Western Oklahoma State College

FUTURE STUDENTS

 The application period for entrance into the WOSC Nursing Program for August 2024 has closed.

Acceptance notifications should be sent by April 30, 2024.

Please note:  Orientation for new nursing students is planned for:

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

General students:  9:00 am to 12:00 Noon

LPN-to-RN students:  1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

If you are an LPN and are interested in applying to start in January in Nursing 1129, please send a message to nursing@wosc.edu. 

Please click here for the WOSC Nursing 2024 Application Packet!

Traditional track:  The following campuses will be accepting students for the nursing program that will start FALL 2024:

• Altus
• Elk City
• For either Altus or Elk City, clinical rotations will be offered in Altus, Elk City, Lawton, and Duncan.  We will make every effort to place you at the clinical site of your preferenc.

LPN-to-RN track:  Students applying for this track may choose the following:

• Online LPN-to-RN program with clinical rotations in Altus, Elk City, Lawton, or Duncan.
• Traditional track:  Start Nursing 2229 in Fall 2024 with face-to-face classes at Altus or Elk City campuses.  (Clinical rotations in Altus, Elk City, Lawton, or Duncan). 

 Testing for Entrance into Nursing for 2025!!

Begin testing in December 2024!  

All students: 

For the HESI A2 (Admission Exam), please send an email to

nursing@wosc.edu.  

 Request instructions for the exam that you wish to take and if you are taking it for the first or second time.  

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The WOSC Nursing Program is approved by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing and is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation. Upon graduation, students are qualified to take the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for RN).

For fall start, LPN-to-RN program options include:

• Online LPN-to-RN Program-For this option, nursing courses will be taught online in an asynchronous format.  Clinical rotations will be conducted one day each week as assigned at one of the clinical sites utilized by Western.  The student must be able to attend clinical rotations as assigned. The student student must also be able to attend orientations to clinical sites before the rotations begin.  ALSO:  Students must take the LPN-to-RN transition course in Summer.  This is a four-week course that is a hybrid course, meaning most coursework will be completed online but will require the student to attend three days, schedule to be announced.  
• Face-to-face options:  The student may select the face-to-face option at the Lawton campus or the Elk City campus, if space is available.  Class times are Monday and Thursday from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon each week.  Clinical rotations will be conducted one day each week as assigned at one of the clinical sites utilized by Western.  The student must be able to attend clinical rotations as assigned. The student student must also be able to attend orientations to clinical sites before the rotations begin.   ALSO:  Students must take the LPN-to-RN transition course in Summer.  This is a four-week course that is a hybrid course, meaning most coursework will be completed online but will require the student to attend three days, schedule to be announced.  

For spring start, LPN-to-RN options available:

• Face-to-face option:  For the student who does not wish to take the HESI LPN-to-RN Mobility Exam or who does not meet the minimum scores on that exam can opt to begin Nursing II (Pediatrics and Maternal/Newborn Nursing) in January 2024.  This option will be available in Altus, Elk City, and Lawton campuses, if space is available. Class times are Monday and Thursday from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon each week.  Clinical rotations will be conducted one day each week as assigned at one of the clinical sites utilized by Western.  The student must be able to attend clinical rotations as assigned.  ALSO:  Students must take the LPN-to-RN transition course in Fall.  This is a four-week course that is a hybrid course, meaning most coursework will be completed online but will require the student to attend three days, schedule to be announced.  

Western Oklahoma State College fully subscribes to all principles and requirements of the American Disabilities Act. In compliance with the American Disabilities Act, the nursing department does not discriminate. However, it is important to note that in order to progress successfully through the nursing curriculum and function as a practicing nurse upon graduation, an individual must be able to perform certain physical activities that include vocal, visual, auditory, intellectual and dexterity requirements.

Students seeking to be admitted to the nursing program must have these competencies necessary for the professional practice of nursing as identified by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

Requirements for Admission into Western's LPN-to-RN Nursing Program:

For entry to the program please review the general information packet and scheduled an appointment to speak with your faculty advisor.

Pre-Admission Nursing Examination Testing:  

1.  HESI A2 with Critical Thinking Nursing Admission Exam

Who is required to take this exam?  It is required for all applicants- General and Advanced Standing Entry for LPN students.

