The mission of the School of Nursing is strongly aligned with the mission of the University and also focuses on preparing students to make a positive impact on society through the provision of competent, caring and evidence-based nursing services to diverse patient populations. This mission is accomplished by preparing students from diverse ethnic backgrounds to deliver competent culturally sensitive evidence-based care to all persons in need. The School of Nursing robustly supports the core values of the University including a belief in God and the Christian values this represents, a holistic approach to education and patient care, promotion of the intellectual and analytical abilities of the student, professional practice based upon evidence, giving back to society as service to human-kind, and a self-commitment to life-long learning.
BSN Admissions Information
Students, who have completed the nine (9)nursing prerequisite courses or who are in the process of completing the last 1 or 2 prerequisite courses, should apply for admission as soon as possible in order to be officially accepted into a specific program and its start date. Please check the Admissions General Procedures for guidelines and application deadlines.
General Admissions Procedures
Prospective students must apply for admission to their program of study to be officially accepted for a specific starting date. The process includes the following steps:
- Contact the university and make an appointment with an admissions representative for an initial consultation (except doctorate level programs)
- Submit a complete application packet to AUHS Admissions Department
- Only complete applications will be processed
- Pass the University Entrance test (Wonderlic Scholastic Exam)
- Complete formal interviews
- Complete Financial Aid meeting
- Respond to the Acceptance Letter
- Attend Orientation
BSN Admissions Requirements
College Transfer Students to BSN
In addition to the university’s general admissions requirements for baccalaureate degree, in order to transition into the BSN (nursing) program, applicants/students must have:
- Accepted by the University;
- A cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale of transferable college coursework.
- At least a grade of “C” in each prerequisite course to be transferable;
- Have taken the following four (4) science courses and achieved a 2.5 or higher cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) by the start date: General Chemistry with lab, Anatomy with lab, Physiology with lab, and Microbiology with lab
- Appropriate English and Math levels by The Essential Academic Skills Test, (TEAS) Version 5, scored at least 65% within 6 months prior to the start date; TEAS information can be found at www.atitesting.com
- Official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) results to demonstrate English competency (For foreign applicants only). The minimum TOEFL score is 213 on the CBT (Computer Based Test) or 80 on the IBT (Internet Based Test), with 24 on speaking section. For TOEFL information, please visit www.ets.org/toefl. AUHS code is 4262
- The following nine (9) prerequisite courses completed by the start date: General Chemistry with lab, Anatomy with lab, Physiology with lab, Microbiology with lab, Math (College Algebra or Statistics), College Composition, Sociology, General Psychology, and Critical Thinking.
LVN 45 Unit Option
The LVN 45 Unit Option is mandated by California Administrative Code, Title 16, Article 3, Section 1429. California law for nurses requires that every school make possible the award of credit to make it possible for a LVN to receive enough credit to sit for the RN-NCLEX examination in the state of California. The LVN 45-unit option was designed as a career ladder for California Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN) wishing to become registered nurses. While most states do not recognize California’s LVN 30 or 45 Unit Options and will not issue RN licenses to these LVNs, the Board of Nursing (BRN) in California mandates that every California school make the option available to licensed vocational nurses (LVNs). The number of units (30 or 45) depends on quarter or semester options. AUHS is on a quarter unit system and therefore a 45 unit option is mandated by law.
- The applicant must be a licensed vocational nurse in the state of California.
- Course work will be evaluated to determine transfer status in clinical nursing classes.
- The L.V.N. may elect to complete a 45-unit option to become eligible to sit for the State Board RN licensure exam, or NCLEX-RN. The LVN may be awarded credit for 17 units of lower division nursing following assessment of their transcripts. Following admission the student electing this option must complete the following 45 unit option program consisting of the following courses:
| BIOL 200 A and B | 8 units Anatomy & Physiology |
| MICR 201 | 4 units Microbiology |
| NURS 310 | 3 units Human Life Cycle |
| NURS 300 & 300 L | 6 units Older Adult Health Nursing |
| NURS 350 & 350 L | 8 units Psychiatric/Mental Health Care |
| NURS 380 & 380 L | 8 units Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing |
| NURS 430 & 430 L | 6 units Basic Nursing Leadership/Management |
| NURS 460 | 2 units Transition to RN |
Critical thinking, decision making and the development, implementation and evaluation of care plans for the client/patient populations encountered during the practice of safe and competent nursing as a licensed RN in California must master the content found in these courses. These courses may be challenged by these students selecting these options. Any nurse considering the LVN 45-Unit Option is required to meet with the Dean/Director or the Asst. Dean/Asst. Director to discuss this option and constraints associated with this choice prior to beginning any course work at AUHS.
