Introduction
The Associate Degree Nursing Transition Program believes in the upward mobility of persons with previously acquired health care knowledge. The Transition Program is a means of upward mobility. The opportunity to enter the ADN Transition program is based on the assumption that the applicant has been successful in meeting the general admission policy of Laredo College (LC). The ADN Transition program may be completed in four semesters 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 Nurse Examiners (BON). Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Legal Information for Prospective Nursing Students
An applicant to the Associate Degree Nursing Transition 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 Board of Nursing 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. The applicant must receive confirmation in writing that he/she is eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam
Progression
Student's progress through the nursing programs curriculum according to the Associate Degree Nursing Transition Program Degree Plan. For progression in the Associate Degree Nursing Transition Program the student must meet all of the following criteria:
- Abide by the Rules, Regulations, and Procedures outlined in the Associate Degree Nursing Student Handbook.
- Complete all nursing courses in the required semester sequence as outlined in the Associate Degree Nursing Transition Program's degree plan with a grade of C = 75% or better and meet all clinical objectives.
- The student must maintain an institutional and overall grade point average of 2.5 or greater to progress to the next nursing course.
- Complete all college support courses with a grade of C or better.
- Have declared a major with the office of the Registrar and Admissions by completing the Declaration of Major Field of Study Form.
- Maintain an active-unencumbered license as a Licensed Vocational Nurse or be a Licensed Paramedic in the State of Texas for the duration of the nursing program.
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 the Program Director.
Recovery Option
A student requesting recovery in the Associate Degree Nursing Transition Program must have an institutional and overall grade point average of 2.5 or greater. The request must be in writing and follow the recovery option outlined in the Associate Degree Nursing Student Handbook.
Attendance
The Associate Degree Nursing Transition 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.
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)
3390 Peachtree Road N.E., Suite 1400
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
Phone: (404)975-5000
www.acenursing.org
The Associate Degree Nursing Program is approved by:
Texas Board of Nursing (BON)
1801 Congress Avenue Suite 10-200
Austin, Texas 78701
Phone: (512) 305-7400
www.bon.texas.gov
Note: Information regarding the Associate Degree Nursing Transition Program is current at time of publication and is subject to change without notice.
Spring Admission Only - Application opens the first Monday in August and closes the first Friday in September at 11:59 pm.
Nursing Courses must be taken in sequence. Non-nursing courses may be taken in sequence or prior to the semester required.
Plan of Study Grid
| Prerequisite Semester |
|---|
| ENGL 1301 |
Composition I () |
3 |
| PSYC 2314 |
Life Span Growth and Development () |
3 |
| BIOL 2301 |
Anatomy and Physiology I () |
3 |
| BIOL 2101 |
Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory |
1 |
| PSYC 2301 |
General Psychology () |
3 |
| | Hours | 13 |
| First Semester |
|---|
|
|
| RNSG 1443 |
Complex Concepts of Adult Health |
4 |
| RNSG 1360 |
Clinical Registered Nursing/ Registered Nurse (Intermediate M/S) |
3 |
| RNSG 1144 |
Nursing Skills |
1 |
| BIOL 2302 |
Anatomy and Physiology II () |
3 |
| BIOL 2102 |
Anatomy and Physiology II Lab |
1 |
| | Hours | 12 |
| Second Semester |
|---|
|
|
| RNSG 1201 |
Pharmacology |
2 |
| | Hours | 2 |
| Third Semester |
|---|
|
|
| RNSG 2213 |
Mental Health Nursing |
2 |
| RNSG 2162 |
Clinical Registered Nursing Registered Nurse Mental Health |
1 |
| RNSG 1412 |
Nursing Care of the Childbearing and Childbearing Family |
4 |
| RNSG 2261 |
Clinical Registered Nursing/ Registered Nurse (Pediatric/Maternity) |
2 |
| BIOL 2320 |
Microbiology for Non Science Majors |
3 |
| BIOL 2120 |
Microbiology for Non Science Majors Laboratory |
1 |
| | Hours | 13 |
| Fourth Semester |
|---|
|
|
| RNSG 2307 |
Adaptation to Role of Professional Nurse (Capstone) * |
3 |
| RNSG 2331 |
Advanced Concepts of Adult Health (Capstone) * |
3 |
| RNSG 2363 |
Clinical Registered Nursing/ Registered Nurse (Advanced Med/Surg.) (Capstone) * |
3 |
|
3 |
| | Hours | 12 |
| | Total Hours | 52 |
Note:
Upon successful completion of the Transition Program courses the student will receive credit for:
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| RNSG 1205 | Nursing Skills | 2 |
| RNSG 1260 | Clinical Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (Fundamentals) | 2 |
| RNSG 1413 | Foundations for Nursing Practice | 4 |
| Total Hours | 8 |
Requirements
- Complete Assessment Test requirements for placement and/or satisfy the Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2) 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 (ATI TEAS).
