Admissions

The International University of Nursing encourages students to apply if they feel they have the determination and ability to become professional nurses. IUON is seeking dedicated students who desire to provide excellent nursing care to a global community.

Admissions Requirements

IUON seeks to provide the opportunity for a quality nursing education to a broad spectrum of students who might otherwise be unable to pursue a career in nursing. In keeping with the University's mission, IUON views students holistically and respectfully, taking into account the uniqueness of each student and his or her relevant experience and training. IUON's nursing program is open to qualified applicants of all races, religions and ethnic backgrounds, and each applicant's ability to succeed is carefully considered within the overall admissions process.

General Requirements for Acceptance and Baccalaureate Degrees

IUON admits students who possess appropriate credentials and have demonstrated capacity or potential indicating a reasonable probability of successfully completing the educational program chosen by the student.

Admission requirements include the following:

1. Completion of an application for admission.
2. Interview with an admissions representative. This may be in person or by telephone.
3. Proof of U.S. high school diploma or General Equivalency Exam (GED) or the equivalent. Students must provide documentation that they have successfully completed high school biology and algebra. Non-U.S. diplomas must be translated into English and evaluated for equivalency.
4. Must be 18 years of age before first day of class. 
5. Cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Students with GPA's below a 2.5 may qualify for provisional acceptance and will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
6. If English is a second language, students must obtain a minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or 6.5 IELTS.
7. Student visas for non-St. Kitts residents are required in order to begin classes.
8. Criminal background screenings.

FOLLOWING ITEMS MUST BE SENT DIRECTLY FROM THE APPROPRIATE INSTITUTION(S):

1. Official high school transcript(s).
2. Official transcript(s) or academic certificates from any/all other institutions attended.
3. Foreign transcript(s) must be translated and evaluated by an approved NACES agency.
4. Official copies of SAT, ACT or other test scores if available.
5. Two (2) letters of recommendation, preferably from a basic sciences professor and/or health professional, assessing the applicant's academic/work history as indicative of a high probability of success.
6. Official TOEFL or IELTS scores (for international students) of at least 550 TOEFL or 6.5 IELTS.
    

Transfer Policy

Applicants who have completed comparable coursework at other institutions may receive transfer credit for their work. Only courses successfully completed at an accredited college/university recognized by the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation are eligible for transfer credit. IUON reserves the right to accept or reject any/all courses for transfer credit.

Students requesting transfer credits must be accepted as a full time student to either the ADN or BSN Program.  Students that are awarded transfer credit must fulfill the residency requirement for courses to be taken in St. Kitts. The residency requirement for the ADN and BSN program is 24 and 48 credit hours respectively.  Therefore, students can receive transfer credit totaling 12 for the ADN program and 42 for the BSN program. If the transfer credit exceeds these limits, then students will be required to take electives to satisfy the residency requirement. Transfer credits do not count towards this requirement. Nursing courses are not transferable to IUON; with the exception of specified nursing courses earned by U.S. licensed LPN's in U.S.-accredited LPN programs.

A grade of C or higher must be attained in the course being considered for transfer credit. Courses taken for Pass, Credit, or Satisfactory are not transferable, unless the transcript indicates that the grade is equivalent to at least a C. All transfer credits are recorded on a student's academic record. The actual grades do not transfer or count towards the grade point average (GPA). Only courses taken at IUON and the U.S. affiliate school are considered in calculating a students GPA.

Students should have transcripts from accredited schools sent directly to the admissions department located at our administrative office in New York. Course descriptions and syllabi may also be requested during the transfer credit evaluation. The Admissions Committee reviews the material and issues a preliminary evaluation. University Registrar will issue the final official evaluation upon receipt of all transcripts and records.

To qualify for transfer credit, international students must have all foreign credentials and transcripts evaluated by a recognized transcript evaluation service located in the United States. Please contact our admissions department for a listing of the approved organizations.  Students must have attended an institution accredited in their home country. Physicians must have attended a medical school listed by the World Health Organization.

Diagnostic Evaluations

Tests such as the Nursing Entrance Test (NET) are used diagnostically after admission for placement purposes and academic planning. This exam will be offered within the first week of arriving in St. Kitts. Students that receive a score less than a 62 on the composite, 56 in math, and 74 in reading may be required to take developmental courses in English and Mathematics. IUON accepts students from a vast range of high schools (including GED) and college and university systems in the U.S. as well as abroad. It is the goal of IUON to assist students in their success. We highly recommend that students prepare in advance for this examination. The publication "Entrance Test Study Guide", a comprehensive review book for the NET, will be sent to you upon receipt of your deposit. The cost of this publication will be charged to your account.

IUON encourages students to take the NET prior to arriving on campus. Students can   arrange to take the NET in most any location in the United States by contacting ERI at 1-800-292-2273. Customer support will be able to identify the closest location to you and schedule you for this exam. ERI will score the exam and send a copy of the results directly to IUON. If no convenient center exists, the student works with ERI to arrange to take a proctored NET test at a local community college. Students that attain a minimum score of 62 on the composite, 56 in math and 74 in reading will be exempt from taking this exam in St. Kitts. However, to be exempt, the NET must have been taken within a year of matriculating at IUON. 

