The faculty and staff of Lakeview College of Nursing value and are committed to fostering diversity in the classroom, the College, and the profession. By respecting differences in culture, age, gender, gender expression, race, ethnicity, national origin, differing abilities, sexual orientation, and religious affiliation, we enrich the learning environment, improve the practice and profession of Nursing and enhance personal creativity and professional growth.

Lakeview College of Nursing does not discriminate on the admission of students on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, veteran status, ancestry, or disability.  Additionally, the College prohibits students discriminating against others based upon race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, veteran status, ancestry, or disability.

Applicants should have a minimum of 45 credit hours completed at the time of application to be considered for admissions. The following are the requirements for consideration for admissions into Lakeview College of Nursing: 

1. Minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

2. Admission Test Scores

3. 60 Credit Hours in General Education and Prerequisite Courses with a grade of “C” or better.  (Must be completed before starting any LCN nursing courses.  Please see appropriate prerequisite plan for listing of required coursework within academic requirements section of catalog).

   • All general education and prerequisites must be completed from a regionally accredited college or university

   • Lakeview College of Nursing accepts CLEP Examination Credit for equivalent general education and prerequisite coursework. Credit may be awarded for CLEP Examinations depending upon the score earned on the examination and other factors as indicated below.  Please visit The College Board website, http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html

   • Limitations of credits earned through the CLEP Examinations are as follows: (1) duplicate credit in the same subject is not awarded in any case; (2) the total number of credits that may be awarded is limited to 30 credits.

Additional Admission Test Information

If an applicant has a disability and needs to request accommodations for the Admissions Test, the applicant needs to contact Vicky Welge at studentsfirst@lakeviewcol.edu or 217-709-0939.

It is highly recommended preparing for this test by purchasing a study guide and reviewing in some manner. An internet search for “nursing school entrance exam” will provide the resources needed to prepare.

Lakeview College of Nursing reserves the right to change admission requirements or to make appropriate revisions, amendments, or corrections at any time, with or without notice.

Academic Forgiveness Policy

Last 48 hours of completed coursework

Lakeview College of Nursing understands that a student may have had difficult times in their life, resulting in sub-standard academic performance at previous institutions. Applicants in this situation can write a statement asking the Admission Committee to exclude this previous coursework from the cumulative GPA calculation. The cumulative GPA will then be calculated using the last 48 credit hours of coursework, which must be a 2.5/4.0. Students requesting academic forgiveness will not qualify for an early admission decision.

Time Limitations

Science Course Time Limit

There is a time limitation on the prerequisite science courses needed for the nursing program. Anatomy and Physiology I & II, Chemistry I & II, and Microbiology MUST be taken no more than 5 years prior to the start of the nursing program, unless the student is currently a licensed RN.

Note: If one of the two-part courses (Anatomy & Physiology Part I, Anatomy & Physiology Part II, Chemistry I and Chemistry II) is completed within the last five years, then credits for the other part of the course will be recognized as long as it meets other transfer guidelines.

A student with prerequisite science courses that are not recognized due to time limitation will need to either repeat the course or pass a college proficiency test. For more information regarding the proficiency options please contact the admissions office. Note: There is a cost associated with proficiency exams.

Documentation

All applicants must have established legal residency within the United States.  Lakeview College of Nursing does not issue I-20s for student visas and therefore requires each student to be either a U.S. Citizen or Permanent U.S. Resident.  Documentation will be required at the time of application.  A naturalization certificate or a green card may be used as documentation for those born outside the United States.

Health records are mandatory for all degree-seeking students. All documents need to be uploaded into the CastleBranch system by the provided due date. Any questions or problems, please contact CastleBranch directly.

Requirements:

• Current Physical Examination - must be within the last year
• Tetanus Booster (Tdap) – Booster must be within the last 10 years (Tetanus Toxoid (TT) not acceptable).
• Positive Hepatitis B Titer - If non-immune, the series must be started and a repeated titer submitted. You must upload documentation of each shot as they are received.
• Seasonal Flu Vaccination (required annually)
• Positive Varicella Titer – If non-immune, the series must be started and a repeated titer submitted. You must upload documentation of each shot as they are received.
• Positive MMR Titer – If non-immune, the series must be started and a repeated titer submitted. You must upload documentation of each shot as they are received.
• Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) - (one of the following)
  • The two-step TB test must be done when entering college. A single-step technique can be used for annual renewals if the current test has not expired. Otherwise, a two-step must be completed again.
  • A student may elect to have a TB Quantiferon drawn in place of the skin test. 
  • Quantiferon Gold Blood Test - Required if a student has had BCG vaccine or a past positive.
  • A student with a history of a positive result a required negative chest x-ray to have a been done within 1 year of admissions. The student will be required to do yearly TB questionnaire during enrollment. 
• 10 Panel Urine Drug Screen - Must be completed through the CastleBranch system.
• CPR Certification – Only two courses accepted are: The American Heart Association-BLS Healthcare Provider –OR– The American Red Cross-CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Health Care Providers.
• Meningococcal Vaccine - Proof of immunization.
• Hepatitis A is highly recommended but is not required.

