Click and download the Associate Degree in Nursing program planning guide for course requirements and suggested sequencing.

Associate Degree in Nursing (A45110)

Graduates of this program are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), which is required for practice as a Registered Nurse.

Employment opportunities include hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, physicians’ offices, industry, and community agencies.

Registered Nurse

ADN Admission Policy – CO 2025
Click here for a printable version with additional information.

PHASE I: Application and Admission Eligibility
* Submit a completed application to PCC by visiting www.piedmontcc.edu/apply.
* Official transcripts from high school and all other colleges sent to PCC by the application deadline of March. (You must have graduated or will graduate from high school or the equivalent, as recognized by the State of North Carolina, before entering the ADN program)
* Students will be required to show proficiency in math, reading and writing by placing into ENG 111 and MAT 143 or 152 without the co-requisite.
* Applicants are encouraged to complete required general education courses while awaiting admission to the nursing program.
* Any applicant who earns a “D” or “F” in a required course for the ADN program must repeat it prior to entering the nursing program and earn a grade of “C” or better.

PHASE II: KNAT, CNA Certification, and Program Application
* Upon completion of ALL Phase I requirements, eligible applicants can register to take the KNAT by completing the permission form, which are available online, in the Student Development office, and the ADN Director’s office. Testing dates are posted online, in Student Development, and on the Director of Nursing’s office door. Applicants who qualify for testing accommodations based on a disability, must request accommodations and notify the Director of Nursing prior to taking the test.
* Complete the KNAT. Students who achieve an overall score of 67% will be given priority admission over those scoring lower than 67% due to these scores correlating with a student successfully completing the nursing program. Applicants are only allowed to test once per academic year. The study guide for the KNAT (Nursing School Entrance Exams Prep 2019-2020) may be purchased in the PCC bookstore or purchased online. The non-refundable testing fee is $30.
* By the August start date, applicants must have successfully completed a North Carolina approved Certified Nurse Aide I program and be currently listed on the Nurse Aide I Registry with no substantiated findings of resident abuse, resident neglect or misappropriation of resident property in a nursing facility. The Certified Nurse Aide I training program must include theory, lab, and clinical components. The applicant must provide a copy of the certificate of completion from an approved program. Challenging the Nurse Aide I examination will not meet this requirement. CMA, EMT, or LPN can be used to meet this requirement.

PHASE III: Selection Process and Notification of Admission Status
* Applicants who have met all entrance requirements and taken the KNAT will be considered by the Nursing Admission Committee. Consideration will be based upon the point system in the table on the following page. Courses considered for points must be completed by the end of the previous fall semester.
* Notification will be sent by April 15 to those who completed the admission application. One of the following categories will be listed:
–> Conditional acceptance (See Phase IV)
–> Waiting List
–> Not accepted – Low KNAT scores or low GPA
* Applicants not accepted must reapply the following year if admission is still desired.

PHASE IV: Acceptance
* Students accepted to the ADN program must:
* Return intent form to the Director, ADN Education by the required due date.
* BIO 168 and NA I must be completed prior to entering the ADN program.
* Show evidence of current American Heart Association (AHA) Healthcare Provider CPR certification.
* Attend a Mandatory Orientation on the designated date.
* Show satisfactory completion of physical and emotional health by the student’s primary care provider.
* Show evidence of required immunizations and/or titers:
* MMR & Varicella (2 doses or titer)
* Tetanus/Diphtheria (Tdap) (Within last 10 years)
* Hep B Series & titer (3 doses or titer – May sign waiver)
* Tuberculosis PPD skin test (Annual – 2-step required if no documentation within last year)
* Complete required criminal background check (CBC) and initial drug screening through the designated service provider at the student’s expense.

Transfer students
Students may request advanced placement in the ADN program if they have successfully completed NUR courses. In order to receive advanced placement, students will be given challenge exam(s) for each course previously completed and must score an 80% or higher.