Registered Nurse Admission Criteria

Your education and work history determine which steps to take to gain admittance into the Registered Nursing program. Please select from the following:

Southeast Tech LPN Students in Final Semester   LICENSED LPNs

Southeast Tech LPN Students

Must be in final semester of classes as a Southeast Tech LPN student

  1. Apply for Admission

    Select “LPN to RN” and choose the semester you wish to begin. Included in the online application you will complete the Technical Standards Form and Prerequisite Form sections electronically. If you complete a paper application, you will need to complete and submit these forms separately to the Admissions Office.

    Online Application

    Current Southeast Tech LPN student applications will be evaluated by the RN program staff. 

  2. Send Transcripts

    Send transcripts from any schools that Southeast Tech does not have on file, or transcripts that need to be updated.

If accepted, enrollment is contingent upon the following:

  1. LPN Work Hours

    Complete Verification of LPN Hours form. Documented work experience of at least 750 paid hours as a LPN must be completed prior to the start of RN (NURS) courses. Clinical hours or hours with preceptor while in school do NOT count as work experience.

  2. Work Reference Form

    Complete the Work Reference Form from work supervisor and another from a co-worker or a different supervisor.

  3. Satisfactory grades

    You must complete all prerequisite science courses with a “C” or better within the last 7 years.

Any of the following may prevent an applicant’s acceptance into the Registered Nurse program:
  • Any history of discipline on a Board of Nursing issued license or certificate (such as CNA).
  • Any current enrollment in the Health Professionals Assistance Program (HPAP), in South Dakota or similar programs in other states.
    • If currently enrolled, applicant must submit a signed release for the Dean of Nursing to discuss status with the HPAP personnel.
  • Course history of repeating more than one science prerequisite.
  • Course history of repeating more than one previous nursing course.
  • History of attending more than two previous nursing programs.

All admissions will be decided on an individual basis by the Dean of Nursing, RN Coordinator and Southeast Tech Admissions staff.

Licensed LPNs

Which of the following statements describes you?

STI Graduates - Licensed Less Than 7 Years:

  1. Provide copy of LPN license

    Provide a copy of your current South Dakota LPN license or license from a nursing compact state, along with any disciplinary documentation. (Iowa and Nebraska are both compact states; Minnesota is not.)

    1. Applicants must go to www.nursys.com.
    2. Follow pathway through ‘quick confirm.’
    3. Print off proof of LPN licensure.
    4. If there is a ‘yes’ for discipline, applicants must print off related documents.
    5. Proof of licensure and discipline must be submitted before applicant is considered for acceptance.

  2. LPN work hours

    Complete Verification of LPN Hours form. Documented work experience of at least 750 paid hours as a LPN must be completed prior to the start of RN (NURS) courses. Clinical hours or hours with preceptor while in school do NOT count as work experience..

  3. Work Reference Form

    Complete the Work Reference Form from work supervisor and another from a co-worker or a different supervisor.

  4. Background Check

    Complete a background check. 

  5. Drug Screen

    Complete a drug screen.

LPNs - Licensed for More Than 7 Years

Graduates from Other Institutions - Licensed Less Than 7 Years:

If you are an LPN that has been licensed for more than 7 years, or if you have been licensed for less than 7 years but graduated from an institution other than Southeast Tech, you need to complete the above steps, take the NACE exam and successfully complete the prerequisite courses with a C or better. Science prerequisites must be completed within the last 7 years.

Nace Exam

To take the NACE Exam, complete the following steps:

  1. Create an account with the National League of Nursing

    Before registering for the test, you must create an account with the National League of Nursing. Do not skip this step! You cannot test if you do not have a NLN account.

  2. Register with testing center

    Register for this exam online with the Southeast Tech Testing Center. 

  3. Bring ID

    Only licensed LPNs can take the test. Applicants must show legal identification as well as proof of their LPN license.

  4. Score a 76

    Students must receive a minimum score of 76 on the NACE exam. If the required score is not achieved, the test may be repeated once with a 30-day waiting period. If a third test is required, LPNs must wait 6 months.

Any of the following may prevent an applicant’s acceptance into the Registered Nurse program:
  • Any history of discipline on a Board of Nursing issued license or certificate (such as CNA).
  • Any current enrollment in the Health Professionals Assistance Program (HPAP), in South Dakota or similar programs in other states.
    • If currently enrolled, applicant must submit a signed release for the Dean of Nursing to discuss status with the HPAP personnel.
  • Course history of repeating more than one science prerequisite.
  • Course history of repeating more than one previous nursing course.
  • History of attending more than two previous nursing programs.