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Nursing Program, Associate Degree Two-Year

(RNSG)

Introduction

The Associate Degree Nursing Program at Laredo College (LC) can be completed in five semesters and is a program leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and approved by the Texas Board of Nursing (Texas BON). Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Applying for Admission into the Institution

  1. If not presently enrolled at Laredo College, submit the following forms to the office of the Registrar and Admissions at Fort McIntosh Lerma Peña Center room 116 or South Campus Billy Hall Student Center, room A109.
  • LC Admissions Application and Information Form
  • Official high school transcript or GED certificate
  • Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities

The Nursing Program application is available on the website:  https://www.laredo.edu/cms/LCC/Instruction/Divisions/Health_Sciences/Nursing/Online_Application_Client_Requirements/ 

Program Admission Criteria

All required forms must be completed and received by Laredo College by:

4th Monday in February - Fall Admission

The student seeking admission into the Associate Degree Nursing Program at Laredo College (LC) must meet the following requirements:

  1. General admission criteria must be met as outlined in the Laredo College catalog.

  2. Complete Assessment Test requirements for placement and/or satisfy the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements for entry into college level courses.

  3. LC Institutional and Overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or greater. The student on scholastic probation will not be considered for admission.

  4. Admission for the applicant who has not previously attended LC will be based on the overall G.P.A. The student must meet all of LC's general admission requirements. The applicant must have an overall GPA of 2.5 or greater. Official transcripts must be submitted to the admissions office for evaluation of course credit.

  5. Complete program prerequisite courses: ENGL 1301, PSYC 2314 or PSYC 2301, BIOL 2301, and BIOL 2101. All pre-requisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better. Although the minimum passing grade for individual prerequisite is a "C", overall prerequisite grade point average (GPA) must be a 2.5. Earning all "C’s" will result in a GPA of 2.0 which does not meet the requirement. Student must follow the Associate Degree Nursing program curriculum plan valid for the current cohort entrance year.

  6. Only applicants that are accepted to the Associate Degree Program will be required to submit the CPR, and immunization form and Physical Exam.

  7. Negative Criminal Background. The applicant’s information will be submitted to the Texas Board of Nursing. Texas BON will notify applicants via email to schedule an appointment with IdentoGo, www.identogo.com. The applicant will then be able to schedule an appointment at a Live Scan location in Texas through online enrollment or by phone at 1-888-467-2080 to have their fingerprint scanning performed and submitted to the Texas Board of Nursing. The applicant will receive verification from the Texas Board of Nursing of the applicants Criminal Background Status. Documentation of a Negative Criminal Background must be submitted to complete the application and admissions process and prior to enrolling in any nursing courses. The applicant must receive confirmation in writing that he/she is eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam

  8. A standardized pre-admission nursing entrance exam will be administered as a component of the nursing program’s admission process to demonstrate proficiency. The areas required to complete include Reading, Math, English Language Usage, and Science. The applicant will be allowed one attempt per admission period and is responsible for the cost of the exam and/or preparation materials.

Application Review Process

  1. The Nursing Admissions Committee will review all applications to assure that the application is complete.

  2. Applicants who have meet the required GPA, and completed all pre-requisite courses as described on the Program Admission Criteria will be eligible to take the standardized pre-entrance assessment/examination.

  3. Applicants will be notified through LC's PASPort email address with instructions about the pre-entrance examination.

  4. Once all qualified applicants have taken the standardized pre-entrance examination, applicants will be notified by PASPort email regarding his/her program admission status. A number of applicants who meet the program’s admission requirements may not be admitted to the program due to space availability. Applicant’s will be ranked based on the highest points earned from the:

    1. Pre-Entrance Standardized Examination Scores,

    2. GPA of the pre-requisite courses, institutional & Overall GPA

    3. If the applicants are ranked equally, they will be further ranked by the highest overall GPA.

The applicant who is not selected for admission must submit a new application during the next application period and complete all admission requirements as described in the Program Admission Criteria and Application Review Process.

