Admissions

Smith Chason College is nationally accredited by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. (ACCSC)

Our Los Angeles ADN program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nurses (California BRN).

Our Vocational Nursing programs at our Los Angeles and Ontario campuses are approved by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT).

Our Phoenix Practical Nursing Diploma program is approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN).

Approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) to provide educational services in the State of California. Approval to operate means the institution is compliant with the minimum standards contained in the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 (as amended) and Division 7.5 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.

Licensed by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education (AZPPSE) to provide educational services in the state of Arizona.

Approved by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) to administer Title IV Federal Financial Aid to those students who qualify.

Approved by the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Education (AZDVS) and approved for the training of Veterans and eligible persons under the provisions of Title 38.

Approved for the training of active-duty service members through the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Military Tuition Assistance Program (TA).

ADN program is pending approval by the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education (CSAAVE) and pending SEVP – Student and Exchange Visitor Program approval.

PN program is pending approval by the Arizona Department of Veterans Services State Approving Agency (SAA) and SEVP – Student and Exchange Visitor Program.

The VN program is authorized under Federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students through the United States Department of Homeland Security, SEVP – Student and Exchange Visitor Program.

Admission requirements into the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program include:

1.  Applicant must be 18 years or older.
2. Completion of Application for Admissions.
3. Pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) by ATI with a satisfactory score of 65 or higher. This must be completed before you can begin your application.
   • Register for the exam: Register for the TEAS
   • Study for the TEAS entrance exam by utilizing these great resources:
     • TEAS Prep Resources by ATI
     • ATI TEAS Study Guide
4. Submit proof of graduation from an accredited high school or the equivalent recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign high school transcripts must be evaluated by an approved evaluation agency.
5. Submit a copy of an unexpired valid government-issued photo ID.
6. Complete Letter of Intent (500-word essay).
7. Interview with the Nursing Program Director or Designee.
8. Completion of physical examination which includes:
   1. Student health form (physical)
   2. Tdap (Tetanus Diphtheria Pertussis) Booster (if not within 10 years)
   3. Rubella, Rubeola, Mumps (MMR 1,2), Varicella (X2), and Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Titer Report
      • If the titer is negative, immunizations are required as medically If titer level indicates non-immunity, 1st injection is required prior to starting the program.
      • Having the disease is not proof of immunity
      • The series of Hepatitis immunizations take several months to Proof of each Hepatitis B immunization (#1,2, &3) is required to be submitted to the program office within one week of the immunization injection.
   4. 2–step Tuberculosis (TB) tests with the TB surveillance survey form
      • 2 step TB test required consists of 2 complete TB tests 2 step PPD test 2nd PPD after 7 days of receiving the first PPD and within 3 weeks of the 1stPPD If TB test is positive, chest X-Ray is required with an annual TB surveillance survey
      • Chest X-ray must have been completed within the last 5 (Chest X-ray will only be accepted if proof of positive PPD or QuantiFERON® documented).
      • Chest X-Ray is not accepted without a TB surveillance survey form
   5. Annual influenza immunization by the official beginning of flu season or proper waivers and agreements as required by the county or institution.
   6. COVID-19 vaccine may be required at clinical sites  
9. Proof of current Basic Life Support (BLS) completion card (American Heart Association Health Care Provider)
10. Complete a criminal background check. Background check must be processed and cleared.
11. Provide fingerprinting and urine drug screenings prior to starting clinical experience. Students are responsible for all associated costs.
12. Nursing Liability Insurance as required

*The Board of Registered Nursing requires that an applicant for the registered nurse license must successfully complete an approved general education course of study through the twelfth grade or the equivalent thereof as determined by the board.

Any student who is pregnant, or becomes pregnant while enrolled in the Nursing program, must present a written statement from her physician stating it will be safe for the student to continue participation in clinical. Students who have been injured (i.e., in clinical, car accident, back injury, etc.) must have a physician’s medical clearance. This is to be written and presented to the clinical instructor upon return to the clinical setting.

Admission requirements into the Vocational Nursing (VN) program include:

1. Be at least 17 years old.
2. Have a valid high school Diploma, GED, or equivalent.
   • All foreign transcripts must be translated to the English language and must be evaluated by an accredited credential evaluating agency.
3. Provide an unexpired, valid government-issued photo ID (Driver’s License or Identification Card)
4. Pass the Wonderlic test with a minimum verbal score of 302 and a minimum quantitative score of 293.
5. Complete a criminal background check application* and obtain health clearance.
6. Interview with the Nursing Program Director, Assistant Director, or Campus Director.
7. Submit a 500-word essay on “Why I Would Like to Be A Nurse”
8. Upon acceptance, sign an enrollment agreement and pay the $100.00 Registration Fee; non-refundable more than 3-days after signing an enrollment agreement.

*Nursing students will be required to complete a criminal history background check application upon enrollment. A criminal background (misdemeanor or felony) may be cause for denial of admissions, impede placement in clinical sites, and/or may be cause for a student to be denied nursing licensure following graduation.

