Admissions Criteria

The admission process requires an application to and acceptance from TMU prior to applying to the Rielin and Salmen School of Nursing (RSSON).  Transfer students must meet the admission requirements of TMU and provide official transcripts from all previously attended institutions, including prior nursing education and other supporting documentation as requested.

Applicants who have attended another upper level nursing education program are required to indicate this attendance on the nursing application, and to submit a letter of eligibility from the dean or director of the previous nursing program.  Failure to disclose this information may lead to dismissal, even after enrollment, from the TMU BSN program.  Transfer students who have been dismissed from another nursing education program are ineligible for admission to the BSN program.

Students must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, calculated by RSSON as indicated on the following conversion scale.  Applicants must have a C- or better in all pre-requisite courses at the time of application.

RSSON GPA Scale for Admission Criteria
Grade GPA
A 4.0
B 3.0
C 2.0
D 1.0
F 0.0

Applicants must meet the expected HESI A2 entrance cumulative score of 78 or above as an admission requirement for entry into the BSN program. Refer to the HESI A2 Admission Assessment Policy.

BSN Sophomore level nursing course, NU 250/Introduction to Nursing is required Spring semester after provisional acceptance and prior to Fall entry.  Successful completion of this course is required as part of the provisional acceptance with completion of all RSSON prerequisites for Fall entry into the BSN program but does not guarantee continued progression in the BSN program.

Specific health requirements outlined by the RSSON are required to meet the stipulations of the clinical site partnerships utilized in the BSN program.

Application Process

If you are a current TMU student and wish to apply to the School of Nursing, follow the steps below.

STEP 1: Submit the following items to the TMU School of Nursing:

  • A completed and signed School of Nursing Application form (download and print).
  • A $25 non-refundable application fee
  • A two page biographical sketch, which is a personal account discussing significant events and influences that have affected your life.
  • A one page typed paper explaining your answers to the following questions:
    • Why do you want to be a registered nurse?
    • Why did you choose the BSN program at Truett McConnell University?
  • Submit three BSN Program References
    • Applicants must submit three references from persons qualified to give pertinent information about you. Please do not include a relative.  The reference must be someone who has known you for more than one year.  References must be received prior to the posted deadline.

These items may be submitted in person or mailed to:

Rielin & Salmen School of Nursing
Truett McConnell University
100 Alumni Dr.
Cleveland, GA 30528

STEP 2: Complete the HESI A2 Admission Assessment Examination

    • Refer to the HESI A2 Admission Assessment Policy.
    • Students will receive a score for each content exam as well as a composite score. Students must score a minimum of 78% on the composite score, including the math, reading comprehension, vocabulary and general knowledge, and science content examinations for consideration of admission into RSSON.  Each exam requires a grade of 78% or better on each individual examination to receive priority admission.
    • HESI A2 examination dates will be offered during the spring semester and at the discretion of the nursing faculty. A max of 2 attempts is permitted per academic year.

Your completed application packet must be received in the RSSON office no later than September 1 of the previous anticipated entry year.  The RSSON is not responsible for delays with postal services. Late applications will not be accepted.  Mailing address:

Truett McConnell University
Martha Rielin and Elizabeth Salmen School of Nursing
100 Alumni Drive
Cleveland, GA 30528

An interview will be conducted with each student after the application has been reviewed and considered complete. You will be contacted with a date and time for your interview. Applicants are encouraged to wear appropriate attire for an interview.

Requirements

Acceptance Guidelines

After you have been accepted into the nursing program and have received your Letter of Acceptance into the RSSON, the following must be completed prior to the beginning of classes and clinical:

