×

Additional Nursing Program Requirements

Required HESI Scores:

  1. Effective January 1, 2021, a minimum score of 80 (750 for Critical Thinking) on EACH section of the HESI exam for Basic Track and Transition applicants is required before applying to the program.
  2.  To apply for any LSC VN program, the student must attain a minimum of 70 (700 for Critical Thinking) on EACH section of the HESI exam.

HESI A2 entrance exam scores are valid for one year, beginning the day after it was taken.

Please NOTE: If you have taken the HESI outside of Lone Star College, official scores must be sent directly from Elsevier/Evolve to the nursing program of your first-choice campus and received one week before the application deadline. Official scores must be submitted from Elsevier/Evolve.

Pre-Admission Requirements

Selection Criteria for All Programs

There are different application periods for the different nursing programs throughout the year. Admission to a program is based on the total number of points an applicant earns based on the scoring sheet for each program. Students are ranked according to their scores. Students with high scores are accepted into a program or placed on an alternate list. Accepted students and alternates will be notified of their admission status by Lone Star College email.

As space becomes available, students on the alternate list will receive an acceptance email. Emails of non-acceptance will be sent to those who were not accepted into a nursing program. Applicants who were not accepted into a program can reapply to a nursing program during the application period. No waiting list will be kept.

Health Occupation Programs Admissions Policy dictates that programs do not consider applications from prospective students not at least 18 years old at the time of the program application’s deadline—except that LSC-Tomball may honor a current contractual obligation with Klein ISD requiring the admission of students below the age of 18 years old. Any applicant that willfully misrepresents material information on the application will not be accepted or conditionally remain in a Health Occupation Program.

Apply

Basic Track Nursing program at LSC-CyFair, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball will accept applications Monday, January 6, 2025, at 8:00 am through Friday, April 10, 2025, at 4:00 pm. The HESI deadline is Friday, April 3, 2025.  This is an Electronic Application.  How to Apply (Apply Here)

Basic Track Nursing program at LSC-CyFair and LSC-Kingwood will be accepting applications Monday, April 21, 2025, at 8:00 am through Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 4:00 pm.  The HESI deadline is Thursday, June 5, 2025.  This is an Electronic Application. How to Apply (Apply Here)

Transition Nursing program at LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball will accept applications Monday, December 2, 2024, at 8:00 am through Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 4:00 pm.  The HESI deadline is Thursday, February 27, 2025. This is an Electronic Application, How to Apply (Apply Here)

Transition Nursing program at LSC-Kingwood will be accepting applications Monday, March 17, 2025, at 8:00 am through Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 4:00 pm.  The HESI deadline is Thursday, May 15, 2025. This is an Electronic Application. How to Apply (Apply Here)

Vocational Nursing at LSC-Kingwood will accept applications Monday, March 17, 2025, at 8:00 am through Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 4:00 pm.  The HESI deadline is Thursday, May 15, 2025. This is an Electronic Application. How to Apply (Apply Here)

Vocational Track at LSC-Tomball will accept applications on Monday, June 2, 2025, from 8:00 am through Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 4:00 pm.  The HESI deadline is Thursday, July 31, 2025.  This is an Electronic Application.  How to Apply (Apply Here)

General Information

Students applying to a nursing program are encouraged to attend an information session.  Check the campus Nursing Departments for information session schedules.

In addition to the immunizations required by the Texas Department of State Health Services for all students seeking entry to a Health Occupations Program, students also may be required to obtain additional immunizations to satisfy clinical agency requirements.  Some of these may be, but are not limited to

  • the annual seasonal flu vaccination
  • pneumococcal (“pneumonia”) vaccine

Students admitted to the Health Occupations programs are required to show proof of medical health insurance coverage and pass a drug screen as required by clinical affiliates.

Clear Criminal History (BON)

  • Applicants who have a criminal history, mental illness, or chemical dependency of any kind must apply to and resolve it with the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) by completing a Declaratory Order prior to the beginning of the program.

Important Changes in Texas Board of Nursing Background Check and Declaratory Order Process

The process for filing a Declaratory Order (DO) with the Texas Board of Nursing has changed. Students can no longer file a DO in advance.  All prospective applicants who were fingerprinted PRIOR to 2010 will be required by the Texas Board of Nursing to redo their fingerprints.  Here is the process for filing a DO:

  1.  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 complete the process below.
    1. Download a FERPA form
    2. Sign and email the form back to the Director at the campus of their first choice. NOTE: The signed FERPA form provides Directors with the permission to send personal information to the TBON (address, DOB, SS#) for the initial background check.
  2. After Lone Star College submits your name 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.
  3. Students should allow 30 days for the TBON to respond after the initial review.