- Nursing program curriculum plan.
- All 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 Transition program curriculum plan valid for the current cohort entrance year.
Note: Information regarding the Associate Degree Nursing Transition Program is current at time of publication and is subject to change without notice.
Applying for Admission into the Institution
- Students seeking admission to Laredo College are required to submit an electronic admissions application via ApplyTexas and supporting documentation. Follow Laredo College's General Policy for Admission.
Applicants must submit the following items for admission verification:
- Submit an Admissions Application.
- Official High School Transcript, Home School Transcript, or GED Certificate.
- Official College Transcript(s) from all previously attended colleges or universities must be submitted prior to the nursing program(s) application submission.
2. The Nursing Program application is available on the website: https://www.laredo.edu/Academic-Career-Pathways/health-sciences/aas-nursingtransition.html.
Program Admission Criteria
Refer to the Associate Degree Nursing website https://www.laredo.edu/Academic-Career-Pathways/health-sciences/aas-nursingtransition.html for instructions to schedule the ATI TEAS pre-entrance exam to be administered between July and August.
**Available testing days are posted on the Program website and are subject to change.**
**Please visit the Bursar's office at Fort McIntosh or South Campus to pay the non-refundable exam sitting fee of $15.00; Your entrance exam will not be scheduled without proof of $15.00 exam sitting fee payment.**
Submit your receipt to the Nursing Department located at LC South Campus COHS building, 2nd floor, A221/A222 to schedule the ATI pre-entrance exam. Refer to program website or call the Nursing Department for questions at 956-721-5171 or 956-721-5252.
The ATI TEAS exam scores are required to successfully submit a completed application.
Application Opens: First Monday in August and closes the first Friday in September by 11:59
pm.
The student seeking admission into the Associate Degree Nursing Transition Program at Laredo College (LC) must meet the following requirements:
- General admission criteria must be met as outlined in the Laredo College catalog.
- Be a graduate from a Vocational Nursing Program approved by a State Nursing Board and be a Licensed Vocational Nurse in the State of Texas. If nursing education was obtained from a different institution, submit official transcripts indicating the certificate awarded.
- Be a Licensed Emergency Medical Services Paramedic with an AAS Degree from an accredited EMS Program and be licensed as a Paramedic in the State of Texas. If a Paramedic education was obtained from a different institution, submit official transcripts indicating the degree awarded.
- Complete Assessment Test requirements for placement and/or satisfy the Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2) requirements for entry into college level courses.
- LC Institutional and overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or greater. The student on scholastic probation will not be considered for admission.
- 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. Evaluation of course credit prior to the nursing program(s) application submission.
- Complete program prerequisite courses:
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 Transition program curriculum plan valid for the current cohort entrance year.
- A standardized pre-entrance exam will be administered as a component of the nursing program's application process to demonstrate proficiency. The areas required to complete successfully include the Reading, English Language Usage, Math, and Science. The applicant will be allowed one attempt per testing period each application cycle and is responsible for the sitting fee cost, cost of the exam, and/or preparation materials. Review the program's website for details on testing dates available and instructions to schedule exam. Test scores from other nursing schools are not accepted.
Application Review Process
- The Nursing Admissions Committee will review all applications to ensure that each application is complete, that applicants have finished all prerequisite courses, met the required GPA, and achieved a minimum score of 65% on the ATI TEAS standardized pre-entrance exam, as outlined in the Program Admission Process.
- Once all applications are reviewed, qualified applicants will be notified by email regarding their program admission status. A number of applicants who meet the program admissions requirements may not be admitted to the program based on space availability. Applicants will be ranked following a competitive ranking process based on points awarded for designated criteria:
- GPA: Applicant's will be allocated points based on Pre-Requisite, Institutional, and Overall GPA's. Maximum of nine points may be allocated from GPA's.
