An application for admission is effective only for 12 months from the time of submission. The Associate Degree Nursing program and the Practical Nursing program are very competitive and challenging. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee acceptance into a program. Applicants who have previously been dismissed from another nursing program are ineligible for admission to the nursing programs. "Ability-to-benefit" students are ineligible for admission.
General requirements
- Official high school transcript indicating that the applicant has or will complete a high school course of study and/or has a passing GED official score report.
- In order to be eligible for pre-requisite courses (BIO 100 for PN program; BIO 141, BIO 142, ENG 111 for the ADN program): The Virginia Placement Test must be taken at Central Virginia Community College and the report must demonstrate that the applicant is eligible to enroll in the required science and English courses.
- Applicants are required to complete a Kaplan Pre-Entrance Admissions Exam administered by Centra College of Nursing following the submission of their completed application.
- Testing Dates/Times will be registered upon receipt of completed applications.
- Test will be administered at Centra College of Nursing.
- A non-refundable testing fee of $25.00 (made payable by check; money order) is collected upon arrival for a scheduled exam.
- Areas to be tested will include Math, Reading Comprehension, Science, Writing, and Critical Thinking.
- A suggested resource for testing preparation is can be found here:
- Personal references (3) from individuals, other than family members and friends, must accompany the application.
- References should be from those who can speak to the applicant’s work ethic, community service and/or academic performance.
- Transfer students refer to the college catalog: Transfer of Credits into the College of Nursing.
Associate Degree in Nursing program requirements
Official transcripts of completed prerequisite courses must be submitted as supporting data by the application deadline date. Prerequisite courses include:
- BIO 141: Anatomy & Physiology I (4 credit hours )
- HLT 141: Introduction to Medical Terminology (2 credit hours)
- PSY 230: Developmental Psychology (3 credit hours)
- HLT 230: Principles of Nutrition and Human Development (3 credit hours)
- SDV 100: College Success Skills (1 credit hour; this requirement will be waived for those who have a previous college degree or LPN certification)
To be considered for admission:
- All prerequisite course grades must be a “C."
- A minimum prerequisite curricular GPA of 2.7 in prerequisite courses is recommended.
- Due to the competitiveness of admission, applicants who demonstrate the highest academic success on completed college courses will be considered for admission. (Completion of these prerequisites and any of the general education courses in the curriculum does not guarantee admission.)
Advanced Placement (LPN) requirements
Advanced placement Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) will be required to complete Nursing 100 (LPN Transition) offered at Centra College of Nursing. Upon completion of the admission requirements and the transition course, the LPN may be accepted to enter into the second semester of the curriculum. Completion of the required courses does not guarantee admission to the college. In addition to the admission requirements for the ADN program, Advanced Placement LPNs must:
- Submit an official transcript from a state approved school of practical nursing.
- Submit proof of a current unrestricted license to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
- Complete BIO 142: Anatomy & Physiology II (4 credit hours) with a minimum grade of “C."
Practical Nursing program requirements
- A minimum high school GPA of 2.2 is recommended for the Practical Nursing (PN) program.
Nurse Aide Education Program requirements:
The Nurse Aide Program admits students in five-week (day-time) cohorts throughout the academic year. An application for admission is effective only for 30 days from the time of submission. If you are not selected for admission, you must notify the Program Coordinator in writing to be reconsidered for a subsequent class.
- The nurse aide program is very competitive and challenging. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee acceptance into a program.
Eligibility for Admission:
- Applicants who have previously been dismissed from another nurse aide class will be required to participate in an interview process to determine eligibility for application review. The interview does not guarantee acceptance into a program.
- “Ability-to-benefit” students are ineligible for admission.
- If found ineligible for admission, applicants will be notified via mail or email.
- Centra College of Nursing does not offer credit for experiential learning.
Application Deadlines
Applications with all supporting data must be received by the deadline posted on the CCON website.
Admission Requirements: General Requirements for the nurse aide program
- Submit official high school transcripts (mailed from the educational institution) indicating that the applicant has completed a high school course of study or has a passing GED or Home School official score report.
- Must be 18 years of age prior to the start of the program.
- Immigration or citizenship documentation is required if applicant is not a U.S. citizen by birth (The College is not a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certified and cannot accept international students on an F-1 or M-1 visa).
- Include personal references (3) from individuals, other than family members, and friends. The three completed reference forms (mailed from the people completing the reference) must be submitted with the application. References should be from those who can speak to the applicant’s work ethic, community service and/or academic performance.
- Must be able to meet the Essential Requirements for the program and sign and date the form.
- If selected, Centra Nurse Aide Education Program admissions team may request an interview with you.
