Nursing, R.N., Admission
Earn Your Pin @ BC3!
Train in the state-of-the-art Victor K. Phillips Nursing & Allied Health Building! See all that BC3 has to offer from high-tech simulation and skills labs to evidence-based instruction and practice. Learn about Nursing, R.N., program, admission criteria, and how to apply to start your journey as a health care Pioneer here!
BC3's Nursing, R.N., program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and approved by the PA State Board of Nursing.
BC3 Shaffer School of Nursing & Allied Health Admission Criteria
All Applicants
- Graduation from an accredited high school or satisfactory completion of the GED/HiSET.
High school seniors can apply with an anticipated graduation date. Applicants must
have:
- English – 4 units
- Social Studies – 3 units
- Mathematics – 2 units (1 unit of Algebra required)
- Science – 2 units with a related laboratory (Biology and Chemistry preferred)
- Students must be 18 years of age at the time of first clinical course
- Receipt of all final, official transcripts
- "C" or better grades in all Nursing, R.N., program degree requirements (if applicable)
- "C" or better grades in required developmental/preparatory English and math coursework (if applicable)
Nursing, R.N., A.A.S. - General Applicant
This program is for individuals with no previous or dated Nursing educational experience. Applicants can select from a two-year program or three-year curriculum plan. Those who do not meet the criteria listed below should apply as a Health Care Science, Pre-Registered Nursing student.
- 2.80 cumulative, unweighted GPA minimum
- Completion of a Chemistry with lab course with a “C” or better grade in the last five years at high school or college-level
- Completion of a Biology with lab course with a “C” or better grade in the last five years at high school or college-level
Nursing, R.N., A.A.S. - BC3 LPN to RN Track
This program is for individuals previously enrolled and graduated from BC3’s Practical Nursing – Anatomy and Physiology Track, Certificate program (052). Students who meet the criteria below are eligible for admission into the second year of the Nursing, R.N., program.
- Graduate of BC3’s Practical Nursing – Anatomy and Physiology Track, Certificate program (052) within the past three years
- 2.00 GPA minimum in Practical Nursing and supporting courses
- Completion of a Chemistry with lab course with a “C” or better grade in the last 10 years at high school or college-level
- Completion of a Biology with lab course with a “C” or better grade in the last 10 years at high school or college-level
- Proof of current, valid Pennsylvania Practical Nursing license
- Employment as a current LPN
Nursing, R.N., A.A.S. - Advanced Standing (LPN-RN or Transfer Nursing Student) Applicant
This program is for individuals who are graduates of an outside accredited Practical Nursing program or transfer Nursing students with clinical experience equivalent to BC3’s NURS 101: Nursing 1: Introduction to Nursing within the last year passed with a “C” or better.
- 2.50 cumulative, unweighted GPA
- Completion of a Chemistry with lab course with a “C” or better grade in the last 10 years at high school or college-level
- Completion of a Biology with lab course with a “C” or better grade in the last 10 years at high school or college-level
- Proof of current, valid Pennsylvania Practical Nursing license (LPNs only)
- Employment as a current LPN (LPNs only)
Interested in the BC3 Nursing, R.N., program?
Nursing, R.N., Program Student Outcomes
Graduation Rates
The graduation rate for the Nursing, R.N., program for 2024 was 67.76%.
Licensure Rates
Graduates are required to pass a licensing examination to practice as a Registered Nurse. The licensing examination (National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-RN) passing rates for 2021, 2022, and 2023 were 89.1%, 81.25%, and 89.2%, respectively, for an average passing rate of 85.88%.
Employment Rates
Graduates who obtained any form of Registered Nursing employment within six months of licensure were considered to be employed. The employment rate was 86.36% in 2022 and 96.7% in 2023.
How to Apply to BC3's Nursing, R.N., Program
STEP 1 | Review Timelines and Meet with an Admissions Representative
Though general education courses can be taken at any of our BC3 locations or online, the Nursing, R.N., A.A.S. degree is only offered at our BC3 Main Campus in Butler and BC3 @ Brockway.
The Nursing, R.N., general application for Fall 2025 is now closed.
Application Dates:
- General applicants: August 1, 2025 - December 1, 2025 for Fall 2026 consideration
- BC3 LPN to RN Track applicants: March 1, 2025 - May 2, 2025 for Fall 2025 consideration
- Advanced Standing applicants: March 1, 2025 - May 2, 2025 for Fall 2025 consideration
We highly recommend that you meet with an admissions representative or your academic advisor prior to submitting your Nursing, R.N., application to ensure you meet minimum criteria.
