The International University of Nursing (IUON) encourages students to apply if they feel they have the determination, dedication, and ability to become a professional nurse. We have spared no expense in developing one of the most state of the art nursing schools in the western hemisphere.  IUON has fully embraced the use of technology in nursing education.  Our 24 bed human simulation laboratory is absolutely phenomenal and a model for the 21st century nursing school.

The Faculty at IUON are  highly qualified and credentialed professionals recruited primarily from the United States. They are fully dedicated to your success. 

The first six semesters are completed at our ocean front campus on the exotic Caribbean Island of St. Kitts.  Students then transfer to one of our U.S. or Canadian affiliates to complete their final year. IUON is affiliated with Purdue University, Morehead State University, Colorado State University,  Louisiana College, as well as Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Canada.  Our current pass rate on the NCLEX is over 90%. 

In keeping with the University’s mission, IUON views students holistically and respectfully, taking into account the uniqueness of each student’s relevant experience and training.

The nursing program at IUON is open to qualified applicants of all races, religions and ethnic background.  Each applicant’s ability to succeed is carefully considered within the overall admissions process. 

The IUON Admissions Committee gives serious consideration to all candidates demonstrating the potential to meet the rigorous academic requirements of a highly structured curriculum.

Enrollment Periods

Students are accepted to IUON three times per year:  January, May, and September.

Admissions Criteria

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

Academic Performance

At IUON, we look at more than your cumulative grade point average from the schools you have attended.   Rather, we are seeking to determine whether or not you have the ability to perform in a challenging nursing school curriculum. We are more interested in the pattern of your academic development than whether or not you have had difficulties in past years.

Motivation

Perhaps one of the most important qualities of an applicant is a level of personal motivation for success. We seek students who have demonstrated the ability to adapt, to study hard, to integrate various modes of instruction and retain the useful knowledge required for promotion. Your personal statement, letters of recommendation and personal interview will be important components of your application. 

Educational Requirements

Grade Point Average 

Applicants must have successfully completed aU.S. high school, General Equivalency Examination (GED), or the equivalent.  They also must have successfully completed high school Biology and Algebra.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 out of 4.0.
 

Criminal Background Screening

Due to the requirements of medical facilities and licensing boards, criminal background screening must be done prior to admission to IUON. 

This also allows the school and student to make informed decisions regarding the student’s ability to benefit from the University’s training programs.  Student advising is done with students that may have criminal backgrounds that could affect their ability to practice their profession.

Essential Performance Standards

The practice of nursing is an applied discipline with cognitive, sensory, affective, and motor components.  Students must be able to perform the functions which are necessary for the safe practice of nursing and essential to the licensing requirements for nursing with or without reasonable accommodation, in order to be admitted to the IUON nursing program.

Transfer Students

Transfer applicants must have attended an institution accredited either in the United States or in their home country.  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.  Time limits pertain to acceptability of courses.

Transfer students can receive up to 24 credit-hours as transfer credit. A grade of C or higher must be attained in each 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 IUON academic record.  The actual grades from the courses accepted for transfer are not counted toward the student’s IUON grade point average (GPA).  Only courses taken at IUON and the U.S. partner school are considered in calculating a student’s GPA.

Students wishing to transfer to IUON should have transcripts from accredited schools sent directly the Admissions Department at our New York administrative office.  Course descriptions and syllabi may also be requested during the transfer credit evaluation. 

The IUON Admissions Committee reviews the material and issues a preliminary evaluation.  Only the University Registrar may issue the final official evaluation once they have received all transcripts and records.

Students, who successfully completed Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) courses at a U.S.-affiliated LPN program, may have their nursing courses taken into consideration when transferring to IUON.  Otherwise, nursing courses taken at other colleges or universities are not transferable to IUON.

International Transfer Students

Students must have attended an institution accredited in their home country. Courses taken at international colleges must be evaluated by a National Association of Credentialed Evaluation Services (NACES) approved credit evaluation agency to determine if the courses are comparable and equivalent to courses taken in the United States or Canada. The IUON Admissions Department can provide a list of approved NACES organizations.

All required documents, if originally in a foreign language, must be accompanied by a notarized English translation.

English Language Testing

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 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Application Procedure

1. Application

The online application must be fully completed in order for an applicant to be scheduled for a personal interview.

2. Application Fee

A non-refundable $50.00 application fee must be received with your application in order for processing to begin. This may be paid by either credit card or by check sent via U.S. mail to the IUON office in New York.

3.  Admissions Essay

The admissions essay is an important aspect of the application.  The IUON Admissions Committee reviews the essay for content as well as the student's writing ability.  Applicants should be sure all directions are followed completely.

4. Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation, preferably from a basic sciences professor and/or health professional, should be submitted as part of the application process.  The letters should address the applicant’s academic/work history as an indicator of the applicant’s high probability of success.

Letters of recommendation for an applicant applying to IUON  should be sent directly to the University at their New York office.

5. Official Transcripts

Applicants should request official transcripts from all high schools, universities or colleges previously attended.  Unofficial transcripts provided by the applicant will be accepted only for the purposes of an initial evaluation. 

No application is considered to be complete until official transcripts have been sent directly from the applicant's previously attended high schools, universities or colleges.

Transcripts from non U.S./Canadian schools must be translated and evaluated by an approved NACES agency.

6. TOEFL or IETLS Scores

International students must provide official TOEFL or IETLS scores.

All application fees, transcripts, test results, and letters of recommendation should be sent to:

International University of Nursing
North American Administrative Office
Office of Admissions
460 West 34th St., 12th Floor 
New York, NY 10001

Standardized Test Scores

Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS®)

IUON has teamed with Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI™) LLC, to have students take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS™) as part of the admission process. The TEAS™ assessment gauges students’ reading, mathematics, science, and English skills and has been taken by thousands of students preparing for a nursing education. 

Students are required to take the TEAS either prior to attending or upon matriculation to IUON. The TEAS results are used by IUON for placement purposes and academic planning. It is not used for the purpose of determining acceptability.  Students who receive a score less than a 65 on the composite TEAS (60 in math and 75 in reading) may be required to take developmental courses in English and mathematics.

To prepare for the TEAS™ assessment applicants may want to purchase a TEAS™ Study Guide and/or an online TEAS™ practice assessment offered by the ATI.  The TEAS™ Study Guide offers a to-the-point review of key concepts covering reading, mathematics, science, and English. It also offers sample questions with accompanying explanations and study/test taking skills.

Once the TEAS™ has been taken, ATI will send a copy of the results directly to IUON.  The NLN-PAX may be taken as an alternative to the TEAS.

Preliminary Evaluation

After you have submitted a completed application, the Faculty Admissions Committee will conduct a preliminary evaluation of your credentials. If it is determined that you meet our minimum qualifications, you will be invited to be interviewed.

Personal Interview

Qualified applicants will be invited to one of four regional offices for a personal interview. Students will be given an opportunity to discuss their academic record and provide any other background information that will help the admissions committee assess the student’s maturity, aptitude, and motivation.

Interviews will be scheduled only after the student’s application is complete and the following documents are on file: application official transcripts from all high schools, university or colleges attended, application fee, personal essay, and letters of recommendation.

Application Decision

Applicants can anticipate admissions decisions being made usually within two weeks after the personal interview is conducted.  Applicants will be notified in writing of the decision reached by IUON Admissions Committee.  Accepted students are assigned to a post acceptance director for assistance and instruction on all aspects of the enrollment process.