Nursing Program Application Process FAQ for Spring & Fall 2026 Traditional Students

• All pre-requisite classes completed before the application deadline with a grade of C or better.
• Retain active KY STNA and CPR-BLS Provider certifications.
• Completed HESI A2 (recommended score of 75% or higher in all areas)
• Attendance at Nursing Pre-Admission Conference
• Submission of required application documentation

Applicants are chosen by a Selective Admission process. The decision of the Selective Admission Committee is final, and not eligible for appeal.

Yes, there is a deadline for students applying to the nursing program to take the HESI A2 exam. The deadlines are as follows:

• For Spring Start: The deadline is October 15.
• For Fall Start: The deadline is May 15.

Please note that testing may not be available on certain days and is subject to availability. Applicants should plan accordingly to ensure they meet the required deadlines.

Decision letters are sent out twice a year: in early June for fall admission and in mid-November for spring admission.

Note: The application schedule is subject to change.

These sessions will detail the admissions process and prepare students for success in the Nursing program. The Conference, held by current Nursing faculty and advisors, is meant to ensure that applicants understand every aspect of the admissions process and have a better understanding of what to expect in the program should they be admitted. Prospective applicants must attend at least one session.

Dates begin in August and January each year.

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

Register Now!

Please make every possible effort to attend a conference. In the event that you absolutely cannot attend, please email 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. 

Yes, you still have to attend a session.

 The HESI Admission Assessment (A2) exam is a standardized and proctored entrance exam completed by Nursing program applicants.

Contact us at gw-healthprofessions@kctcs.edu; financial assistance may be available. Please seek this option if you truly need it – this is a limited fund.

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. Data shows that students below the recommended 75% on all components of the HESI A2 have a lower success rate in the Nursing Program. Students that score a 75% or higher on all components of the HESI A2 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 HESI A2 scores are, and the more co-requisite classes you have completed, the more qualified you are for the role of the nursing student.

What is the content of the exam? How is the test scored, and what is the recommended score? How can I prepare? How do I register?

If you want to know the answers to these questions and more, please refer to HESI A2 Pre-Admission Assessment for Nursing.

• 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
  • Verify your status on the KY Nurse Aide Registry.
• CPR 100 (Active CPR Basic Life Support for the Healthcare Provider certification)

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.

Yes, instructions are given to students accepted into the program.

No. Only students that are accepted into the Nursing Program are required to have this done. Specific instructions are provided to the students once they are accepted.

Yes, you may reuse the background check from one of Gateway’s Health Professions programs, if less than one year old. However, a fresh drug screen is required specifically for the Nursing Program. Results from a previous background check or drug screen from another organization will not be accepted by our Nursing Program.

It could. Students are held to the same standards to which our clinical facilities hold their employees. Typically, the type of charges that prevent student enrollment into the program are anything to do with theft, drugs, violence, and recent DUIs.  All adverse results are reviewed confidentially on an individual basis.

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

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

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.