Admissions process

• Make a formal application to the School of Nursing, using the Application for Admission to the School of Nursing, Second-degree Accelerated Program form and the Supplemental Application form.
• Applications will not be considered until all the essentials have been received.
• The School of Nursing Admissions Committee will do an initial screening of the candidates.
• Chosen candidates will be interviewed.
• The School of Nursing Admissions Committee will make the final decision in January, prior to the start of the program in May.
• Decision letters to applicants will be mailed by February 1.
• An additional student fee will be required.
• A $30 application fee will be required for all students new to Purdue (i.e., who have taken no courses at Purdue). Send check, payable to Purdue University, along with your application materials to the School of Nursing.

Your acceptance as a second-degree student at Purdue University School of Nursing is influenced by many factors. Specifically, the Admissions Committee is guided by the following:

1. GPA Undergraduate
2. GPA Graduate (if applicable)
3. Essay
4. References
5. Relevant work experience
6. Special attributes/abilities

Admission is limited and selective for both in- and out-of-state students.

If you are interested in applying to the program, please submit the following documents:

• Fill out the Application for Admission to the School of Nursing, Second-degree Accelerated Program and the Supplemental Application form.
• Request that one official transcript from each school attended be mailed to the School of Nursing.
• Attach one copy of a statement of approximately 300-500 words concerning your reasons for changing careers and choosing Nursing as a major.
• Obtain two recommendations evaluating your scholarly potential, one from your academic institution and one from your place of employment. See Recommendation Form.
• Attach your updated curriculum vita or resumé (with all related work experience listed).

Please include your return address and email address, if available. Return all materials to:

Susan Kauffman
Secretary
School of Nursing, Johnson Hall
502 N. University St.
West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2091

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications is December 31 for admittance to the following May class. Incomplete applications will not be considered for admission. Students must have their previous degree transcript reviewed by a School of Nursing advisor prior to being considered for admission. The applicant is responsible for verifying that the School of Nursing has received all materials. Address any questions to (765) 494-4042.

Once you have been admitted, you will need:

Physical Examination

Students enrolled in their first clinical practicum course must submit a current complete physical examination prior to the beginning of the semester. This examination is performed by a health professional (nurse practitioner or physician) and must include documentation of current immunizations:

• Tetanus/diphtheria
• Measles/mumps/rubella (MMR)
• Varicella (chickenpox)
• Hepatitis B series
• Polio
• Mantoux TB test or chest x-ray

The forms needed are:

• Student Health Record

Liability Insurance

For the protection of the student, malpractice insurance must be obtained for the student to practice. This insurance may be obtained through the School of Nursing's group policy.

The School's group policy does not cover accidental injury to a student that may occur before, during, or after classes or clinical activities. The University does not cover students when they travel to and from clinical sites in private automobiles. The University only provides insurance when a student is riding in an approved University-owned and properly authorized vehicle. Students also need to be aware that this insurance only provides coverage for liability while practicing as a student in Purdue University School of Nursing activities.

Health Insurance

All students are required to carry their own health insurance. Costs associated with any incident on campus or at clinical sites shall remain the responsibility of the student.

Background History

Any student whose name appears on the ISDH Indiana Nurse Aid Registry or the DHHS Office of Inspector General List of Excluded Individuals/Entities, or who has been convicted of a sexual offense involving a minor (Zachary's Law, P.L. 11-94) will be unable to meet the clinical requirements of the nursing program. These lists are consulted annually. A criminal history check revealing certain crimes will also preclude students from fulfilling clinical requirements. This background check must be done prior to the first clinical course. The form may be obtained in the Student Services Office of the School of Nursing, Johnson Hall, Room 109A.

Communicable Disease Policy

The School of Nursing document entitled Policies Regarding Communicable Diseases must be carefully read and adhered to. In addition, forms pertaining to communicable disease must be signed and returned to the School of Nursing prior to beginning the first clinical course. These forms are:

• Universal Precautions Policy and Instruction Acknowledgment
• Standard Precautions Policy and Instruction Acknowledgment
• Hepatitis B Vaccine Declination
• Statement of Informed Consent

Policy Regarding the Chemically Impaired Nursing Student

Nursing students must be free of chemical impairment during participation in the nursing program while in a clinical setting. See Policy Regarding the Chemically Impaired Nursing Student.