Admission requirements into the Practical Nursing (PN) program include:

1. Be at least 17 years old.
2. Have a valid high school Diploma, GED, or equivalent.
   • All foreign transcripts must be translated to the English language and must be evaluated by an accredited credential evaluating agency.
3. Provide an unexpired, valid government-issued photo ID (Driver’s License, Identification Card, Passport).
4. Complete the HESI test with a 70% or better.
5. Participate in advisement with both the Practical Nursing Program Administrator and the Career Advisor
6. According to the ASBN requirements, all applicants must prove US citizenship or legal residence to receive a license to practice nursing in Arizona. See azbn.gov for a list of acceptable documents.
7. Any prospective Smith Chason School of Nursing student whose principal language is other than English will be required to take the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with an English proficiency passing standard of score of 84 and a minimum speaking score of 26 as per the current NCSBN and AZBN guidelines
8. Upon acceptance, sign an enrollment agreement and pay the $100.00 Registration Fee; non-refundable more than 3-days after signing an enrollment agreement.
9. Health Care Experience – Provide one (1) of the following heath care experiences:
   • CNA/ LNA – Arizona State certification as a CNA or LNA License in good standing OR provide proof of successful completion of nursing assistant program.
   • MA – Applicant must have completed a MA certification class
   • EMS – Must hold an EMS certification in good standing
10. Background Checks
    • All students desiring to be admitted to the program are required to complete a criminal background check application*
    • It is the student’s responsibility to maintain a current DPS Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card during the entire time he/she is in the program.
11. Clinical Requirements
    Students must provide the following before starting the program:
    • Appropriate proof of immunizations or immune status before entering the first course in which there is a clinical component.
    • Students must hold and maintain a “CPR for the healthcare professional” certification.
    • Proof of DPS Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card. Students must hold and maintain the clearance card for the entire time they are in the program.

*Nursing students will be required to complete a criminal history background check application upon enrollment. A criminal background (misdemeanor or felony) may be cause for denial of admissions, impede placement in clinical sites, and/or may be cause for a student to be denied nursing licensure following graduation.

ADN Program Transfer Credit Policy:

Smith Chason School of Nursing accepts transfer credit based on equivalent coursework. The Director of Nursing will determine equivalency.

Applicants applying for transfer credit must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities for evaluation. Students must have an overall grade point average of 2.5 or higher in Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Microbiology, and English courses with no grade less than a “C” for each course and no more than one repetition of any of these courses. Students must have a cumulative grade point average (cGPA) of 2.5 for all college coursework taken.

Please refer to the Transfer Credit Policy located in the Nursing Handbook.

Students with military healthcare experience may petition to complete assessments for advanced placement through the Challenge Examination process at the time they are accepted and matriculate into the ADN program. All military coursework and experience on veterans’ transcript reviews, military service records, and credits-by-exam will be taken into consideration when determining the quantity and quality of applicable competencies in compliance with federal, state, and accreditation regulations. Quarter credits will be awarded to didactic and clinical nursing courses for licensure.

To assist military veterans with healthcare experience in obtaining advanced placement into the ADN program, applicants must meet the program admission requirements to be considered for advanced placement.

1. A written request petition for advanced placement related to military healthcare experience must be completed within two years following discharge as evidenced by Form DD-214 and prior to ADN program matriculation.
2. Meet ADN program admission requirements.
3. Passing the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) by ATI with a satisfactory score of 62 percent or higher (refer to the school’s admissions policy for more information about retaking the TEAS).
4. An individual appointment with the Program Director or designee is required.

Challenge Exam Process

The program will determine the course(s) the veteran or corpsman must complete based on the criterion established by the college. Admission to the program is on a space-available basis and is not guaranteed.

VETERANS WITH MILITARY HEALTHCARE EXPERIENCE AND AN LVN

• An active, unencumbered Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) license.
• Submit official transcripts with a detailed experience statement.
• Challenge exams of each course may be requested by the student to demonstrate both theoretical and clinical competency. Applicants must achieve a minimum of 75% or higher on all written challenge exams and 100% on all clinical competency-based exams. A course overview will be given prior to the exam.
• Successful completion of the medical dosage calculation assessment.

VETERANS WITH MILITARY HEALTHCARE EXPERIENCE AND NOT LICENSED (NOT AN LVN)

• Submit official transcripts with a detailed experience statement.
• Challenge exams of each course may be requested by the student to demonstrate both theoretical and clinical competency. Applicants must achieve a minimum of 75% or higher on all written challenge exams and 100% on all clinical competency-based exams. A course overview will be given prior to the exam.
• Successful completion of the medical dosage calculation assessment.
• Successful completion of the tests includes skills and simulated assessments of the required nursing courses in the first quarter.

Smith Chason is not accepting international students at this time, however, we are working on accepting students soon!

Smith Chason School of Nursing is authorized under Federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students.

International students must also complete or provide the following after they have been accepted for enrollment in order to receive the I-20 form to apply for an F-1 or M-1 student visa:

• A Confidential Statement of Finances: An official letter, or bank statement, must be submitted certifying that there are enough funds available for one academic year of tuition and living expenses
• Payment of the first 6 months of tuition in advance
• A copy of their passport
• A copy of the I-94 card/printout
• Take a TOEFL test used to measure English skills and pass with a score of 62 or higher or submit proof of English Language proficiency
• A translated and evaluated (at the applicant’s expense) foreign secondary diploma