Nursing Students

All students must have the following to submit an application:

• NA-C certificate of completion from a WA State Nursing Commission approved course or NAC licensure active and unrestricted on the deadline/s.
  • 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.
• Completion of prerequisite classes from a 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)
  • ENGL& 101 (English Composition I), or ENGL&102 (English Composition II), or ENGL&235 (Technical Writing)
  • CMST& 240 (formerly CMST 200, Intercultural Communication) or CMST&210 (Interpersonal Communication), or CMST& 220 (Public Speaking)
  • NUTR& 101 (Nutrition)
  • MATH& 146 (Introduction to Statistics) 
  • PSYC& 200 (Lifespan Developmental Psychology) 
  • Note: Starting from Fall 2025, the requirement for CHEM&121 or CHEM&161 will be changed to CHEM&131, Introduction to Organic/Biochemistry.
• Selective Admission Application Fee ($45)
• Applicants must also be admitted to Highline.

Refer to the RN Informational Application Packet for a full list of admissions requirements as well as detailed instructions and information. To be considered complete, all requirements must be met on or before the deadline. We use a random selection process to ensure all eligible applicants have an equal opportunity.

The following additional experiences may increase your chance of being accepted, and documentation must also be provided:

• Health-Related Community Service – A letter from a Community Service supervisor.  Must state: Institution name, Student name, and dates of community service.
• Previous Associate’s Degree or Higher – Transcripts showing a degree or diploma for an associate’s degree or higher.
• U.S. Military Service – Active Military Identification, DD-214, etc.
• 1+ Years of Direct Patient Care Experience in the healthcare field – A letter from your supervisor. Must state: Institution name, student name, and dates of employment.

Admissions will only review applications received during the submission periods. Applications that do not meet all requirements at the time of application submission will not be considered for selection.

Applicants who meet all of the application requirements will be also assessed on a point system for certain qualifications that can increase chances of selection. Any applicant that is found to have submitted false information will be immediately withdrawn from the applicant pool.

Additional qualifications considered:

• Attend an information session (online or in person)
  • Note: One point awarded for attending, regardless of how many sessions you attend.
• Geographic location
• Health-Related Community Service
• Previous Associates degree or higher
  • Note: Degrees from foreign universities will qualify
• U.S. Military Service
• First Generation College Graduate
• Current or past Highline College student (30+ credits)
• 1+ year direct patient care experience as an NA-C
• Pre-requisite cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher

• 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. 
   • 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.