The Lone Star College offers a multiple entry/exit program of study in Associate Degree Nursing. The ADN Basic Track and the LVN/LP to ADN Transition Track lead to an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing and eligibility to take the RN State Licensure Examination. The Basic Track Nursing Program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing (Texas BON) and is accredited by Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, http://www.acenursing.org.

Basic Track: Beginning nursing students are admitted in the Fall of each year to pursue four sequential semesters of nursing courses. Classes include lecture, lab, and clinical. Attendance requirements are 4-5 days per week.

HEALTH AND IMMUNIZATION STATUS

Students must be physically and emotionally able to meet all program requirements including the rendering of safe nursing care in the clinical setting. These abilities involve lifting, moving, bathing, and transferring patients in and out of bed, calculating medications, and being able to communicate clearly and effectively with patients and members of the healthcare team. Nursing care involves exposure to patients with infectious and blood-borne diseases. After admission into the program, students must submit a record of current immunizations required by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). The DSHS is now requiring a completed Hepatitis B series prior to direct patient contact. Students must have a physical exam and a current CPR certificate designed for health care providers prior to the first day of clinical. The physical examination certifies that students are physically and emotionally capable of performing the duties of a nurse.

Students are required to provide proof of health insurance for entrance into Clinical facilities and to maintain coverage for the entire duration of the program. The College and clinical facilities are not responsible for any claims for expenses that result from an action of a student in the clinical setting. Although the clinical facilities provide access to acute emergency care in the event of an accident or injury to a student, the student is responsible for all expenses incurred.

See more Health and Immunization requirements here: https://www.lonestar.edu/nursing-requirements.htm 

PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE

All nursing students are required to carry professional liability insurance. Fees collected at the time of registration cover the cost of a college student blanket policy with a major insurance carrier.

PROGRESSION REQUIREMENTS

To remain in good standing and progress within the nursing curriculum, students must maintain a "C" (75%) or higher in EACH COURSE in the nursing degree plan and maintain an overall grade point average of 2.0 in the college.

A student must pass all concurrent nursing courses in a single semester to progress to the next semester. A student who fails or withdraws from one or more concurrent nursing courses must repeat all concurrent nursing courses for that semester if readmitted to the program. Grades earned in concurrent nursing courses in the original semester will be recorded.

TEXAS BOARD OF NURSING REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE

The Texas Board of Nursing (Texas BON) may refuse to admit persons to its licensure examination OR may refuse to issue a license or certificate of registration to any individual with lack of fitness to practice by reason of mental or physical health or intemperate use of alcohol or drugs that could potentially result in injury to patients or the public. The Board may also refuse to grant licensure to any individual with a history of a conviction. An individual enrolled or planning to enroll in a nursing program who has reason to believe that he/she may be ineligible may petition the Texas BON for a declaratory order for eligibility. Contact the Texas Board of Nursing at http://www.bon.state.tx.us/ for additional information. The Declaratory process may take six (6) months to one (1) year to complete.

All accepted and alternate candidates/students will undergo a DPS and FBI background check via the BON before their admission to the nursing program is finalized.

A person who feels that he/she might have a background issue is strongly advised to begin the Declaratory Process with the Texas BON as soon as possible. A person does not have to be a current nursing student or an applicant to the nursing program to begin the Declaratory process. The process is as follows:

• Any student with a positive criminal background, history of mental illness within the last five years, or chemical dependency within the last five years must contact the Director of Nursing at the campus of their first choice.
• The Director of Nursing will email the student a FERPA form
• Students will download, sign, and email the form back to the Director with the requested information, including full name, DOB, current physical address, social security number, and personal email address.
• The signed FERPA form provides Directors with the permission to send personal information to the TBON for the initial background check.
• After Lone Star College submits your name to the BON on a roster, the TBON will send you an initial outcome letter detailing the next steps in the DO process.  Students are advised to gather official legal/medical documents that may be requested by the TBON to expedite the process.
• Students should allow 30 days for the TBON to respond after the initial review.
• Once this roster is sent to the BON, the Nursing Director is no longer a part of the process and the student will be dealing solely with the BON and its agents.
• In-depth reviews are conducted by the Enforcement Department of the TBON and the cost to the student is $150.  Students can expect to receive an outcome letter approximately 90 days after an in-depth review or a request for an in-person interview at the Board of Nursing in Austin.  

READMISSION POLICY

Readmission is not automatic; it is based on remediation of problem areas and space available in the program. Students may only be readmitted to the program one time. If readmitted, the student must enroll in all concurrent nursing courses and is required to adhere to CURRENT nursing program policies. Students who are unsuccessful in any first semester nursing course must reapply to the program. Readmission into the associate degree nursing program must occur within two years of non-completion.

STUDENT CONDUCT

Applicants to the nursing program and student nurses are expected to conduct themselves professionally at all times. Applicants who become disruptive may jeopardize their applications from being considered or their student status and may face disciplinary action as stated in the Lone Star College student handbook and college catalog. In the event that a violation of policy is also a violation of State or Federal law, the College may proceed with disciplinary processes.