Nursing Scholars is a four year program. Students are eligible to apply their senior year of high school. The purpose of the Lenoir-Rhyne Nursing Scholars Program is to enhance the undergraduate experience of Lenoir-Rhyne University’s high-performing students with an interest in earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Throughout the program, students will receive personalized academic support, enrichment opportunities, and a learning community with other top-academic pre-nursing students. Additionally, students admitted to the program will earn conditional admission into the College of Nursing directly out of high school.

• Guaranteed seat in the traditional BSN program upon successful completion of the outlined ongoing requirements (see below)
• No application to the traditional BSN program required (typically completed the student’s sophomore year)
• Early involvement in School of Nursing events (including Sigma Theta Tau meetings, nursing socials, CHS Research Day Extravaganza, etc.)
• Early membership to the Lenoir-Rhyne Association of Nursing Students
• Eligible for Nursing Program Honors
• Opportunity to study abroad
• Participation in service learning opportunities through the Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministries (CCM)
• Personalized advising by a member of the nursing faculty
• Employment assistance such as mock interviews, résumé assistance, and hosting hospital human resource representatives
• Successful graduates will be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become a Registered Nurse (RN)
• Successfully completing the program will give students the education needed to apply for graduate programs and receive the Alumni Advantage Discount (note that some graduate programs will also require experience before being eligible to apply)

• Apply and be accepted for undergraduate admission to Lenoir-Rhyne University
• Unweighted GPA of 3.0 or Weighted GPA of 3.5
• Minimum SAT or ACT scores
  • SAT - Math 530 and English 480
  • ACT - Math 22 and English 18
• Complete Nursing Scholars Supplemental Application

Once accepted into the Nursing Scholars Program, students must meet these academic conditions during years 1 and 2 to maintain their seat in the BSN program:

• Submitted an ATI TEAS score at or above the Proficient Level of 65 by March 1 of their sophomore year.
• Submitted or have on file with the School of Nursing a satisfactory Health Form.
• Submitted evidence of Training and Registration as Nurse Aide I in North Carolina or another state.
• Completed or be able to complete a minimum of 60 semester hours in the pre-nursing curriculum before the junior fall.
• Earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.9 by the end of sophomore fall semester prior to entering NUR 231 and/or NUR 235.
• Earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.9 by the beginning of the Junior fall nursing courses.
• Earned a minimum Nursing GPA of 2.9 by the beginning of the Junior fall nursing courses. Nursing GPA includes: BIO 220, 281, 282; CHE 101 or 103; HES 288; MAT 115 or 215; NUR 231, 235; PSY 100, 320; SOC 100; NAT 388).
• Repeated no more than one “lab science” course. (These courses include: BIO 220, 281, 282, CHE 101 or 103).
• Earned a C- or better in the following: BIO 220, 281, 282 and CHE 101 or 103.
• Completed or be enrolled in NUR 231 and NUR 235.

Admission to the School of Nursing is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal background check & drug screen completed in August and submission of immunization documentation.