Application Process for Health Sciences and Nursing Programs
Follow these steps to ensure a successful application:
Application Requirements
- Apply to NOVA as a degree-seeking student.
- Reapply if it has been more than 3 semesters since you enrolled in a course.
- Did you know?
- Students may be initially placed in the General Studies Health Sciences major to complete pre-requisites or to request transfer credit evaluation.
- Program placement to a Health Sciences or Nursing major will only happen after official acceptance.
Complete the program Information Session.
- Sessions may be updated annually; check back after the application deadline
- Some sessions may be attended online while other sessions require in-person attendance
- Refer to the program website for dates and rooms
- Arrive on time or you must attend another date
- Please do not bring children or guests
Did you know?
- Codes are provided at information sessions as proof of attendance
- You will need to submit the code with your online application
This step is only required for students who have completed courses at another college or university besides NOVA, including another Virginia Community College.
It is not required if you complete all requirements at NOVA.
Note about Transfer credits for BIO: The decision to accept BIO courses transferred from other institutions to meet prerequisites for Health Science programs will be made on a case-by-case basis with Dean approval.
This step is only required for certain programs. View Health Sciences & Nursing TEAS Information for more information.
The Health Sciences and Nursing programs have a separate process to apply after application to NOVA. Refer to the dates below to determine when you may submit an online Health Sciences and Nursing application after you have completed and met all application requirements.
*Please note that, per VCCS policy, a previous grade of a “P+” denotes that the student passed the course with a grade of a “C” or higher. Also, a previous grade of a “P-“ denotes that the student passed the course with a grade of a “D.” As per this policy, a grade of a “P+” or “P-“ will not impact the student’s GPA. In the competitive admissions process, a “P+” translates into a letter grade of a “C.”
- See Application Deadlines for the year you plan to apply or attend the program Information Session to get the specific application requirements for your program
- Plan your schedule so all requirements will be done by the deadline
- Allow enough time for retests if TEAS testing is required
Application Requirements
Did you know?
- Final grades for all pre-requisite courses must be posted before applying
- Transfer credit and credit by exam results must be posted before applying
- Transcripts from outside NOVA cannot be evaluated close to or at the deadline
- Applicants may declare the General Studies Health Sciences major to complete HSN program requirements
- Applicants will not be placed in their desired HSN program until after official acceptance
- Your application will be marked ineligible if any requirements are missing
- Submit an online Health Sciences & Nursing Application within the specified application period
- Attach all supporting documents if required by the program (see Attachments chart)
- Complete a separate application for each program
- Allow up to 8 weeks after the deadline for a status notification
Did you know?
- The online application will only allow submission within the application period
- Application periods open at midnight on the start date and close at 11:59 pm on the end date
- Your application will be marked ineligible if any requirements or needed attachments are missing
- There are 4 steps of application review:
Step 1 – review of application criteria
Step 2 – domicile review
Step 3 – ranking of applicants
Step 4 – final notification from the program - All notifications will be sent to your email
- Additional information may be requested so check your email frequently and respond promptly
- Ineligible applications will not be forwarded for ranking
- All accepted applicants must attend a mandatory program orientation to secure their spot in the program
- Need additional help?
- See helpful tips for application at the Medical Admissions Blog
- Review the Medical Frequently Asked Questions
- Send an email to virtualadvising@nvcc.edu
- Meet one-on-one with a NOVA advisor
Did you know?
- Health Sciences and Nursing programs require a separate application process
- Each program has its own application requirements
- There are specific deadlines when students may apply
- Class sizes depend on clinical site and lab space availability
- Detailed information is provided in the program Information Session
Next Steps
Additional requirements must be met to attend clinicals. They are not needed to apply. More information about these requirements are provided to students after acceptance to the program. These include but are not limited to:
- Annual background check with drug screen
- Physical with immunizations: Nursing Physical Form | Health Sciences Physical Form
- Annual flu shot
- American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Professionals CPR
The Criminal Background Check Policy for the Health Sciences and Nursing programs reads as follows:
“An annual criminal background check and drug screen will be required as clinical affiliates mandate this requirement in affiliation agreements. Unresolved issues presented in the criminal background checks or drug screens will prevent clinical placement resulting in the student’s failure to meet program objectives. In addition to felony convictions (including barrier crimes outlined in the Code of Virginia), students will also be screened for misdemeanor drug and alcohol convictions. An exception is made for a single alcohol related misdemeanor conviction more than seven years ago.”
These are convictions that will automatically prevent employment in jobs involving direct patient care per the Code of Virginia.
It is important to note that the policy stated above is only applicable for admission to the Health Sciences and Nursing programs at the Medical Education Campus of NOVA. Each program has a licensing or certification agency that may require additional background checks or drug screens to obtain licensure. They may also have their own policies for the types of convictions they screen for that may prevent employment.
Potential applicants with criminal convictions or charges that have questions on how this may impact licensure and/or employment in their desired field of study should refer to the appropriate licensing or certification agency for the program.
The drug screen is a standard 12-panel test conducted by collecting a urine sample. Instructions on where to go to complete the drug screen are provided by the background check company after placing the order. Applicants with legal prescriptions may contact the company to provide the prescription after testing positive for the substance.
Background checks and drug screens are completed through an outside company. They are not required for application to the program. Instructions on how to order the background check and drug screen are provided to students after acceptance.
Students must comply with all clinical requirements that may be mandated by a clinical affiliate. This may include additional background checks or drug screens required by the affiliate.