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Pre-Nursing (Before Acceptance Track)

The Registered Nursing Program at Lawson State is one of the most popular programs at the College. Prior to you seeking admission to the Nursing Program, you are classified as a PRE-NURSING student (which is housed under the College Transfer division of the College. The goal of most PRE-NURSING students is typically the same. Students are working to complete their PRE-REQUISITES to compete for a spot in Lawson's prestigious Nursing Program (See Step 4 below). This page is DESIGNED to go over those PRE-REQUISITES and to walk you through the NURSING APPLICATION STEPS. NOTE: If you are a PRE-NURSING student, but you are planning to TRANSFER to a 4-year college (and NOT apply to Lawson's nursing program), you are on the wrong page. Select the NURSING (Transfer Track Option) under Programs and Divisions on the website.

Benefits of Choosing a Career as a Registered Nurse (RN)

Choosing a career path as a Registered Nurse (RN) can change your life and propell you to excel intellectually and financially.  Nurses are in high demand in the state and beyond.  There is currently a shortage in healthcare (especially following COVID), so this high demand career path will keep you engage.  Students interested in nursing, can expect to earn a competitive, high salary.  In fact, the median salary for Registered Nurses in the U.S is 75K.  Thus, securing a nursing degree and becoming an RN will qualify you to be serve in many healthcare capacities  (based on your credentials) to include the following: registered nurse, traveling nurse, pediatric nurse, certified registered nurse anesthetist, nurse practictioner, nurse researcher, certified nurse midwife, nurse educator, nurse infomatics analyst, certified legal nurse consultant, clincial nurse specialist, certified dialysis nurse and more.  So, if you have a passion for care and want to give to others, become a nurse.

77k
Median U.S. salary for a Registered Nurse.  For more information on nursing salaries, conduct a web search. Salaries can vary per city and state.
48K
Median U.S. salary for a Licensed Practical Nurse in the U.S.  For more information on nursing salaries, conduct a web search. Salaries can vary per city and state.
6%
Nursing has a 6% growth rate.  Meaning it is growing at a fast pace. 

 

Pre-Nursing Criteria:

 

CRITERIA TO APPLY TO THE RN PROGRAM:

Lawson State has 2 admittance cycles for the RN program (RN-Day and RN-Evening):

Associate Degree Nursing (RN)--Cycles of Admittance (New Students)

RN Day Program: (Birmingham):
Lawson State Community College admits students to its RN day program two times per year, every fall, and summer.  

RN Evening Program: (Bessemer Campus):
Lawson State Community College admits students to its RN evening program one time per year, every fall.

Application into Lawson State's prestigious nursing program is competitive.  Although we recommend that all students apply to our programs, students meeting minimum requirements or seeking readmission are not guaranteed admission.  Students seeking admission should work to maintain the highest GPA possible and concentrate on a superb performance in all science classes, beginning with BIO103 (as a pre-nursing student).  Admission into Lawson's Nursing programs is based on your ranking against the criteria and your ranking against other students applying to the program.  Again, it is a competitive process.

Criteria (in terms of student selection) is established from assessing GPA's, student completion of pre-requisite courses, ACT exam outcomes, and grades achieved in Biology courses (and additional points awarded from HPS103 and MTH 186, if the student opts to take these courses). 

Each student is assessed by a Point System (The maximum number of points a student can obtain is 58 points.)

How to Calculate Your Application Points: 

Score of 18 or higher on the ACT= 36 points 

ACT or ACT Residual Test- Maximum 36 points (This score is based on your individual ACT score).

Selected Required Coursework- Maximum 12 points 

  • ENG 101 English Composition:                                                                                       A = 3 points, B = 2 points, C = 1 point, D/F = 0 points
  • MTH 100 or Higher Level                                                                                                 A = 3 points, B = 2 points, C = 1 point, D/F = 0 points
  • BIO 201 Anatomy & Physiology I                                                                                     A = 3 points, B = 2 points, C = 1 point, D/F = 0 points
  • BIO 202 Anatomy & Physiology II                                                                                   A = 3 points, B = 2 points, C = 1 point, D/F = 0 points

Additional Points (OPTIONAL--Not Required) - Maximum 10 points

  • HPS 103 Foundation Competencies for Health Sciences                                               A = 4 points, B = 3 points, C = 2 points, D/F = 0 points
  • MTH 186 Dosage Calculations                                                                                         A = 3 points, B = 2 points, C = 1 point, D/F = 0 points
  • BIO 103 Principles of Biology I                                                                                         A = 3 points, B = 2 points, C = 1 point, D/F = 0 points

The first step to apply to the RN Program is to apply to the College.  Your status at Lawson must be Active. 

  • Submit your Lawson State Application
  • Submit your Unofficial Transcripts to the College (from all former colleges you have attended).

If you have previously been accepted to LSCC, but have not attended the college for more than one semester; you may be required to complete a new application to the college and provide additional information.

Please check with the Admissions office before you complete the RN application to ensure your acceptance is Unconditional.

Before applying, ensure your Lawson State cumulative GPA is at least a 2.0.
Current or previous Lawson State students must a have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 at Lawson State or your most recent college GPA must be a 2.0 or higher.

Check your ACT score.  All applications must have a score of 18 or higher on the ACT to apply to the RN Program. A minimum score of 18 is required without exception (academic history and/or achievements cannot be considered in place of the ACT requirement).

ACT SuperScores of 18 or higher are accepted.

There is no expiration on test dates.

