How to apply to Nursing (RN)
Next application period: Winter 2027
opens August 15th and closes October 5, 2026 at 4:30pm
Suggested timeline:
April - August – attend an information session and apply to Shoreline College (Step
#1)
June - August – submit any prerequisite equivalency requests and official transcripts
to Enrollment Services (Step #2)
June - September – take the NLN-NEX or TEAS (if haven’t already) and request employer/volunteer
forms (Steps #3 and #4)
Mid-September – complete online SCC Nursing application with all verifying documents
(Steps #3 and #4).
Pathway to Applying to the Shoreline Nursing Program
Planning ahead for completing requirements and gathering documentation is the focus of this section. Admission to the Nursing Program is through an application process based on a point system. Points are awarded for grades in pre-requisite courses, practical preparation, and experiences reflecting our diverse community populations.
- PREREQUISITES: Make a plan to take the following prerequisite courses at Shoreline
or another institution and document your courses on the Course Equivalence Form . Submit your form to Enrollment Services well in advance of the application deadline
(8-10 weeks) to ensure prerequisites are approved before your application is reviewed. Any
prerequisite course(s) you list on your form that are not found on the Course Equivalency Chart will require additional time to be reviewed. *New: starting Winter 2028, all prerequisites will be required to be complete at the time of application. International prerequisite coursework is only evaluated by Enrollment Services once
transcripts have been translated and then evaluated by a third party professional
credential evaluation service: Transcript Evaluation | Shoreline Community College
ENGL& 101 or 102 English Composition
MATH& 146 Intro to Statistics
PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology
NUTR& 101 Nutrition
CHEM&121 Intro to Chemistry*
BIOL&241 Human Anatomy & Physiology I*
BIOL& 242 Human Anatomy & Physiology II*
BIOL& 260 Microbiology*
*All CHEM and BIOL science courses must have supervised (in-person) labs, unless taken during the COVID period (Spring 2019-Fall 2022). Subsequent retakes may be online. - ADMISSION POINTS: Admission is determined by a system of points. Estimate your earned admission points using this form: Admission Point System Checklist revised 7-2026 .
- INFO SESSION: Attend a remote Nursing Program Information Meeting for guidance and to ask questions about the admission process.
- ENTRANCE EXAM: 6 quarter and 11 quarter applicants should plan to take the TEAS* or NLN-NEX entrance exam after completing most of the prerequisite courses, but within 1 year of the application period deadline. Applicants submitting TEAS scores must reach a minimum of 70% for each section of the exam (no rounding). Applicants submitting NLN-NEX scores must have an RN composite score of a minimum of 145. Applicants should demonstrate professionalism and honesty through the entire nursing school process, from application to graduation. Therefore, any evidence of cheating on the entrance exam as reported by the test proctor, or by altered score reports from the applicant will result in the nursing program disqualifying any future application to the program. Review the campus testing center website regarding testing dates if you plan to take the test at Shoreline: Shoreline campus testing center Additional NEX Resources: NEX Assessment or Online NEX with Proctor * New: starting Winter 2027, either the TEAS or the NLN-NEX will be accepted on applications through the fall 2027 admission period. The NLN-NEX exam will be phased out and only the TEAS exam will be accepted for applications beginning the winter 2028 admission period.
- ADVISING: Seek advising as needed from your college advisor. Shoreline student advising
resources include:
> International Programs Advising - PUB (9000 Building), 206-546-4697. International students
> Prenursing students taking prerequisites and exploring health occupations - Advising Center 5229 FOSS building, 206-546-4559.
> Nursing application questions - Nursing program - sccnursing@shoreline.edu and Zoom Nursing Info Session
> Faculty advising through office hours - to be updated in fall 2026.
Application Periods
(If the deadline falls on a weekend or a holiday, applications will be accepted on the next business day.)
6 quarter full-time RN program and 4 quarter full-time LPN to RN program:
Fall application period: January 15 - April 3
Winter application period: August 15 - October 3
Spring application period: November 15 - January 10
11 quarter part-time RN program:
Fall only application period: January 15 – April 3 (every other fall - odd year:
2025, 2027, 2029, etc.)
Admission Steps for all RN programs
Step #1 –Apply online to Shoreline College. If you are an international student, please complete this process instead: International Student Admission | Shoreline College .
Step #2 — Confirm prerequisite courses by completing the Course Equivalence Form and requesting your institution to send official electronic or sealed paper transcripts
directly to Enrollment Services (Shoreline transcripts do not need to be sent). LPN-RN
applicants should also send their LPN coursework transcripts. The Course Equivalency Chart will show courses that are direct prerequisite equivalents within the State of Washington,
with other courses needing further review. International prerequisite coursework must be translated and evaluated by a third party
professional credential evaluation service prior to submission to Enrollment Services:
Transcript Evaluation | Shoreline Community College . Course Equivalence Form requests submitted right before the deadline may not be processed
in time for application review, so plan to submit well in advance of the application
period deadline (8-10 weeks is recommended).