GPA of the prerequisite courses must be completed before applying, and students taking pre-requisite courses during the fall semester are not eligible to apply. “D” course grades are not considered a passing grade. Students who apply must be College Ready in Reading, Writing, and Math to be considered. Once applicants apply, they are screened to ensure they have completed the pre-requisite courses with a 2.5 GPA or better.
If the pre-requisite courses were taken at another institution, official transcripts must be submitted to the LC admission office to be added to your LC student records prior to the nursing program (s) application submission. Students are required to have a 2.5 or better GPA in their institutional and overall GPA.
- Pre-entrance standardized examination scores: ATI TEAS. Overall Score to be considered for the A.D.N. program is a 65.00.
- Applicants are ranked based on the total number of points allocated based on the above criteria (maximum of 19 points). If applicants are ranked equally, the ATI TEAS Exam cumulative score will determine the final ranking order. If further ranking is necessary, applicants will be ranked by pre-requisite GPA, followed by overall GPA as needed.
Students who are chosen for the program are notified in October and must submit the required paperwork to register for the program in the Spring semester. All courses are assigned.
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.
Conditional Acceptance
A student conditionally accepted into the A.D.N. Transition Program must attend a mandatory orientation with the nursing programs retention specialist to review the conditional acceptance requirements scheduled in October and with program faculty prior to the start of the spring semester as scheduled.
The student is responsible for all fees associated with program admission requirements. Official instructions will be sent to your student email outlining requirements for submission timelines into DISA Healthcare Technology (https://disahealthcare.com/) (previously known as Castle Branch).
- 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 Morpho Trust or IdentoGo. 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 they are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam. Visit the Texas BON website for the most updated information.
- Submit verification of physical examination by a U.S. physician or nurse practitioner.
- Submit evidence of negative 10 panel drug screen.
- Submit evidence of current American Heart Association BLS Health Care Provider - CPR Certification.
- Purchase student liability insurance (premium rates applicable to current academic year and paid through tuition and fees).
- Purchase nursing uniforms and necessary accessories (rates applicable to current academic year).
- Pay additional fees for standardized nursing examinations and computer programs (Cost may vary).
- Computer Access & Equipment: Students admitted to the program will be notified by email on computer compatibility and specs requirement.
- Immunization- documentation must be submitted to DISA Healthcare Technology according to due dates indicated:
- Two Step TB test upon entering, and annually thereafter, or a Chest X-Ray within 2 years, or T-Spot or QuantiFERON-TB Gold serum blood test acceptable.
- Two (2) Doses or current titer of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Series must be completed based on the series requirements.
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.
- One dose of Tetanus-Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) required within the last ten years as an adult (18 years or older).
- Influenza vaccine annually between September and November prior to timeline for submission.
- Initiation of Hepatitis B (HBV) vaccine series prior to direct patient contact, but series must be completed based on the series requirements (initial, one month, and four months) or Heplisav-B (2 dose requirement).
- Serologic confirmation of immunity to the hepatitis B virus is acceptable.
- Two doses of varicella (chickenpox). Also acceptable: Titer report indicating varicella immunity.
- 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.
- All new or transfer students under age 22.
- All returning students under the age of 22, who have experienced a break in enrollment of a least one fall or spring term.
- Students enrolled in online courses who physically attend classes or come to campus within the semester.
- Recommended: Hepatitis A and COVID-19 vaccine.
At the discretion of clinical sites, the student or nursing program may be required to provide physical or electronic documentation to clinical sites prior to the start of the clinical experience. Program Directors/Instructors will provide direction regarding submission of documents and time frames.
The following documents may be required for submission by the student and/or faculty to the clinical site:
- A negative criminal background check completed through the Texas Board of Nursing and the local sheriff's office.
- Negative 10-panel drug screen.
- Immunization records.
- Unexpired, valid government-issued identification card.
Immunization Statement
Students enrolling into Laredo College programs with external learning experiences (i.e., clinical, practicum, externship, cooperative, etc.) will be required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the clinical/external learning sites to engage in all clinical/external learning experiences. Vaccination requirements at clinical/external learning sites are implemented pursuant to the independent authority of such facilities and are not mandated by Laredo College. Failure to meet the immunization requirements mandated by clinical/external learning sites may limit a student's ability to complete the program and/or may delay the student's graduation date. The clinical facilities approve or deny the exemptions.
