Nursing - How to Get Started

Join our upcoming information sessions to learn more about the program, application process/requirements, and selection criteria.

• Thursday, October 31, 2024  11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Monday, November 18, 2024  1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
• Tuesday, December 17, 2024  11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
• Friday, January 24, 2025  10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
• Thursday, February 13, 2025  1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

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Admission decisions are based on a point system using academic and non-academic criteria. To apply for fall 2025 term or winter term 2026 admission, you must meet the requirements below by the deadline date of February 17, 2025. Below are the prerequisites required as well as an explanation of the points system used as the basis for admission.

These courses are required and must be completed by the end of the fall term, December 2024.

Note: Courses have prerequisites and may not be offered every term. You are advised to meet with an academic adviser to ensure your readiness to apply.

Minimum Application Requirements
You must complete at least 28 of the 45 required prerequisite credits from the “Prerequisite Courses” below by the end of fall term 2024. The 28 credits must include:

• BI231 Anatomy and Physiology 1
• MTH095/MTH098 or higher (or placement into MTH105Z/MTH111Z). If the math admission requirement is met by placement into MTH105Z or higher, you must select from other prerequisite courses to attain the minimum 28 credits.

By the end of summer term 2025 any remaining prerequisite courses must be completed.

Completing all 45 prerequisite credits by the end of fall term before applying will make your application more competitive. Consider mapping out a term-by-term education plan with an academic advisor.

Prerequisite Courses
Use the transfer tool to see if your courses from other colleges apply! Please note: Courses with “Z” at the end are equivalent to the same course without the “Z.”

These courses expire after 10 years: Courses cannot be taken before fall term 2015.

• BI231, BI232, BI233 Human Anatomy and Physiology I, II & III with lab (12 credits): The full sequence of human anatomy and physiology with laboratory, inclusive of all body systems. BI231 must be completed by the end of fall term 2024.

For expired courses, you may receive a waiver to allow these courses if you have current healthcare experience. If you wish to explore this option, send a written summary of your healthcare experience and how you apply concepts of anatomy and physiology and microbiology into your practice to [email protected].

These courses have NO expiration date:

• MTH095 Intermediate Algebra or MTH098 Quantitative Reasoning II or higher (four to five credits) or placement into MTH105/MTH111 or higher since 2/17/2020: You can meet the math admission requirement by taking the math portion of the MHCC College Placement Test (CPT). If you took a placement test at another school, or if you took a COMPASS test since 2/17/2020, please have that school email a copy of your score report to testing services at [email protected] to be evaluated.
  • Placement scores do not appear on transcripts. ALEKS placement test, high school GPA, Smarter Balance, or general education development (GED®) scores cannot be used to meet the math prerequisite. Learn more about acceptable math placement test scores. If you use a placement score and do not have a qualifying math course on your transcript, you must complete a math course to meet graduation requirements.
• WR121Z English Composition and WR122Z English Composition or WR227Z Technical Writing (eight credits): The writing requirement is waived if you completed a bachelor's degree or higher from a U.S. regionally accredited institution. You must select from any remaining prerequisite courses to meet the minimum 28 credits to apply and select from the art and letters or additional social science courses from the AAOT degree to fulfill the 45 credits required for admission to the program.
• FN225/HE225 Nutrition (four credits): The class should cover biological functions, dietary sources of essential nutrients, and the relationship of diet to health.
• BI102 or BI112 or BI212 Biology with Genetics (four to five credits): Any biology course that lists genetics or heredity within the course description will fulfill this requirement. Human anatomy, physiology, or microbiology coursework cannot be used.
• BI234 Microbiology (four credits): Basic microbiology covering living microorganisms, particularly bacteria and viruses, with laboratory.
• PSY237 Human Development (four credits): The class should cover the developmental process of human life covering the full life span. Human development courses that cover only part of the lifespan will not be accepted. PSY201Z is the prerequisite to PSY237 at MHCC.
• Social Science (one course, three to five credits): Any social science course listed under the AAOT degree will fulfill this requirement. PSY201Z will count as the social science prerequisite. If you have taken multiple social science classes, pick the one with the highest grade to use on your nursing application. Use the transfer tool to see if your courses from other colleges apply!

Grade and Transcript Requirements

• GPA must be at least a 3.0 for prerequisite coursework only (not your cumulative GPA you see on your transcript).
• Each prerequisite course must be completed with a "C" grade or higher.
• "Pass" or "Satisfactory" grades will count as a "C" grade when calculating prerequisite GPA.
• All your official regionally accredited college transcripts must be on file in MHCC's admissions, registration, and records office by the application deadline, even if you are not using the credits towards your prerequisites.

