Explore the 4 nursing program options that are available at HCC. 

To learn more, please visit: hcc.edu/nursingprograms/home

• You might consider applying for multiple programs during the same application period. 

You can apply to HCC at any time; however, nursing applications will be available on September 15 (see STEP 5 below). 

The HCC application process and requirements are available at: hcc.edu/new-readmit-transfer

• All new, readmit, and transfer students must comply with the HCC application process. 

• Students should declare Foundations of Health as their major to take pre requisite/ general education classes for nursing.

• Check your HCC email account to receive further communication about your application.  All college communicate will go through this email account. 

• If you have questions, please contact Admissions at admissions@hcc.edu or 413.552.2321.

• If you are a current student, you can skip this step. 

Complete the online information session: 

https://sites.google.com/hcc.edu/healthinformationsession/start-here

• This is mandatory for all applicants (PN, ASN, Advanced Placement 1+1 and LPN2RN).

• Health education open house are twice a year in the Fall and Spring 

• The information session is good for 1 application cycle and must be completed before the application deadline for the year that you are applying. 

• At the end of the online information session, you will complete a GoogleForm. This counts as your attendance. The admissions office will update your application to reflect your attendance. 

If you haven't already, meet with an HCC Advisor, 

To schedule an appointment, please email advisingcenter@hcc.edu

• The advisor will review program options, requirements, and applications. 

• Your advisor will also provide some guidance throughout the application process. 

Nursing program applications will be available on September 15. 

To start your nursing application, please visit hcc.edu/admission 

• Students who are interested in applying for one or more of the nursing programs at HCC need to apply for all programs through admissions. This includes the PN, ASN, Advanced Placement 1+1, LPN2RN and the Concurrent ASN/BSN Programs. 

• You will also want to gather or request transcripts from your other institutions. Be sure to refer to the materials in STEP 6 regarding admissions requirements and policies. 

Everyone should review the "Nursing Program Admission Policy & Requirements." 

Please review the following documents to learn more about the admissions policy and requirements for the nursing programs. 

• "Nursing Programs Application Checklist" is from admissions and shows application requirements. 

• "Essential Functional Abilities Requirements" outlines the fit-for-duty abilities that all nursing students must verify by a healthcare provider and maintained while in the programs. 

• Review and meet the "MABORN Good Moral Character policy" that briefly talks about CORI/SORI background checks and the Department of Child and Family Services required before applying. 

• "Drug Screening Policy" talks about the drug testing requirement once accepted. The drug screening may include Marijuana. 

• All nursing student must complete all of their general education course requirements with a minimum grade of C+ (77%) of higher. 

• Advanced Placement Educational Mobility 1+1 Policy talks more about the 1+1 ASN program. All 1+1 applicants should review it. 

• Advanced Placement LPN2RN ASN Policy talks more about theLPN2RN ASN  program. All LPN2RN applicants should review it. 

• Concurrent ASN/BSN Enrollment: HCC and Westfield State University (WSU) are offering a concurrent ASN & BSN enrollment option. Students accepted into HCC and WSU nursing programs will work concurrently to obtain their ASN & BSN degrees. For program consideration applicants must select this option in the application process and meet all of the admissions and progression policies for both HCC and WSU.

Click here to view all of the program requirements

ALL applicants must review and complete the following supplemental forms. 

Upload the completed forms to the HCC Nursing Application. 

• "The Program Requirements Acknowledgement Form" asks all applicants to acknowledge that they are aware of the different program requirements. 

• "Employment Verification Form" asks applicants to share any healthcare experience that they have. Healthcare experience is not required for traditional ASN and PN applicants, but is required for the 1+1 and LPN2RN programs; however, this is good information to disclose for the application process. 

  • All accepted (ASN & PN) HCC nursing students will have to complete a nurse aid training course, (see Step 12 below for exceptions to this requirement.) Please use the Employment Verification Form to identify your CNA or PCT experience, employment will be verified. 

  • Six-months of Healthcare experience is required for Advanced Placement 1+1 and LPN2RN applicants. Please use the Employment Verification Form to identify your LPN experience, employment will be verified. 

Review the "Student Health Requirements" for the HCC Nursing Programs. 

All accepted nursing students will need to provide documentation regarding the completion of their immunization, required trainings, and related compliance records. Schedule your appointments early with your provider to meet the 30 day after accepetnce deadline. 

• Please note that some of these health requirements (i.e. Hepatitis B, TB and COVID) require more than one step and therefore require more time. 

• Applicants should review what health requirements they already meet and will need to get. 

• Once accepted into the nursing program, students will create an account with Castle Branch to maintain program compliance. More information is provided once accepted. 

PAX

All new students applying to a nursing option at HCC must take the PAX exam and earn a minimum of a 50 on the verbal section.  

• Students may take the exam twice within an application cycle.

• No appointment needed to take the exam - once you purchase the PAX, you can take it at any time with a secured remote proctoring service.  

• It is highly recommended to earn the highest score in all areas of testing, (Verbal, Math & Science) for a higher composite score. Points are applied during the application review. 

• ALL ASN, PN, 1+1 and LPN2RN first time applicants are required to complete the NLN Pre-Admission Exam (PAX).  It is required to take All three (3) sections English, Math and Science with a minimum score of 50% in English Verbal. 

• Scores are valid for two application cycles (2-years). Exemptions to this rule will be granted only to students applying for readmissions.

To purchase your PAX exam, please follow the guide below and follow the instructions.

PAX Prep materials are offered through NLN for a fee; please see this resource sheet that is below for more information, or you may elect to purchase or use the HCC Library PAX review resources.

HESI LPN2RN Exam

Contact Admissions:  admissions@hcc.edu

HESI Registration Information 

Verify that your nursing application has been sent in and that it is complete. 

To contact admissions at Admissions@hcc.edu or 413.552.2321.

• Make sure that admissions has all of your transcripts, exam results and any other documents that they need. 

• If you are applying to more than one nursing program, make sure that both applications have been submitted successfully with admissions. 

All accepted (ASN & PN) HCC nursing students will have to complete a nurses aid training course prior to enrollment. Exceptions to this requirement will be given to applicants that are currently a Certified Nurses Aid (CNA), Patient Care Technician (PCT)  with verified 50+/hours of work experience prior to the start of the fall semester or a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) 

To learn more about Free Nurses Aid training courses at HCC and which option is best for you, please contact advisingcenter@hcc.edu.

• If you are already a CNA, PCT or LPN, that is great! You will need to make sure that your certification is in good standing prior to your enrollment into the fundamentals of nursing course. This information will need to be submitted to the Department of Nursing Secretary prior to September 1 program enrollment . There are no waivers to this requirement.  

• If you have 50+ hours as a PCT, your work verification form will prove your experience. Therefore, you would not need to complete a nurses aid training or a CNA certificate. 

• LPN2RN and 1+1 students do not need to complete a nurses aid training. However, your LPN license will need to be active and be in good standing with the Board of Nursing for the state you are licensed to practice.