Nursing

Nursing at Collin

A career in nursing will make a difference in your own life and the lives of others. Pursuing your nursing degree at Collin College is a great way to start.

Collin College's Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program prepares students for a career as a professional registered nurse in this quickly-growing field with state-of-the-art facilities and educators who have years of practical experience working in health care. Collin College has been recognized as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing (NLN) since 2011, one of only a handful of community colleges in the nation to earn that honor.

The concept-based nursing curriculum is designed for deep learning so that you develop higher-level clinical judgment. The curriculum divides nursing concepts into two categories - health care concepts and professional nursing concepts - which are learned in the classroom and then applied in practical settings like the health sciences simulation labs in the Cary A. Israel Health Sciences Center, as well as in local health care facilities where students complete clinical rotations.

The nursing curriculum is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing (Texas BON) and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Upon graduation, Collin College's ADN program students are ready to apply to the Texas BON for licensure as a registered nurse (RN) through the NCLEX-RN examination.

The college also offers a bridge program for LVNs, allowing for faster degree completion to begin your career as a professional registered nurse earlier.

Licensure Notice: Students who have been involved with the criminal system, are advised that your background could keep you from being licensed by the State of Texas. If you have a question about your background and licensure, please speak with your faculty member or the department chair. You also have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the applicable licensing agency.

If an individual has reason to believe he/she is ineligible for licensure, he/she may petition the Texas BON for a declaratory order. Upon application to the nursing program, you must show your eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN exam through outcomes letter that will be issued by the Texas BON if the declaratory order is approved. To check your eligibility, please review the following questions. If you answer "yes" to any one of the following questions, you must have the declaratory order from the Texas BON completed prior to applying to the nursing program.

• Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor (other than a class C misdemeanor traffic violation)?
• Have you ever been convicted of a felony?
• Have you ever pled nolo contender, no contest, or guilty?
• Have you ever received deferred adjudication?
• Have you ever been placed on community supervision or court-ordered probation, whether or not adjudicated guilty?
• Have you ever been sentenced to serve jail or prison time or court-ordered confinement?
• Have you ever been granted pre-trial diversion?
• Have you ever been arrested or have any pending criminal charges?
• Have you ever been cited or charged with any violation of the law?
• Have you ever been subject of a court-martial; Article 15 violation; or received any form of military judgment, punishment, or action?

Contact the Nursing Department for further information.

Collin County healthcare facilities support the ADN program. Several healthcare facilities throughout the Metroplex are used for the clinical experience.

Students planning to transfer to a college or university should check with Collin College academic advisors and are encouraged to check the degree requirement of the intended transfer college prior to beginning this program to verify course degree applicability.

FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES/CORE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS STATEMENT

After initial acceptance to this program, all students are required to meet specific functional abilities - with or without accommodations - for successful completion of the program and to function safely and effectively in the variety of the profession's settings. The specific functional requirements are found in the Functional Abilities/Core Performance Standards documents provided in the program information on the Nursing website http://www.collin.edu/nursing. Students who think they may not be able to meet the functional standards and need accommodation are encouraged to contact the college ACCESS department as soon as this program is of interest.

ACCREDITATION

The Nursing Program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). They may be contacted at:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
www.acenursing.org

SCHOLARSHIPS

Various scholarships are available to students when they have been accepted into the Nursing Program. Most scholarships are awarded based on financial need. Other types of monetary support are available through the college's Financial Aid Office.

ADDITIONAL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Admission to the Nursing Program is selective. Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the Nursing Program. Registration is by permission only. Information and applications may be obtained from the Nursing Office or the Nursing website: http://www.collin.edu/nursing.

• Complete pre-entrance course requirements with a minimum 2.5 GPA
• Earn a grade of "C" or better in all courses applicable to the Nursing program
• Submit official copies of all college transcripts to include Collin College
• Complete an entrance exam prior to the Jan. 31^st, March 31^st or Aug. 31^st deadline (see nursing website)
• Successful completion of drug screen, background check and physical exam
• Submit a current American Heart Association CPR for Health Care workers
• Provide documentation of a current negative TB test
• Complete a declaratory order from the Texas BON, if needed
• Show positive titer immunizations required by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) *

* It is important to note that one of the required vaccinations, Hepatitis B, consists of a three dose series, which can take up to 7 months to complete. Individuals unable to receive the HBV must inform the Clinical Coordinator.

Health Insurance - All nursing students are required to show proof of health insurance prior to starting clinical rotations each semester.

Placement in mathematics and English courses is based upon the results of each student's assessments and subjects completed before admission.