Practical Nursing Admissions

Admissions

Postsecondary admission at Blue Hills Regional Technical School is managed by the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid through the Blue Hills Regional Admissions Department. The Admissions and Financial Aid Office is open from 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. to the general public, Monday through Friday. If you have any questions about the admission or financial aid process, you should contact the director by email at salbernaz@bluehills.org or call the Admissions Department by telephone at (781) 828-5800 x2271.

Open Houses

• To be announcned

Information Sessions

• To be announced

TEAS Exam

Interested candidates can register for the TEAS VII examination through the ATI website at atitesting.com. You can register to take the TEAS at any onsite location offering live testing or online with ATI and then request a release of your ATI TEAS results to our school.

ATI TEAS exams are offered virtually online. ATI site provides directions to perform a dry run/test run to ensure your computer meets the technical requirements for the online testing. Please note that Blue Hills Regional requires a minimum of 60 days between retaking the TEAS exam. If you have taken the TEAS VII examination (all four (4) sections) within the last 12 months from your application date, please contact atitesting.com to send your qualified TEAS result to the Admissions Office at Blue Hills Regional Technical School.

TEAS Resources

Brandon Craft - Math
Brandon Craft – Math videos
Nurse Cheung - TEAS VII Intro
Professor McAllister – Reading & English
Another TEAS practice test
TEAS Test Breakdown
TEAS Practice Test
What is TEAS and What Does it Measure?
TEAS Practice Test
All TEAS Prep information
TEAS App (free)
TEAS SmartPrep

Click here to contact ATI

Admission Requirement

Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident

U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply for admission.

Blue Hills Regional Technical School is not an approved institution by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide admission to international post-secondary students.  Therefore, international post-secondary students are not eligible to apply of admission or register for the TEAS entrance examination at this institution.

Complete the TEAS Entrance Examination

All applicants are required to take the Test of Essential Academic Skills VII (TEAS) entrance examination.  Register on-line at www.atitesting.com to take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). The TEAS is an entrance exam developed by ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute) and administered by ATI or other schools.

• TEAS exam results are valid for 12 months from the date of application
• There must be a minimum of 60 (sixty) days between tests to allow time for remediation, and no more than 3 attempts in the school’s fiscal year, July 1 - June 30.
• The minimum adjusted individual scores for the TEAS are:
• Reading: 65%
• Mathematics: 63%
• Science: 42%
• English: 55%

OR

• Overall Score of Proficient: 58.7% - 79.3%

These scores must be achieved in order to be eligible for consideration for admission. Passing scores do not guarantee admission.

The TEAS entrance examination fee is charged by ATI. However, the TEAS entrance examination may be subject to change by ATI. For further information about the application process, please see our Admissions Process.

Complete the Preliminary Application for Admission

All applicants must complete the Preliminary Application, and submit all other required application credentials.  The application fee is $50.00 (non-refundable).

The application for admission is available to all students who submit passing TEAS VII scores to the Blue Hills Admissions Office.

• Students who take the TEAS entrance examination at another approved TEAS testing site such as PSI or online, are charged an examination fee, and an additional fee to send the entrance examination results to our school. Upon the receipt of TEAS entrance examination results sent from ATItesting.com to our ATI Institutional Account (that meet the required scores), the Admissions Office will mail a Preliminary Application to the prospective applicant.  The student must complete and submit the application for admission, along with the $50.00 (non-refundable) application fee and all other required application credentials.

Advanced Placement / Transfer Credits

Courses may be eligible for transfer if similar in content and depth to a course/clock hours taught at Blue Hills Regional Technical School. The course must be taken at a regionally accredited/approved school, college or university as determined by the Program Coordinator. The following criteria are also applicable to transferring course/clock hours into Blue Hills Regional.

1. It is recommended that students submit course descriptions for all courses/clock hours taken.
2. Course/clock hours not presented for review and evaluation at the time of registration will not be accepted for credit at a later date.
3. Successfully completed non-nursing courses with a grade of C (75%) or better will be accepted pending review of course outlines.
4. Anatomy and Physiology must include both sections I & II and student must also have taken Microbiology, obtaining a minimum of C (75%) in all 3 courses within the past 5 years to be considered for transfer credits.

Cumulative averages do not transfer with students. The grade for approved transfer course/clock hours will be noted on the Blue Hills Regional Technical School transcripts as (Transfer Credit). A new cumulative grade begins with the commencement of a student’s career at the Blue Hills Regional Technical School and reflects only work completed as a full time Blue Hills Regional Technical School student. 

