Associate Degree in Nursing
Admission Procedures
Admission Application Period
View the Application Dates and Deadlines page for the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program admission application period.
Acceptance Criteria
All applicants who have met the minimum requirements are considered for acceptance on a best qualified basis. Applicants are ranked on a point scale based on the following criteria: a) Grade point ratio for completed pre-requisite and co-requisite (support) courses; b) NLN Pre-Nursing Admissions Examination composite score; and c) co-requisite (support) courses completed by the application deadline. Applicants deemed as residents of Hawai‘i for tuition purposes are considered first; after which non-resident applicants are considered on a space-available basis.
Admission Procedures
Step #1: Attend a Nursing Information Session before the application deadline.
See Nursing Information Session for dates and times available. The schedule may also be obtained from the Nursing Department office in Kōpiko 201.
At the information session you will learn more about the nursing career pathway, program, curriculum, admissions, and application requirements. After attending an information session, and for additional academic advising and support, visit a counselor during walk-in advising periods on Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m. to noon and on Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Kōpiko 201.
Step #2: Complete all prerequisite courses.
Complete all ANURS/ADN Program prerequisite courses before applying to the ANURS/ADN Program. A “C” grade or higher is required for all courses. For more information, click on Associate in Science Degree in Nursing. Completing program co-requisite (support) courses is recommended.
To apply to KCC to begin taking the prerequisite courses, click on Admissions and follow the instructions. Identify your major as “Liberal Arts” or “Unclassified.”
To register online for the prerequisite and co-requisite courses (after you’ve been accepted to KCC), go to http://myuhportal.hawaii.edu and follow the instructions.
Step #3: Complete National League for Nursing (NLN) Pre-Admissions Exam.
Complete the NLN exam within the appropriate application period timeframe. The minimum acceptable composite score is 95. You must have a copy of your exam score report sent directly from the NLN to Kapi‘olani Community College, Nursing Department by the application deadline. Results are generally posted within 3-4 weeks after the test date. The exam score remains current for three years. The exam may be retaken every six months. The higher score will be used if taken more than once.
Learn more about the National League for Nursing (NLN) Pre-Admissions Exam
Step #4: Verify practical nursing licensure.
To verify your LPN status, please submit a copy of your current practical nursing license in the state of Hawaii.
The one year of full-time LPN work experience requirement has been eliminated effective for individuals applying to the LPN-RN Transition Program between June 1, 2009 through September 1, 2009 for the Spring 2010 LPN-RN Transition Program, and thereafter. This change in the admissions requirement for the LPN-RN Transition Program will be reflected in the 2009-2010 KCC Catalog. For questions or concerns, please contact the Nursing Department at Kapi‘olani Community College at (808) 734-9305 or kapnurs@hawaii.edu.
Step #5: Submit the UH Systems Application Form before the application deadline.
If you are new, transferring or returning to Kapi‘olani Community College, you must complete a “University of Hawai‘i System Application Form.” For a copy of the application form, click on UH System Admission Forms. Identify your major as: “ANURS-New.”
All students applying to the LPN-RN Transition Program must complete a “KCC Admissions Application/Checklist.” For a copy of the application form, click on LPN-RN Transition Program Admissions Application/Checklist Form (PDF) (see the “Forms” section). The Checklist will be available only during the application period: December 1 to February 1 (for Fall) and June 1 to September 1 (for Spring).
The application forms are also available in the Kekaulike Information and Service Center (KISC) in ‘Ilima 102.
Step #6: Complete Transfer Credit Evaluation Process.
For courses completed at a campus outside of the University of Hawai‘i (UH) System, you must have official transcripts sent directly to the Kekaulike Information and Service Center (KISC). To be considered for transfer, a course description must accompany each course taken outside of the UH system.
For courses completed outside the UH System and which were evaluated by UH System schools (other than Kapi‘olani Community College), these courses will also need to be evaluated by the KISC.
For courses completed at a campus within the UH System, you do not have to have transcripts sent to the KISC.
To formally transfer all courses completed outside of Kapi‘olani Community College, you must submit the Transcript Evaluation Request Form to the KISC. The transcript evaluation can be done prior to or as part of your application to the nursing program, but the transcript evaluation is NOT required as part of your application to the nursing program. After you are accepted into the nursing program, you will be required to complete the Transcript Evaluation Request Form for all courses completed outside of Kapi‘olani Community College. For a copy of the “Transcript Evaluation Request Form” (see the “Forms” section).
Step #7: Receive Notification of Acceptance to the program.
Accepted students will be notified by mail of their acceptance into the ANURS/ADN Program. (Mid-May for Fall acceptances and early November for Spring acceptances.) Accepted students will receive an Acceptance Notice and “Health & Safety Packet” from the Nursing Department. The Acceptance Notice will include information about an Orientation Session, health forms, technical standards, and other related requirements.
Step #8: Attend mandatory Orientation Session for new ANURS/ADN students.
New ANURS/ADN students are required to attend a mandatory Orientation Session to prepare for entry into the nursing program. The Orientation Session is scheduled in June/July for fall acceptance and in December for spring acceptance. The Orientation Session will provide an introduction to the first-semester nursing courses and will also cover the required books and fees, health requirements, academic requirements, nursing student handbook and required uniforms and supplies. Uniforms and supplies may be purchased during the orientation session. Picture taking for the required nursing student photo ID badge is also completed at the Orientation Session.
Step #9: Complete all health and safety requirements.
New ANURS/ADN students are required to complete the following health and safety requirements:
- Current certificate for CPR for Health Care Providers
- Current certificate for First Aid
- Tuberculosis clearance (card or physician’s report) within the past 12 months.
- Tetanus vaccination within the past 10 years.
- Positive Rubella titer blood test.
- Positive Measles titer blood test or two MMR immunizations.
- Positive Varicella (chicken pox) titer blood test or two Varicella immunizations.
- Positive Mumps titer blood test or two MMR immunizations.
- Hepatitis B titer (HbsAb) with signed consent form or 3 Hepatitis immunizations with signed consent form.
- Physical examination completed by primary care provider confirming health status.
- Verification of personal health insurance.
New ANURS/ADN students are required to purchase professional liability insurance via the Kekaulike Information and Service Center (Cashier’s Office) in ‘Ilima 102. New ANURS/ADN students must also complete a criminal background check and drug/urine testing which are administered via the clinical facility.
Step #10: Register online and pay your tuition.
You will register for your nursing courses on-line after attending the Orientation Session. To register online, go to http://myuhportal.hawaii.edu and follow the instructions to login. Payment may be made on-line or at the Kekaulike Information and Service Center (Cashier’s office) in ‘Ilima 102.
The College requires tuberculosis (TB) and Measles Mumps & Rubella (MMR) clearance in order to register for courses.
You are encouraged to apply for financial assistance at the Kekaulike Information and Service Center in order to help cover the cost of your tuition and fees. (See the “Related Links” section for more information).
Step #11: Purchase required books.
You will need to purchase required books at the KCC Bookstore located in the ‘Ohi‘a 116. Bookstore hours are Monday to Friday at 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Special extended hours are available during the week before the start of the semester.
