Get started on the pathway to MCC Nursing

Here is a printable version of the Nursing Program Entry Requirement Checklist.

To better enable individuals to validate the course competencies required for admission into the Muskegon Community College Nursing Program, and to enhance their chance for success, the following high school educational preparation is recommended: Biology 1 year, Chemistry 1 year, General Math 1 year, Algebra – intermediate & advanced, English 3 – 4 years, and Computer 1 year.

Counseling services are available to assist students in career and educational planning. Prospective students are strongly advised to make an appointment in the Counseling and Advising Center Room 1050 – 231-777-0362.

General questions regarding the MCC Nursing Program can be directed to Jodie Leonard at 231-777-0281 or jodie.leonard@muskegoncc.edu.

Credits for courses completed at Muskegon Community College or other post-secondary educational institutions will be accepted toward fulfillment of the nursing (PN and AAS) curriculum requirements if all the following criteria are met:

• The courses are determined to be equivalent to the courses required in the MCC Nursing curriculum.
• Nursing courses must be completed with a minimum grade of a C+ (2.3).
• The general education courses must be completed with a minimum grade of a C (2.0).
• The courses were completed within eight years prior to the ready date.
• Transfer LPN to RN students will need to fill out the CrIndustry-Recognized Credentials form prior to applying. Official transcripts from institutions other than Muskegon Community College should be sent to Muskegon Community College, “Attention: Transfer Evaluation for credit evaluation.” See this page for additional information

* Reminders: If testing/coursework is over 8 years old competency must be validated on established examinations or by repeating the course. Courses in the Nursing Curriculum must be completed in sequence; see also Nursing Career Ladder – Curriculum Design for required course sequence.

Transfer students and MCC students who exited at the PN level and have been out for more than two (2) years would need to see Counseling for an admission application. (Transfer LPN to RN students will need to fill out the Credit for Industry-Recognized Credentials form prior to applying.)  These students would need to meet all current Program requirements and submit evidence of a current, unencumbered Michigan LPN license as well as a letter from a current employer that indicates a minimum of 6 months current work experience in the LPN role.

MCC students who exited the Program wish to return within two (2) years may apply to a course waitlist via the application on the Blackboard Student Nurse Resource site. Because we cannot guarantee how long a student will need to wait to reenter the Program, we highly encourage all students to obtain their Michigan LPN license and work in the LPN role to maintain their skill level.

The current trend is that less students are exiting after the PN portion of the Program and many LPNs are applying to our Program in order to complete their RN degree for employment in acute care. This limits the number of seats available for LPN to RN students. But remember, we have an open door, competency-based admission policy so that everyone who qualifies will be admitted to our Program!  Depending on the number of students on the list, the wait time can range up to 1.5 to 2 years to enter this portion of the Program due to clinical space limitations. Therefore, we recommend obtaining your LPN license in Michigan and working in the LPN to keep up your skills. You will be required to submit a copy of your license and current work letter verifying your experience in the LPN role.

A student who exits the Program for personal or academic reasons is eligible to apply to a course waitlist within two (2) years of exiting without having to meet current general entry requirements. {Any necessary general education requirements for progression must be successfully completed prior to waitlist application.} An application for course waitlists can be found on the Blackboard Student Nurse Resource site. (Also see the LPN to RN Students section if you are a former MCC LPN graduate returning to finish the RN portion of the Program.)

A student who has been out of the MCC Nursing Program for more than two (2) years needs to contact the Counseling and Advising Center to reapply to the Nursing Program subject to all current requirements. Applications will not be available during walk-in counseling.

To be accepted into the MCC Nursing Program, students must be able to meet the following essential functions of the occupation for nursing.

• Communicate effectively with clients, families, health care team members, peer, and faculty.
• Interact appropriately and communicate effectively with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.
• Communicate and organize thoughts to prepare written documents.
• Prepare written documents that are correct in style, grammar, and mechanics.
• Stand and walk for six to eight hours/day.
• Walk for prolonged periods from one area to another over an eight-hour period.
• Bend, squat, and kneel.
• Assist lifting or moving clients of all age groups and weights.
• Perform CPR, i.e., move above client to compress chest and manually ventilate client.
• Work with arms fully extended overhead.
• Use hands for grasping, pushing, pulling, and other fine manipulation.
• Demonstrate eye/hand coordination for manipulation of equipment, i.e., syringes, procedures, etc.
• Possess tactile ability to differentiate changes in sensation.
• Possess tactile ability sufficient for physical examination of a patient.
• Possess auditory acuity to note slight changes in the client’s condition, i.e., lung sounds, bowel sounds, etc.
• Possess auditory acuity to hear client’s calls for assistance without facing the client.
• Possess auditory acuity to interpret various equipment signals and use the telephone.
• Possess visual acuity to read and distinguish colors, to read handwritten orders, and other handwritten/printed data.
• Possess visual acuity to clearly view electronic monitors and scales in order to correctly interpret data.
• Possess olfactory ability sufficient to detect differences in odor.
• Possess good short term and long-term memory.
• Respond with precise, quick actions in emergency situations.

If you have any questions regarding these functions, please contact the MCC Nursing Department at 231- 777-0281.

Federal and State laws require a criminal background check of those assigned to a clinical agency and Michigan licensure will require an FBI fingerprint check. Felonies and some misdemeanor convictions may prevent you from completing the Nursing Program requirements and taking licensure examinations, thus affecting your employment options. Students must have a clear criminal background check to begin the Nursing Program.  Any student who has not resided in Michigan for at least three or more years preceding their participation in the Nursing Program is required to obtain background check based on a national database; the student is responsible for any additional charge. Any student who becomes subject to criminal prosecution while participating in the Nursing Program is required to report such allegations immediately to the Nursing Program Director.

Please click on this link to see the State of Michigan’s latest policy in regards to criminal background checks.  Further interpretation of these Acts can be found with this legal guide.

If you still have questions regarding your eligibility to obtain a license, please request a preliminary determination from LARA.  The please click here for a copy of the required form. PDFs for links uploaded.

The Nursing Program Cost Breakdown (Click link for a detailed breakdown.) is based on Fall 2024 Fee Schedule that includes In-District Tuition = $135, Out-of-District Tuition = $253, Technology Fee = $28/contact hr, Infrastructure Fee = $16.50/contact hr, and Registration Fee = $35/semester.   The total for an Associate Degree in Applied Science – Nursing is $17,198.50 in-district and $27,228.50 out-of-district plus any associated costs of general education requirements.