If you meet all minimum application requirements by the application deadline, your application will be scored by the following point scale:

Academic Points: 32 points maximum

• Prerequisite GPA (max 25 points): Only the prerequisite courses filled in on your application will be calculated for awarding GPA points. Pluses and minuses will not be considered.
  • 3.67-4.00 = 25 points
  • 3.33-3.66 = 23 points
  • 3.20-3.32 = 20 points
  • 3.15-3.19 = 17 points
  • 3.00-3.14 = 15 points
    
    
• Human Anatomy and Physiology sequence (max three points): If you complete more than just the first anatomy and physiology course (minimum needed to apply) you will gain:
  • Two points for completion of anatomy and physiology I and II with a "C" grade or higher
  • Three points for completion of anatomy and physiology I, II, and III with a "C" grade or higher
    
    
• College degree (one point): If your transcript shows you earned a two-year college degree or higher, you will gain one point
  
  
• Prerequisite completion (max three points): If you complete more than the minimum credits required to apply by the end of fall term 2024, you will gain:
  • Two points for completion of 36 out of the 45 required prerequisite credits
  • Three points for completion of all 45 prerequisite credits

• Prerequisite science courses taken at MHCC (up to two points): One point will be awarded for any of the following nursing prerequisite science courses completed at MHCC by the end of fall term 2024 not to exceed two points max:
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology (BI231 or BI232 or BI233)
  • Biology with Genetics (BI102 or BI112 or BI212)
  • Nutrition (FN225 or HE225)
  • Microbiology (BI234)
    
    
• Not repeating Anatomy and Physiology (max three points): If you have not repeated the prerequisite anatomy and physiology courses within the past ten years, you will be awarded up to three points.
  
  
• Prerequisites taken at MHCC (one point): If 28 prerequisite credits or more were completed at MHCC, you will be awarded one point.

• Prior Year Alternate (two points): If you were on the alternate list from the 2024/2025 application cycle and were not offered a seat in the program, you will be awarded two points.
  
  
• MHCC District Resident (one point): If the address on your student record when you apply to the nursing program is within the MHCC district, you will be awarded one point.
  
  
• Military Service (one point): If you have two years or more of military service and upload a copy of your DD214 with your application, you will be awarded one point.
  
  
• Early Application (two points): If you successfully submit your online application by January 17, 2025, and all required official transcripts are on file with MHCC, you will be awarded two points.
  
  
• Certification and Work Experience (max eight points): You must upload a copy of your current or expired certificate or license with your application to earn these discretionary points. Worked hours must be for certificate or license being used. If you have multiple certificates or licenses, you can only use one for hours and point awarding. Choose the certificate/licensure where you have completed the most work hours.
  
  
• Current Licensure/Certification: You must submit this work experience form to receive points. Certification and work experience not on this list will not be considered for point awarding.

• Certified Hemodialysis Technician (CHT)
• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)/Medical Assistant (MA)
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
• Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)
• Certified/Registered Respiratory Therapist (CRT/RRT)
• Certified Surgical Technician (CST)
• Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT)
• Certified X-ray/Ultrasound/Radiology Technician
• Emergency Department Technician
• Funeral Services Technician
• Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (LPTA)
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) *
• Mental Health/Behavioral Health Technician
• Military Medic/Corpsman (DD214 or military transcripts verifying medical training will need to be submitted) *
• Paramedic/Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
  
  
  • 0-400 hours: four points
  • 401-1,000 hours: five points
  • 1,001-1,500 hours: six points
  • 1,501-2,000 hours: seven points
  • 2,001+: eight points

• Expired Licensure/Certification: You can earn four points for an expired licensure/certification, but work experience points will not be awarded.

*If you are a current licensed LPN or Military Medic/Corpsman in good standing, you may qualify to receive certain nursing courses credits at the discretion of the nursing program director upon acceptance to the program. You must declare your desire to be considered for the credits to the nursing program director after acceptance to the program.

Phase 1 Tie Breaker: In the event that two or more applicants have the same score for Phase 1, tiebreakers will be used in the following order: not repeating A & P, prerequisite GPA, and the date the application is complete (if all required documents are not on file with MHCC and/or all grades are not posted at the time the online application was submitted, the date used is when all missing items are received).

Mt. Hood Community College provides the following technical standards with examples of learning activities to inform prospective and enrolled students of the skills required in completing their chosen profession’s curriculum and in the provision of health care services. These technical standards reflect the performance abilities and characteristics that are necessary for successful completion of the requirements of clinical based health care programs. These standards are not a requirement of admission into the program. Individuals interested in applying for admission to the program should review these standards to develop a better understanding of the skills, abilities and behavioral characteristics required for successful completion of the program.

