Nursing, AAS

Note: A criminal background clearance is required before acceptance into this program. Program is based at the Big Spring and San Angelo Campuses. Application deadline is April 1 for Big Spring and June 1 for San Angelo. Admission and selection criteria for Big Spring can be obtained by requesting an application packet from the Department of Nursing, Howard College, 1001 Birdwell Lane, Big Spring, TX 79720, (432) 264-5070.  For San Angelo, applicants must attend a Health Professions Orientation as the first step in the process.  Contact Debbie Sartain at (325) 481-8300 ext. 3435 for more information.

Prior to submitting an application, an applicant with a criminal history must have a cleared Declaratory Order letter from the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). Information is available at http://bon.state.tx.us/olv.pdfs/DOapp.pdf. Please be aware this may take a year or longer and Howard College has no control over the process. Plan accordingly in order to meet the application deadline of the program for which you are applying.

Admission Criteria Specific to the RN Program

Prior to actual admission into the Associate Degree Nursing Program, applicants must have successfully completed 15 hours of required support courses with a final grade of “C” or above.

ENGL 1301 - Composition I 
BIOL 2301 - Anatomy and Physiology I (lecture) 
BIOL 2101 - Anatomy and Physiology I (lab) 
BIOL 2302 - Anatomy and Physiology II (lecture) 
BIOL 2102 - Anatomy and Physiology II (lab) 
BIOL 2320 - Microbiology for Non-Science Majors (lecture) 
BIOL 2120 - Microbiology for Non-Science Majors (lab)  

BIOL 2301  and BIOL 2302  must have been taken within ten (10) years of the admission date. If older than ten years, course may have to be repeated or a minimum competency score be attained for entrance. Contact the Nursing Office.

Pre-testing

Students seeking admission to the Associate Degree Nursing Program must take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam. The TEAS test can be taken once every 30 days. The maximum number of times the TEAS may be taken is three (3). TEAS scores greater than five (5) years of age will not be accepted. TEAS scores will be accepted from other schools only if mailed or emailed directly to the Howard College ADN offices from the administering school. Student’s scores are evaluated by the nursing staff. The student may be advised to take preparatory course work in various skills that are designed to enhance success in the program.

All applicants to the Howard College Associate Degree Nursing Program who have met the requirements for admission to the college will be evaluated according to the criteria specified. Each applicant will be forwarded to the selection committee. However, meeting requirements does NOT guarantee admission to the program. The following criteria will be used for admission to the RN program:

1. Completed application and folder.
2. Official transcripts showing a “C” or better in all Prerequisites.
3. TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) scores. In the event the number of applicants exceed set ratio for faculty and preceptors admission will be made on the basis of total points. Student will be ranked on the basis of total points based on Prerequisite grades and TEAS scores. Applications expire after selection is made and any student not selected or who declined admission must file a new application to be considered for the next year. Should two or more applicants have the same number of points then the TEAS Adjusted Total Individual Score will be the tie breaker.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit all required documents, to make all appointments, and to pay all fees for testing.

Students may be required by a clinical facility to submit to a random selection for a drug screening test. Students may be required by a clinical facility to submit to a background check and fingerprinting. If a student does not pass the background check or the drug test and is unable to attend clinical, the student will be unable to fulfill the course requirements and possible failure of the course may occur. It is not the responsibility of the nursing faculty of Howard College to make alternative arrangements for clinical hours.

Admission Requirements

1. Completed Nursing application form for admission into the Associate Degree Nursing Program.
2. Copy of CNA (Certified Nurse’s Aide) certificate.
3. An official transcript from each college/university attended sent to nursing. One transcript is for the Nursing Department, the other will be forwarded to the Admissions Office.
4. Results of Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam.
5. Transfer of Prerequisite credits is contingent upon approval. Nursing courses taken in another institution will be reviewed and evaluated by the Nursing office.
6. Successful clearance of a criminal background investigation.  See packet for info.
7. Proof of at least 2 doses of the Hepatitis B series.
8. Proof of Varicella (chickenpox).

Following completion of the above by the application deadline, the applicant will be considered for the selection pool. An applicant’s file is not complete until all of the above documents have been submitted. Applicants are responsible for keeping their file updated with current addresses and phone numbers.

If accepted to the nursing program:

1. Prior to the first class day students are required to have:
   1. A physical examination within previous three (3) months.
   2. The results of a TB tine-PPD (within the last 3 months)
   3. Proof of MMR immunization.
   4. Tetanus vaccination (proof of within the past ten years).
2. Students are required to have the third hepatitis injection before attending clinical (mid October). The student who has a completion date on the hepatitis B vaccine of ten years or longer will be required to update this record with an antibody titer to check their immunity.
3. Current CPR certification - American Heart Association for Health Care Providers, BLS course (current within 1 year).
4. Completed Nursing Boot Camp.

Health Insurance

Students enrolled in the Nursing Program are required to purchase health insurance prior to the beginning of clinical experiences and to maintain such insurance for the duration of their enrollment.

Fall and Spring Terms

Progression to the fall term as an Associate Degree Nursing major is contingent upon successful completion of the summer courses. A “C” or above is required in all nursing and support courses to progress to the next term. The minimum grade required for a “C” is a 78 in the nursing program.

*Co-requisite courses - Courses marked with * are considered co-requisite courses. Please see Howard College Nursing Student Policies regarding co-requisite courses and Progression of Students/Continuation of Students within the nursing program.