General Nursing FAQs
What are the basic requirements for students applying to a Nursing program?
- Your official transcripts must be on file at Germanna and evaluated by the Registrar
- Your cumulative GPA must be at least:
- 2.5 for the RN and LPN-RN for Advanced Standing Programs
- 2.0 for the Practical Nursing Program
- All of your earned course grades (including Nursing prerequisites) must be C or higher
- Your completed Advising Checklist must be on file at Germanna and signed by Nursing faculty
- You must successfully complete the admissions exam for your program:
- The TEAS exam is required for PN, RN, and LPN-RN applicants
- The HESI Mid-Curricular Test (with a score of 750 or higher) is required for LPN-RN for Advanced Standing applicants
- You must complete a criminal background check upon acceptance to the program
Important considerations:
- Students with an A or B in BIO 141 are more competitive in the application process
- Students living within Germanna's service area (Caroline, Culpeper, King George, Madison, Orange, Spotsylvania, and Stafford Counties and the City of Fredericksburg) will be given priority consideration
- Submitting an application does not guarantee admission into a Nursing program
- You must be a Germanna student to apply
I have already seen a Germanna Academic Advisor, who can I talk to if I have additional questions about the Nursing Program?
Make an appointment in Navigate to meet with a Nursing Program Advisor.
Which Germanna Campus is the Nursing Program located?
Locust Grove Campus (LGC) in Locust Grove, VA and the Barbara J. Freid (BJFC) Center, soon to be the Kevin L. Dillard Health Sciences Center located 25 Center Street in Stafford, VA
Where are the clinicals located? Can I attend a clinical near where I live?
Clinicals are completed at various hospitals, mental health facilities, long term care facilities, and clinics throughout the service area. Our service region consists of the following counties: Culpeper, Madison, Orange, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Caroline, King George and the City of Fredericksburg. Clinicals are typically assigned during the first weeks of the semester. Be aware that traveling some distance may be required depending on where you live. Students are expected to provide their own transportation to clinical sites. Students cannot arrange their own clinicals.
Can I work full-time and still attend the Nursing Program?
The majority of students who attempt to work full-time jobs while completing the Nursing Program significantly reduce their chances of being successful. The nursing division recommends that students work no more than 20 hours per week and even less.The Nursing Program is intensive and requires a lot of time and effort to complete so students are strongly encouraged to arrange flexible work hours and circumstances before attempting the Nursing Program.
Lectures, labs, and clinicals have varying hours including evenings and weekends. You cannot have a regular 9 – 5 pm full-time job and complete the Traditional Nursing Program. We recommend considering the part-time program if you work in a 9-5 pm Monday- Friday job. Still we recommend cutting back on your hours though out the week.
I have a criminal conviction on my record. How will this affect me getting into the Nursing Program?
Applicants who have committed a felony/misdemeanor may not be offered admission. The Board of Nursing may deny any application for licensure if the applicant has committed a felony/misdemeanor under laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia or of the United States. Applicants who have a drug or alcohol related offense will be disqualified. For more information on how criminal convictions may prevent nursing licensure in Virginia, please view the Joint statement of the Department of Health and the Department of Health Professions on Impact of Criminal Convictions on Nursing Licensure or Certification and Employment in Virginia from the Virginia Board of Nursing website.
Where can I get information about the Nursing Program or find out what prerequisites are required?
View our Health Science Pathways
View our Apply to Nursing Programs webpage
Nursing Admissions FAQ's
How do I apply to the Nursing Program?
Learn about the steps to apply on our Apply to Nursing Programs webpage.
Do I still have to submit my high school transcript if I already have college credits or a previous degree? My high school is closed, what do I do?
All nursing applicants must submit their high school transcript even if they have college credits or a previous degree so that the high school requirements listed on the pre-admission checklist can be verified.
The Virginia Board of Nursing does indicate that in the event the HS transcript is non-existent at this time, documentation of the successful work in the degrees you cite (associates, bachelors, and masters) will be sufficient to document HS completion. The student must:
- Scan and email the document you do have (diploma) to nursing@germanna.edu with your GCC student ID number and full name in the email. We will add this to your nursing student record.
- Have your previous college transcripts evaluated by Admissions and Records.
Transcript Evaluation Form
If you wish to have transcripts from another institution evaluated for transfer credit, please follow the instructions below. Please note that transcripts from another VCCS institution do not need to be provided, however this form must be completed to initiate the review of credits:
- Request official transcripts, AP Scores, IB Scores, and CLEP Scores from all previously attended institutions and Military Training. (Official transcripts from other VCCS institutions are not required.)
- After requesting official transcripts, complete and submit the Transcript Evaluation Form to the Welcome Center or Admissions and Records. This may be done:
- By Email: transcripts@germanna.edu
- By fax: (540) 423-9158
- By mail:
Germanna Community College
Attention: Admissions and Records
P.O. Box 1430
Locust Grove, VA 22508
I missed the deadline to submit my application. Is there anything else I can be doing while I’m waiting to apply to the next session?
If you have not already done so, you may complete any of the non-nursing courses from the nursing curriculum while you are waiting to apply. These courses include SDV 100, ENG 111, ENG 112, PSY 230,, BIO 141, BIO 142, BIO 150, and the HUM elective or Transfer elective. You may also consider adding the General Studies: Pre-BSN degree to take additional courses that could be used towards your BSN degree.
How do I get my physical, certified background check and drug screening for the Nursing Program?
Once in the program, students will receive more information about obtaining a physical and drug screening before they may attend clinicals for the nursing program. Additional information about these requirements is communicated to students once they have been officially admitted into the nursing program.
For more information view our Nursing Background Check webpage.
I have a previous college degree. Do I still have to take the nursing pre-admission test?
Yes. All applicants must take a nursing pre-admission test even if they have a previous college degree. There are no exceptions.
I am currently enrolled in a prerequisite course, but it will not be finished until after the program application deadline. Can I still apply to the program on a provisional basis if I provide proof from the teacher that I’m doing well in the course?
No. You may not submit an application to the nursing program until all prerequisite courses are completed and a final grade is posted. If you apply while you are still enrolled in a prerequisite course, your application will not be processed. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
I took my prerequisite courses at another school. Do I have to retake them at Germanna?
No, you will need to submit official transcripts to the Admissions and Records Office for evaluation to find out if these courses will transfer to Germanna. If the courses transfer to Germanna and fulfill the prerequisites requirements, you will be able to apply to the nursing program.