Frequently Asked QuestionsExpansion of the Gustavus Nursing Program | Spring 2022
On Monday, April 4, 2022, Gustavus announced the expansion of the nursing major from 30 to 40 students per class year beginning in the Fall 2022 semester. Read the full announcement here.
The expansion of the Gustavus Department of Nursing builds on a tradition of excellence that began when the College first began offering a baccalaureate degree in nursing in 1956. More information about the department’s history and current offerings are available online.
To help answer common questions regarding changes to the nursing program and associated processes, please see the information below.
What is the first step to becoming a Gustavus nursing major?
Become a Gustavus student! Student applicants to the Gustavus nursing program must be currently enrolled Gustavus Adolphus College students. Transfer students who are interested in the program must apply and be accepted to the College before applying to the nursing major. All students (first-year and transfer) can begin their admission application to Gustavus here.
How do I apply to the Gustavus nursing program?
Current Gustavus student applicants should indicate their intent to apply to the nursing major by contacting the Nursing Department Chair or the Administrative Assistant at g-nursing-chair@gustavus.edu. Transfer student applicants should consult with the nursing department chair, Dr. Jessica Stadick (jstadick@gustavus.edu), to begin the process.
When will I be eligible to apply to the nursing program?
The application process occurs during the spring semester. Students must be on track to complete all nine prerequisite courses by the end of the spring semester in which they apply to the program.
What are the components to the application process?
The application process includes the following five components:
- Cumulative GPA
- GPA in prerequisite courses
- Essay and medication calculation problems
- Interview
- Student status (enrolled, graduate, or transfer)
How are the components of the application process scored?
Each of the application components is worth four (4) points. Each component is scored by the nursing department. Students whose overall application scores place them in the top 40 among all applicants and who have successfully completed the prerequisite requirement courses will be accepted into the nursing program.
What does the essay and medication calculation entail?
The essay is one question and requires students to construct a succinct and organized response. The essay is reviewed by two (2) faculty and/or administrative members of the department. There are two medication calculation questions, which focus on mathematical utilization of ratio and proportions.
What does the group interview entail?
The group interview is conducted by one or two nursing faculty and/or administrators and contains four or five student applicants. Questions are asked in a rotating manner such that all applicants respond first to one of the questions. In addition, applicants have the opportunity to offer additions to others’ responses to questions.
What is the GPA requirement for admission?
The minimum cumulative GPA required for admission is a 2.85. The minimum prerequisite GPA required for admission is a 2.85.
What are the prerequisite course requirements?
There are nine (9) prerequisite courses required to be completed by the end of spring semester of the application year:
- Principles of Biology
- Fundamentals of Microbiology
- General Chemistry
- Anatomy & Physiology I & II (or the transfer equivalent of one semester of anatomy and one semester of physiology)
- General Psychology
- Lifespan Development
- Sociology or Anthropology course
- Pre-health Professions (or the transfer equivalent of an introduction to healthcare and/or communications course)
Can I take a prerequisite or core nursing course for a pass/no-credit grade?
No. A grade of C or better must be achieved in all prerequisite and core nursing courses.
Is Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification required?
Yes. Students must submit proof of current certification as a CNA prior to beginning the core nursing courses. It does not need to be completed before you apply to the program.
When can I declare a major in nursing?
Students will be declared a nursing major upon successful admission to the program.
When do nursing courses begin?
Nursing courses for the new class of accepted students begin in the fall semester following program acceptance.
If you have additional questions, please contact the Chair of the Gustavus Department of Nursing.