1. What nursing programs are offered at LSC-Montgomery?

• Licensed Vocational Nurse (VN) program – one-year in length and typically do not require as many prerequisite courses as the Associate Degree Program.  Grade point average of 2.0 or higher is one of the program admission requirements. Once a student graduates from the VN program, they are eligible to apply for licensure with the Texas Board of Nursing.  For more information on Texas Board of Nursing licensure requirements visit http://www.bon.state.tx.us
• Associate Degree (RN) program – two tracks are offered at LSC-Montgomery; grade point average of 2.5 or higher is one of the program admission requirements. The Associate Degree Nursing programs are approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN): http://www.acenursing.org/.

v  Basic Trackprogram – two-years in length (4 semesters) is designed for the entry level pre-licensure student and uses the cohort model of class scheduling requiring full-time enrollment.  Students move as a group through the designated nursing courses in sequence

v  Transitionprogram – one-year in length, the program is designed to provide a pathway from Licensed Vocational Nurse or Licensed Paramedic to Registered Nurse (RN) with the merger of these articulating students with the second-year Basic Track students     

 

2. Can I become a nurse in the state of Texas if I have been convicted of a felony?

Texas law states if a person has been convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors, that person may be ineligible to receive a nursing license in the state of Texas.  All program applicants are subject to a required FBI background check via the Texas Board of Nursing.  Drug and assault related offenses are carefully scrutinized by the Texas Board of Nursing Investigation Office.  For more information on this subject contact: 

                     Texas Board of Nursing Investigation Office
                     333 Guadalupe Street, Suite 3-400
                     Austin, Texas  78701

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. 

Applicants who think they may have a background issue of any kind are strongly encouraged to start the Declaratory Order process prior to applying to the Nursing Program.

3. How do I get started?

It is recommended that you view the information session video here.  The sessions are designed to answer frequently asked questions and highlight the differences in the nursing programs.

4. How do I apply to one of the nursing programs at LSC-Montgomery?

Each nursing program has a designated application period.  The form “Steps to Apply” for the separate nursing programs are available for download on the Document Section of the Nursing Home Page, or available on campus in Building B, suite 120.  This form provides information on requirements for application and the dates applications will be accepted for the individual nursing programs. 

5. Which hospitals/clinics do LSC-Montgomery nursing programs use for student clinical rotations?   

The Lone Star College System has affiliation agreements with many local hospitals and clinics in the Houston area.  LSC-Montgomery attempts to schedule student rotations with neighboring hospitals and clinical sites in close proximity to the college, such as Conroe Regional Medical Center, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands, St. Luke’s Hospital The Woodlands; however, to achieve a learning environment in some specialties, the programs do utilize clinical sites throughout the Houston area.

6. Am I required to take the TASP/THEA exam?

A students’ TASP/THEA status must be “PASSED” in all three areas of reading, writing, and math or student must be “SSI” complete in all three areas by an alternate process.  See an Advisor or Counselor for more information.

7. What is the approximate cost of each nursing program?

VNProgram – the approximate cost for in-district students $5,527.00:
Refer to college catalog for course listing or http://www.lonestar.edu/nursing-certificates.htm#Vocational

• First Semester - $976.00
• Second Semester - $976.00
• Third Semester - $1,032.00
• Additional program cost $2,543.00 (e.g., pre-requisite, books, immunizations, uniforms, insurance, license application)

VN Program – the approximate cost for out-of-district students $8,817.00:

• First Semester - $1,956.00
• Second Semester - $1,956.00
• Thirst Semester - $2,082.00
• Additional program cost $2,823.00 (e.g., pre-requisite, books, immunizations, uniforms, insurance, license application)

Basic Track Program – the approximate cost for in-district students $7,079.75:
Refer to college catalog for course listing or http://www.lonestar.edu/nursing-aas.htm#Specialization_Integrated

• Prerequisite Courses - $656.00
• First Year – First Semester - $832.00
• First Year – Second Semester - $856.00
• First Year – Third Semester – $800.00
• Second Year – First Semester – $800.00
• Second Year – Second Semester - $856.00
• Additional program cost $2,279.75.00 (e.g., books, immunizations, uniforms, insurance, license application)

Basic Track Program – the approximate cost for out-of-district students $12,119.75:

• Prerequisite Courses - $1,356.00
• First Year – First Semester - $1,672.00
• First Year – Second Semester - $1,766.00
• First Year – Third Semester – $1,640.00
• Second Year – First Semester – $1,640.00
• Second Year – Second Semester - $1,766.00
• Additional program cost $2,279.75.00 (e.g., books, immunizations, uniforms, insurance, license application)

