The Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Schools of Nursing strive to provide an open, inclusive, and supportive academic setting. AHN Schools of Nursing recognize that students come from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. We welcome the benefits that a diverse student body can bring to the program and the nursing profession. Therefore, the AHN Schools of Nursing use a holistic approach to student admission. This holistic approach utilizes both quantitative and qualitative criteria to evaluate an applicant for admission.
Applicants to the School of Nursing must meet established criteria for acceptance and program enrollment. Current admission criteria and procedures are published on the school website. All applicants must be able to perform the essential functions of a nursing student with or without reasonable accommodation. Criminal background and record clearance, child abuse clearance and fingerprinting, urine drug screening, and immunizations are required as a condition of enrollment.
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for prospective applicants regarding the application, acceptance, and enrollment process. It is the policy of the AHN Schools of Nursing to provide equal educational opportunity according to academic qualifications without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military/veteran status or any other legally protected group status.
In accordance with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Professional and Vocational Standards- State Board of Nursing Section 21.01, applicants shall have completed work equal to a standard high school course with a minimum of 16 units:
If the applicant does not meet the standard high school science requirements, they will be required to complete two science courses with related laboratory before being considered for admission. In lieu of a high school diploma, a certificate of completion of a general educational development (GED) will be accepted. An original copy of the GED certificate is required.
Applicants to the AHN Schools of Nursing are required to submit standardized testing scores as part of the application process. Applicants may choose to submit SAT/ACT scores OR an Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI®) Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) composite score for consideration of admission.
Certain applicants are exempt from standardized testing requirements. Those exempt include:
Applicants who receive the following SAT or ACT scores will be considered for expedited acceptance:
SAT or ACT scores must be within five years of application date.
Applicants who achieve either an SAT or ACT score that is below the minimum recommended score will be considered for admission based upon additional information provided to the School of Nursing Admissions Committee. Applicants may be advised to take the ATI-TEAS.
The ATI-TEAS is a national standardized test that assesses an individual’s overall academic preparedness for a health science program.
There are four sections to the test including reading, math, science, and English and language usage. Each section must be completed to obtain a total adjusted individual score.
TEAS scores within two years of application will be accepted. Applicants may attempt the TEAS three times within one application year.
Applicants who achieve a composite score of 62% or above will be considered for expedited acceptance.
Applicants who achieve a composite score between 58.7% and 61.9% will be considered for admission based upon additional information provided to the School of Nursing Admissions Committee.
Official transcripts must be submitted for all prior post-secondary education that has been completed. This includes any college, university, nursing, technical and/or vocational program.
Reference: One reference addressing prompts regarding the applicant’s abilities. Format provided by the admissions office.
Personal statement/essay: Completion of specific essay prompts. Format provided by the admissions office.
LPN applicants who seek an advanced standing option should complete the following in addition to the above admission requirements:
The admissions office will complete an initial review of the applicant’s file after the receipt of a completed application and application fee. Following the initial application, an official correspondence will be sent to guide the applicant toward final completion of the application process.
Following submission of all required documents, a review of the applicant’s file will be completed by the admissions coordinator. Applicants may be offered expedited admission or receive a request for additional information to be reviewed by the admissions committee.
An applicant who meets all admission criteria will be notified with an official acceptance letter/correspondence from the admissions office.
An applicant who does not meet all established admission criteria and is not accepted into the program will be notified with an official rejection correspondence from the admissions office.
Any applicant who has accepted admission and chooses to defer may do so for one additional start date. Any applicant deferring for a second time will require reapplication.
Following acceptance, enrollment is contingent upon successfully completing the required financial, academic, health, and compliance policy requirements.
To confirm enrollment, the applicant must pay the required non-refundable enrollment fee of $100.
Enrollment is contingent upon successful completion of the following required academic, health, and policy requirements.
1. Obtain required criminal history clearances (Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, Criminal Record Check, and FBI Fingerprint)
2. Obtain professional liability insurance.
3. Obtain current Basic Life Support (BLS) health care provider certification in CPR, which includes infant, child, and adult resuscitation and automatic external defibrillator.
4. Complete all health screenings including physical examination, urine drug screening and immunization requirements, including the COVID-19 vaccine. (Refer to Student Health and Compliance Policy).
5. Attend mandatory pre-enrollment seminars and orientation sessions.
AHN Schools of Nursing
(412) 330-4766
The AHN Schools of Nursing offers a top-quality nursing program in a growing and important field. Reach out today for more information or to attend an information session.
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