Course Exemption Policy

There is no exemption from courses in the Practical Nursing Program.

Re-Admission

Students withdrawing from the Practical Nursing Program may apply for re-admission. Students must notify the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid. Students must complete the Application for Admission. The Application for Admission is available in the Admissions Office.  The individual’s application will be considered for re-admission based upon the approved Admissions Policy of Blue Hills Regional Technical School.  Students dismissed for unethical behavior are not eligible for re-admission.  All re-admission applicants must submit a written request for a recommendation re-admission letter to the Faculty Committee through the Practical Nursing Chairperson. Upon review of the student’s attendance, tardiness, clinical and academic performance, the Faculty Committee will determine a recommendation for re-admission. The Practical Nursing Chairperson will then submit a written recommendation to the Admissions Department reflecting the Faculty Committee decision.

• Openings for re-admission are limited based on space availability.
• Every student is required to successfully complete all three modules for graduation.
• Practical Nursing students must have a grade of 75 or better in all subjects to be in good academic standing at the end of any module.
• The maximum time frame to complete the program and receive federal financial assistance is 1.5 times the program length or 60 weeks. Please keep in mind if you request re-admission and will be enrolled in school longer than 1.5 times the length of the program or 60 weeks, you will be ineligible for financial assistance.
• All previous tuition and fees owed to Blue Hills Regional Technical School must be paid in full prior to re-admission.

Admissions Process

In order to apply for admission, applicants must follow the step-by-step instructions listed below. February 1st is the priority application completion date to submit all required application credentials.  However, the application completion date may be extended until all placement openings in the Practical Nursing Program are full for the current enrollment period.  All applicants who take the TEAS entrance examination and submit all other credentials will be interviewed and considered for admission until the quota of all placements are filled in the Practical Nursing Program.

Each candidate for admission is evaluated on an individual basis.  Selection is based on the applicant's ability to succeed in the program, grades, experience, interests and space availability.  No one is denied admission on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability.

Instructions to Apply

STEP I: Complete the TEAS Entrance Examination

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) entrance examination is required of all applicants. Applicants can register to take the TEAS entrance examination at another approved testing location, such as PSI. Applicants must register to take the TEAS entrance examination at www.atitesting.com.   Please keep in mind that the following TEAS examination sections are required at Blue Hills Regional:  TEAS VII Reading, and TEAS Mathematics, Science and English.  It is advisable to check with other testing sites to ensure the four (4) required TEAS examination sections are offered at those locations.   At the time of registration (on the ATI site) for taking the TEAS entrance examination, payment is due and payable by credit card only.

If you are a first-time user, you will need to set up a new account.  Please follow these steps to register for the TEAS.  1.  Go to www.atitesting.com. 2.  Click on the “Create an account” button, located below the password field in the Secure Sign on area.  3.  An ATI secure screen will appear.  Fill in all of the fields.  4.  Click the “Register” button.  You will be directed to your home page. 5. Click on Register for TEAS.  6. Click on Choose a state such as Massachusetts.  7.  Click on city and select a city nearest you.  8. Click Next.  9. Select Test Date and Click Register and follow prompts to finalize registration and payment.

If the TEAS entrance examination is taken at another approved testing site, official scores from ATI must be sent to the Admissions Office.   No student copies are acceptable.   To request official TEAS entrance examination results, applicants may log on to their ATI account and click on the “My Results tab."  Applicants can then purchase a transcript ($27.00) and select Blue Hills Regional Technical School, as the institution to send it to.  If assistance is needed to forward results, contact ATI at 1-800-667-7531.

Please note: Applicants must wait sixty (60) days between retakes of the TEAS entrance examination.  TEAS scores are valid for 12 months based on the student’s application date to the program.

 

Preparing for the TEAS Exam

Prospective applicants can prepare for the TEAS exam through course offerings or by simply purchasing a study guide or on-line practice tests.

Most prospective applicants purchase the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Study Manual or the full TEAS Study Package including on-line practice testing.  Go to www.atitesting.com to the "online store" to purchase items. Be sure it is for the TEAS VII exam. Resources are also available (TEAS study guide) at the local library, or through bookstores such as Barnes & Noble or Amazon.