Students admitted to the Nursing Program are expected to be able to complete curriculum requirements which include physical, cognitive, and behavioral core competencies that are essential to the functions of the entry level professional nurse. These core competencies are considered to be the minimum and essential skills necessary to protect the public. These abilities are encountered in unique combinations in the provision of safe and effective nursing care. Regular consistent attendance and participation is essential to learning, especially for all scheduled clinical experiences.

Mt. Hood Community College provides reasonable accommodations to qualified students with disabilities. Appropriate accommodations may include academic adjustments or auxiliary aids. Accommodations are not considered to be reasonable if they fundamentally alter the nature of the academic program, jeopardize the health and safety of others, or cause an undue burden.

Progression in the program may be denied if a student is unable to demonstrate the technical standards with or without reasonable accommodations.

1. Recall, collect, analyze, synthesize, and integrate information from a variety of sources.
2. Measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize data.
3. Problem-solve and think critically in order to apply knowledge and/or skill.
4. Communicate effectively with individuals from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.
5. Relay information in oral and written form effectively, accurately, reliably, and intelligibly, including thorough and accurate use of computers, computer technology and software programs, and other tools, to individuals and groups, using the English language.
6. Effectively collect, analyze, synthesize, integrate, and recall information and knowledge to provide safe patient care for up to a twelve-hour clinical shift.

Examples of learning activities found in the nursing curriculum and related to industry standards:

• Process information thoroughly and quickly to prioritize and implement nursing care.
• Sequence or cluster data to determine patient needs.
• Develop and implement a nursing plan of care for patients in acute, long term and community settings.
• Discriminate fine/subtle differences in medical word endings.
• Report patient data using multiple formats to members of the health care team.
• Appropriately interpret medical orders and patient information found in the medical record.
• Perform math computations for medication dosage calculations.
• Apply knowledge/skills gained through completion of program prerequisites, including requirement for computer proficiency.

Motor:

1. Coordinate fine and gross motor movements.
2. Coordinate hand/eye movements.
3. Negotiate level surfaces, ramps, and stairs.
4. Work effectively and efficiently within a limited space.
5. Effectively manage psychomotor tasks to provide safe patient care for up to a twelve (12) hours clinical shift.

Examples of learning activities found in the nursing curriculum and related to industry standards:

• Transfer patients in and out of bed from stretchers and wheelchairs.
• Control a fall by slowly lowering patient to the floor.
• Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Lift, move, turn, position, push, or pull patients and/or objects and maintain a “medium activity level” as defined by the State of Oregon Department of Insurance Index of occupational characteristics.
• Place or access equipment such as intravenous fluid bags or catheter bags, within compliance of safety standards.
• Transport equipment and supplies to the patient bedside.
• Manipulate small equipment and containers, such as syringes, vials, ampules, and medication packages, to administer medications.
• Dispose of needles in sharps container.
• Dispose of contaminated materials in a safe and compliant manner.
• Complete assigned periods of clinical practice (up to twelve [12] hour shifts, days, evenings, or nights, holidays, weekdays, and weekends).
• Complete skills tests within assigned time limit.

Sensory:

1. Acquire information from demonstrations and experiences, including but not limited to information conveyed through online coursework, lecture, small group activities, demonstrations, and application experiences.
2. Collect information through a variety of senses and/or using appropriate and approved equipment.
3. Use and interpret information from diagnostic procedures.

Examples of learning activities found in the nursing curriculum and related to industry standards:

• Detect changes in skin color or condition (pale, ashen, grey, or bluish).
• Detect a fire in the patient care environment.
• Draw up a prescribed quantity of medication into a syringe.
• Observe patients in a room from a distance of 20 feet away.
• Detect sounds related to bodily functions using appropriate equipment, such as a stethoscope.
• Detect audible alarms generated by mechanical systems such as those that monitor bodily functions, fire alarms, call bells.
• Observe and collect data from recording equipment and measurement devices used in patient care.
• Communicate with patient and members of the health care team in person and over the phone in a variety of settings, including isolation and the operating room where health care team members are wearing masks and there is background noise.
• Detect foul odors of bodily fluids or spoiled foods.
• Detect smoke from burning materials.
• Detect unsafe temperature levels in heat-producing devices used in patient care.
• Detect anatomical abnormalities, such as subcutaneous crepitus, edema, or infiltrated intravenous fluids.
• Feel or note vibrations, such as an arterial pulse, using touch or approved equipment.