- All admission required documentation must be mailed to the Centra Nurse Aide Program and received by 4:30 pm on the last day of the deadline.
Centra College of Nursing
Nurse Aide Education Program
905 Lakeside Drive, Suite A
Lynchburg, VA 24501
Additional Requirements: All Accepted Applicants
- Background check and drug screen (conviction of certain crimes may preclude admission to the College)
- Prior to the first day of class, the student must provide documentation of positive titers or immunizations for tetanus (TDAP), rubella, rubeola, mumps (MMR) and chickpox (Varicella); the Hepatitis B series, and tuberculin test. Students are required initiate the Hepatitis B, TDaP, MMR and Varicella vaccination or sign a declination statement if they are unable to receive the vaccine. Flu vaccine documentation is required (12/1 through 4/30) and students who do not receive the vaccine may be required to wear a mask when in the clinical area. Must have FLU VAC sticker on the badge. The tuberculin test is required to be done once.
- Signature representing agreement with Centra Nurse Aide Education Program Honor.
- American Heart Association (AHA) Healthcare Provider CPR card valid for the duration of the program. The Nurse Aide Program will provide CPR training if necessary, but this is not considered part of the curriculum hours.
- Employees of Centra Health System will be evaluated for job performance and eligibility for rehire. Adverse references from previous employers will be evaluated in the admission process and may result in non-acceptance to the program.
- All Accepted applicants will be required to attend the full orientation session. Failure to attend the orientation will result in forfeiture of your position in the program
Admission Process Checklist
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Evaluation of Applicant’s Potential and Abilities (3) |
Reference forms should be completed by persons who can speak to the applicant’s work ethic, academic abilities, and/or involvement with activities and community service. All three references must be submitted with the application.
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Official high school transcripts |
A high school transcript/record of GED/homeschool certificate must be submitted with the application.
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U.S. Citizenship |
Immigration or citizenship documentation is required if applicant is not a U.S. citizen by birth (The College is not a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certified and cannot accept international students on an F-1 or M-1 visa).
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Acceptance for admission |
Letters of acceptance will be given to applicants. Applicants not accepted will receive a letter.
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Enrollment Agreement |
Signed student enrollment agreements must be returned within the specified time as included in the letter of acceptance.
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Background check/drug screen |
Applicants will be notified regarding the completion of the background check/drug screen.
The Virginia Board of Nursing may be consulted regarding the applicant’s ability to take the NNAAP upon graduation. The Human Resources department of Centra may be consulted regarding areas of clinical experience that students may not attend. The Board of Nursing may refuse to admit a candidate to any examination, or refuse to issue a license, to any applicant with certain criminal convictions. The Board may refuse licensure to an applicant who uses alcohol or drugs to the extent that it renders the applicant unsafe to practice, or who has a mental or physical illness rendering the applicant unsafe to practice. Misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude may prevent licensure. Moral turpitude means convictions related to lying, cheating or stealing. Examples include, but are not limited to: reporting false information to the police, shoplifting or concealment of merchandise, petit larceny, welfare fraud, embezzlement, and writing worthless checks. Conviction of a barrier crime will preclude admission to the College. Conviction of a misdemeanor (as listed above, but not limited to those examples) will require that the applicant interview with an admission representative and may result in the revocation of the admission offer. |
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Valid CPR card |
CPR card for the AHA Healthcare Provider. The Nurse Aide Program will provide CPR training, but this is not considered part of the curriculum hours.
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Financial Resources |
The student is responsible for discussion with Human Resources regarding any Centra Employee Work Commitment and associated agreement to waive tuition and fees for the program. The process must be completed before the course begins to allow for proper billing.
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Student Health Policies |
Prior to the first day of class, the student must provide documentation of positive titers or immunizations for tetanus (TDaP), rubella, rubeola, mumps (MMR) and chickpox (Varicella); the Hepatitis series, and tuberculin test. Students are required initiate the Hepatitis B, tetanus, MMR and Varicella vaccination or sign a declination statement. Flu vaccine documentation is required (12/1 through 4/30) and students who do not receive the vaccine may be required to wear a mask when in the clinical area. Must have FLU VAC sticker on the badge. Tuberculosis testing is required (one time).
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Orientation |
Students are required to complete online orientation by calling (434) 200-4848 after the first day of class to activate their account. This education will be completed within 15 days.
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Essential Program Requirements |
Students must read, sign and date the form to ensure they are capable of meeting the physical and mental demands of the nurse aide role. |
Enrollment Requirements
- Return Enrollment Agreement
- Background check and drug screen
- Verification of required immunizations and U.S. citizenship
- Attendance at mandatory orientation
- Sign and date Essential Program Requirement Form
