Nursing Program Application Process FAQ for Fall 2023 Cohort

• All pre-requisite classes completed before application deadline with a grade of C or better.
• Retain active KY STNA and CPR-BLS Provider certifications.
• Completed PAX exam (recommended score of 50 or higher in all areas)
• Attendance at Ready-to-Apply Conference and 1-on-1 with Pre-Nursing Enrollment Advisor, Jennifer Wong
• Submission of required application documentation.

Prospective applicants will receive their materials after attending a mandatory Ready-to-Apply Conference and the mandatory Ready-to-Apply 1-on-1 with Jennifer Wong. 

• The Conference is approximately an hour-long session and there are several of them offered throughout the 4-week period leading up to the application deadline. They are offered at different times and days, as well as virtual, to allow for student to attend. 

Yes. If you are applying for a Fall 2023 cohort, the last day to take the PAX is Monday, May 22, 2023.

NOTE: For more information about the PAX, review the NLN RN PRE-ADMISSION EXAM (PAX) section of this document.

Dates begin in April and will continue into May.

• Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 3:45pm (Edgewood, NAHSC, Rm 206 or Virtual)
• Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 6:00pm (Edgewood, NAHSC, Rm 206 or Virtual)
• Monday, May 1, 2023 at 11:00am (Edgewood, NAHSC, Rm 208 or Virtual)
• Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 12:00pm (Edgewood, NAHSC, Rm 208 or Virtual)
• Monday, May 15, 2023 at 4:15pm (Edgewood, NAHSC, Rm 208 or Virtual)

It is preferred, that you RSVP so we can plan for your attendance. Reservations are not required. 

To RSVP for an upcoming session, register here.

Please make all possible effort to attend a conference. In the event that you absolutely cannot attend, please e-mail the Health Professions Division at gw-healthprofessions@kctcs.edu.

Students must attend a full session in order to receive credit for being there. If the student is late or leaves early, they must attend another session to obtain all of the content.

Final decisions to be made by the Director of Nursing and/or Dean of Health Professions. 

Schedule your NLN RN PAX (National League for Nursing RN Pre-Admission Exam) by:

1. Clicking this link: https://www2.registerblast.com/gctc/Exam/List
2. In the “Choose a group” dropdown, select “NLN RN PAX”
3. In the “Choose an exam” dropdown, select “NLN RN PAX ($70.00)”

The rest of the requirements are self-explanatory. You’ll select your test date, time, enter personal info, pay, etc.

Students have at least two resources to help them brush up on material covered in the PAX.

• The Gateway Library provides students access to PAX test prep materials through LearningExpress Library's "Career Preparation" Center. To access the learning material directly, click here. 
• Students are welcome to purchase or locate resources to assist them with studying for the PAX. One that has been helpful for students has been found on Amazon.com called PAX-RN Secrets Study Guide: Nursing Test Review for the NLN Pre-Admission Examination. 
• That same book is also available for check out at the Kenton County Public Library, search here.  

Students take the PAX at the Boone Campus Assessment Center.

500 Technology Way, Florence, KY 41042

Pre-admissions testing is very common with nursing programs. Since admittance into the program is a selective process, the Selective Admission Committee needs all the relevant academic data for an applicant that they can get in order to assess strengths and weaknesses.  Our data shows that students who score low on the PAX have a lower success rate in the Nursing Program. Students that score an RN Percentile Rank of 50 or higher on the PAX have better odds of being able to keep up with nursing content. Think of the data we collect as your academic resume. The better your grades, GPA, and PAX scores are, and the more co-requisite classes you have completed, the more qualified you are for the role of the nursing student.

If you have taken the NLN RN PAX with Gateway since May 2022, you are welcome to reuse your scores if you would like. It is recommended that students strive to achieve at least a RN Percentile Rank of 50.

Yes, all applicants are reviewed thoroughly by the Selective Admission Committee. A score lower than 50% does not disqualify an applicant.

No. The test must be taken at Gateway for your scores to be used.

Login into the NLN account you created in order to take the PAX and you can see your scores there. Scores sometimes take four hours to appear after completion of the test.

The image below is a screenshot example of what you should be looking for. The RN Percentile Rank is what earns a student points. 50 or higher receives points.

The RN Percentile Rank shows how you stack up against all the pre-nursing students in the nation that have ever taken the NLN PAX.

< 50 = Below Average

   50 = Average

> 50 = Above Average

We have online access to everyone’s scores and we take the best of your attempts. You do not need to give us the information.

• BIO-137 (Anatomy and Physiology I) - must be completed in the last 5 years
• PSY-110 (General Psychology)
• MAT-150, MAT-151, OR STA-210/220 (College Algebra or Statistics)
• NAA 100 (Nursing Assistant Skills I) or active status on the KY Nurse Aide registry
  • Verification can be found here
• CPR 100 (CPR for the Healthcare Provider or active CPR Basic Life Support for the Healthcare Provider certification)

Yes! As long as all of your pre-requisites are completed by May 15, you are good to go.

BIO 137 and BIO 139 can be no older than five years by the start of NSG 101.  Here is a guide to help you determine the status of your BIO course:

No, applicants are not penalized for renewing BIO 137 after they have already passed it. Likewise, if a student is retaking BIO 137 for a better grade even though they have already earned at least a C in a previous attempt, the higher of the two grades will be taken and no points will be docked.

Points are only deducted if the student had an unsuccessful attempt in BIO 137 and are retaking it for application eligibility.

Some charges are eligible for expungement. For more information about this option, visit the Department of Public Advocacy website. 

Our Nursing Program completes work-based learning (clinicals) at a variety of healthcare facilities; therefore, our program MUST follow the expectations of all facilities.

• Immunizations/Vaccinations
• Hepatitis B Vaccinations or Titer
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccinations or Titers
• Varicella Vaccinations or Titer
• Tdap Vaccination (no titer options)
• Covid-19 Vaccinations (no titer options)
• Season Influenza Immunization
• Tuberculosis 2-Step Screening or TB QuantiFERON (TB Gold) Blood Test
• Physical Examination and Medical History

Because these are requirements for the clinical institutions and not for attendance at Gateway, neither Gateway, nor the Nursing Department, is offering exemptions from these requirements. The items listed above are mandatory for all students. *Subject to change

Yes, students are responsible for paying for the background check and drug screen. The cost is $61.20.  *Subject to change

In addition, students are responsible for paying for the Compliance Tracker, to help maintain immunization records, certifications, and other program requirements. 
The cost is $35.00 *Subject to change

No, the core nursing (NSG) courses have a set schedule. Sometimes there are lab and clinical time groups that the students may be able to choose from. However, those options are presented to accepted students when applicable.