Assoicate Degree Nursing Program

The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program is accredited by the Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas (BNE). Upon completion of the two year, five semester program the graduate will be able to sit for the National Council License Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) administered by the Board of Nurse Examiners (BNE) for the State of Texas. After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Registered Nurse.

The two-year program prepares the graduate to begin practice as a staff nurse in a hospital or other health care setting. Through assessment of an individual, the nurse graduate plans, implements and evaluates direct nursing care for individuals and/or groups and is able to monitor and direct peers and ancillary workers in technical aspects of nursing care.

Students seeking entry in the Associate Degree Nursing Program (ADN) must attend an advisement, complete the Introduction to Nursing with a grade of “B” or better, and complete an application for consideration for the program. Students must be THEA complete for entry into the Introduction to Nursing, and have a GPA score of 2.5 or higher. Students must see an ADN faculty advisor to register for the Introduction to Nursing semester before wish to take the course.

Program Admission Requirements

1. All applicants must meet general admission requirements to South Texas College.
2. Must be a High school graduate or have GED or foreign transcript equivalency.
3 . Demonstrate proficiency in state-mandated general knowledge content through approved means; i.e., Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) with program specific exemptions accepted.
4. Achieve a minimum composite score on the ACT of 10, and scores of 16 on the Math, Reading and English, and 19 on Science. Scores must be within the past five years.
5. Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, on a 4.0 scale in all courses in the ADN degree plan.
6. Complete all prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of “C” as listed in the degree plan.
7. Satisfy program specific requirements for clinical practice. .** (Link to clinical participation requirements)
8. Submit a completed ADN program application.

Selection Criteria

The ADN selection criteria are based upon a point system score comprised of degree plan course G.P.A., number of degree plan courses completed, and required test scores (application points are automatically calculated by the online application). All information requested on the application must be on-file with the college and accessible on-line to be accepted for the application.  Due to program size limitations, a number of applicants who meet the program admissions requirements may not be admitted to the program. Qualified applications are ranked from highest to lowest points.

Program Application

A new applicant pool is established for each admission period. All students interested in the program who are not granted admission (qualified and nonqualified) must reapply each semester if they wish to be considered for enrollment.  Application deadlines are the 2nd Friday in May for fall semester and the 2nd Friday in November for the spring semester.  Applications are to be completed on-line at www.southtexascollege.edu/nah.

NOTE: Please see program WEB page for up-to-date information regarding admission requirements, curriculum changes, selection criteria and procedures, and application revisions at www.southtexascollege.edu/nah.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing, a student must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in all nursing courses and achieve a minimum grade of “C” in all academic/support courses in the degree plan. Students must achieve a minimum score of 75 percent to pass all nursing courses. Students must pass the senior level exit exam to successfully complete the senior level semester.

Licensure of Persons with Criminal Convictions

According to the Nurse Practice Act (Section 301.257) the Board of Nurse Examiners may deny a person admission to its licensure examinations and may refuse to issue a license to any individual who has been convicted of a felony, a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or engaged in conduct resulting in a revocation of probation imposed pursuant to such conviction.

The Board of Trustees approved a new Board policy (#3337) on July 15, 2004 for all students participating in a Nursing or Allied Health program clinical course. This policy requires all students pass a criminal background check and drug screening prior to enrolling in a clinical course.  This policy is being implemented to ensure uniform compliance with Joint Commission standards pertaining to Human Resource management and state licensing regulations.  Moreover, the public is demanding greater diligence in light of national reports of deaths resulting from medical errors.

Following acceptance to the program, students will be provided specific procedures for obtaining the prescreening criminal background check and drug test. The student is responsible for the cost of a criminal background check and drug test.

Students having questions about this rule should see an ADN Faculty advisor, ADN Program Director, or the Dean of Nursing and Allied Health division.  All consultations are confidential.