About the Program
CIP 52.0302
The LPN to RN Transition program is an accelerated RN program option for the LPN who wishes to further their nursing degree. A LPN may receive advance placement into the second year of the associate degree nursing program after successful completion of a nursing transition course (six credit hours).
Admission opportunities for the SMCC LPN to RN Transition are both Fall and Spring semesters.
Award
AAS Degree
Admission Requirements
- Apply for regular admission and be accepted by Southwest MS Community College, Admissions Office, 1156 College Drive, Summit, MS, 39666.
- Submit an application to the Associate Degree Nursing Division, 1156 College Drive, Summit, MS, 39666, via notarized application.
- Submit official high school or GED transcript to the Office of Admissions.
- Submit any college transcripts to the Office of Admissions. College Transcripts must be from a regionally accredited institution AND must be sealed from the institution, and NO in-progress credit work.
- A national ACT composite score of at least 18 and grade point average (GPA) of 2.50 calculated using required prerequisite courses for program admission is required.
NURSING PROGRAMS AT SMCC REQUIRE APPLICANTS TO COMPLETE THE SCIENCE SECTION OF THE ACT AS PART OF THE ADMISSION PROCESS.
An ACT composite score/superscore of 18 and grade point average (GPA) of 2.50 is required. All students are required to complete eighteen (18) hours of pre-requisite college work with a grade of C or better:
- BIO 2511/2513 (Anatomy & Physiology I)
- BIO 2521/2523 (Anatomy & Physiology II)
- MAT 1313 (College Algebra) or higher Math Course
- BIO 2921/2923 (Microbiology)
- ENG 1113 (English Composition I)
Submit a copy of a current, active non-restricted LPN license to the SMCC ADN Division. License must remain unencumbered while enrolled in the SMCC Nursing Program.
Submit documentation of 1 year current (within the last 18 months) work experience as a LPN from an HR Department verifying employment or a letter of documentation from a nursing nursing supervisor directly to the SMCC ADN Division.
All students are responsible for ensuring that all information pertaining to the admission process is completed by the designated application deadline.
SPANS Entrance Exam
SPANS is an entrance exam for nursing programs that tests the most essential elements for Reading/English, Science, and Math. Results are available upon completion of the assessment. The SPANS exam must be taken at a proctored location to ensure the integrity and security of the testing process. Academic honesty is a fundamental principle in the admission process. Any attempt to engage in dishonest practices during the SPANS exam, such as cheating or plagiarism, will result in disqualification from the admissions process.
The exam must be taken in a proctor center.
Reading/English Section
This section assesses your ability to recognize important terms, determine main ideas, comprehend information, extract key information, make correct inferences, and draw accurate conclusions. Communication is also tested through correct use of grammar spelling, punctuation, and general vocabulary.
Mathematics Section
This section measures mathematical competencies including basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, division with application to decimals and fractions. Questions also address ratios, proportions, and percentages. Algebra is assessed through equations with one variable and standards of measure.
Science Section
The science assessment evaluates foundational knowledge in biology, anatomy, and physiology. Questions test understanding of cellular structure, processes, genetics, DNA, human body systems, and basic pathophysiology—providing a baseline for the advanced scientific concepts you’ll encounter in your program.
This assessment serves as both an evaluation tool and a learning opportunity, helping you identify strengths and areas for improvement before beginning your health science program.
Register for the SPANS exam here:
Acceptance Criteria
To be considered for acceptance into the ADN program, the applicant’s file in the ADN Office must be complete. Qualified applicants will be considered by the admissions committee on a competitive basis using the following criteria:
- SPANS entry exam score
- GPA of prerequisite courses
- ACT composite score
- Number of prerequisites taken at SMCC
- Residency
- Students who are entering a nursing program for the first time.
The admission selection process is competitive. Enrollment in any given class is limited, and therefore selection for each class is based on available space, completion of admission requirements, and meeting the prioritized acceptance criteria.
Completion of the application process and course work does not in itself guarantee admission to the ADN Program.
All students are responsible for ensuring that all information pertaining to the admission process is completed by the designated application deadline. Students who have an ACT score 21 or higher, 3.00 GPA on prerequisite courses, and have met all admission requirements may be considered for early admission.
Criminal background checks including fingerprinting (MS Code Section 43-11-13[5][6][iii]) may deny students access to clinical agencies and disqualify the student from participation in the program. Successful completion of the nursing program with the associate degree in nursing permits this student to submit an application to the National Council Licensure Examination for RN licensure. However, any disciplinary action, arrest, charge, addiction, or impairment may result in denial of licensure as a registered nurse.
Students selected for admission into the ADN program must submit proof of the following items: physical examination; two Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccinations or positive MMR titer; two Varicella (chicken pox) vaccinations or positive Varicella titer; TB skin tests (two-step or documentation of yearly 1 step) or Quantiferon blood test; negative drug screen as specified by the Nursing and Allied Health Substance Abuse Policy; Hepatitis B Vaccine or signed declination statement; Tdap within the last then years; yearly flu vaccination; COVID-19 vaccination (strongly recommended); and a current American Heart Association Health Care Provider course. All items should remain current for the full school year (August – May). Students admitted to any nursing courses must adhere to the current catalog policies and the ADN program of studyThe LPN is required to disclose any disciplinary action that is initiated while enrolled in the SMCC Nursing Program. Disciplinary actions are grounds for dismissal from the program.
Within two weeks following written notification of the applicant’s admission status, the applicant must present the signed notification letter to the ADN Admissions Committee declaring intent to enter the next scheduled class. Failure to comply with this requirement negates the applicant’s priority status and vacancies will be filled based on the acceptance criteria.
Associate of Applied Science
Curriculum
Prerequisite Courses
| Class | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 2513 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| BIO 2511 | Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 1 |
| MAT 1313 | College Algebra or higher | 3 |
| BIO 2523 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| BIO 2521 | Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 1 |
| LLS 1311 | Orientation | 1 |
| BIO 2921 | Microbiology | 1 |
| BIO 2923 | Microbiology | 3 |
| ENG 1113 | English Composition I | 3 |
| Total Hours | 19 | |
First Term
| Class | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 1106 | LPN to RN Transition | 6 |
| PSY 1513 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 2113 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Second Term
| Class | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 2110 | Health and Illness Concepts | 10 |
| SPT 1113 | Public Speaking I | 3 |
| Total Hours | 13 | |
Third Term
| Class | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 2210 | Complex Health and Illness Concepts | 10 |
| **Humanities/Fine Arts Elective | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 13 | |
*BIO 2923, BIO 2921 are prerequisites to NUR 2110.
** Humanities/Fine Arts elective may be selected from history, literature, philosophy, theater appreciation, music appreciation, or art appreciation.
***The student must also seek credit for 13 credit hours through the Registrar’s office in order to meet the 19 credit hour requirement for the first year of associate degree nursing program.
Advisors
Program Costs
| Vocational Course Lab Fee | $100/semester |
