Nursing Students

Admissions will review only applications submitted during the specified submission periods. The program utilizes a random selection process. To be considered for selection, all of the following requirements must be completed prior to submitting your application.

1. Activate Highline Student Account 
   • First-time Highline students must first apply for general admission to Highline College. Once your application is processed, you will receive a Welcome Letter via email with instructions for activating your Highline Student Account. 
     • We recommend submitting the general admission application at least 1-2 weeks in advance. 
   • Current or former Highline students who already have a ctcLink ID number can skip this step. 
   • If you are a former Highline college but do not have a ctcLink ID number, please submit the general application.
2. Completion of a Nursing Assistant training program approved by the Washington State Board of Nursing or holding an active and unrestricted NAC license by the application deadline. Use the links below to view samples of the required documents:
   • Completion of a Nursing Assistant training program. See sample printout.
   • Nursing Assistant Certification. See sample printout.
   • NAC verification printout from the Department of Health website. See sample printout.
   • We will accept an LPN license in lieu of an NA-C license. Students applying with an LPN license should be prepared to complete the full AAS RN program.
3. Completion of prerequisite classes from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of 4.5 credits and 3.0 minimum grade in each class (2.7 minimum grade for math). Each class can be attempted no more than 3 times.
   • BIOL& 241 (Human Anatomy & Physiology I)  
   • BIOL& 242 (Human Anatomy & Physiology II) 
   • BIOL& 260 (Microbiology) 
   • CHEM& 121 (Introduction to Chemistry), or CHEM&161 (General Chemistry with Lab I) (Starting from Fall 2025, the requirement will be changed to CHEM&131, Introduction to Organic/Biochemistry.)
   • CMST& 240 (formerly CMST 200, Intercultural Communication) or CMST& 210 (Interpersonal Communication), CMST& 220 (Public Speaking), or any 200-level communication course focusing on interpersonal interaction with diverse populations.
   • ENGL& 101 (English Composition I), or ENGL&102 (English Composition II), or ENGL&235 (Technical Writing)
   • MATH& 146 (Introduction to Statistics) 
   • NUTR& 101 (Nutrition)
   • PSYC& 200 (Lifespan Developmental Psychology)
4. Submission of the RN admission application   
   • Complete the online application and submit required documents. The application link will be available on this website once the application period opens.
5. Selective Admission Application Fee ($45)
   • The college places a $45 admission application fee on your account when you submit your application. You will receive an email notification once the fee is charged. Pay the fee by the deadline stated in the email for your application to be processed. 
   • The fee is non-refundable. Once your application is submitted, the fee will remain as an outstanding balance until it is paid regardless of your eligibility or acceptance into the program.

After the application review process, all eligible applicants will be entered into a random selection. Each eligible applicant will be assigned a unique number, which will be drawn randomly from the selection pool, ensuring an equal chance of selection for all eligible applicants.

A total of 84 students will be admitted, divided as follows: 28 students will begin in Fall, 28 in Winter, and 28 in Spring.

Applicants can earn extra points for certain optional qualifications. While not mandatory, these qualifications increase the number of times an applicant’s name appears in the selection pool, thereby improving their chances of being selected. Below are the optional qualifications for consideration.

Optional qualifications:

• Attend an information session (online or in person)
  • Note: One point awarded for attending, regardless of how many sessions you attend.
• Geographic location
• First Generation College Graduate
• Current or past Highline College student (30+ credits)
• Prerequisite Pre-requisite cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher

The following optional qualifications required documentation:

• Complete and submit the Health-Related Community Service Form 
• Previous associate degree or higher (transcripts with degree posted or diploma)
• Note: Degrees from foreign universities will qualify
• U.S. Military Service(e.g. DD214, military ID)
• Have at least one year direct patient care experience. Complete and submit the Direct Patient Care Experience Verification Form 

Any applicant found to have submitted false information will be immediately removed from the applicant pool.

• Nursing Department Information
• Program Requirements and Course Descriptions

Eligibility requirements for this program are reviewed annually.  The requirements for next academic year may be different and the changes will be reflected in the application materials. 