Step #3 - Create one electronic document for each validating document needed to upload into your online application. Applicants are encouraged to save all application documents in an easily accessible folder until the end of the application period, in case there are technical difficulties with the application or if you plan to apply again for a future application cycle:
|
Validating documents required for |
Validating documents required for the LPN-RN application: |
|---|---|
Required:
|
Required:
|
|
May submit for additional points:
|
May submit for additional points:
|
Transcripts and the Course Equivalence Form submitted to Enrollment Services in Step
#2 are visible to our Admissions staff through internal processes once the course
equivalence review process (Step #2) is complete. They do not need to be submitted
with the online application.
Step #4 -
Complete and submit the online application for the SCC Nursing Program: Nursing Program application . This includes uploading the documents you created in Step #3. A $20.00 non-refundable
processing fee using a credit/debit card will be required. This application must be completed in one session and cannot be edited after submission. You will receive an electronic receipt indicating your application has been submitted.
Do not bring or send any paper documents to Shoreline College.
Please Note: Applicants should demonstrate professionalism and honesty through the
entire nursing school process, from application to graduation. Check your application
carefully prior to submitting for missing documentation and errors to avoid disqualification.
LPN to RN applicants
To be eligible for the 4 quarter Advanced Placement program option, the LPN must meet
the minimum requirements for admission listed above AND have completed all other required
pre-requisite courses before applying to the program. One year of employment as an
LPN and current LPN licensure in Washingon State are required.
Nursing Transfer Program applicants
*New: We are not reviewing or accepting applications for students seeking to transfer mid-program at this time. Current options as of 3/16/2026 are to apply for the entire 6 quarter/11 quarter RN programs, or, the 4 quarter LPN-RN Advanced Placement program. Applicants may also contact Advising and Counseling to explore other degree options available at Shoreline. Advising Homepage | Shoreline College
RN program applicants wanting to transfer from their current nursing program to the Nursing Program at Shoreline College need to apply on the regular application deadlines, meeting all admission requirements. Admission is on a space available basis. Please contact us at sccnursing@shoreline.edu prior to applying.
To be eligible for transfer, the student must:
- Apply with the regular admission process, showing you meet minimum requirements for Shoreline admission and the Nursing Program
- Submit transcripts showing completed nursing prerequisite courses with a passing grade (2.0 or higher)
- Submit transcripts showing passing grades in all nursing courses previously attempted
- Be currently enrolled in a U.S. nursing program or enrolled within the last 12 months
- Submit a verification letter from your previous program, stating that you are eligible for re-entry to, and in good standing at, the original nursing program
Frequently Asked Questions
We generally see the most successful applicants have at least 90 points or higher, however, each admission period has people with different skills and experiences that influence point totals. It is a competitive admission process so take your time to gather the best coursework grades and to document all your experiences and skills for the maximum admission points for the quarter you apply. Use the Admission Points System checklist to track your progress.
For the 6 quarter and 11 quarter programs: you may have PSYC, NUTR, and 1 science
(CHEM/BIOL) course in progress. A printout or unofficial transcript showing your
name, college, and proof of registration for in-progress courses is required to be
submitted to the Nursing Program at sccnursing@shoreline.edu. Completion of all courses is highly recommended for the maximum admission points,
as limited admission points will be granted for in-progress courses. *New: starting Winter 2028, all prerequisites will be required to be complete at the time of application.
For the LPN-RN program: all prerequisites must be completed at the time of application.
Yes, for the 6 quarter and 11 quarter RN program, there is a time-limit of 10 years for prerequisite science courses. LPN-RN program applicants: a timelimit does not apply. Applicants with science coursework outside of the 10 year limit who meet specific policy requirements may file this form: Educationally Atypical Student Request form
Shoreline's nursing program is designed for in-person study, with some hybrid and asynchronous courses as the curriculum allows. Course scheduling changes from quarter to quarter throughout the program. Flexibility with outside-of-school obligations is needed so you have time to study and meet with professors, study groups, and campus service providers during the business hours of the college. Multi-hour off-site clinical experiences may be scheduled in blocks of time or over multiple weeks and may include days, evenings, and/or weekends. Part-time 11 quarter students will have fewer courses per week during each quarter of the program, but with a similar schedule.
6 quarter and 11 quarter RN program applicants are not required to have work or volunteer experience but it is highly recommended to earn enough points to be competitive for admission. Work and volunteer experience also provides applicants with valuable insight into the profession before starting a nursing program.
Experience for admission points should reflect recent (within 10 years) and direct
hands-on experience in the care and treatment of individual patients. Some typical
experiences can include, but are not limited to, certified nursing assistants, phlebotomists,
midwifery, medical assistants, EMTs, patient sitters, dental hygienists, behavioral
health technicians, physical therapy aides, and home health care aides. The goal
is to engage in the healthcare environment and gain understanding and skills related
to nursing with an experienced supervisor. Applicants may want to research large hospital
systems, smaller clinics, or health-related organizations that have volunteer programs
or entry level positions with direct care opportunities appropriate for pre-nursing
students. Clerical, lab, or equipment related work is more indirect care in managing
information and tools, and do not have admission points awarded. Employers will
validate your patient care experiences on the Employment/Volunteer form (see document
list on website).