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. 

Biology Course Information

If  you have taken the required biology courses for any of our nursing programs, but took them more than 5 years prior to your application into nursing, please read our Biology Refresher Course Information.  All transfer Biology courses for the nursing programs must be minimally 4 credit hours.

Creative Arts/Language, Philosophy & Culture Elective

Requirements for the Associate of Applied Science Degree include a minimum of 3 credits from the approved list in the current college catalog. See approved current Creative Arts/Language, Philosophy & Culture elective list.

Background & SSN Verification

All ACCEPTED students and ALTERNATES will be required to have:

  1. Background check (BON)
  2. Social Security Number verification
    • Clinical facilities require Social Security Number (SSN) verification.
    • Verification cost is the responsibility of the student.

Admission Criteria: Basic Track

In addition to the admission requirements of the system and the completion of the online ADN application, the following are requirements for admission into the associate degree nursing program. The applicant must:

  1. Enrollment in LSCS.  If you have not taken classes at a LSCS campus within the last year, you must apply to the college. If you need assistance in the application process, please visit Student Services on a LSC campus (LSC-CyFair; LSC-Kingwood; LSC-Montgomery; LSC-North Harris; LSC-Tomball).
  2. Submit official copies of transcripts from all non-LSCS college or university attended to the admission office at any LSC campus.  These will take from 2-3 weeks to be evaluated.  If you have previously submitted transcripts to a LSCS campus, please verify with an advisor or counselor that your transcripts have been evaluated.  Applicants who have attended high school and/or college in another country must have their transcripts evaluated and converted to U.S. credits by an outside agency.  See http://www.naces.org/members.htm
    • Any college transcripts must be submitted at least 1 week prior to the end of the application period in order to be evaluated.
  3. Complete the following courses with a minimum grade point average of 2.7 or higher: BIOL 2401 and ENGL 1301. (BIOL 2401 is required to meet the admission criteria; however, the highest grade in BIOL 2401 or 2402 will be used for calculation of GPA).
  4. Biology and pharmacology courses submitted for program credit must be completed no more than five (5) years prior to application to the nursing program.  See Biology Refresher Course.  All transfer Biology courses for the nursing programs must be minimally 4 credit hours and the Pharmacology must be a nursing Pharmacology course of at least 3 credit hours.
  5. Obtain a grade of a "C" or higher in all courses required in the associate degree nursing (ADN) degree plan. GPA in all courses in the ADN degree plan must be 2.7 or greater at time of application.
  6. At the time of application a cumulative 2.0 GPA on all credit courses earned at LSCS (graduation GPA) is required.
  7. HESI Testing Information
  8. Submit a completed electronic application along with the following to the preferred college's nursing program:
    • Signed Score Sheet
    • FERPA form
    • Copy of Credit Advising Transcript (available on myLoneStar)
    • Documentation of a Positive Quantitative Hepatitis B Titer.
  9. Application deadlines are posted on the college's websites.  Separate applications to the college nursing programs are only required if the deadline submission dates differ.*
  10. Valid certificate of American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers is needed.

Admission Criteria: Transition Track for Articulating Students

Follow these steps to apply.

  1. Attend an information session at LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, or LSC-Tomball.  Admission criteria and information about the program is provided.
  2. Enrollment in LSCS.  If you have not taken classes at a LSCS campus within the last year, you must apply to the college. If you need assistance in the application process, please visit Student Services on a LSC campus (LSC-CyFair; LSC-Kingwood; LSC-Montgomery; LSC-North Harris; LSC-Tomball).
  3. Submit official copies of transcripts from all non-LSCS college or university attended to the admission office at any LSC campus.  These will take from 2-3 weeks to be evaluated.  If you have previously submitted transcripts to a LSCS campus, please verify with an advisor or counselor that your transcripts have been evaluated.  Applicants who have attended high school and/or college in another country must have their transcripts evaluated and converted to U.S. credits by an outside agency.  See http://www.naces.org/members.htm.
    • Any college transcripts must be submitted at least 1 week prior to the end of the application period in order to be evaluated.