1. Demonstrate ability to function effectively under stress and adapt to changing environments to provide safe patient care.
2. Maintain effective communication and teamwork to provide effective patient care.
3. Examine and modify one’s own behavior when it interferes with others or the learning environment.
4. Possess attributes that include compassion, empathy, altruism, integrity, honesty, responsibility, and tolerance.
5. Accept responsibility for own actions and communicate in a courteous, assertive, non-aggressive, non-defensive manner with instructors, peers, staff, and health care team members.
6. Integrate feedback into own performance.

Examples of learning activities found in the nursing curriculum and related to industry standards:

• Exercise judgment, meet acceptable timeframes for patient care delivery (acceptable timeframes are reflected by ability to carry out the usual patient care assignment for a particular point in the program within the allotted reasonable clinical time frame), work effectively under stress, and adapt to rapidly changing patient care environments.
• Accept accountability for actions that resulted in patient care errors.
• Deal effectively with interpersonal conflict if it arises; maintain effective and harmonious relationships with members of the health care team.

Apply for general admission to MHCC if you are new to MHCC or have not attended in the last four terms. Select AGS in Health Professions as your major. Please note it could take one to two business days to receive your MHCC ID number.  

Once you are ready to submit your application, pay the $35 non-refundable application fee. You will need to upload your payment receipt with your application. 

Official transcripts from every regionally accredited college or university attended, regardless of program relevancy, program length, or age must be received no later than February 17, 2025. If you’re finishing prerequisites in the fall term, wait until grades are posted before requesting transcripts. Otherwise, complete this step as soon as possible. Updated official transcripts are required only if new courses have been taken for previous applicants.  

Transcripts must be issued directly from the institution where the course(s) were completed. Coursework showing as transferred from one institution to another is not accepted. Official electronic transcripts via secure electronic delivery service may be submitted to [email protected]. E-transcripts cannot be sent from the student to MHCC as they are not considered official. If submitting transcripts by mail, send to:  

Mt. Hood Community College – Nursing Application  
Admissions, Registration and Records  
26000 SE Stark St.  
Gresham OR 97030  

• Regionally Accredited Institutions: Required from all institutions attended.  
• Non-Regionally Accredited Institutions: Not required.  
• AP, CLEP, DSST, GED or IB Transcripts/Scores: Required only if using for meeting admission requirements (does not include Anatomy and Physiology courses) and must be issued directly from College Board, DSST, GED Testing Service or International Baccalaureate (see credit alternatives). Accepted scores for the courses will equate to a C grade for point awarding.
• Foreign/Non-US Based Educational Transcripts: Required only if using to meet admission requirements and must first be evaluated by an outside credential service. For more information, visit the transfer to MHCC page. The evaluated transcripts must be submitted by the application deadline for the program. Evaluation processing for foreign transcripts could take up to six weeks. It is best to start this process early. A foreign bachelor's degree does not fulfill the prerequisite requirements.  
• MHCC Transcript: Not required, already on file.   

Submit your application from November 1, 2024, through February 17, 2025. If applicable, please be sure to have your documents ready for uploading and transcript(s) available for entering your prerequisite courses. You must have all your documents ready. Once started, your application cannot be saved.

Upon successful submission of your application, you will receive an email confirmation. If you do not receive an email confirming receipt of your application within three business days, please email [email protected].

As your application gets reviewed, the status will be updated in the MyMHCC portal.

Application Timeline

Fall Term 2025/Winter Term 2026 Entry

• Nov. 1, 2024: You may submit your application.
• January 17, 2025: Early application deadline. Submit your application and all required documents (including official transcripts with fall 2024 grades) to receive discretionary points.
• February 17, 2025: Application deadline. All materials are due to MHCC. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered for admissions.  
• Late March/early April 2025: You are notified via email if you are moving on to Phase 2.
• April 2025: Phase 2 selection process. 
• May 2025: Notification of Phase 2 results emailed.
• June 2025: Required zoom orientation held for all accepted and waitlisted students.
• September 22, 2025: Fall term classes begin. 

Dates are subject to change. Any changes to the processing timeline will be updated here immediately. Do not inquire about the status of your application while processing is taking place.  

Based on the point system, up to the top 175 applicants from phase 1 will be invited to participate in phase 2. Points from phase 1 will be combined with phase 2 for admission selection. You will find out your status by late March/early April.

Phase 2 takes place in April and may include an essay, interview and other requirements which will be explained in detail if you are invited to phase 2.

