Common Questions of Transfer Students
Undergraduate Degree - Atlanta Campus (Pre-licensure)
(Students interested in attending nursing courses on the Macon Campus [Beginning 2013] click here)
1. What kind of undergraduate degree will I earn from Georgia Baptist College of Nursing
of Mercer University (GBCN of Mercer)?
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree.
2. Do I need to apply to Mercer University before applying to the nursing program in Atlanta?
No, students interested in pursuing a degree in nursing should complete the Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University application to be considered for admission to the nursing program.
3. Can I apply online?
Applicants are encouraged to apply online
Please note: An online BSN application may be submitted by pre-licensure students only. If you are currently a registered nurse, you will submit a different application. If this applies to you, please refer to the application required for RN-BSN prospective students, listed below.
Prelicensure web (online) application: applications for Fall 2012 admission consideration are CLOSED; check this site often for Fall 2013 application forms.
For applicants who are licensed Registered Nurses seeking the BSN degree:
RN-BSN Advanced Track Application
4. If I applied to GBCN last year, am I required to submit a new application to apply again?
Applications are kept on file for two years. If your original application is within that time frame, you
can complete the Reactivation Form (click here for form). Reactivation applicants need to provide
Admissions with their updated transcripts, as well as any new information to meet criteria for
admissions. (Previous applicants, who were denied admission, are not encouraged to reapply unless their application
materials have become more competitive, such as significant increase in science GPA, cumulative GPA).
5. What documents are required to complete my admissions file?
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Completed GBCN of Mercer application (listed under #3 above)
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Application fee ($50) made payable to Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University
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Essay
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Official transcripts from any college, university, or technical college ever attended. (Documents must be postmarked by the admission deadline)
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Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) score report
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International student applicants should click here for additional information.
6. Does GBCN of Mercer University require an entrance examination for pre-licensure students?
Yes, GBCN requires that students sit for the (TEAS), which is a nationally normed exam
that assesses the applicant's potential for success in a nursing curriculum. GBCN accepts TEAS
scores ONLY from testing sites located in accredited colleges and universities or from Pearson
VUE. Scores from other sites will not be accepted as part of the application packet. TEAS scores
are valid for one year. If the test is taken in May of one year, it is valid through April of the
following year. Students may attempt the TEAS no more than two times in one academic year
(May-June) for consideration to be admitted. The TEAS is offered on our Atlanta campus on
designated dates.
Need for information about the TEAS? GO
7. What are the deadlines?
Undergraduate pre-licensure (fall semester entry only):
April 1 for international applicants
May 1 final deadline for students who are not
international students
RN-BSN (licensed professional RNs; multiple entry semesters):
Fall semester entry
June 1 international student deadline
July 1, final deadline
Spring semester entry
November 1 international student deadline
December 1, priority deadline
Summer semester entry
March1, international student deadline
April1, priority deadline
8. How long is the nursing program?
The program requires four semesters to complete the program. Pre-licensure students graduate in two years since they must enter the program with core prerequisites. (see #11 below)
9. Do you have an accelerated program for students who have already earned a degree in another area of study?
There is no accelerated program. Full-time students are able to complete the curriculum plan in four semesters. Many students enrolled at GBCN of Mercer University, on the Atlanta campus, have earned undergraduate degrees and graduate degrees in other majors. These students enter the nursing program as transfer students and complete the program in four semesters.
10. What factors are considered in the admission process for transfer students?
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The completion of the prerequisites for the program.
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An overall GPA (this includes all coursework that has been attempted except for health, PE, orientation, and learning support courses).
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A transfer GPA (this includes courses that will transfer into the nursing program).
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A science GPA (this includes transferable science courses, such as Anatomy and Physiology I and II; and microbiology).
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Quality of the admissions essay.
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Community service and work experience.
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TEAS score.
11. What are the prerequisites? (Completion of the prerequisites does not guarantee admission)
[NOTE: Are you interested in common local course equivalencies? More]
Anatomy & Physiology I (lecture and lab) 4 hrs
Anatomy & Physiology II (lecture and lab) 4hrs
English Composition I 3 hrs
English Composition II 3 hrs
Introduction to Psychology 3 hrs
Political Science or Economics 3hrs
Introduction to Sociology or Anthropology 3 hrs
Abnormal Psychology/Psychopathology 3hrs
Statistics 3hrs
Cultural Appreciation 3 hrs
Fundamentals of Microbiology 4 hrs
Nutrition 3hrs
General Education Elective 3hrs
Speech or Communications 3hrs
Fine Arts/Humanities Elective 3hrs
Philosophy or Ethics 3hrs
Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan 3hrs
Religion 3hrs
Are you interested in applying as a transfer student? Read more
12. What are the average GPAs of the transfer class most recently accepted in the program? (Admission to the nursing program is competitive, and students are not guaranteed admission based on the GPAs listed below.)
Overall GPA 3.38
Transfer GPA 3.47
Science GPA 3.32
13. Can I set up an appointment with an admissions adviser to go over my transfer credits?
Once an application is submitted, a prospective student can call to set up an appointment.
(Refer to Question 5 above to determine documents associated with a complete file.)
14. Does GBCN of Mercer offer night courses or part-time options?
Students should be prepared to enter a full-time program with the majority of the courses and clinical experiences taking place during the weekdays.
15. Can I enter the program in the summer?
The only undergraduate students who can enter the program during the summer are Registered Nurses (RNs) who are seeking a BSN degree.
16. Do you have a bridge program for LPNs?
No
17. Will I receive credit for working as a certified nursing assistant, medical assistant, surgical tech, LPN?
No, transfer credit is not awarded for certificate or diploma programs (RNs with diploma credit could be awarded escrow credit for diploma courses). The only credit considered for transfer credit must be earned at an accredited college or university, and the course must be applicable towards an associate's or bachelor's degree.
18. I have a prior bachelor's degree. Will this count towards my degree in nursing
at Georgia Baptist College of Nursing?
The Admissions Office reviews transcripts and determines if coursework from a previous degree
is acceptable for transfer into the nursing program. Many accepted students have prior degrees.
When is the next Information Session?
Prospective students who are interested in attending an Information Session must make a reservation. Attendance is limited and seats fill up very quickly. Pre-licensure applicants may view upcoming sessions by clicking here.