The student accepted into the Associate Degree Nursing Program must:

  1. Submit verification of physical examination by a U.S. physician or nurse practitioner.

  2. Submit evidence of negative 10 panel drug screen.

  3. Submit evidence of a current American Heart Association BLS Health-Care Provider CPR Certification.

  4. Purchase student liability insurance fee (premium rates applicable to current academic year and paid through tuition and fees).

  5. Purchase nursing uniforms and necessary accessories (rates applicable to current academic year).

  6. Pay additional fees for standardized nursing examinations and computer programs (cost may vary).

  7. Computer Access & Equipment: Students admitted to the program will be notified by letter on computer compatibility and specs requirement.

  8. Immunization: documentation submitted upon admission to the Nursing Program.

    • Complete series of Hepatitis B Vaccines: Serologic confirmation of immunity to the Hepatitis B virus acceptable.

    • Tetanus-Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap): one dose required within the last ten years.

    • Measles, Mumps Rubella (MMR): Students born on or after January 1, 1957, must show acceptable evidence of vaccination of two doses of measles-containing vaccine administered since January 1, 1968.

    • Two doses of Varicella (chickenpox). Also acceptable:

      1. Student received first dose prior to 13 years of age

      2. Laboratory report indicating Varicella immunity, or

      3. Parent/physician validated history of Varicella disease (chickenpox) and include date.

    • RECOMMENDED: Hepatitis A

    • Bacterial Meningitis

      Texas State Law Senate Bill 62, requires students who meet the criteria below, to provide proper documentation that they have received the bacterial meningitis vaccination within the last five years and at least 10 calendar days before the beginning of the semester.

      1. All new or transfer students under age 22.

      2. All returning students under the age of 22, who have experienced a break in enrollment of at least one fall or spring term.

      3. Students enrolled in online courses that physically attend classes or come to campus within the semester.

    • Most current Influenza Vaccine due annually in September

    • TB skin test (annually) or a Negative Chest X-ray at the provider’s discretion is acceptable.

Legal Information for Prospective Nursing Students

An applicant to the Associate Degree Nursing Program must be potentially eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The applicant who has been convicted of a felony, implicated in substance abuse, or involved in activities considered inappropriate by the Texas Board of Nursing (Texas BON) is not eligible to apply or enter the program until he or she has received a declaratory order from the Texas Board of Nursing granting permission to take the NCLEX-RN. Such an applicant should contact the Texas BON for guidance in petitioning the Board for a decision of eligibility prior to applying for entry to the Associate Degree Nursing Program at Laredo College. The Board's statement of eligibility or any correspondence with the BON must be submitted to the Nursing Programs Director prior to admission into the program. The student is responsible for notifying the Nursing Programs Director should the status in the criminal background check change at any period during enrollment in the program. Refer to the Board's address and phone number listed below.

Progression

Student's progress through the nursing programs curriculum according to the Associate Degree Nursing Program Degree Plan. For progression in the Associate Degree Nursing Program the student must meet all of the following criteria:

  1. Abide by the Rules, Regulations, and Procedures outlined in the Associate Degree Nursing Student Handbook.

  2. Complete all nursing courses in the required semester sequence as outlined in the Associate Degree Nursing Program's degree plan with a grade of C = 75% or better and meet all clinical objectives.

  3. The student must maintain an Institutional and Overall grade point average of 2.5 or greater to progress to the next nursing course.

  4. Complete all college support courses with a grade of C or better.

  5. Declared a major with the office of admissions by completing the Declaration of Major Field of Study Form.

  6. Students will be required to repeat concurrent course(s) if they are unsuccessful in a semester.

Withdrawal

A student considering withdrawal from a Nursing Course(s) should refer to the Associate Degree Nursing Student Handbook and make an appointment with the course Instructor and/or the Program Director.

Continuation

A student requesting continuation in the Associate Degree Nursing Program must have an institutional and overall grade point average of 2.5 or greater. The request must be in writing and follow the continuation procedure outlined in the Associate Degree Nursing Student Handbook.

Attendance

The Associate Degree Nursing Program for lecture, lab, and clinical rotation courses require specific attendance hours in order to be in compliance with the accrediting agencies. Students who do not meet the requirements will not complete the program. Nursing programs follow the LC attendance policy for campus/didactic courses. All clinical rotation courses require attendance in order to be in compliance with the accrediting agencies.

