Health Professions Testing Guide | Westmoreland County Community College, Youngwood, Pennsylvania

Health Professions Testing Guide

UPDATE - Check out the new National League for Nursing Product Update. Click here for the PAX to NEX update.

 

Westmoreland County Community College uses the National League for Nursing Pre-Admission Assessment to assist in the facilitation of admissions decisions.  Students seeking admission into the Nursing and Dental Hygiene programs need to complete an entrance assessment and have their scores submitted to Westmoreland County Community College. 

Who should take an entrance exam?

Students who have completed a health professions program application for Nursing, LPN Advanced Standing, or Dental Hygiene
  • Nursing and Dental Hygiene applicants should take NEX
  • LPN applicants applying for LPN to RN Transition Nursing should take NACE FN1.2 Foundations of Nursing v1.2

How much does the exam cost?

  • Nursing - NEX - $68.50/Attempt
  • Nursing, LPN Advanced Standing (Must be an LPN) - FN1.2 Foundations of Nursing v1.2 - $86/Attempt
  • Dental Hygiene - NEX- $68.50/Attempt

When should exam scores be submitted?

Exam scores must be submitted by the program application deadline (January 12 for Daytime Nursing and Dental Hygiene; May 15 for Evening Nursing). 

Can I take the exam more than once?

Yes, but Westmoreland will only evaluate applicants based on the highest of two attempts submitted to us per year (Jan 13-Jan 12 of the next year for Daytime Nursing and Dental Hygiene; May 16-May 15 of the next year for Evening Nursing).  

There is a 30-day waiting period between attempts. 

Is there a minimum score to be considered for the Nursing Program?

A minimum of 138 is required on the NEX for consideration

Is there a minimum score to be considered for the LPN Advanced Standing Program?

LPNs will need to score a minimum of 75 on the NACE for consideration

Is there a minimum score to be considered for Dental Hygiene?

A minimum of 138 is required on the NEX for consideration

Where can I get more information or ask additional questions?

  • General information for testing can be found at this link
  • If you have additional questions regarding this process or technical issues please reach out to the NLN at studenthelp@nln.org

Follow these links for guidance on how to prepare for the exam:

  • Go to www.NLNTEST.org
  • Returning users click on Log In 
  • New users click on Create New Account
    • Enter Username (we recommend using your email address)
    • Enter Email Address
    • Select your School (group)
    • Enter First and Last Name
    • Enter Date of Birth
    • Enter City, State and Phone Number
    • Click on Create New Account
  • You will then receive a link via email to the address you provided asking you to reset your password. While you are here please verify your time zone. What is Your Time Zone? This setting can be the difference between making your institution's deadline and not making it.
  • Click Save
  • Log in to your NLN account at www.NLNTEST.org (steps above) 
  • Read Important Information for Candidates
  • Read Steps One to Five
  • Please utilize the guidebook, Student Guide to Taking an NLN Exam with Proctor 360 which has all system requirements, and directions 
  • Find and Pay for the Exam (Westmoreland uses remote proctoring)
    • Go to the Buy Exam tab
    • Search Catalog will appear on the left-hand side of the screen, click Reset
    • Under the field SKU Contains enter the following:
      • NEX if you are taking the NLN-NEX exam
      • FN1.2 if you are taking the NACE Exam for LPN to RN Advanced Standing
  • Click Apply
  • Verify the correct exam populated
  • Enter the quantity and click Add to Cart
  • Repeat the process if purchasing multiple prep materials or exams
  • When all selections are made, click on the red shopping cart in the upper right-hand corner of your screen 
  • Verify the contents of your cart and click Check Out
  • Choose Pay with Credit Card via Avangate and follow the prompts to complete your purchase (you will have the option to use a credit card or PayPal)
  • Upon completion, you will receive an email confirmation of the purchase
  1.  

If you have technical issues please reach out to the NLN at studenthelp@nln.org.

If you have additional questions regarding this process please reach out to your Westmoreland advisor or counselor.