Mississippi Delta Community College

Applicants must:

• Meet all general admission requirements for MDCC.
• Be a high school graduate or have a satisfactory High School Equivalency score (GED or HiSET).
• Have a minimum ACT composite score of 16 (12 if taken before October 28, 1989). Completion of the science section of the ACT is required for admission.
• The Practical Nursing Program at MDCC may allow up to 15% admission for high-risk students (students who do not meet admission criteria)
• Must be 18 years of age at start of program
• Must have a minimum 2.0 grade point average for all college course work taken.

1. ALL Applicants must FIRST log on to the MDCC website at www.msdelta.edu to submit an online application for admission/readmission to the school.  Please click the APPLY button on the home page of the website and complete all required fields.  No applicant will be considered for admission into a Health Science Program without first applying to MDCC.  You may receive future correspondence from the Office of Admissions regarding your admissions status to MDCC.
   • If you attended MDCC previously, but are not currently enrolled, you will need to complete this step first.
   • If you are currently enrolled at MDCC, you DO NOT need to do this step.
2. E-Script or mail OFFICIAL transcripts to the MDCC Office of Admission.  All transcripts must be on file by March 1.
3. Submit ACT scores to the MDCC Office of Admission.  (*NOTE* ACT scores are NOT recorded on transcripts from colleges or universities.  It is the student’s responsibility to submit these scores.)
4. Complete the “Practical Nursing Application” when it is active.  Fill out ALL information.  Do not leave any question blank.
5. Must be 18 years of age at the start of the program
6. It is the applicant’s responsibility to verify that all necessary information has been received.  Received information can be verified via the PN program application.  If all information is not received by the deadline, the applicant will not be considered for admission into the program.
7. All applicants will be notified by email of conditional acceptance or non-acceptance.  Electronic letters of conditional acceptance will include information regarding a required Health Sciences (Allied Health) orientation. 

No applicant will be considered unless the minimum admission requirements are met. Admission requirements are assessed using a rating scale that considers: ACT scores, GPA, applicable previous degree and certificates earned from an accredited college/university, healthcare work experience (credit only awarded if employer verification letter received), performance on core courses (in-progress courses will not be considered), and other program-specific considerations. All applicants are considered on a competitive basis. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the program. The number of applicants accepted is limited due to the nature of the program.

All applicants will be notified by email of their conditional acceptance or non-acceptance to the program. If an applicant is accepted for the program, they will receive a conditional acceptance notification with specific instructions regarding all requirements that must be completed prior to August admission. These requirements are listed below:

• Completion on Anatomy & Physiology I (BIO 2513/2511) and Anatomy & Physiology II (BIO 2523/2521) with a grade of "C" or better within the last 3 years to be exempt from Body Structure and Function (PNV 1213)
• Satisfactory completion of math remediation during the summer is required if indicated by the ACT Mathematics sub-score. The sub-score criteria for math remediation are based on the program's established academic benchmarks, with an ACT Math sub-score of 17 used as the designated cutoff for required remediation and tutoring support.
• Acceptable pre-admission drug screen performed by our office

• Satisfactory completion of American Heart Association Healthcare Providers CPR taught by MDCC
• Satisfactory background check performed by the Health Sciences office (See Policy on Admission to Health Science Program)
• Health evaluation form completed by licensed heathcare provider
• Proof of current immunizations including, but not limited to Hepatitis-B vaccination series, Tdap booster, and TB skin test (2-step TB skin test is required for all new entering students)

Selection Rating Scale

The selection rating scale is designed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of each applicant, considering a wider range of factors to ensure a holistic assessment.

Link to the PN Selection Rating Scale for academic year 2027/2028

Relevant course work approved by the program may be found on the program's course check sheet. Link to PN program course check sheet. 

Practical Nursing students must complete all courses with a final grade of “C” or better in didactic, satisfactory skills check-offs, and final satisfactory clinical grade in order to progress to the next semester. If a student is enrolled in concurrent practical nursing courses, both courses must be successfully completed in order to progress.

Prior to clinical, students must satisfactorily complete AHA-BLS Provider CPR taught by the PN program

The following core performance standards provide descriptions of basic cognitive, sensory, affective, and psychomotor requirements for successful Practical Nursing Program completion.  Applicants and students who cannot meet one or more of the standards will be considered on an individual basis in terms of whether reasonable modifications/accommodations can be made. Reasonable accommodations will be examined in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as well as the Core Performance Standards.

In order to successfully complete the Practical Nursing Program, an applicant/student must be able to do the following:

Demonstrate critical thinking sufficient for clinical judgment.  Examples:

• prioritize information and identify cause-effect relationships in the clinical setting
• analyze assessment findings and use findings to plan and implement care
• evaluate plan of care and make revisions as appropriate
• make decisions using logic, creativity and reasoning to make sound clinical judgments based on standards of nursing care
• demonstrate arithmetic ability to correctly compute dosages, tell time, and use measuring tools

Display interpersonal skills sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups in a variety of settings in the community.  Examples:

• respect differences among clients and exhibit an attitude accepting of clients as individuals
• establish rapport in order to communicate effectively with clients, families, significant others, and health team members
• work effectively in small groups as a team member and a team leader
• recognize crises and institute appropriate interventions to help resolve adverse situations