Step II:  Complete a Preliminary Application for Admission

All applicants must complete the Preliminary Application, and submit all other required application credentials.  The application fee is $50.00 (non-refundable).

• The application for admission is available once the applicant has submitted acceptable TEAS VII results.
• Students who take the TEAS entrance examination at another approved TEAS testing site such as PSI or online, are charged an examination fee, and an additional fee to send the entrance examination results to our school. Upon the receipt of TEAS entrance examination results sent from ATItesting.com to our ATI Institutional Account (that meet the required scores), the Admissions Office will mail a Preliminary Application to the prospective applicant.  The student must complete and submit the application for admission, along with the $50.00 (non-refundable) application fee and all other required application credentials.

STEP III:  Submit All Application Credentials

It is highly recommended to submit your application credentials on or before January 21, 2022.  However, this date is extended until all placement openings in the Practical Nursing Program are filled for the current enrollment period.  All applicants who take the TEAS entrance examination before or after January 22, 2021 and submit all other credentials will be interviewed and considered for admission until the quota of all placements are filled in the Practical Nursing Program.

Submit an Official Copy of Your High School Transcript of Grades, GED or HiSET. All applicants must hold a high school diploma, General Education Diploma or HiSET.  All transcripts from within the United States or from countries outside of the United States must be officially certified and sent directly by the accredited educational institution or the approved educational agency to our Admissions Office. Photocopies and/or student copies are not considered official and will not be accepted.

All documents must have legal name on the transcripts.  Please request all schools or agencies to update your records if your last name has changed.  All documents must be submitted in English.  If the credentials must be translated, the original must be submitted along with the translation.

Foreign Transcripts:  All transcripts from outside of the United States must be evaluated relative to the U.S Educational Equivalency.  Blue Hills Regional Technical School recommends the Center for Documentation, Inc. for evaluation and translation services (if applicable).  To obtain a Credential Educational Request Form from the Center for Educational Documentation, Inc. contact by telephone 617-338-7171 or write to P.O. Box 170116, Boston, MA 02117 or email them at info@cedevaluations.com.  Their web site is www.cedevaluations.com.   The fax number is 617-338-7101.  Official copies of your transcripts are required to be submitted.

Official College Transcripts (if Applicable). Although it is not required to attend college prior to applying to Blue Hills Regional Technical School, applicants are encouraged to submit officially certified transcripts from courses of study from high school. Any college official transcript, whether the program was completed or not, will be considered as part of the application scoring.

Requirements for Advanced Standing and/or Transferring hours for credit must be requested in writing.  Students are expected to submit the same admission credentials, along with official college transcripts, as all applicants.  Additionally, applicants must have successfully completed from a regionally accredited/approved school, college or university offering an equivalent course/clock hours similar in content and depth to a course/clock hours taught at Blue Hills.

It is required that applicants requesting Advanced Standing and/or Transferring hours for credit must submit an official transcript and course descriptions from all courses and the clock hours completed.  Course/Clock hours not presented for review and evaluation at the time of registration will not be accepted for advanced standing credit at a later date.

Two (2) Recommendation Letters. Two (2) Recommendation Letters must be submitted regarding the applicant’s character and abilities to be successful in the Practical Nursing occupation from a former teacher, employer, clergy member or a healthcare professional.^.

Interview. Interviews are required.  The Application for Admission must be complete prior to the interview.  Complete applications include an official transcript, recommendation and TEAS entrance examination results.  Interviews will be scheduled for qualified applicants until the quota of all seats is filled in the Practical Nursing Program. Applicants who successfully passed the TEAS entrance examination will be scheduled for an interview. At least one reference should be from an employer if applicable.

C.O.R.I. CHECK. All students are required to have a Criminal Offenders Record Information (C.O.R.I.) check done through Blue Hills Regional Technical School.  The results of the C.O.R.I. check must meet the Board of Registration in Nursing “good moral character” requirement.  See “Good Moral Character Licensure Requirement Information Sheet” available at www.state.ma.us/reg/boards/rn .

Students receiving C.O.R.I. check results documenting conduct and criminal convictions that will result in mandatory permanent exclusion from initial nurse licensure in Massachusetts (Table 1 – “Good Moral Character Licensure Requirement Information Sheet”) will not be accepted for clinical experience at affiliated health agencies.  Students so barred from clinical affiliation sites will not be able to meet clinical course objectives resulting in clinical failure and dismissal from the program and forfeiture of all tuition.