LPN-RN applicants: at least 1 year of LPN work experience in a role that uses their LPN license at the time of application is required. This must be documented on the employment/volunteer verification form.
There are a maximum of 3 points available to be awarded for showing fluency in a language other than English. You may show a copy of test results from a language testing agency, including www.languagetesting.com or Language Testing Services | ALTA Language Services . You may choose the type of skill tested: reading, writing, speaking and/or listening. Points will be awarded based on level of proficiency. Or you can show proof of educational credentials in a language other than English like a high school or college diploma.
- Language fluency assessment
1 pt = tested intermediate low/mid; ASL 1
2 pts= tested intermediate high; ASL 2
3 pts=tested advanced; ASL 3; foreign high school diploma or college/university degree showing education in a language other than English - 1 pt is offered with a passing grade for SPAN 105 or 106 (formerly SPAN 292 Special Topics in Spanish: Spanish for Healthcare) taken at Shoreline College
Enter all grades into the admission application exactly as stated on your transcript.
Our admission process automatically converts letter grades to decimals.
For the purpose of point estimation prior to applying, letter grades equate as the
following:
A = 4.0
A- = 3.7
B+ = 3.3
B = 3.0
B- = 2.7
C+ = 2.3
C = 2.0
No, however, nursing students are required to use English independently within classroom settings and community medical environments without the need for additional language supports. Speaking, listening, reading, and writing are used constantly in nursing school and students are expected to be able to respond within a short period of time to instructors, other students, patients, and other medical professionals as they learn, assess, treat, and educate patients about their health. All instruction in the nursing program and at clinical sites is in English, and the TEAS and NLN-NEX entrance exams, as well as the state NCLEX licensing exam, are administered exclusively in English.
Applicants who want to strengthen their language skills or are seeking language placement information before applying to nursing may contact the International Education office (for F-1 visa holding students) International Education | Shoreline College or the English Language Learning Program ELL Home | Shoreline College.
Evidence of a posted associate degree (or higher) on a copy of your transcript or a diploma can be uploaded in the application. It must be clear what the degree is and include your name, where the education degree is from, when you received it, and be accessible for us to read. If it is not in English please also include a translation with the original documents that we can verify with translation tools. Any difficulty with readbility or in validating documentation will result in no points for this category.
Begin the online nursing program application
Complete the online application in one session only when you are sure you have all the necessary information gathered. All documents to be submitted must be ready to upload at the time of application as the system will not allow revisions to submitted applications. No mail or hand deliveries are needed for this application starting winter 2027 admission cycle.
- ctcLink ID (once Shoreline CC application is complete)
- Personal contact information
- LPN licensure information (if applying to LPN-RN program)
- TEAS score report of 70% or higher for each of the four sections or NLN-NEX RN composite score of 145 or higher (exams not required for LPN-RN program applicants)
- Prerequisite coursework details
Course numbers (i.e. CHEM& 121)
Results / Grade (exactly as listed on the transcript)
Where Taken - Employment / Volunteer Info (LPN required, 6/11 quarter programs only if applicable)
Type of work
Business Name
Supervisor
Address
Job title
Start / End Dates
Full / Part Time
Number of hours - Validation documentation for any other points the applicant is attesting to on their application (foreign language points, advanced degrees, military service documentation)
- Credit Card Information
Program notification and acceptance
After the application window closes, file review will begin. All materials must be submitted to be considered and incomplete files will not be reviewed. Approximately six weeks after the admission application deadline passes, we will notify all applicants by email. There will be an opportunity to appeal any disqualifications or denials shortly after notification. After acceptance to the program, students will need to attend a mandatory onboarding meeting to secure their space in the program.
Winter 2027 timeline:
- Winter 2027 admission decisions are anticipated to be sent in mid-November.
- Appeals meetings will be held over Zoom in late November, shortly after admission decisions are sent.
- The mandatory onboarding meeting for admitted applicants will take place in early December.
Once admitted to the program, nursing students will be required to pass a national
and state background check; provide documentation of the ability to meet the essential
functional ability Nursing Technical Standards with or without reasonable accommodation; submit documentation of tuberculosis status,
and immunizations or immunity to HepB, MMR, Varicella, Tdap, and annual flu; documentation
of health insurance (major medical coverage); a clear Criminal Background check; and
show a current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare
Provider card. Admitted students will be provided detailed information regarding
these requirements at the required onboarding meeting, although applicants may wish
to review their existing immunization documentation and to research any time or costs
associated with immunizations with their healthcare provider prior to receiving their
decision.
Admissions Documents List
Admission Point System Checklist revised 7-2026
Employment/Volunteer Verification Form revised 8-2026
Pre-requisite Course Equivalency chart
Course Equivalence Form
Educationally Atypical Student Request form
Contact Us
If you have any questions that are not answered by reviewing the above information,
you may contact the Shoreline College Nursing Program, preferrably by email: sccnursing@shoreline.edu . Appointments are not available to review applications prior to submission. Phone
calls and voice mails are accepted but may take longer to connect: 206-546-4743.