Who is eligible to apply to the ACHIEVE Program?
These programs are designed for adult learners who are busy with family, life and work obligations, as well as licensed practical nurses seeking their BSN, career changers who have a degree in a different discipline, and interested students who have not yet completed a college degree but have taken or are currently taking liberal arts/science pre-nursing requirements.

What grade point average (GPA) should I have to be considered for the ACHIEVE Program?
Prospective students should have an overall 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or higher from their previous degree program or, if they have not yet completed a degree program, they should have an overall 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or higher in courses they are currently taking, as well as a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or higher in the 4 required science courses (i.e. anatomy and physiology I, anatomy and physiology II, chemistry and microbiology). 
Students may only repeat one science course one time to earn the science GPA of 3.0

Is there an entrance examination for the nursing major?
Yes, students applying to the nursing major must take a nursing aptitude test within 2 years of their expected start date.  The School of Nursing and Health Sciences Undergraduate Nursing Admissions Committee requires the National League for Nursing (NLN) Pre-Admission RN examination.

Can you tell me some additional information about the NLN Exam??
The fee for the NLN Exam is $50. It is offered on the Main Campus at La Salle University. The exam has three parts: math, verbal and science. Follow these instructions to register for the exam:

1. Log on to http://www.nlnonlinetesting.org
2. Enter your own log in and password, then click “create account”
3. On left side of the screen select, “Registration”
4. In the middle of the screen select, “Visit the Registration Store”
5. Select “Register by Location”
6. Click on the drop down box and select “USA”
7. Another drop down box will appear, select “Pennsylvania”
8. Another drop down box will appear, select “La Salle University”
9. You will see the available dates. Click on the box “Register” for the date and time you choose. You will then be prompted to pay with a credit card.

Are there study guides available for the NLN Exam?
Study guides can be purchased at a local book store or online. Some that we recommend include:

1. Review Guide for RN Pre-Entrance Exam by the National League for Nursing, 3rd Edition

2. Review guide for RN Pre-Entrance Exam by Mary E. McDonald, Revised

3. Review Guide for RN Pre-Entrance Exam, Mary E, McDonald, National League for Nursing, older edition

How long will it take for me to earn a BSN?
Providing prerequisite courses have been satisfied, the BSN may be earned in two and a half academic years.

Will I have to quit my job?
No, the Achieve program is designed for the adult learner with family/work obligations.  Students are advised, however, that clinical preparation and studying will demand more of their time than scheduled classroom and clinical hours.

What prerequisite courses are required for the nursing major?
Before beginning nursing major courses, the student must have earned at least 60 credits in the liberal arts and sciences.  There are a total of 70 credits required to fulfill the core curriculum.  Science prerequisites include: anatomy and physiology I, anatomy and physiology II (courses have to be taken within the past 5 years), chemistry, and microbiology (courses have to be taken within the past 10 years).  Nutrition, developmental psychology, and statistics are also required. 

In addition to the courses listed above, other liberal arts prerequisites are also required.  Included in this category are courses in: sociology, psychology, theology, philosophy, English, computers, history, literature, fine arts and electives.  Click here to see a list of prerequisite courses.

Will all of my college credits transfer towards the BSN?
Credits taken at an accredited college or University are transferable to La Salle, provided that (1) the courses satisfy La Salle’s prerequisite courses, (2) a grade of “C” or higher is earned and (3) science courses must be 4 credits each with a lab component.  On-line courses may be accepted to meet certain course requirements.  College credits may also be granted for prerequisite courses through CLEP and Excelsior examinations.  See websites for more details.

Can I have my transcripts evaluated to see what coursework is transferable?
For a tentative evaluation of your transcripts please contact Alison Target in the Office of Adult Enrollment, at (215)-951-1655 or by email at craig@lasalle.edu

When is the application deadline to apply for the ACHIEVE program?
Admission to nursing classes is once per year in the Fall on our Main campus in Philadelphia and once per year in the Spring on our Bucks County campus in Newtown, Pennsylvania. Beginning with applications for the Fall 2013 semester, the deadline for Fall is March 1, and the deadline for Spring is August 1. All prerequisite courses must be completed for Fall and Spring matriculation by these dates.

When are classes held?
Once accepted into the Achieve Program, classes are held two evenings per week with clinicals on selected weekends. Class hours are typically 6PM to 9PM.  Clinical hours are typically scheduled in daytime or evening shifts of 6 hours, 8 hours, or 12 hours between 7AM and 11PM.  The assigned clinical hours and day vary within selected courses.  Students will be placed in clinical rotations for 9 out of the 13 nursing courses taken throughout the program. Clinical rotations will be done in hospitals, long term care facilities, mental health facilities, as well as many public health facilities, schools, etc.  The students will have hands-on learning in their clinical rotations that will correlate with the learning in the classroom.  

