Apply to the
Application Instructions
Please read over these directions carefully and email us at nursing@northwestu.edu if you have questions.
What You Will Need to Complete Your Application:
- Acceptance into Northwest University (Click here to learn more.)
- (Note: You will need your NU ID#, which can be found on your acceptance notification or transfer report after applying to the university.)
- Completed Prerequisite Classes (Click to view.) Note: A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is required. In each of following core courses, a minimum grade of 2.7 must also be earned:
- Survey of Organic and Biochemistry
- Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
- Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab
- General Psychology
- In preparation for clinicals requirements, students must provide documentation consisting of medical immunizations and additional documentation such as CPR certification. (Click here to see these requirements.)
- For fall admission, prerequisite courses must be completed by June 30. Summer courses at Northwest University must be completed by the end of summer term. No more than six of the prerequisite courses (and of these, only one may be a core course) may be pending in progress by the application due date.
- A plan for completion of unfinished prerequisite courses must be included with the application.
- Written self-analysis essays are required. Prompts for these essays will appear in your NursingCAS account.
Academic and Professional Standards:
The nursing program is academically rigorous because a registered nurse bears life-and-death types of responsibility and because competence should be a defining characteristic of a Christian nurse. A great deal of reading, research, and memorization are required. The faculty expects students to make rapid progress in the development of critical thinking, communication, and technical skills. The University Catalog and course syllabi prescribe specific standards of academic performance. A grade of “B-,” 2.70/4.0 or better must be earned in each nursing course in order to continue in the nursing curriculum toward graduation. Even though a 2.70 grade is acceptable in a given class, an overall grade point average of 3.00 must be maintained throughout each semester of the nursing coursework.
Throughout the application process, applicants will demonstrate a high level of professionalism. Nursing students must be committed to showing respect for others. Respect is an underpinning value of professional behavior. Demonstrating respect for others is necessary to maintain the trust that patients/clients, health care workers, faculty, and fellow students place in each nursing student. These other parties will continually evaluate each applicant and future student’s professional behavior as expressed in such ways as positive initiative, teamwork, conservative and clean appearance, reliability, excellent attendance record, punctuality, and timely and accurate communication.
Starting Your Application in NursingCAS:
- Go to the NursingCAS website and create an account: https://nursingcas.liaisoncas.org/apply/ The application link will take you to the NursingCAS “Apply” page. Follow the steps listed below once the application is open.
- Select Fall 2025 from the drop down menu (this is the term you will start the nursing program). Note that the new application cycle opens in October and will close January 31 of the following year. Applications must be complete to be reviewed.
Transferring Credits / How to Send Us Your Transcripts:
- All official transcripts must be sent to NursingCAS
- See the NursingCAS Applicant Help Center for a brief overview and detailed instructions are available at “Sending Official Transcripts to NursingCAS“. Note: Official transcripts for all colleges and universities you have attended are required, regardless of academic status, degree, certificate, or completion factors.
- NursingCAS needs your NursingCAS ID number included with your transcripts. We recommend that NU students upload the NursingCAS Transcript ID Form to the NU National Student Clearing House Transcript Ordering Center. This will aid NursingCAS in matching up your transcript with your application.