Around 72 students are accepted into the program. You will be notified in May if you are accepted, put on a waitlist or not accepted. Accepted students will be assigned an initial start term of either fall or winter. However, if your start term presents an extreme hardship, please request a change from the nursing program director. We will do our best to accommodate your request but cannot ensure your request will be met.

Phase 2 Tie Breaker: In the event that two or more applicants have the same scores for Phase 2, tiebreakers will be used in the following order: not repeating A&P, prerequisite gpa, date application was complete, number of remaining non-nursing credits, and in district.

If you are offered a seat (or waitlisted) for the program, a confirmation email will be required. Additionally, you will be required to complete the following to keep your position in the program. Failure to complete these requirements will cause you to lose your position in the program.

• Complete all 45 prerequisite classes by the end of the summer term before beginning the program (if not completed at the time of application).
• Attend the required orientation in late June (a specific date and time will be in your acceptance letter). At orientation, information and due dates will be given for the required immunizations, basic life support certification, criminal background check and drug screen. These must be completed and turned in by the assigned due dates. Please note, religious or medical exceptions are not allowed.

Proof of current immunizations: You must provide vaccination records and/or immunity to the following:  

• Immunity to measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chicken pox)
• 2-step PPD skin test or TB Gold test (if either test is positive, they will need a chest x-ray report)
• Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis Toxoid within the last 10 years
• Hepatitis B – The series must be started when invited for an interview and must be completed before starting the program. More information will be provided if accepted to the program.
• COVID vaccination is optional.

Current Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare provider card: You must provide a current BLS for healthcare provider certification approved by the American Heart Association.

Criminal Background Check: Your acceptance will be provisional until you pass a national criminal background check conducted through a national standardized tracking system the nursing program has a contact with. Information for accessing the system will be available to you upon program acceptance. Please note, the background check fee must be paid by you and the process requires a social security number.

Drug Screen: You are required to complete a drug screen prior to starting the nursing courses. This drug screening may also check for prescription drugs that contain amphetamines, barbiturates, opioids, benzodiazepines and marijuana. If you are taking any prescribed medication that may contain these drugs, you will need to meet with the program director before completing the drug screen.

Clinical Rotation: Clinical arrangements will be assigned by the dean of nursing and may not be finalized until the week prior to starting the term. Clinical assignments may be scheduled for the day, evening or night shift, and may also be scheduled for any day of the week, including weekends and holidays. Attempts will be made to accommodate a student’s schedule under extenuating circumstances; however, no guarantee can be made around day, time, location, etc. If you have a specific accommodation needs, you will need to notify the program faculty and dean after being accepted into the program to specify circumstances and to identify what accommodations are being requested. Please note, while every effort will be made to accommodate specific needs, a guarantee of time, day and/or location cannot be made, and you  are asked to be flexible in their assignment.

These costs are estimates and are listed only as a guide for your financial planning. The tuition listed is for 2024 and subject to change. You are responsible for transportation costs to clinical practicum sites. Books, licensure fees and travel are not included in financial aid reimbursable expenses. 

• CastleBranch: $170
• Immunizations: $400
• Fees (Lab, Clinical, Standardized Test): $7,306
• Uniforms, School Patch, Shoes, Stethoscope, Scissors, Watch: $349
• Travel to Clinical Sites: Variable
• Nursing Textbooks: $1,067

Must all be purchased as directed at orientation before beginning the program. You will also need access to a pocket-size internet accessible device to take to clinicals (i.e., phone, iPod, etc.).

• Relias, Inc.: $29
• Ace Mapp: $100
• N. Licensure and NCLEX Exam (final term of program): $500
• Drug Screen and Criminal Background Check: $158
• Tuition and College Fees: $9,765

Based on six terms in the program including the general education courses needed for the AAS in nursing but does not include the prerequisites. If you have completed some or all of the general education courses, your tuition will be less. See the current tuition rate.

Total: $19,844

Learn About Paying for College

Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) reserves the right to modify the criteria and the process for selection.  

Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the nursing program. Admission of all students to the program is centralized in the admissions, registration, and records office. This office has the final authority on all admission criteria and is the sole authority to inform students of their admission status.  

If you have questions regarding admission requirements and procedures, please email [email protected].  

Reasons for Admission Disqualification: Withholding information or providing materially misleading information and giving untruthful answers to questions on the program application or during the application process could be cause for non‐acceptance or dismissal from the program. If you were admitted and then failed a required course or were dismissed from the program or any other health related program, you may be denied admission into the program.

Previous Admission: If you were previously accepted into the program and then declined acceptance or withdrew, you will need to re‐apply by submitting a new application to the program and will be required to meet the current program admission requirements and program standards.