Demonstrate appropriate verbal and written communication skills.  Examples:

• speak English coherently to clients, families, and other staff members
• clearly explain treatment procedures and initiate health teaching for clients, families, or groups based on assessed needs, available resources, age, lifestyle, and cultural considerations
• provide clear, understandable written client documentation based upon proper use of the English language
• convey critical information to other caregivers through graphic, print, and/or electronic media in an accurate, timely, and comprehensible manner

Exhibit physical ability sufficient to assist clients to meet health care needs in a variety of settings, including moving from room-to-room, to maneuver in small spaces, and to negotiate stairwells when necessary.  Examples:

• physical mobility and strength sufficient to propel wheelchairs, stretchers, etc. through doorways and close fitting areas alone or with assistance
• stand, walk up to 75% of 6 to 12 hour shifts
• stoop, bend, squat, reach overhead as required to reach equipment and provide nursing care
• lift a minimum of 20 pounds of weight
• transfer/position up to 300 pounds with assistance while lifting, positioning, and transferring clients
• provide for activities of daily living (bed bath, oral hygiene, dressing, etc.)
• perform CPR satisfactorily and respond quickly in an emergency situation

Demonstrate gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care.  Examples:

• demonstrate physical dexterity and coordination in delivery of care, treatment, and medications
• hold skin taut with one hand while inserting needle in skin or vein with other hand and perform other procedures requiring the use of 2 hands
• pick up, grasp, and effectively manipulate small objects such as dials, syringes, switches
• calibrate and use equipment
• maintain sterile technique when performing sterile procedures

Display auditory, visual, and tactile ability sufficient to safely assess and care for clients.  Examples:

• hear monitors, alarms, emergency signals, lung/heart sounds, bowel sounds, and cries for help, telephone, intercom interactions, and public address systems (codes)
• perceive and receive verbal communications from clients, families, and health team members
• read written words and information on paper and computer screens, small print, gauges, measuring cups, syringes, and other equipment
• discriminate colors; changes in color, size and continuity of body parts
• discriminate alterations in normal body activities such as breathing patterns and level of consciousness
• observe hazards in environment (water spills, safety rails, restraints) and harmful situations
• perform physical assessment: palpate pulses, feel for heat or cold, tap body surfaces

Students seeking readmission to the program or transfer credit from another PN program are considered on an individual basis according to health sciences readmission or transfer policies and held to the program’s re-admission/transfer policies as outlined in the program’s handbook.

MDCC College of Health Sciences Policy on Readmission

A student may be considered for readmission to a specific health science program one time only. This applies to courses in any respective health science program, whether at MDCC or at another institution. The only exception may be: a student who had a passing grade in the classroom and clinical setting, but was forced to withdraw due to illness, accident, pregnancy, or family crisis may be considered for a second readmission. If an applicant has ever attended another health science program a letter of good standing from their former school’s program must be sent following MDCC’s program application instructions. A letter of good standing indicates that the student is eligible for immediate readmission into the former program of study.

Each student requesting readmission into a health science program will be considered on an individual basis.  The student should contact the appropriate program director/supervisor for the readmission procedure. Space must be available in the class and clinical setting. No precedent will be set by the decision of an admissions committee.

At the discretion of the Dean of Health Sciences, with the recommendation of the Admission Committee, a student requesting readmission to a Health Science program may be required to take a challenge exam to assess placement. Per program policy, it may be necessary for the applicant to repeat courses.

If an MDCC Health Science student is academically unsuccessful in their program of study and not eligible for readmission, the student may have one transfer to an alternate MDCC Health Science program. Students will be held to the readmission policies of the program.  OR

If an MDCC Health Science student is academically unsuccessful in their program of study and not eligible for readmission, the student will be eligible for one additional consideration of readmission after a waiting period of up-to three (3) years from last date of attendance. This shall not bar those applicants who wish to reapply beyond the aforementioned time-period so long as it is their first readmission application. The student must follow all readmission requirements as outlined in the program’s handbook.

Any MDCC student who was unsuccessful and not eligible for readmission due to non-academic dismissal will be eligible for one additional consideration of readmission after a waiting period of up-to five (5) years from last date of attendance. This shall not bar those applicants who wish to reapply beyond the aforementioned time-period so long as it is their first readmission application. The student will be held to the program’s readmission polices as outlined in the program’s handbook.

Any applicant who has ever been accepted and attended a Health Science program at another institution of higher learning and has been unsuccessful more than once will be eligible for one additional consideration of readmission after a waiting period of up-to five (5) years from last date of attendance. This shall not bar those applicants who wish to reapply beyond the aforementioned time-period so long as it is their first readmission application. The student will be held to the program’s readmission polices as outlined in the program’s handbook.

MDCC College of Health Sciences Policy on Acceptance of Transfer Students

The acceptance of transfer students into health science courses is based upon the following:

• Space available in the specific course being requested
• Evaluation of the applicant’s college transcript and course materials including:
  • Appropriate grades in all course work being considered for transfer
  • Comparable content, semester hours, and clinical experiences in courses being considered for transfer
• Letter documenting good standing from administrator of the transferring program
  • A letter of good standing indicates that the student is eligible for immediate readmission into the former program of study
• Ability to meet all MDCC requirements for graduation
• Individual program guidelines