1. If I have met all the requirements but were not selected, do I need to re-apply and pay the fee again?
   • If you applied for Fall or Winter quarter but were not selected, you do not need to re-apply again. You will automatically be included in the next random selection process for Winter or Spring. 
     • You will receive an email during the next application cycle to confirm whether you are still interested in remaining in the selection process. Please ensure you respond to be included in the selection process.
   • If you apply for Spring quarter but were not selected, you need to reapply and pay the fee again for any quarter of the next academic year.  
2. What can I do if my application was declined because I didn’t meet the requirements?
   • You may take these steps:
     • Prerequisites: Retake the class if needed, but no more than three times. Make sure the class credit is 4.5 and get a grade of at least 3.0, except for MATH& 146, where a minimum grade of 2.7 is required.   
     • NA-C credential: Complete the training from a program approved by the Washington State Nursing Commission.
     • Reapply: Submit a new application and pay the application fee
3. If I missed the deadline to pay the application fee, can I have the charge removed from my account?
   • No, once the fee is added to your student account, you are responsible for paying it.

1. I’m still finishing my prerequisites and will be done after the application deadline. Can I apply since I will finish them before the quarter starts?
   • No, all required prerequisites must be completed by the application deadline. If you are still taking classes, your application will not be accepted.
2. I have less than a 3.0 in a prerequisite class. Am I eligible to apply?
   • Except for MATH& 146, all classes need a minimum grade of 3.0. You are not eligible to apply if you have less than a 3.0 in any other classes.
3. Do my classes expire?
   • No, the prerequisite classes do not have a time limit.  
4. How do I know if my classes will be transferred?
   • If you would like the Admissions Office to review your transcripts before applying, you can email an unofficial copy of your transcripts to nursingapp@highline.edu.
5. When should I submit official transcripts?
   • Applicants are required to submit official transcripts only after being selected for the program. 
6. Do I need to submit my official transcript from Highline College? 
   • If you have completed coursework at Highline College, you do not need to submit an official transcript. 
7. How do I send official transcripts from other institutions to Highline College? 
   • Official transcripts from other institutions should be ordered through the institution’s websites.
   • Electronic transcripts should be sent to: incomingtranscripts@highline.edu 
   • Paper official transcripts can be mailed to:

Highline College 
Credentials Evaluator 
PO Box 98000 MS 6-4
Des Moines, WA 98198-9800

1. Do you accept substitutions for the Certified Nursing Assistant (NA-C) requirement? 
   
   • Due to differences in training content and job responsibilities, we do not accept certifications or licensures outside of Nursing Assistant qualifications as a substitution for the NA-C requirement, except for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). However, LPN holders must still complete the full 2-year RN program. 
2. If I have a NA-C license from another state, will it meet the credential requirement? 
   • If you hold an active Nursing Assistant license from another state, you may qualify for certification in Washington through the endorsement process. For more details, visit the Washington State Department of Health website. 
   • If you have a certificate of completion from another state, you will need to retake the program training in Washington State. 
3. Do I need to have a NA-C license before applying for the program?
   • No, you do not need to have a NA-C license to apply for the 2-year RN program. You just need to submit a certificate of completion from the program that you finished. If you already have an active NA-C license, you can submit a copy of it instead of the certificate of completion.
4. How do I know if my NA-C course is approved by the WA State Board of Nursing (WABON)?
   • You can find a list of Nursing Assistant training programs on the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) website. 

1. How do the Additional Qualifications work?
   • Additional Qualifications are optional but can help you earn extra points, increasing the number of times your name appears in the selection pool and improving your chances of selection. While these points do not guarantee selection, they do enhance your likelihood of being chosen. 
2. How is the Random Selection process conducted?
   • Each eligible applicant is assigned a unique number. During the random selection process, these numbers are drawn randomly from the selection pool, ensuring that all eligible applicants have an equal chance of being selected.

1. I have questions about the vaccination requirements. Who can I contact?
   • Please contact the Nursing Department at nursing@highline.edu 
     

1. When will I receive the orientation schedule if I am selected for the program? 
   • If you are selected, the RN program director will send you a follow-up email with the orientation schedule. If you don’t receive it, please contact Nursing@highline.edu for assistance.