Special Notes to LVNs Considering this Option: Completion of this course work does not fulfill all requirements for a baccalaureate degree in nursing and the student is NOTconsidered a graduate of the nursing program. Students are admitted to this option on a space-available basis only.
LVN Applicants to LVN 45 Unit Option
In order to be eligible for review, in addition to general admissions requirements, applicants must:
- Be a graduate from an accredited LVN program and hold a current California L.V.N. license. Applicants must submit a photocopy of L.V.N. license.
- Submit an official transcript verifying graduation
- Complete the application including the required 500-word essay
- Submit two(2) recommendation letters on the form provided
- Have obtained a cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale of transferable college coursework. A grade of “C” or better must be achieved in all courses required for the nursing major.
- Failure of two (2) required nursing courses, either the same course or two (2) separate courses, will result in non-admission.
- For foreign applicants only: Submit the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) result to demonstrate English competency. The minimum TOEFL score is 213 on the CBT (Computer Based Test) or 80 on the IBT (Internet Based Test), with 24 on speaking section.
- Participate in a conference with Dean of Nursing at AUHS for counseling regarding program and individual educational needs.
If you have specific or further questions, please feel free to contact our admissions department. We will be more than happy to answer any questions and provide additional information. You can send email to bsninfo@auhs.edu or call (562) 988-2278 and get connected to one of our admissions counselors.
Tests
University Entrance Test: Wonderlic Scholastic Test
The Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) is a short-form computer-based test of general cognitive ability. Often referred to as general intelligence, or cognitive ability is a term that is used to describe the level at which an individual learns, understands instructions, and solves problems. It provides quantitative insight into how easily individuals can be trained, how well they can adjust to, and solve, problems, and how well satisfied they are likely to be with the demands of the curriculum. Students achieve a score of 19 on a computer-based test (CBT) or 21 on a paper-based test to continue the application process at AUHS. The information is available at www.wonderlic.com.
The TEST of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
The Test of Essential Academic Skills version 5 (TEAS-V) is required of nursing applicants by the School of Nursing (SON) at AUHS as an entrance examination, which assess the applicant’s academic aptitude in reading, math, science, English and language usage skills. Those who show a strong aptitude in academics are more likely to succeed in completing their nursing school education. AUHS SON requires incoming nursing students to score 70% on the adjusted TEAS score to be considered for admission.
More information is available at www.atitesting.com.
Language Requirement
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
A proficiency in English will be critical to success. AUHS requires foreign/international applicants, regardless of citizenship, who have not attended schools at the secondary level or above for at least three (3) years full-time where English is the principal language of instruction, to take and present a TOEFL score. The TOEFL scores submitted must not have been earned more than two (2) years prior to the desired enrollment date. As circumstances warrant, minimum TOEFL scores may be changed.
Because the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is offered on a limited number of dates, it is important that prospective international applicants sign up to take the examination as soon as possible. Advising centers in the home country can provide information about dates, locations, and procedures for taking the test. When the applicants take the test, scores should be forwarded by the testing service to AUHS Admissions Department. AUHS School Code is 4262.
The minimum TOEFL score for admission to undergraduate programs is 213 on the CBT (Computer Based Test) or 80 on the IBT (Internet Based Test), with 24 on speaking section for undergraduate-level and graduate-level programs.
Foreign/International applicants who do not obtain the minimal score required on TOEFL must take an English as a Second Language Course (ESL) offered by other institution and submit the required documentation that ESL has been taken and satisfied prior to beginning a program within the University.
The University does offer an I-20 Student Visa, but does not offer ESL classes at this time.