What will be on the exam? What are the minimum scores?  The HESI A2 with Critical Thinking Nursing Admission Exam tests applicants in six areas:

• Reading
  • The applicant must achieve a minimum score of 82 or higher
• Math
  • The applicant must achieve a minimum score of 74 or higher
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Biology
• Vocabulary
• Critical Thinking 

Though there is no minimum required scoring for the Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, and the Vocabulary sections of the exams, a minimum score of 65 or better is preferred as a minimum passing score; and entry into the program is highly competitive and is based on a point-based system in which applicants acquire some of their points from the admission examination.

A minimum score of 760 or better is highly desirable on the critical thinking portion of the exam, however, there is no minimum require scoring for this section.

How does one prepare for the HESI A2 with Critical Thinking Nursing Admission Exam?  Prepare for the HESI Admission Test!  Western will offer a Reading Boot Camp and a Math Boot Camp to help you prepare for those sections of the test.

• Reading - TBA 
• Math - TBA 
• Location: Altus Campus only. Main Building.  The boot camps are at no cost but do require reservations. 
• Reserve a spot for the boot camps!  Please contact Western's nursing department at nursing@wosc.edu  to reserve your spot. 
• You can purchase a preparation book for the HESI Admission (A2) Exam through Elsevier's website or other academic/book/purchase websites. 

How often can one take the exam? You can take the exam two times during the application process.  If you take the exam and you wish to take it a second time, you must wait at least three weeks between the two exams.  

How does one take the HESI A2 with Critical Thinking Nursing Admission Exam?  Western utilizes Proctor U to administer the exams. Please contact Western's nursing department at nursing@wosc.edu  to request instructions for taking the exam.

When can one take the exam?  The HESI A2 with Critical Thinking Nursing Admission Exam is normally given in late fall and winter.   Exams taken after 2/28 will not be taken into consideration unless prior arrangements are made with the Director of Nursing Education. 

How much does the HESI A2 with Critical Thinking Nursing Admission Exam cost?  The cost of each exam is $79 (cost subject to change).  Instructions for paying for the exam will be included in the instructions you receive upon request from the email listed above. 

General Admission Requirements for Advanced Standing Students:

• LPN/LVN with unencumbered nursing license.
• Minimum cumulative GPA must be 2.25 or higher at time of application. 
• Working as a LPN or recent licensed graduate.
• Applied and accepted to Western Oklahoma State College.
• Successfully completed Nursing Admission Exam with a minimum score of 82 in Reading and 74 in Math, all other areas recommend a minimum score 65 or better.
• Depending on area of entry, successfully complete and pass HESI LPN-to-RN Mobility Exam with scores as noted above. 
• Completion of pre-requisite courses with a minimum of a "C" or better in each course. Sciences must be completed within the last 10 years. 

How to Apply to the Program

 Schedule an appointment with one of our nursing faculty advisors closet to you. 

International Students 

Applicants classified as an international student using an F-1 Student Visa may attend at one of Western’s three campuses. However, all initial processing & paperwork must be completed with the Office of Registrar at the Altus campus.  Oklahoma law only allows a license to be issued to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and legal permanent resident aliens. Other qualified aliens may be issued a temporary license that is valid until the expiration of their visa status, or if there is no expiration date, for one year.  For more information regarding this matter, applicants can contact the Oklahoma Board of Nursing.

All applicants to the program for whom English is a second language must take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) test.

Criminal Background Checks

Once accepted by the WOSC Nursing Department, all students will be required to submit information in order for a criminal background check to be completed.  If an applicant admitted to the nursing program possesses any one of the following: a felony conviction, arrest, pending charges, judicially declared incompetence, or disciplinary action should be aware this might affect eligibility for registered nurse licensure.  Various clinical agencies have restrictions regarding individuals with a criminal record. Criminal background information is reviewed and decisions are made based on the clinical agency’s policies and guidelines.

Students Seeking Licensure Outside of the State of Oklahoma

For any students seeking licensure outside the state of Oklahoma, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure he/she meet all requirements for licensure in the state in which they reside. Contact information for all nursing licensing boards can be found at the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website at https://www.ncsbn.org/contact-bon.htm