The frequently asked questions (FAQs) below are grouped into the following sections: general program questions, admissions/application, TEAS, and curriculum FAQs.

General Nursing Program FAQs

A full-time student can complete the associate degree in five semesters. That includes two semesters of prerequisites and three semesters in the Nursing program.  

Students may then transfer to a university to earn their bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN).

Once you complete the Nursing AS degree, you'll be eligible for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Until NCLEX-RN success is achieved, the graduate is not an RN. The state in which the NCLEX-RN success occurs will be the state of initial RN licensure. 

NHCC has a NCLEX pass rate of 88.71% for first time students taking the test as of 2024 data.

We don't currently offer a weekend or evening nursing program. 

The nursing program is designed to be full-time, and classes are held during the day. Nursing students may have clinical experiences scheduled for the evening. 

Yes, many students choose to work part-time while in the nursing program. During the three semesters in the nursing program, it's best to have a flexible work schedule

Nursing program graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX. Once the NCLEX is passed, the graduate receives a nursing license and can practice as a registered nurse (RN) in a variety of settings. 

Graduates of NHCC's Nursing program often start working in hospitals, outpatient care centers, home health care services, geriatric settings, and doctor’s offices.  

Graduates can increase their career options and earning potential by transferring to university to earn their bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN). Some employers will even pay for part of your BSN. 

Here's example of where graduates of NHCC's Nursing program work: 

Abbott Northwestern Hospital 
Allina Hospitals & Clinics 
CentraCare Health Systems 
Children's Hospital 
Essentia Health
Fairview Hospital 
Health Partners
Hennepin County Medical Center
Maple Grove Hospital
North Memorial Health Care
Park Nicollet Health Services

Yes, students with an LPN can start our Nursing Mobility program every fall semester. Applicants will need to meet the same pre-requisite and application requirements as all nursing applicants.

No, but once you complete your ADN and earn your RN license you can transfer to complete an RN to BSN program through many universities, including our partners: Minnesota State Mankato, Minnesota State Moorhead, and Metropolitan State University.

Admissions/Application FAQs

There are two deadlines per year. The June 1 deadline will be for spring semester admissions and February 1 deadline will be for fall semester admissions. Applications are not accepted outside of these dates. 

You must have Tier 1 pre-requisites complete at the time of application.

You can use the Writing Center to assist with your essays if you’re a NHCC student. You can also utilize the Career Center to assist you with your experiences. You can also meet with your academic advisor to discuss how your GPA and grades will factor into getting into the nursing program.

We select students based on a holistic admissions process. You can learn more about the process in the Applying to NHCC's Nursing Program video on the Nursing Info Session page. 

Our Nursing program is highly competitive. We have more applicants than seats available.  

Be sure to utilize the resources we provide to help you with the application process: 

No, you will have to reapply for next application cycle.

  • Grades: Earn good grades in your prerequisite courses, which will improve your GPA.
  • Essays: Improve your application essays by working with staff at the Writing Center.
  • TEAS: Aim for a high TEAS score. Many students chose to take the TEAS twice to get a higher score. 

TEAS study resources: 

TEAS FAQs

The ATI TEAS Exam is a test used to evaluate basic academic skills, like reading, math, science, and English language. It helps colleges determine which applicants are likely to succeed in nursing programs. 

Through the ATI website.

The TEAS is a timed, multiple-choice exam assessing your knowledge (particularly in areas like the Sciences) including but not limited to: Anatomy and Physiology, Life Science, Chemistry, Math, English and Language Usage, and Reading Comprehension. The exam is computer-based. 

No, but you can get materials/resources here: 

NHCC will provide reasonable accommodations to all qualified students with disabilities. Students requesting accommodations for the TEAS exam are directed to test at a campus they will be applying to. If you are currently an NHCC student who is registered with the Access Services Office, you can contact the Testing Center at 763-424-0928 to inquire about extended testing for the TEAS test.

Curriculum FAQs

The program road maps on the Nursing page outline the order you should take your courses in. 

There are roadmaps that show course sequences for 5 semester, 6 semester & 7+ semesters. The number of semesters is determined by whether you're going full-time or part-time. 

We recommend all students work with an advisor to build an individualized plan that can factor in language, reading and math placements; academic readiness; as well as personal, work and family time commitments.

You will need to take ENGL 1201/1200 - College Writing I, BIOL 1001 - Biology I, BIOL 2111 - Anatomy & Physiology I, & PHIL 1220 - Healthcare Ethics. These courses must be completed with a C or better AND a combined GPA of 2.75 or higher to be eligible to apply to the nursing program. 

You will need BIOL 2100 - Microbiology, BIOL 2112 - Anatomy & Physiology II, & CHEM 1005 - Chemistry for Healthcare Professionals or CHEM 1010 - Introduction to Chemistry. These courses must be completed with a C or better and a combined GPA of 2.5 or higher. Tier 2 prerequisites will need to be done prior to starting the Nursing courses. 

The application (Tier 1) pre-requisites will allow you to apply to the nursing program. The 2nd semester (Tier 2) pre-requisites will need to be done in order to start the nursing courses.  

Yes, you may appeal any transfer courses, however it is not guaranteed approval. Speak with your academic advisor for more information.

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