Transition Program – the approximate cost for in-district students $5,271:
Refer to college catalog for course listing or http://www.lonestar.edu/nursing-aas.htm#Specialization_Integrated

• Prerequisite Courses - $526.00
• First Year – First Semester - $587.00
• First Year – Second Semester - $526.00
• First Year – Third Semester – $318.00
• Second Year – First Semester – $476.00
• Second Year – Second Semester - $745.00
• Additional program cost $2,093.00 (e.g., books, immunizations, uniforms, insurance, license application)

Transition Program – the approximate cost for out-of-district students $9,473:

• Prerequisite Courses - $1,226.00
• First Year – First Semester - $1,357.00
• First Year – Second Semester - $1,226.00
• First Year – Third Semester – $738.00
• Second Year – First Semester – $1,107.00
• Second Year – Second Semester - $1,726.00
• Additional program cost $2,093.00 (e.g., books, immunizations, uniforms, insurance, license application)

8. What is the time period of each nursing programs?

• VN Program – as required by the Texas Board of Nursing, the program of study shall have a minimum of 1, 398 clock hours: 558 hours for classroom instruction and 840 hours for clinical practice.   The length of the program is one-year, full-time day classes   
• Transition Program – length of the program is three semesters, merging with the second-year Basic Track students, full-time day classes, beginning the month of June with completion the following May 
• ADN (Basic Track) Program – a two-year program, full-time day classes from June to May 

Nursing programs follow Lone Star College System holiday and break schedule  
 

9. Can I work while in the nursing program?

Employment while in the nursing programs is discouraged due to the volume of program content; however, some students do work.  Students must pass each individual course required in the nursing program and maintain satisfactory scores in pharmacological math in order to proceed to the next semester. 

10. How much homework will I have?

Homework on average, is two to three hours per evening.  

11. Is financial assistance available?

LSCS continues to seek ways to help students manage the cost of education.  Each year, federal, state, and endowment funds are allocated to LSCS to be awarded to eligible students.  See an Advisor or Counselor for more information.  

12. What are the required science courses?

• BIOL 2404 or BIOL 2401 AND BIOL 2402  are prerequisite for the VN program
• BIOL 2401 AND BIOL 2402 are prerequisite courses for the Transition program, students are encouraged to have BIOL 2420 completed prior to entering the program
• BIOL 2401 is a prerequisite for the Basic Track ADN program; completion of BIOL 2402 and BIOL 2420 are encouraged and may help increase your score on the application ranking
• Please Note:  Biology courses have to be less than five (5) years old at the time of application
• There are options for students who need to refresh a Biology course that is too old.  See insert link to document for more information.

13. How many students are accepted in the LSC-Montgomery nursing programs? 

• VN program– accepts 20 students each year with a start date in May
• Transition program– accepts 20 students each year with a start date in June
• Basic Track ADN– accepts 40 students each year with a start date in July/August

14. How will I know if I have been accepted into the program?

Letters are mailed to each applicant, approximately one month after the application deadline, informing the applicant of the Acceptance Committees decision on an offer of program admittance.   
    

15. Does the program have a wait list?

Generally we receive twice as many applicants as we have open space.  Students are selected based on an objective point system criterion.  The top students fill the open slots, there is no wait list; however, after filling the open slots, the next 10 to 20 qualified applicants will be considered alternates if an opening becomes available prior to the program start date.

16. Can I become a nurse in the state of Texas if I have a disability?

LSCS is dedicated to providing the least restrictive learning environment for all students.  The College System promotes equity in academic access through the implementation of reasonable accommodations as required by the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title V, Section 501-504 and the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) which will enable students with disabilities to participate in and benefit from all post-secondary education programs and activities.  

The Texas Board of Nursing does not have statements or policies that specifically address students with disabilities in nursing education programs. Texas Board of Nursing Rules §214 and §215 require that the curriculum for a nursing education program be designed so that graduates are able to demonstrate the appropriate Differentiated Essential Competencies (DEC) for Graduates of Texas Nursing Programs: Vocational (VN), Diploma/Associate Degree (DIP/ADN), Baccalaureate Degree (BSN).

Any graduate from an approved vocational or professional nursing education program may apply to take the NCLEX Examination in Texas and for licensure.  Eligibility for licensure in Texas as a nurse is determined on an individual basis.  Eligibility questions on the application by NCLEX Examination do not address general physical disabilities, (i.e., blindness, loss of hearing).

Once licensed as a nurse, it is the nurse, taking into consideration client/patient safety, who must determine which client/patient care assignments can be accepted that are commensurate with the nurse's educational preparation, experience, knowledge, and physical and emotional ability.