Can I apply to the program while completing the prerequisite courses?
Yes, you may apply to the program while completing the prerequisite courses.  If you are currently enrolled at another college or University pursuing prerequisite courses you must send an updated official transcript at the end of each semester completed. However, the courses must be completed by the above dates to begin the program.

Do I have to complete my prerequisite coursework with La Salle?
No, you do not.  However, while you are free to take prerequisite courses with any accredited college or University, we strongly encourage you to take them with La Salle.  By pursuing the prerequisites here at La Salle as a nursing intending student, you will not only familiarize yourself with the University and all the resources available to La Salle students, but you may also receive special consideration for admission into the ACHIEVE Program.

I am interested in the ACHIEVE program.  What should I do next?
Applying early is recommended.  Students are encouraged to submit an on-line application at no cost. The applicant should forward the following material to the Office of Adult Enrollment:

• Completed application and $35 application fee (or apply for FREE online)
• Official college transcripts from all colleges or Universities attended.  If students have completed fewer than 30 college credits, they need to submit an official high school transcript.
• Cleared Criminal Record Check and Child Abuse Clearances for the state of Pennsylvania and a Criminal Record Check for the state of residence.
• Scores from the NLN Pre-Admission RN Exam.
• Students with English as a second language may be required to complete the TOEFL examination according to University policy.  Students are expected to earn a minimal TOEFL computer-based score of 250, paper-based score of 600 and an essay rating of 5.0, or the Internet-based examination of 100 total score (subscores of listening, reading, speaking and writing).

Please note:  Although you may meet all criteria there is no guarantee of acceptance.  Your application will be reviewed by the nursing admission committee and you will be notified.

Send all applications, transcripts, clearances, and test scores to:

La Salle University
Office of Adult Enrollment
1900 West Olney Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19141
ATTN: Veronica Craig
 
Once all materials are received, your application will be complete and processed for general admission to the University.  If you are accepted to the University and all science prerequisite courses are met, there will be a required interview with the Coordinator of the ACHIEVE Program before an admission decision into the nursing major is made.  If you proceed to the interview process, please note, you will be required to submit results of a negative criminal record check through FBI fingerprinting.  In addition, specific medical clearance requirements, including immunization titers and urine drug screening, must be met before a student may start any clinical nursing course.  Complete details on these clinical compliance requirements will be provided upon notification of acceptance to the nursing major.

Where can I obtain the clearance forms?
It is the student’s responsibility to process the clearances.  All clearances must be processed within the last year. The following are links to process the clearances for the state of Pennsylvania. 

Child Abuse Clearance forms can be downloaded and/or printed from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare website:
http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/ucmprd/groups/webcontent/documents/form/s_001762.pdf

Criminal Record Check Clearance forms can be processed and printed from the Criminal History (Patch) System website:
https://epatch.state.pa.us/Home.jsp

Please keep the originals for your records and mail us a copy of the clearances.  There is a $10.00 fee to process each clearance.

Delaware: http://dsp.delaware.gov/SBIinfo.shtml

New Jersey: http://www.state.nj.us/njsp/about/serv_chrc.html#icbc

What is the cost of the ACHIEVE Program?
Tuition for the ACHIEVE Program is billed per credit hour. The 2011-2012 tuition rate is $525 per credit hour. Each semester students are billed a $50 technology fee and a $75 University fee. This amount does not include out of pocket expenses such as books, laboratory kit, testing fees, transportation to clinical sites, parking, uniforms, physical examination, required immunizations, CPR certification, background checks, etc.

How can I finance my education while I am in the ACHIEVE Program?
All students are encouraged to complete the FASFA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid. La Salle also offers a deferred payment plan option; applicants may contact the Bursar’s Office at (215) 951-1055 for additional information. Applicants are also encouraged to independently

I already have a Bachelor’s Degree; can I be waived out of any courses?
Second degree candidates must complete the following courses prior to beginning the nursing major courses: statistics, anatomy and physiology I and II, microbiology, nutrition, chemistry, and developmental psychology. One religion course and one philosophy course must also be completed prior to graduation from the program. The remaining liberal arts credits can be waived and prior coursework will be transferred in to total 70 credits provided the student has 70 transferrable credits on a previous transcript.