Students that are applying to college for the first time or those that have not attended a college for more than ten years will be required to complete COM 100 College Success during the first term of attendance at IUON. 

Admissions Criteria & Process

Although prior academic achievement is important, it is not the only indication of a suitable applicant for the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or the Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) program. Other elements of the application package, including letters of recommendation, community service, employment history, and organizational involvement in activities and organizations, help paint a picture of the individual as a whole.

All admissions policies are subject to change or adjustment, due to governmental regulations or to better meet the educational goals of IUON.

Criminal Background Screening

Due to the requirements of medical facilities and licensure boards, criminal background screening is done prior to admission. This allows the school and student to make informed decisions regarding the ability of the student to benefit from the training programs. Student advising is done with students that may have criminal backgrounds, which may affect their ability to practice their profession.

Timeline

Each step of the application process, and its corresponding time period, is indicated below:

• When an applicant submits a completed application, IUON staff will contact the applicant.
• Once a completed application is received, it is reviewed.
• Qualified applicants will be required to undergo a personal interview.
• Applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview at a mutually convenient time.
• After the interview is completed, the applicant will receive a notification letter within 1 week regarding acceptance to the program.
• Upon acceptance, applicants will be contacted by IUON to begin making arrangements for enrollment.
• Applicants who accept IUON's invitation to join the ADN program will be sent student information packets regarding the next step in preparing to attend the program in St. Kitts. IUON staff will walk each student through all necessary procedures, helping with the transition.

New Student Orientation

Prior to the first week of class, students attend an Orientation session, where they receive information about the campus and are introduced to academic programs, expectations, and services.

Students have an opportunity to connect with fellow classmates and become acclimated to their new, exciting, environment and Island life. The Nurse Entrance Test (NET) to assess reading, writing, and math skills is administered prior to commencing registration for the first term.

Attending St. Kitts Campus

Each student will have to apply to St. Kitts for a visa. The government of St. Kitts requires the following documentation:

1. Round-trip airline ticket
2. Valid passport
3. Copy of Birth Certificate
4. Four color photographs; these should be passport-size (2 x 2)
5. A criminal background check (Police Report or Affidavit from country
   of residence)
6. A health certificate
7. Negative HIV test results
8. VDRL
9. Chest X-Ray – Doctors certificate
10. Mantoux Test for Tuberculosis.
11. Copy of signed acceptance letter from IUON
12. Visa application form for international students
     

Attending U.S. Affiliate Schools

During the second year of the Associate Degree in Nursing program, each student will need to fulfill the requirements of the individual U.S. affiliated school. These requirements vary by school and may include additional coursework, health certification and/or criminal background check. Students enrolled in the BSN Program may have to produce similar documentation to complete the last semester in the United States. A listing of these requirements will be posted on our website.

International students have additional requirements they must fulfill before they can transfer to the United States. These requirements are identified in the International Student Visa section of the catalog. 

Nursing & Health Fees

After acceptance, and in order to participate in clinical training, it is mandatory that enrolled students provide documentation of:

1. Complete immunization records (including MMR, DPT, polio, Hepatitis B, TB screening, and Varicella);
2. Physical examination taken within the last year;
3. Proof of medical insurance (Insurance will be offered by IUON for students without coverage)
4. CPR certification (offered in the first nursing course in U.S);
5. Liability insurance.
    

Registered Nurse Licensure

In order to be licensed in the United States, individuals must complete a criminal background check and provide any necessary documentation, such as official transcripts and test fees. The specifics and prohibitions of these results vary by state and are detailed in the capstone 4-week mini-session at the U.S. affiliated school.

International Applicants

It should be especially noted that international students will also require an F-1 student visa from the U.S. federal government in order to participate in the U.S. clinical training portion of the IUON educational program (second year). The U.S. partner schools provide sponsorship, and will assist students in obtaining the necessary visa. The F-1 visa should be applied for approximately 3 months before the start date of the first semester in the U.S. As with all non-immigrant classifications, the single most important requirement to obtain an F-1 visa is the demonstration of non-immigrant intent. This visa permits students to arrive in the U.S. no more than 30 days in advance of the start of classes. International students should be prepared to provide necessary documentation including educational records, a passport, registration form, and fee so they may register in the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The U.S. government provides Internet resources available to explain and assist in this process. Please keep in mind that F-1 visas are issued by the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (USBCIS), not by IUON or the partner school. IUON cannot guarantee that students will receive visas. Final visa screening is a federal process, and not an IUON process. Consular officials will conduct a personal interview, determining the eligibility of the student to receive an F-1 visa - you must answer all questions truthfully and completely to the satisfaction of the consular officer. For more information on this process, please contact the Admissions Office at IUON.

Those ADN/BSN students who are not successful in obtaining an F-1 visa will either remain in, or be transitioned into IUON's BSN Program. Students in this track will be able to complete their entire education in the Caribbean and receive a degree from IUON. Graduates of this program will qualify for the Caribbean Regional Licensing Examination which is a pre-requisite for U.S. licensure. Upon passing this exam, student will qualify for licensure in the United States either through CGFNS or directly by State application.

Application Requirements

Apply via the Online application or contact our Admissions Office directly.

Non-discrimination Policy

IUON does not discriminate against any individuals regarding admissions or employment on the basis of color, nationality, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender or disability.