Practical Nurse Admissions

Practical nurses (LPNs, LVNs) may apply to come into the first or second semester of the nursing program or apply for advanced entry into the third semester of the nursing program. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their nursing advisor or speak with nursing admissions to discuss their appropriate path.

First Semester Nursing Course Admission

LPN students applying for admission to the first semester nursing course, NURS 110, will be considered using the same criteria and selection process described for new applicants.

Students applying for first semester admission must submit:

  • A Tompkins Cortland Nursing Application (which includes a personal statement)
  • Official High School (or GED certificate), and College transcripts not already on file at Tompkins Cortland. Electronic Transcripts should be sent directly from the institution via email to transcripts@tompkinscortland.edu.

Review of applications with all required materials submitted will begin on February 16th and will continue until the class is full.

Admission decisions will start being sent out in March.

Second Semester Nursing Course Admission

LPN students applying for admission into the second semester nursing course, NURS 120, will be considered using the same criteria and selection process described for new applicants.

The following courses must have been completed at Tompkins Cortland or transferred to Tompkins Cortland from another regionally accredited College: ENGL 101, PSYC 103, AND BIOL 131.

Students applying for admission into Second Semester must submit: 

  • A Tompkins Cortland Nursing Application (which includes a personal statement)
  • Official High School (or GED certificate), and College transcripts not already on file at Tompkins Cortland. Electronic Transcripts should be sent directly from the institution via email to transcripts@tompkinscortland.edu.
  • Copy of Official PN license (can be attached to nursing application).

Review of applications with all required materials submitted will begin on November 16th and will continue until the class is full. 

Advanced Entry (third semester NURS 208)

In order to be eligible to apply for advanced entry admission, the NY PN to RN coalition transition course (NURS 102; spring only) must be successfully completed. Successful completion of this course qualifies the applicant to be granted experiential learning credits in nursing at Tompkins Cortland. NURS 102 at the college satisfies this requirement. Taking NURS 102 does not guarantee Nursing admission, it just makes the student eligible to apply for third-semester admission. The following courses must have been completed at Tompkins Cortland or transferred to Tompkins Cortland from another regionally accredited College: NURS 102, ENGL 101, PSYC 103, SOCI 101, BIOL 131, and BIOL 132.

Students applying for third semester admission must submit:

  • A Tompkins Cortland Nursing Application (which includes a personal statement)
  • Official High School (or GED certificate), and College transcripts not already on file at Tompkins Cortland. Electronic Transcripts should be sent directly from the institution via email to transcripts@tompkinscortland.edu.
  • Copy of Official PN license (can be attached to nursing application).

*A personal interview may be required.

Admission decisions will be based on college grade average, grades in required science and math courses, personal statement of application, and a possible interview. Practical nurses who are admitted to the third semester of the nursing program must attend the mandatory "Refresher Class for the Tompkins Cortland Nursing Program" Students who do not attend this workshop will forfeit their admission for that academic year. Other progression and readmission policies are the same as for other students,

Review of third semester LPN advanced entry applications with all required materials submitted will begin on May 16th and will continue until the class is full.  

Admission decisions will start being sent out in June.