ACT On-Campus (formerly ACT Residual) scores MUST be from an Alabama Community College;

ACT On-Campus scores from any institution outside of the Alabama Community College System WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

ACT scores listed on college transcripts will not be accepted

Attached, please find the Pre-Nursing Advising Guidesheet.

RN applicants must complete the following coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale by the select application deadline:

General Education Pre-Reqs:

ORI101--Orientation to College (1 credit)

ENG101--English Composition (3 credits)

MTH100 or higher--Intermediate Algebra (3 credits)

SPH107--Public Speaking (3 credits)

Humanities/Fine Arts Elective (HUM101 or MUS101 or ART100 or THR120) (3 credits)

PSY200--General Psychology (3 credits)

PSY210--Human Growth and Development (3 credits)

BIO103--Principles of Biology--a pre-requisite for BIO201 (4 credits)

BIO201--Anatomy and Physiology I w/lab (4 credits)

BIO202--Anatomy and Physiology II w/lab (4 credits)

*BIO220--Microbiology w/lab (4 credits). 

While, BIO220 does NOT have to be completed at the time of application, all students MUST be enrolled in the course at the time of application.  If a student fails BIO220, their acceptance in the program will be VOIDED.

EARN EXTRA POINTS:  "Get a leg up".You can earn extra points towards your application and ranking if you take one or more of the following Pre-Nursing recommended electives:

HPS103: Foundation Competencies for Health Sciences                                          Professions Foundations (3 credits)                                                 

MTH186: Medical Dosage Calculations (1 credit)

RECOMMENDED COURSE (no extra points awarded but course is recommended if you have availabilty to take it).  Be sure to complete HPS103 and MTH186 before you enroll:

BIO120--Medical Terminology (2 credits)

LPN applicants must complete the following coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale by the select application deadline:

General Education Pre-Reqs:

ORI101--Orientation to College (1 credit)

ENG101--English Composition (3 credits)

MTH100 or higher--Intermediate Algebra (3 credits)

SPH107--Public Speaking (3 credits)

Humanities/Fine Arts Elective (HUM101 or MUS101 or ART100 or THR120) (3 credits)

PSY200--General Psychology (3 credits)

PSY210--Human Growth and Development (3 credits)

BIO103--Principles of Biology--a pre-requisite for BIO201 (4 credits)

BIO201--Anatomy and Physiology I w/lab (4 credits)

BIO202--Anatomy and Physiology II w/lab (4 credits)

*BIO220--Microbiology w/lab (4 credits). 

While, BIO220 does NOT have to be completed at the time of application, all students MUST be enrolled in the course at the time of application.  If a student fails BIO220, their acceptance in the program will be VOIDED.

EARN EXTRA POINTS:  "Get a leg up".You can earn extra points towards your application and ranking if you take one or more of the following Pre-Nursing recommended electives:

HPS103: Foundation Competencies for Health Sciences                                          Professions Foundations (3 credits)                                                 

MTH186: Medical Dosage Calculations (1 credit)

RECOMMENDED COURSE (no extra points awarded but course is recommended if you have availabilty to take it).  Be sure to complete HPS103 and MTH186 before you enroll:

BIO120--Medical Terminology (2 credits)

Secure your UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT COPIES from ALL your college you have attended, including Lawson State for your RN application.  Do NOT leave any colleges out. 

You must upload ALL unofficial transcripts to your RN application regardless of whether or not they were previously submitted to the Admissions office (Including the Lawson State Community College transcripts).

We will NOT accept transfer credits listed on one transcript from a separate college, we need to see each transcript in its entirety. *It is the applicant’s responsibility to obtain copies of each transcript from each institution previously attended and upload them to the application by the deadline. Failure to do so, will VOID your application.

Secure a copy of your official ACT scores.  You will have to upload your scores to your online application. 

NOTE: All ACT scores are verified by a third party.  Falsifying of any records can and likely will lead to disciplinary action being sought up through suspension from the College.

Submit your completed application with all required documents.  ONLY completed applications will be considered.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR RN APPLICATION:

Click HERE to submit your application online by the deadline.  All applications MUST be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on the day it is due and include all required attachments (unofficial transcript copies, ACT scores, etc...).

For Summer Admissions, submit by March 15th.

For Fall Admissions, submit by May 15th.

NOTE:  Be sure to submit all required documents including ALL your unofficial transcripts and official ACT scores.  Falsifying of any records can and likely will lead to disciplinary action being sought up through suspension from the College.

 

 

Take Your Next Steps

Start Your Degree Today

Interested in learning more about the application process and how you can get here? Our team is here to help you find your way. 

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RAD Tech (Xray)

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Contact Us

Interested in learning more about the program? Reach out today!

Location

Birmingham Campus--East Campus (DAY RN Program)
Ethel Hall Building
3060 Wilson Road, SW
Birmingham, AL 35221

Bessemer Campus (EVENING RN Program)
Building "A", Room 110
1100 9th Avenue, SW
Bessemer, AL 35022

Contact Information

Dr. Sherika Derico, Associate Dean of Health Professions
Email: sderico@lawsonstate.edu 

Dr. Katrina Swain, Chairperson, Registered Nursing
Email: kswain@lawsonstate.edu 

Tiesha Finley
RN Graduate
The most rewarding part is looking back, seeing where I came from, and where I am now.  It's amazing to learn and experience
becoming a nurse. It gave me a sense of pride to be on this journey. You have to change the way you think in a critical way. You have to be kind and compassionate even in the tough times.
Explore a Career in Nursing.  There are no limits.