Additional information regarding health requirements is provided within the enrollment packet.

All nursing students who are offered admission are required to have a criminal background check completed through CastleBranch. Students will receive the appropriate information to complete this requirement once admitted. Clinical agencies may deny a students participation in the clinical rotation because of a felony or misdemeanor conviction. As participation in clinical experiences are a required part of the curriculum and a requirement for graduation, denial of participation by a clinical site may result in delay of graduation or the inability to graduate from the nursing program.

Students who question their qualification for licensure in the State of Illinois should go to www.idfpr.com and complete and submit the Non-Binding Advisory Opinion form (currently no fee required). This is a pre-application process to verify licensure qualifications. If you plan to seek licensure in another state, please refer to that state’s board of nursing to verify qualification for licensure.

A student who has been academically dismissed or who have withdrawn from the nursing program may apply for readmission. The readmission policy is as follows:

1. A student who has been academically dismissed must sit out for one semester (summer included).
2. A student is only eligible for for readmission if the date the student desires to resume the program is less than two years form the date the student withdrew or was academically dismissed. If a student desires to return more than two years from the date the student withdrew or was academically dismissed, the student must apply to the College through the standard admissions process.  
3. A student’s application for readmission may be reviewed by the Admission Committee no more than two (2) times. If readmission is not granted after the second application, the student becomes ineligible for readmission.
4. If health concerns were a factor for the student leaving the College, then documentation for the ability to meet the technical standards with or without accommodations to continue in the program must be provided with readmission paperwork.
5. A student may only be readmitted once (1) into Lakeview College of Nursing.
6. A student repeating a clinical nursing course must repeat both the theory and clinical components of the course.
7. A student readmitted into Lakeview College of Nursing is required to meet the readmission course progression requirements. Any LCN courses that are being repeated due to a previous failure or withdrawal must be passed with a “C” or higher, except N311: Foundations of Professional Practice that must be passed with an “A” or “B.”  To remain in the program, a student cannot withdraw or fail any course in which he/she has been previously enrolled.
8. A readmitted student is allowed to withdraw from one class that has not previously been taken. The remainder of the coursework must be passed with a “C” or higher with the except N311 Foundations of Professional Practice, which must be passed with an “A” or “B,” and must follow the guidelines included within the Student Academic Progression (SAP) policy.
9. Must meet graduation requirements at the time of graduation.

Note: Military students who have had to withdraw from a course(s) due to military obligations are exempt from the Readmission Policy.

Readmission Criteria

In order to be considered for readmission, a student must meet the following readmission criteria:

1. Must have successfully passed all 200 level courses.
2. Minimum cumulative LCN GPA of a 2.00 on a 4.0 scale.
3. Must be able to meet  the standards as outlined in the Student Academic Progression Policy in order to maintain enrollment and graduate and meet all graduation eligibility.
4. Documentation of remediation strategies to ensure success upon return.
5. Must apply for readmission within two calendar years of leaving the college.
    

Steps for Readmission

A student seeking readmission who have been academically dismissed or who have withdrawn from the Nursing Program must submit the required documents to the Director of Enrollment by:

The committee will meet the 3rd or 4th week of the month deadline.

The following items will be required when applying for readmission:

1. A completed readmission application form.

2. A letter addressed to the Admissions Committee requesting readmission with the following points: Description of the reason(s) for being dismissed or withdrawn from the program;

   1. Identify the behaviors for the dismissal or withdrawal;

   2. Steps the student took during the period of absence to prepare her/himself to return to the program; 

   3. Plan for the implementation of changes that will promote success.

3. Release of "I understand that this form and the information contained within it, once submitted to Lakeview College of Nursing, is considered confidential and I waive my right to review it" form.

4. Payment of readmission fee

The student will be notified by e-mail the date they will need to meet with the Admission Committee. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure Lakeview has the correct contact information.  

Readmission into Lakeview College of Nursing will be dependent upon the availability of clinical space. If the number of applicants exceeds available space, applicants may be deferred to a subsequent semester. Readmission to the College is not guaranteed. The decision of the Readmission Committee cannot be appealed.

Approval of a readmitted student is considered an appeal approval for Federal/State student aid in regards to the student's Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status.

Re-admitted students will be required to update their criminal background check and drug screen by the due date for health records. If readmitted, requirements will be provided at the time of the committee's decision.