STEP 2 | Complete an Online Application for Admission
The Nursing, R.N., general application for Fall 2025 is now closed. You may begin taking application and general education courses at any time by applying as a Health Care Science (210), Pre-Nursing student.
Complete the online Application for Admission here. There is a non-refundable $25.00 application fee for all students.
STEP 3 | Submit High School Transcripts
- Submit an official high school transcript or GED/HiSET score report. International transcripts should be evaluated for course-by-course equivalencies through WES.org or ECE.org.
- Official high school transcripts must be sent by USPS mail to the BC3 Main Campus Admissions Office or by a third-party transcript service to admissions@bc3.edu. They cannot be emailed or faxed by the student or school.
- If you had your final, official transcript sent previously to BC3, you do not need to resend it.
The mailing address is as follows:
Butler County Community College
Attn: Admissions Office
PO Box 1203
Butler, PA 16003
**Failure to submit required transcripts or test scores will delay application processing and admission decision.
STEP 4 | Submit College and University Transcripts
- Submit all official transcripts from colleges and universities attended. International transcripts should be evaluated for course-by-course equivalencies through WES.org or ECE.org.
- If attending another college or university during the fall or spring semester prior to the Nursing, R.N., program starting, submit a final, official transcript once no longer enrolled.
- Official college or university transcripts and AP test scores must be sent by USPS mail to the BC3 Main Campus Registration Office or by a third-party transcript service to registration@bc3.edu. They cannot be emailed or faxed by the student or school.
- If you had your final, official transcript(s) sent previously to BC3, you do not need to resend it.
The mailing address is as follows:
Butler County Community College
Attn: Registration Office
PO Box 1203
Butler, PA 16003
**Failure to submit required transcripts will delay application processing and admission decision.
STEP 5 | Complete BC3 Placement Testing or Determine Exemptions
- Visit bc3.edu/placement-testing to review available placement testing exemptions.
- Applicants who have graduated in the last five years with a minimum 3.00 cumulative, unweighted GPA and A/B grades in their 11th and 12th grade English courses and a minimum of a C in Algebra 2 may not need to test.
- Need to test? Be on the lookout for an email with instructions on how to schedule.
Successful completion of this program may potentially lead to professional licensure. Licensure may be global or state-specific. This program meets the requirements for the state of Pennsylvania. Requirements for other states may vary: bc3.edu/professional-licensure.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the BC3 Admissions Office at admissions@bc3.edu or 724-284-8501.
Nursing, R.N., Clinical Sites
- Armstrong Memorial Hospital
- Concordia Lutheran Ministries
- Independence Health System
- Penn Highlands Health System
- Punxsutawney Area Hospital
- Quality Life Services
- Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
- UPMC
Criminal History Licensure Disclosure
Act 53
All applicants are considered equally without regard to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, handicap or disability, use of a service animal due to disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, perceived gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, family status, or other classification protected by applicable law.
**However, please note that Nursing students must be 18 years of age prior to the start of their first clinical experience.
Pennsylvania law prohibits the State Board of Nursing from issuing a license to anyone who has been convicted of a crime with variable criteria according to Act 53 of 2020. This law allows for candidates with a criminal conviction to consider an occupation or profession that requires licensure.
With regard to the consideration of criminal convictions, Act 53:
- Prohibits Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affair’s (BPOA) licensing boards and commissions from denying licensure based on considerations of “good moral character,” “crimes of moral turpitude,” or “ethical or honest practice.”
- Requires each board and commission to develop and publish a schedule of criminal offenses that may constitute grounds to deny, suspend or revoke a license. The list must also identify which crimes are likely to pose a barrier to licensure because they are considered to be offenses “directly related” to the occupation/profession.
- Provides for an “individualized assessment” of each license applicant using objective, detailed criteria that includes rehabilitation and public safety.
- Provides a process for individuals who have criminal convictions to request a “preliminary determination” as to whether a particular conviction will be a bar to licensure. This new tool will enable people with criminal convictions to find out if their convictions would prevent them from getting a license − before enrolling in a training or educational program, before investing significant time and resources, and before formally applying for licensure.
Students are encouraged to complete the request for preliminary determination from
the State licensing board. This request once submitted will be reviewed by the PA
State Licensure board and returned to the applicant within 45 days. This should be
completed prior to or the first semester of the registered nursing program to inform
the candidate of their eligibility. Information regarding Act 53 of 2020 can be found
at the following website: https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/Pages/ACT-53-2020.aspx
The BC3 Nursing Admission Committee assumes the responsibility to review the data
of all applicants and has the right to offer admission to the best qualified individuals.
