80-060-1
04-30-13
ADMISSION TO NURSING PROGRAM (PROCEDURE)
Processing of an application will begin only when the application form, application fee,
transcripts, letters of recommendation, and test data as required by the department are
received in the Nursing Department. If an applicant fails to complete the application file
by the January 30th deadline for the proposed term, a new date of entry will need to be
specified. Students will be selected only in the Spring, to begin the nursing program the
following Fall semester, providing they have met all pre-requisites requirements.
Complete application documents are available on OLC Nursing Website under Nursing
Documents (http://www.olc.edu/local links/ nursing/). A complete application file must
include:
1. Complete, signed application form.
2. $45.00 application fee. This fee is non-refundable, regardless of what action is
taken on the application for admission. Check or money order only made out to
OLC Nursing Department – no cash.
3. Official transcripts from each higher education institution attended, other than
OLC, and if not already on file at the OLC Registrar’s office. These transcripts
must be sent directly from the institution attended to the Registrar’s Office of
Oglala Lakota College. Transcripts “Issued to Student” are unofficial. Official
transcripts must be sent to:
Registrar
PO Box 490
Kyle, SD 57752
4. Three letters of recommendation. These are required from persons other than
relatives and friends, who are familiar with the applicant’s academic and/or
employment record.
5. Essay – five paragraphs of 100-150 words each, developing the answers to: a.)
Why you have chosen nursing as a career, b.) Life events that contributed to
your decision, c.) People that have influenced you, d.) What types of nursing
interest you, and e.) What you hope to do with your nursing degree. Include
these four Lakota values of Wisdom, Respect, Generosity, and Courage, in any
way you can in your essay, as you relate them to aspects of nursing. This should
be developed into a page to a page and a half typed paper.
6. Certificate of degree of Indian blood if applying to OLC for the first time.
7. Official high school transcript or GED Certificate if it is not already on file at OLC.
8. Applications and all related documents should be mailed to:
Oglala Lakota College
Department of Nursing
PO Box 861
1 Nursing Way
Pine Ridge, SD 57770
Selection Criteria
Students who have completed pre-requisites courses and submitted application
documents will be selected according to the following criteria:
1. G.P.A. of 2.5 or better
2. Tribal enrollment priority as follows:
a. Enrolled members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe who are veterans.
b. Enrolled members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe
c. Enrolled members of other Lakota Tribes who are veterans
d. Enrolled members of other Lakota Tribes (Rosebud and Cheyenne River
priority)
e. Enrolled members of other Federally recognized tribes
3. Reference letters and personal interview and an essay assist the faculty to evaluate
personal characteristics desired in health professionals and those that are reflective of
Lakota values, including the following:
a. Ability to work with people
b. Potential for leadership
c. Personal initiative
d. Growth potential
e. Concern for others
f. Motivation
g. Integrity
h. Reliability
i. Reaction to feedback
j. Communication skills.
4. When the program can accommodate who meet all other requirements will be
selected according to the following criteria:
a. Students committed to remaining in the service area as evidenced by:
i. Living in the service area for more than five (5) years, thus demonstrating
permanent residence.
ii. having permanent family/relative ties in the service area
5. Current Certified Nursing Assistant status verification or pass Nursing Department
Certified Nursing Assistant course.
6. Entrance testing as set up by the department.
After assessing the above criteria, the most weight will be given to academic
standing (GPA) and entrance testing results.
After Selection
After being provisionally selected for admission the applicant must complete the
following:
7. A clear comprehensive background check and drug/alcohol test. If the results of the
background check are not cleared, it may be reviewed by the Nursing Department
personnel with the Board of Nursing and clinical sites. This review may result in
barring admission. Failure to undergo a drug/alcohol screen, a positive drug/alcohol
screen, or a tampered with sample will result in barring admission. If the drug/alcohol
screen comes back positive and a valid prescription exists, and the student is under
the current treatment of a licensed medical professional, who verifies this
prescription will not interfere with clinical judgement, the test result will be deemed
negative.
8. Physical and eye exam, along with current immunizations, as required by health care
facilities, completed prior to start of fall courses. Yearly TB testing is required of all
nursing students.
The number of students admitted for each Fall semester will not exceed available
faculty or clinical laboratory resources. Provisional selection and notification of students
for the fall semester will be made by the end of June prior to fall entry.
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