Additional Nursing Program Requirements

Important Notice

Math placement scores on Compass, ASSET, Accuplacer, and THEA will be valid for three (3) years.

Pre-Admission Requirements

• Clear Criminal History (BON) 
• HESI Test
• SSI
• Hepatitis B
• Program Prerequisites
• FERPA
• Bacterial Meningitis (HIB) immunization

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.

Apply

The Transition application will be open for LSC-Kingwood on Monday, March, 3, 2014.  (Apply)

The Vocational Nursing application will be open for LSC-Kingwood on Monday, March 3, 2014. (Apply)

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 may be required to show proof of medical health insurance coverage or pass a drug screen as required by clinical affiliates.

Clear Criminal History (BON)

• Applicants who have a criminal history 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.
• Information is available at http://bon.state.tx.us/olv/pdfs/DOapp.pdf
• This process may take up to 1 year and must be completed in order to be accepted into the nursing program

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.

Humanities Course Credit

Starting with the January, 2010 application period (ADN and Transition programs), students who took ENGL 1302 for humanities credit will no longer be given credit. See the approved humanities course requirements list.

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

• Student Code of Conduct  
• LSC-CyFair, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris and LSC-Tomball will be accepting applications January 15, 2014 through March 17, 2014*.  (Apply)
  *The end date for the Basic application has been extended to March 17, 2014. Deadline fo the HESI exam has been extended to March 6, 2014.  Please note that during Spring Break, March 10 - 16, 2014,  all offices are closed system-wide. There will be no technical support available.
• LSC-Kingwood on-line Quest Program is not accepting applications at this time. Application dates are subject to change.  Please check back periodically for application deadlines. 
  This online second-degree program is for basic track students with a  prior college degree. This program has the same admission requirements for those listed for the Basic Track program. For more information about the on-line Quest program go to:  http://www.lonestar.edu/quest-online-nursing-program.htm
• Scoring Chart for Basic Track Admissions

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      
3. Complete college-level reading, writing, and math prerequisites or LSCS Student Success Initiative (SSI) requirements. To determine your SSI status, see a college advisor. All applicants must complete MATH 0310 with a minimum grade of "C" or achieve placement into a college level math through an assessment test (THEA, Compass, ASSET, or equivalent) or complete a college level math course with a grade of "C" or higher.
4. Complete the following courses with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 or higher: BIOL 2401, ENGL 1301, and PSYC 2301. (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).
5. In addition to completing the prerequisite courses, complete the following courses with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 or higher to be competitive in the application process:  BIOL 2402; BIOL 2420; PSYC 2314; SOCI 1301; SPCH 1311 or SPCH 1318; a Humanities Course; a KINE activity course. 
6. 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. 
7. 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 2.5 or greater at time of application.
8. At the time of application a cumulative 2.0 GPA on all credit courses earned at LSCS (graduation GPA) is required.
9. HESI Testing Information
10. Submit a completed application along with the following to the preferred college's nursing program:
    • Signed Score Sheet
    • Signed copy of FERPA form
    • Copy of Credit Advising Transcript (available on myLoneStar)
11. 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.*
12. Valid certificate of American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers is needed. 
13. If applicable, accepted students and alternates to LSCS Basic Track program must show English proficiency.

Admission Criteria: Transition Track for Articulating Students

• Student Code of Conduct
• LSC-Kingwood will be accepting applications on Monday, March, 3, 2014 through May 23, 2014.  (Apply)
• LSC-Montgomery and LSC-Tomball will be accepting applications January 15, 2014 through March 17, 2014*.   (Apply)
  *The end date for the Transition application has been extended to March 17, 2014. Deadline for the HESI exam has been extended to March 6, 2014.  Please note that during Spring Break, March 10 - 16, 2014, all offices are closed system-wide. There will be no technical support available.
• LSC-Kingwood on-line Quest Program is not accepting applications at this time. Application dates are subject to change.  Please check back periodically for application deadlines.
  This program has the same admission requirements for those listed for the Transition Track program. For information about the on-line Quest program go to:  http://www.lonestar.edu/quest-online-nursing-program.htm
• Scoring Chart for Admission

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.
4. Evidence of minimum math proficiency is required prior to application to the program.  A student must have either: completed MATH 0310 with a minimum grade of "C" or achieve placement into a college level math through an assessment test (THEA, Compass, ASSET, or equivalent) or complete a college level math course with a grade of "C" or higher.   If you need assistance, please visit  an advisor on a LSC campus.
5. • BIOL 2401, within the past 5 years
   • BIOL 2402, within the past 5 years
   • ENGL 1301
   • PSYC 2301
   • PSYC 2314
   • 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. 
6. HESI Testing Information
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. The following should be included with your signed application and turned in to a LSCS Nursing Department:
   • Signed Score Sheet
   • Copy of current unencumbered licensure in the State of Texas or National Registry
   • Signed copy of FERPA form
   • Copy of Credit Advising Transcript (available on myLoneStar)
10. 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 out of a maximum score of 12.  The ranking for placement is based on:
    • Overall grade point average in academic courses related to the degree program.
    • Points awarded for completion of academic courses in the degree program.

    Applications to all the LSCS nursing programs exceed available openings therefore the application process is very competitive.Valid certificate of American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (CPR card) is needed upon admission. 

11. If applicable, accepted students and alternates to LSCS Transition program must show English proficiency.
12. At the time of application a cumulative 2.0 GPA on all credit courses earned at LSCS (graduation GPA) is required.

Admission Criteria: Vocational Nursing

The LSC-CyFair application will be open from January 15, 2014 through March 6, 2014.   (Apply)
The LSC-Kingwood application will be open from March 3, 2014 through May 23, 2014. (Apply)
The LSC-Tomball application will be open from July 7, 2014 through September 5, 2014.  Please check back to apply.

• Student Code of Conduct

• Scoring Chart for VN Admissions  

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-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.  
3. Complete college-level reading, writing, and math pre-requisites or LSCS Student Success Initiative (SSI) requirements. All VN programs require completion of MATH 0309 or higher. To determine your SSI status, see a college advisor.
4. 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.
5. Maintain a cumulative grade point of 2.0 in college level courses.
6. HESI Testing Information
7. Submit a completed application along with the following to the preferred college’s nursing program:
   • Signed Score Sheet
   • Signed copy of FERPA form
   • copy of Credit Advising Transcript (available on myLoneStar)
8. 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.
9. Valid certificate of American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers is needed. 
10. If applicable, accepted students and alternates to LSCS LVN program must show English proficiency.

Post-Admission Requirements

• Drug Screening
• Physical Exam 
• English Proficiency 
• CPR Certification
• TB Test
• Photo ID
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
• Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)
• Varicella
• Malpractice/Liability Insurance  
• BON Background Check
• Social Security Number verification
• Health Insurance

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), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, 404.975.5000.

Lone Star College System 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, LSCS 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 LSCS health program clinical skills requirement will not be able to complete the program due to a lack of clinical placement. 

Additionally, LSCS 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.