For additional information call: (956) 721-5252 or visit the Associate Degree Nursing Department in the College of Health Sciences Building 2nd Floor Room A218.

Laredo College South Campus

5500 South Zapata Highway

Laredo, Texas 78046

The Associate Degree Nursing Program is accredited by:

The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

3343 Peachtree Road N.E., Suite 850

Atlanta, Georgia 30326

Phone: 404-975-5000

www.acenursing.org

The Associate Degree Nursing Program is approved by:

Texas Board of Nursing (Texas BON)

333 Guadalupe 3-460

Austin, Texas 78701-3944

Phone: (512) 305-7400

www.bon.state.tx.us

NOTE: Information regarding the Associate Degree Nursing Program is current at time of publication and is subject to change without notice.

Associate Degree Nursing A.A.S. Degree Two-Year Nursing Program

Fall Admission Only - Online Applications are accepted the beginning of February through the 4th Monday of February each year. 

Nursing Courses must be taken in sequence.

Non-nursing courses may be taken in sequence or prior to the semester required.

Pre-Requisites

ENGL 1301Composition I CORE

3
PSYC 2301General Psychology CORE

3
OR
PSYC 2314Lifespan Growth & Development CORE

3
BIOL 2301Anatomy and Physiology I CORE

3
BIOL 2101Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory

1
Total Credit Hours:10

First Semester - Fall Admission


RNSG 1205Nursing Skills I

2
RNSG 1413Foundations for Nursing Practice

4
RNSG 1260Clinical Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (Fundamentals)

2
PSYC 2301General Psychology CORE

3
OR
PSYC 2314Lifespan Growth & Development CORE

3
BIOL 2302Anatomy and Physiology II CORE

3
BIOL 2102Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory

1
Total Credit Hours:15

Second Semester

RNSG 1443Complex Concepts of Adult Health

4
RNSG 1360Clinical Registered Nursing/ Registered Nurse (Intermediate M/S)

3
RNSG 1144Nursing Skills II

1
BIOL 2320Microbiology for Non-Science Majors

3
BIOL 2120Microbiology for Non-Science Majors Laboratory

1
Total Credit Hours:12

Summer Session

RNSG 1201Pharmacology

2
Total Credit Hours:2

Third Semester

RNSG 2213Mental Health Nursing

2
RNSG 2162Clinical Registered Nursing/ Registered Nurse (Mental Health)

1
RNSG 1412Nursing Care of Childbearing and Childrearing Family

4
RNSG 2261Clinical Registered Nursing/ Registered Nurse (Pediatric/Maternity)

2
Total Credit Hours:9

Fourth Semester

RNSG 2331Advanced Concepts of Adult Health (Capstone)

3
RNSG 2363Clinical Registered Nursing/ Registered Nurse (Advanced Med/Surg.) (Capstone)

3
RNSG 2307Adaption to Role of Professional Nurse (Capstone)

3
Language, Philosophy, and Culture/Creative Arts CORE

3
Total Credit Hours:12

RNSG 2307, RNSG 2331, RNSG 2363: Capstone courses are taught in the last semester. The learning experiences in these courses result in consolidation of a student’s educational experience.

Language, Culture, Philosophy courses must be selected from ENGL 23222, ENGL 2323, ENGL 2326, ENGL 2327, ENGL 2328, ENGL 2332, ENGL 2333, ENGL 2351.

Creative Arts course must be selected from ARTS 1301, ARTS 1303, ARTS 1304, DANC 2303, DRAM 1310, MUSI 1306, MUSI 1308, MUSI 1309, MUSI 1310.

Total Credit Hours: 60

Requirements

  • Complete Assessment Test requirements for placement and/or satisfy the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements for entry into college level courses.

  • LC Pre-requisite, Institutional and Overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or greater.

  • Successfully complete Pre-Entrance Standardized Exam.

  • Nursing program curriculum plan.

  • Nursing courses must be taken concurrently.

Approved by Texas Board of Nursing (BON), and the Texas Higher Education Coordination Board (THECB). Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN),

*Student must follow Associate Degree Nursing program curriculum plan valid for the current cohort entrance year.