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Practical Nursing Admission Criteria

Please note that meeting the minimum requirements described below—including passing the TEAS admission assessment exam and conducting an interview with the program chairperson—does not guarantee acceptance into the Practical Nursing diploma program. Due to limited capacity, only a select number of students can be accepted.

Requirements include a minimum age of 17 and proof of United States citizenship, permanent residency, or eligible non-citizenship.

All components of the approval process are considered in making the decision to accept a Practical Nursing student. The ability to identify student applicants who have strong critical thinking skills and the desire to apply those skills is an essential component in the decision making process. For additional admission criteria, please see the Admissions section in the school catalog.

Steps to Be Considered for Acceptance

Students applying for admission to the Practical Nursing program must complete and submit these items.

  • Hunter Business School application for the Practical Nursing program, provided by the Admissions department
  • Interviews with the Admissions department and Practical Nursing chairperson and/or faculty member
  • Official copy of high school diploma or transcript, Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC™), General Equivalency Diploma (GED®), or equivalent
  • Official copies of transcripts from each institution (including college) previously attended
    • Failure to submit transcripts from all institutions previously attended, regardless of status upon leaving those institutions, may result in denial of application.
    • Associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees are taken into consideration when assessing a candidate.
    • If you attended college but did not graduate, that will be taken into consideration, as well, however you must have successfully completed at least a semester with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0.
  • Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS Test) admission assessment exam score of 58.7 percent or better
    • This test must be taken at either Hunter campus. As of September 1, 2023, online tests will no longer be accepted.
    • To register for the exam, please tap here and follow the instructions on our website.
    • To purchase a TEAS® Study Manual, visit this web page.
    • How high the score is has meaning in the admission process, as well as how many times a candidate had to take the test to pass (only three attempts are allowed).
  • Proof of Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association, either current or pending, prior to student orientation
  • Essay (Admissions department to supply essay topic)
  • Three original copies of signed reference letters written by a professional, such as an employer, colleague, educator, medical professional, religious/volunteer group leader, or coach
    • All letters should be given to the Admissions department at the interview and must include contact information for the individual providing the reference.
    • It is preferred that all letters be on official letterhead.
  • Proof of any certifications or coursework, if any, such as Certified Nursing Assistant, Patient Care Assistant Medical Assistant, Home Health Aide, etc.
  • Documentation of current patient care employment verified by a letter on employer or facility letterhead, if applicable
  • Compliance with all Core Performance Standards for clinical practice for admission (verified when meeting with Admissions representative)
  • Commitment to travel costs to clinical sites in Nassau, Suffolk, and the New York City boroughs

Upon Acceptance Into the Program

After being accepted to the program, but before student orientation, the following requirements must be met.

  • Physical examination by a New York State licensed medical practitioner and proof of a current QuantiFERON test (for tuberculosis), tetanus, hepatitis B (or a waiver), and other specified immunizations. Additional requirements are positive titers for rubella (German measles), varicella (chickenpox), and rubeola (measles).
    • The above tests must be submitted prior to orientation. 
    • You can download all appropriate health forms here. Please call Jacquelyn Rudjord, Admissions representative in Medford at 631.569.7702 or Jada Williams in Levittown at 516.719.6605 with any questions. You can tap Jada or Jackie to email them, as well.
    • All costs related to the physical exam, immunizations, vaccine, background check, and drug screening are the sole responsibility of the applicant and cannot be reimbursed by the school.
    • Show Proof of Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association, either current or pending, prior to student orientation
  • Basic background check and drug screening
    • Official proof of a background check and drug screening must be submitted prior to student orientation.
    • The cost of the authorized background check is the sole responsibility of the applicant and will not be reimbursed by the school. Therefore, it is advised that you do not incur the expense for the background check or drug screening unless you have been formally accepted into the program.
    • A Basic Background Check must be completed by CastleBranch, a company we have partnered with. Go to CastleBranch and order your background check online by entering package code HS14bg (for background check and drug screening, use HS14bgdt) in the upper right corner of the screen.
    • The background check and drug screening must be done through CastleBranch, and the drug screening results must all be negative.
    • Follow the instructions on the handout provided by the Admissions department.
  • Drug screenings other than those mentioned above may be required, as needed, depending upon the policies of the clinical site to which a student is assigned
    • Drug screenings can be completed through CastleBranch by following the same procedures for your background check as outlined on the handout provided by the Admissions department. Enter package code HS14dt.

COVID-19

  • After January 1, 2025
    • Effective with classes starting after January 1, 2025, COVID vaccinations are not required.
  • Please be aware that this requirement may change at any time prior to or after a student starts school.

Legal Considerations

If you have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, you must contact the New York State Education Department at 518.474.3817, ext. 330, for advisement.

In order to become licensed and work as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in New York State, you will have to pass the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) upon graduation from the Practical Nursing program at Hunter.

Student Orientation

It is mandatory that all applicants who have been accepted into the Practical Nursing diploma program attend student orientation. Date and time will be provided.

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