LPN to RN Admission Standards

Admission criteria is based on GPA, HESI A-2 results, academic achievement in sciences, and specific work experience. Candidates are given points according to a scale. The students with the highest points are accepted for admission according to the number of class vacancies. 

Only fully complete applications will be considered for admission. Incomplete applications will not be processed. It is the student’s sole responsibility to ensure that applications are complete prior to submission for consideration of admission.  Applications are only good for the current admission year. 

Unofficial transcripts from all institutions are required.  Please note that if a “T” is present on any transcript as a letter grade, you must obtain the original transcripts from the institution from which that course was taken and the grade was awarded.

1. GPA Requirement

GPA will be calculated using the last 45 hours of college coursework (excluding developmental courses). If a student has not earned a total of 45 hours, the GPA will be calculated based on their most recent college credits. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required for admission. 

Points will be designated as follows: (includes all college coursework) 

GPA 2.5 to 3.0 = 1 point 
GPA 3.1 to 3.5 = 3 points 
GPA 3.6 to 4.0 or BS/BA or AS/AA degree = 5 points

Maximum Points Possible = 5 
 

2. Institutional Credits

Points will be given for students that have taken prior coursework at Aims Community College as follows:

1-15 credits taken at Aims CC = 1 point
> 15 credits taken at Aims CC = 2 points

Maximum Points Possible = 2
 

3. HESI A2 Requirements

To be considered for admission, a minimum score of 75% in Reading Comprehension, 75% in Vocabulary, and 75% in Math is required.  (HESI exam scores cannot be older than 5 years by May 8th, 2026. They can only be taken once a year and scores cannot be combined.) Composite is based off minimum score of 75% in required categories.

Points will be awarded as follows: 

75% Composite = 1 point 
76-85% Composite = 3 points
86% or above Composite = 5 points
Maximum Points Possible = 5

4. Science Requirements

Supporting sciences must be completed no more than 10 years prior to course commencement in NUR 1009. Points will be awarded for each of the following supporting sciences: Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Nutrition, and Microbiology. 

Starting in Fall 2026, the nursing department will start the process of replacing the prerequisite of microbiology to pathophysiology.  We will accept either microbiology or pathophysiology for the application. The following points will still be assigned for the science prerequisite, but if the student has both courses, they will be assigned an extra point toward their application.

A = 3 points 
B = 2 points 
C = 1 point

An additional point will be added for students having taken BOTH microbiology and pathophysiology. 

Maximum Points Possible = 13

Total Possible Admission Points = 25