Program Policies and Requirements

Calvin’s accredited nursing program is a rigorous academic experience that will provide you with the cognitive abilities, technical skills, and leadership capabilities to thrive in a nursing career.

Students should take note of the following policies:

1. Prerequisite natural science courses must have been completed within the last seven years.
2. Preference will be given to applicants who have completed or will complete all nine nursing prerequisite courses at Calvin.
3. Preference will be given to applicants who have completed more than six prerequisite courses at the time of application.
4. Preference will be given to students who have not repeated nursing pre-requisite courses.
5. Consideration will be given to applicants who have made repeated applications to the nursing major.
6. Applicants who submit applications after the due date will be considered on a space-available basis.
7. Prerequisite courses in progress must be completed by the end of Calvin University's second summer session with a minimum grade of a C.
8. All admissions are contingent on maintaining admission criteria up to beginning the nursing program.
9. All transcript grades at the time of application are final and alterations will not be accepted after the time of application.
10. Enrollment in the upper division nursing major is also contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check and drug screen.

It is important to note that completion of the pre-nursing courses and achievement of the minimum criteria does not guarantee admission into the nursing major. Enrollment in the final two years is limited, and thus the admission process is selective.

Costs

Nursing students will be charged Calvin tuition. In addition, a fee will be assessed for each nursing practicum course. Students can find the latest cost information on Calvin's Program Costs page. Students normally take one practicum course in each semester of the two-year upper division major; four total semesters.

Prior to beginning the nursing practicum courses, students will need to buy uniforms, name tags, a stethoscope, a blood pressure cuff, and complete an American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR course. Additional costs will be incurred for health-related items such as immunizations and titers as required by the practicum agencies. 

Lastly, textbooks are a significant investment in becoming a nurse. In recent years the textbook bundle has averaged around $1100 for the two year program; this covers most of the textbooks over the four semesters of the upper division nursing major. Nursing textbooks are beneficial as students graduate and enter into a nursing career or graduate school. Students also receive the electronic version of these textbooks when purchasing the bundle, which will always be accessible beyond graduation.  

Transportation

Classroom and laboratory experiences take place on the Calvin campus. During the final two years, practicum experiences occur at a variety of sites in the greater Grand Rapids area. Students are responsible for their own transportation to those settings. While students may be able to carpool with others for some practicum experiences, there will be occasions throughout the junior and senior years when personal transportation may be necessary.