How to Apply to the Nursing Program

Our Nursing Application cycles are as follows:
SPRING opens May 1st closes October 1st (Students start in January).
FALL opens November 1st and closes March 1st (Students start in August)

PLEASE NOTE: Applications DO NOT roll over. You must reapply each cycle if you are still interested.

Starting November 1st, 2024, the MSU West Plains Nursing Program is limiting out-of-state applicants to our neighboring states: Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. This decision was made to ensure that out-of-state students will be able to more easily reach our clinical sites in Missouri, Arkansas, and Topeka, Kansas.

All applicants will be considered competitively, based on an objective Ranking Score Computation and committee selection. To be considered for acceptance into the nursing program, your applicant file must contain all required documentation by the appropriate nursing application deadline. Follow the steps below to make sure your applicant file is complete.

Current degree-seeking students do not need to repeat the University admission process.

  • Apply to Missouri State University-West Plains. Office of Admissions, Hass-Darr Hall, (417) 255-7955. Applying to Missouri State University-West Plains and to the Missouri State University-West Plains nursing program are two separate processes. Prospective students may apply online. New students will receive a BearPass Number along with their Missouri State University-West Plains acceptance letter. On the Missouri State University-West Plains homepage, click on "BearPass" link at the top of the page, then the "My Grizzly Den" (the student portal) link. Click on "Get an Account" and use your BearPass Number and confirmation number - your birthday in a 6-digit format (i.e.: 043096 for 04/30/1996) - to create your account. Follow the instructions to complete your account set up. Call the Help Desk (417) 255-7995 if you need assistance. Your University application will not be processed until you have:
  1. Provided an official high school transcript, HiSET or GED certificate if required for admission to the University.
  2. Provided official transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities if applicable.
  3. Former students who have not attended Missouri State University-West Plains for two full semesters will need to reapply for admission before applying to the nursing program. Call the Help Desk at (417) 255-7995 to ask for your previous login and get a temporary password in order to log into My Grizzly Den. Your BearPass Number will always remain the same.
  • Apply to the Missouri State University-West Plains nursing program by logging into My Grizzly Den. (Contact the Help Desk if you need to reset your BearPass Password.) Locate the Student Resources card. Click on the Nursing Application link within the Student Resources card. The application asks two questions and the rest of your information is pulled from academic records.
  • If applicable, have transcripts from other nursing programs, such as Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) transcripts, sent directly to Missouri State University-West Plains, Nursing admissions office, 128 Garfield Ave., Looney Hall L-103C, West Plains, MO 65775.
  • Meet the admission criteria as set forth under Admission Eligibility.
  • Once application cycle is over, you will receive written notification of admission status – accepted, alternate or not accepted – by university email.

Application Requirements for the Nursing Program

All applicants will be considered competitively. To be considered for acceptance into the nursing program, your applicant file must contain all required documentation by application deadline. Follow the three steps below to make sure your applicant file is complete.
  1. Office of Admissions
    • Apply to Missouri State University-West Plains
    • Provide high school transcripts or HiSET/GED certificate if required for the admission to the University.
    • Provide official transcripts from all previously attended colleges or Universities. Even if you only took one class.
    • Receive letter of admission to the University and BearPass number.
  2. Missouri State-West Plains Testing Center - ATI TEAS Entrance Exam
    • Have on file the ATI TEAS 7 Exam (less than 5 years old) with a minimum overall score of 58.7%.
  3. Nursing Department
    • Apply online through My Grizzly Den, Student Resources card. (Login required - Contact the Help Desk if you need a BearPass password.)
    • If applicable, have transcripts from other nursing programs sent directly to the nursing department.
    • LPN students: Proof of active, non-disciplined LPN licensure.
    • You will receive an e-mail notification to your University email of admission status - accepted, alternate or not accepted.

Entrance Requirements

  • A minimum overall GPA of 2.5
  • MTH 130 - Contemporary Mathematics eligibility as determined by:
    • Placement exam score or
    • Completed college coursework such as MTH 103.
  • ENG 110 - Writing I :
    • Eligibility established by application deadline.
    • Completed by start of program.
Applicants who have met the minimum admission requirements and who have successfully completed support courses within the nursing curriculum will acquire points for ranking.
Cumulative GPA Scoring Points awarded toward Ranking score
2.50-2.99 10
3.0-3.49 15
3.5+ 20
ATI TEAS Entrance Exam Scoring Points awarded toward Ranking score
60.0-69.9% 10
70-79.9% 15
80-89.9% 20
90-100% 25

 

Support Courses Points awarded toward Ranking score
BIO 210 A-5, B-4, C-3
BMS 267 A-3, B-2, C-1
BMS 268 A-3, B-2, C-1
Offers of acceptance to the Associate of Science in Nursing program are conditional. Conditions include satisfactory completion of nursing support courses, a satisfactory background check and a negative drug and/or controlled substance test.
  • An applicant or current nursing student who refuses to authorize and pay testing or who tests positive for drugs, alcohol or controlled substances will not receive a final offer of admission or will not be allowed to continue in the nursing program.
  • Past academic history and known academic integrity may be used by the committee to determine if an applicant will be admitted into the nursing program.
  • Admission is contingent upon meeting the grade criteria of 'C' or better for past and current enrollment in nursing curriculum support classes.
As a requirement of the nursing program application process, in response to RSMo 660.315 and 660.317b, applicants to the program will be required to consent to release of their criminal history record (RSMo 43.450) solely for the purpose of determining the applicant's ability to enter patient care areas in order to fulfill the requirements of the ASN program. For more information see Nursing Eligibility.
Notes:

Students are strongly encouraged to confirm transferability of individual courses to other institutions prior to enrollment. Not all courses will transfer or satisfy specific degree requirements for bachelor's degrees.

All applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible to the nursing program in order to receive the benefit of application advisories from the nursing admissions office. You may also benefit from setting up a personal appointment to go over your application materials. For more information, contact the nursing admissions office in Looney Hall, Room 103-C, (417) 255-7245, WPNursing@MissouriState.edu.