are conducted in any months between September and March.

Physical Exam:

• Completed within the past year.

Vaccinations Part 2

Students in the program are required to submit Part 2 of required vaccinations for clinical requirements.

• Full-time students are required to submit Part 2 prior to Term 4
• Part-time students are required to submit Part 2 before the end of Term 2, prior to the start of the second year.
• Part-time students are required to submit their Drug Screen prior to Term 4.

If you need any assistance with submitting these requests, your Program Administration will be available to assist you as needed.

Part 2 – Vaccination and Test Details:

Tuberculosis (TB) Test – Part-Time Students:

• TB tests expire after 1 year requiring part-time students to get a 2^nd TB skin test before the end of Term 2 and prior to the start of the second year.

Tuberculosis (TB) Test – All Students:

• 2-Step TB Test – submit ONE of the following:
  • 2 negative TB skin test (PPD) results within the past year.
    • If results are positive, provide a copy of your positive results and get a TB QuantiFERON Gold (blood test) indicating a negative result. If your TB Gold results are positive, you’ll need to get a Chest X-ray indicating a negative result.
    • If you have submitted a negative Chest X-ray in Term 1, you do not need to submit a new TB test prior to the start of the second year.
  • 1 negative TB QuantiFERON Gold results.

 Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) – All Students:

• Proof of 2^nd dose of vaccination OR Titer (blood test) results stating you are immune (positive – result) to Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, AND Rubella.
  • If results state that you are not immune to ALL 3, you will need to receive the vaccine.
  • Titers must be from within the past 5 years.

Varicella (Chickenpox) – All Students:

• Proof of 2^nd dose vaccination OR Titer (blood test) results stating you are immune (positive – result) to Varicella.
  • If results state you are not immune to Varicella, you will need to receive the vaccine.
  • Titers must be from within the past 5 years.

Drug Screens – All Students:

• Due 3 months prior to Term 4 for OB/Peds clinicals
• 10-panel drug test that includes: Amphetamines, Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, Cocaine, Marijuana, Methadone, Opiates, PCP, Propoxyphene and Alcohol.
• Click here to access the CastleBranch myCB account for drug test processing: Drug Screen Step by Step.

Flu Shot:

• Please visit your health care provider or a local pharmacy/clinic to receive your shot. Required when clinicals are conducted in any months between September and March.
• Required for Term 4 OB/Peds clinicals