  4. Completion of the following prior to applying (minimum gpa of 2.7 is required):

    • BIOL 2401, within the past 5 years
    • ENGL 1301
    • RNSG 1301, within the past 5 years
    If any of your required BIOL courses were taken beyond the 5 year limit, see the Biology Refresher information.  All transfer Biology courses for the nursing programs must be minimally 4 credit hours and the Pharmacology must be a nursing Pharmacology course of at least 3 credit hours.
  5. HESI Testing Information
  6. Possess current Texas unencumbered license as a LVN, current unencumbered National Registry EMT Paramedic Certification, current unencumbered Texas Department of Health EMT Paramedic Certification, OR current unencumbered Texas Department of Health Paramedic Licensure.  Must submit verification of licensure.
  7. Drug screening may be required by clinical affiliates and it is the responsibility of the student to cover the cost of the drug screen. If you fail or refuse the required drug screen, you will not be able to enter the program.
  8. Submit a completed electronic application along with the following to the preferred college's nursing program:
    • Signed Score Sheet
    • Copy of current unencumbered licensure in the State of Texas or National Registry
    • FERPA form
    • Copy of Credit Advising Transcript (available on myLoneStar)
    • Documentation of a Positive Quantitative Hepatitis B Titer
  9. The selection process for students into the nursing program is based on the total number of points calculated on the Scoring Chart for Admission.  Students are ranked based on the total number of points earned.  Applications to all the LSCS nursing programs exceed available openings therefore the application process is competitive. Valid certificate of American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (CPR card) is needed upon admission.
  10. At the time of application a cumulative 2.0 GPA on all credit courses earned at LSCS (graduation GPA) is required.
  11. Articulating (transition) students who are unsuccessful in RSNG 1517 or 1360 must reapply to the Basic Track Nursing Program.

Admission Criteria: Vocational Nursing

Student Code of Conduct

Vocational Track Admissions Scoring Chart

In addition to the Lone Star College admission requirements and completion of the online VN application, the following are required for the vocational nursing program:

  1. Enrollment in LSCS.  If you have not taken classes at a LSCS campus within the last year, you must apply to the college. If you need assistance in the application process, please visit Student Services on a LSC campus (LSC-Kingwood; LSC-North Harris; LSC-Tomball).
  2. Submit official copies of transcripts from all non-LSCS college or university attended to the admission office at any LSC campus.  These will take from 2-3 weeks to be evaluated.  If you have previously submitted transcripts to a LSCS campus, please verify with an advisor or counselor that your transcripts have been evaluated.  Applicants who have attended high school and/or college in another country must have their transcripts evaluated and converted to U.S. credits by an outside agency.  See http://www.naces.org/members.htm.
    • Any college transcripts must be submitted at least 1 week prior to the end of the application period in order to be evaluated.
  3. Complete BIOL 2404 with a grade of “C” or higher. (Completion of BIOL 2401 & 2402 is accepted in place of BIOL 2404, and is recommended for those students planning to transition into the ADN program.) Biology courses submitted for program credit must be completed no more than five (5) years prior to application to the nursing program. See Biology Refresher information.  (All Biology 2401 & 2402 courses must minimally be 4 credit hours."
  4. Maintain a cumulative grade point of 2.0 in college level courses.
  5. HESI Testing Information
  6. Submit a completed electronic application along with the following to the preferred college’s nursing program:
    • Signed Score Sheet
    • FERPA form
    • Copy of Credit Advising Transcript (available on myLoneStar)
    • Documentation of a Positive Quantitative Hepatitis B Titer 
  7. Application deadlines are posted on the colleges’ web sites. Separate applications to the college nursing programs are only required if the deadline submission dates differ.
  8. Valid certificate of American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers is needed.

Post-Admission Requirements

Legal Information

Lone Star College Associate Degree Nursing and Transition to Professional Nursing for Articulating Students programs are approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).  Information regarding this program is available through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, 404.975.5000.

Lone Star College Policy is consistent with Texas law as to requirements and admission of any resident or non-resident student.  For admission and tuition purposes, residency is defined within Texas Education Code §54.052.

In addition, LSC will notify students prior to, but not as a condition or requirement of admission, that  health care facilities will require students to have a Social Security number or a Visa as a condition of being assigned to a clinical facility. Students who are unable to complete the LSC health program clinical skills requirement will not be able to complete the program due to a lack of clinical placement.

Additionally, LSC will notify students that a Social Security number or a Visa may be required for a background check, and may also be required for taking the licensing examination upon completion of program requirements.

Related

Make LSC part of your story.

APPLY NOW
Explore Programs
Request Info