Nursing Clinical Component
Enrollment in the clinical component is limited, and admission is selective and competitive. Selection criteria will include Kaplan scores, academic performance in pre-clinical courses, and related work experience. Admission preference is given to residents within BRCC’s service area.
Clinical Admissions
Clinical Admission Requirements
Students who have met the following minimum requirements may submit a clinical application:
- Sent official high-school transcripts or equivalent documents and transcripts of all coursework taken at non-VCCS colleges attempted or completed (including LPN transcripts for students who completed LPN training).
- Earned a curricular GPA of at least 2.50 in all pre-clinical courses taken prior to, or concurrent with, application to the clinical component. All non-nursing courses that have been attempted must be passed with a “C” or better before entering a NSG course. Anatomy & Physiology courses (BIO 141 & BIO 142) must have been taken within the past 7 years (not before Fall 2018 for August 2025 admissions) to be considered.
- Completed the Kaplan Nursing Entrance Test and earned a score of 45 or higher on each of the sections. Note that successful applicants usually score >70.
Clinical Admissions Cycle for Fall 2025
There are two options in applying for admission to the clinical component. LPN applicants may apply for either option. The early admissions option is for students who have:
- Completed BIO 142 by December 2024
- Have the majority of nursing general education requirements completed
- Are prepared to take the Kaplan entrance exam prior to February 1, 2025
Early admission decisions are released by April 1st. Please note that if you are not accepted in the early admissions process your application will automatically rollover into the traditional admissions. The early admissions process allows for early notification of admission. These applicants will start the clinical component the same time as traditional students, in August 2025.
The traditional admission process allows for more general education courses to be completed during the spring semester of 2025. The more courses that you have completed, the stronger your application will be. This also allows for completion of BIO 142 in the spring semester and extension to take the Kaplan entrance exam by April 30th. Traditional admission applicants are notified of acceptance by June 1st.
Admission Information and Links
- Application Form (Opens November 1, 2024)
- DO NOT wait until the last minute to take the Kaplan Nursing Exam. The BRCC Testing Center has limited space available, and can only offer the Kaplan Nursing Exam as space and time allow.
- Testing Center Students are eligible to take the Kaplan Nursing Entrance Exam on a walk-in basis anytime the Testing Center is open (no appointment necessary). Please arrive 3 hours before close to allow adequate time. The Kaplan will not be given between December 23, 2024 – January 1, 2025 to accommodate winter break.
- Non-VCCS college transcripts received by Admissions & Records: February 1, 2025
- Transcript Evaluation Form (non-BRCC college credits) submitted: February 1, 2025
Traditional Nursing Program
| Early Admission Decision | Traditional Admission Decision | |
| Application Opens | November 1, 2024 | November 1, 2024 |
| Kaplan Exam Opens | December 1, 2024 | December 1, 2024 |
| Transcripts Due | February 1, 2025 | February 1, 2025 |
| Application Due | February 1, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. | February 1, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. |
| Kaplan Closes | January 31, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. | April 30, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. |
| Notification to Applicants | March 31, 2025 | May 19, 2025 |
| Classes Start | August 2025 | August 2025 |
LPN to RN Bridge Program
| Early Admission Decision | Traditional Admission Decision | |
| Application Opens | November 1, 2024 | November 1, 2024 |
| Kaplan Exam Opens | December 1, 2024 | December 1, 2024 |
| Transcripts Due(Including LPN Transcripts) | February 1, 2025 | February 1, 2025 |
| Application Due | February 1, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. | February 1, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. |
| Kaplan Closes | January 31, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. | April 30th, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. |
| Notification to Applicants | March 31, 2025 | May 19, 2025 |
| Classes Start | January 2026 | January 2026 |
Accepted Clinical Student Requirements
New Nursing Student Orientation
New nursing clinical students will attend a student orientation in the summer before their enrollment begins.
Post-Acceptance Forms
Before beginning clinical coursework, accepted applicants will need to submit additional paperwork/documentation to the nursing department by the published deadlines (no exceptions for late documents). Documents and deadlines will be e-mailed to accepted students after program admittance. Please note, the below immunizations are required by our clinical sites.
- Physical & Health Insurance Forms
- Proof of Immunizations to include: MMR, Varicella, Tdap, influenza, Hep B, COVID, and a 2-step PPD
- CPR/BLS through the American Heart Association, and have an in-person component
- Malpractice Insurance
- Criminal Background Check Documentation & Completed Drug Screen
Clinical Handbook
Nursing students accepted to the clinical portion of the program should read and understand the requirements and policies outlined in the Clinical Nursing Student Handbook. For further information on admissions, progression, graduation, formal complaints and grievance procedures; and technology requirements, please contact Michele Rheault at rheaultm@brcc.edu to request a copy of the student handbook. This handbook will also be provided to you upon acceptance into the program.
18VAC90-27-80 – Resources, facilities, publications, and services
Readmission to the Nursing Program
- Students who receive a final course grade or theory grade lower than 80% (C) in any of the courses will not be allowed to progress in the program. Students may 1) be eligible to be readmitted into the program and repeat the course and earn a final grade of 80% or higher before taking the next course in the sequence or 2) reapply to the nursing program to start at the first semester, if accepted.
- The student must reapply in writing and submit an appropriate success plan to the program head and nursing dean by the identified deadline, determined by the program head, and meet current admission requirements. This success plan should outline how the student’s circumstances have changed to allow them to be successful in the program, if they were to be admitted again.
- Readmission to the clinical component is NOT guaranteed and will be determined on an individual basis.
- There must be clinical space available to readmit the student back into the program.
- Students being considered for readmission will need to pass a readmission test, as determined by nursing faculty, with a grade of 80% or higher. This test will determine that the student has retained the necessary knowledge previously learned in the program, to start back where they left off. If a student does not obtain a minimum of 80% on the readmission test, they must reapply to the program to start back in the first semester.
- Any first semester NSG course failure results in reapplication to the college program.
- A student must have successfully completed an NSG course within the last 12 months to be eligible for readmission into the program.