  1. You will be required to upload the following documents to ACEMAPP beginning June 1 of the accepted year of entry.
    • CPR: Certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation from the American Heart Association (AHA) is required and must be taken before you begin your nursing courses. Basic Life Support (BLS), is the course you should take, which includes 1 and 2-person adult, child, and infant CPR with Automated External Defibrillator. You must submit an official AHA card. The card will say BLS Provider.
    • Submit a completed Entrance Health Examination Form with a current immunizations record (2 physical examinations will be required during the program at the beginning of each Fall Semester). The first physical examination should include the required immunizations and/or titers for the following: Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), Varicella, Hepatitis B vaccine, DPT or DT, and Tuberculin test (PPD). Please note a two-step PPD (with a minimum of 1 week to a maximum of 3 weeks between 1st and 2nd PPDs) or QuantiFERON TB Gold is required Junior year and one single PPD must be repeated prior to Senior year.  The examination forms provided by the RSSON, which are located on ACEMAPP, must be completed by a Health Care Provider and submitted to the RSSON by the deadline.  The second physical examination is basic and must include the one single PPD test.  The health form is included on the ACEMAPP website, in the acceptance packet, or on the TMU BSN website in the BSN Handbook.  If for any reason, a student has to drop out of the program, a health examination has to be repeated before re-entrance into the program.
    • Driver’s license and proof of auto insurance. The RSSON must have a legible copy of each of the following on file provided to ACEMAPP prior to the beginning of nursing classes:
      • Copy of current valid driver’s license.
      • Proof of current auto insurance naming you as the insured driver and stating limits of liability. These must be kept up to date as most auto insurance is renewable every six months and current information must be provided. Since it is not always possible to carpool to clinical sites, each student is required to have access to transportation.
    • Proof of health insurance; your name must appear on the policy and validation must be submitted to ACEMAPP. The RSSON requires notification of any changes in your healthcare provider and the new proof of insurance which may be required by some clinical sites must be provided to ACEMAPP and the RSSON.
  2. Students must purchase annual malpractice/liability insurance and submit the first payment to the RSSON Administrative Assistant by May 10th of your admission year. The RSSON carries a blanket policy through an independent carrier and it is the responsibility of the enrolled student to pay the required premium fee annually to the RSSON prior to the first day of class each Fall semester.  All clinical facilities require that students carry current malpractice/liability insurance.
  3. Background Check and Drug Screen are required and must be completed by August 1st of the admission year on all applicants who have received their acceptance notification. InfoMart Advantage provides this service and registration information will be provided at the Cohort Orientation Meeting.  The clinic location selected for lab work will be based on the zip code you enter into the system.  The student will be notified if the background check is not favorable and RSSON also reserves the right to conduct random drug screens.  If for some reason, a student has to delay progression in RSSON for a semester or greater; the drug screen/background check may be required to be repeated before re-entrance into the program.

Disclaimer:  According to our clinical site agreements with the hospitals and other sites, a background check and drug screening is required prior to your first clinical experience.  Failure of either the background check or drug screening may result in immediate dismissal from the nursing program.

  1. Notarized Release of Waiver
    • A Notarized Release of Waiver form is required to request information from other colleges and universities you have attended, as well as health information for clinical clearances.
    • You may retain copies of this form to keep for your records, however please submit the original with your application packet.
  2. Navy uniform scrubs and a white lab coat may be purchased through a specified company. Information will be provided at the Cohort Orientation Meeting.  A watch with a second hand (not a SmartWatch) and white leather nursing shoes (crocs, rockers, or clogs are not acceptable) are also required.  Refer to the Student Uniform and Dress Code section of the BSN Student Handbook.
  3. Students will be provided a list of textbooks that are required to be purchased prior to each semester.
  4. Each student will be required to purchase the following: Stethoscope, Manual Blood Pressure Cuff (adult), and Bandage scissors. If you have any questions, please call the School of Nursing.
  5. The RSSON provides the BSN student patches which will attach to the left sleeve of the lab coat.
  6. Students are required to obtain a name and picture identification card from Student Development. This identification card will be utilized as your badge at various clinical settings.
  7. Each student will complete required HESI Specialty and EXIT exams within each assigned course. The cost of HESI examinations and NCLEX reviews are included in TMU RSSON tuition and fees.
  8. The TMU RSSON BSN Student Handbook will be provided on the first day of class and you will be required to read and become familiar with all the policies, regulations, and opportunities as specified in the Handbook. The Form entitled Understanding of BSN Student Handbook is required to be signed and returned to faculty the first day of class.

If you have any questions about any of the requirements, please contact the Administrative Assistant of the  RSSON office.

The policy for TMU and the RSSON in the admission of students, hiring of employees, or the operation of any program or activity, is not to discriminate basis of the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.

Acceptance in and/or Program completion of the Martha Rielin and Elizabeth Salmen School of Nursing does not guarantee licensure.