NCLEX Pass Rates
2021 – 90%
2022 – 76.19 %

The Texas Southmost College Associate Degree Nursing Program received Full Approval from the Texas Board of Nursing on April 21, 2022.
Texas Board of Nursing
1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 10-200
Austin, TX 75701
Phone: (512) 305-7400
Fax: (512) 305-7401

Differentiated Essential Competencies (DECs)
The TSC Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program prepares graduates to demonstrate the Differentiated Essential Competencies of Graduates of Texas Nursing Programs Evidenced by Knowledge, Clinical Judgements, and Behaviors (DECs). In nursing education, the DECs serve as guidelines and tools for curriculum development and revision, program benchmarking and evaluation, and statewide standards to ensure graduates will enter the practice as competent nurses. The DECs are incorporated into every course in the ADN program to ensure uniformity and continuity of the standards.

Admission into the ADN Program is selective and screened through a process bi-annually for the traditional ADN track and annually for the LVN to RN track. Admission will only be considered if all application and required materials are received by the application deadline. Students should consult the TSC webpage or the nursing department for application deadlines for each semester. While the ADN program can admit up to 24 students in the traditional cohort and up to 10 in the LVN to RN cohort, various factors can affect the number of students selected. Students will be ranked according to points received in the Admission Rubric. Please click on the Admission Rubric in the left banner under forms to locate a fillable form, which allows for the input of grades and HESI scores to calculate an admission score. The admission committee will utilize this same form to rank student candidates for the ADN program.

1. Admission Deadlines are May 25th and September 1st of each year for the traditional cohort entry
2. Admission Deadline is January 15th for the Summer LVN to RN students

Candidates for admission are required to:

1. Apply to TSC and meet the general TSC admission requirements. (Available in the TSC Office of the Registrar).
2. Traditional ADN applicants will complete the HESI A2 assessment test and the Critical Thinking exam. The HESI A2 entrance exam is a standardized exam to assess skill level in math, reading comprehension, vocabulary, anatomy and physiology, and critical thinking. The exam assesses problem-solving, biases, ethical dilemmas, argument analysis, and analysis of data.
3. LVN to ADN applicants will compete in the HESI LVN to ADN entrance exam. The HESI LVN to ADN entrance exam is a standardized exam to assess the LVN skill level in fundamental, medical-surgical, professional issues, and psychiatric/mental illness nursing. Testing is conducted on set dates. HESI exams may be taken twice per calendar year. If repeating the HESI entrance exams, a 30-day window is required between exams and a remediation packet must be completed before taking the repeat exam.
4. Students are admitted to the TSC ADN program on provisional status, pending completion of a physical exam, immunizations, Texas BON fingerprinting/background check, and essential physical competency form.

Admission requirements include:

1. Traditional ADN Students must achieve a minimum of 80% on each of the HESI A2 sections (reading, math, anatomy and physiology, and vocabulary) and a minimum of 800 on the critical thinking exam.

LVN to RN applicants will take the LVN to ADN entrance exam. Students must achieve a minimum of 800 for each section of the exam (fundamentals, medical-surgical, professional issues, and psychiatric/mental illness) and a minimum of 800 on the composite score for the exam.

**The LVN to ADN entrance exam covers content on pediatrics and maternity, which will be reflected in the composite score but will not be individually ranked.

The HESI entrance requirement must have been completed within 12 months of the application deadline.

1. Overall GPA of 2.5 from all completed college courses applicable to the nursing degree plan. Only grades of “C” or higher are accepted.
2. Completed application to the Associate Degree Nursing Program in its entirety. Must turn in an application for each application cycle. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be on file in the Admission and Records Office and ADN office. You will also turn in official transcripts with your application packet to the nursing office.
3. Completion of pre-requisites BIOL 2301, BIOL 2101, MATH 1342, BIOL 2302, and BIOL 2102 with a “C” or better.
4. Biology pre-requisite courses must have been taken within five years prior to entering the nursing program.
5. LVN applicants will need to submit their LVN License and proof of consecutive employment for the last 6 months in direct patient care.
6. Complete Essential Physical Competency form.

Please refer the TSC ADN Admission Checklist and include with your completed application

Criteria Traditional ADN Applicants	Points	Total Points
Nursing Prereq GPA – computed only on the five prerequisite courses. It must be a 2.5 or higher to move forward. There is NO rounding. Nursing GPA is computed for degree plan courses only (prerequisites and co-requisite courses). It must be a 2.5 or higher to move forward. There is NO rounding. Earned course grades must be a C or better.	2.5 or higher – Required   3.8 – 4.0 = 5 pts 3.6 – 3.79 = 4 pts 3.4 – 3.59 = 3 pts 3.2 – 3.39 = 2 pts 2.5 – 3.19 = 1 pt	5
Degree plan Courses: BIOL 2301, BIOL 2101, MATH 1342, BIOL 2302, BIOL 2102, ENGL 1301, PSYC 2301, Humanities/Fine Arts/Phil, BIOL 2320, BIOL 2120	A = 4 pts, B = 3 pts, C = 2 pts, CLEP/AP = 2 pts	40
HESI Points – Based on A2 test score for each of the following sections individually: Reading, Math, Anatomy & Physiology, and Vocabulary AND Critical Thinking Passing Score = 80% on each section The passing Score on the Critical Thinking Exam is 800 HESI exam results are valid for 12 months. HESI exams may only be taken twice per calendar year and must be at least 30 days apart. If re-taking the HESI exams, the remediation packet is required prior to taking the 2nd HESI exam.	91% or higher = 3 pts, 86% – 90% = 2 pts, 80% – 85% = 1 pt   901 or higher = 5 pts, 851 – 900 = 3 pts, 800-850 = 1 pt	17
Bonus Point Hold any health care certificate or license excluding BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP, EMR, or First Aid certificates	Maximum of 1 pt	1
Total Maximum Points		63
Criteria LVN to ADN Applicants	Points	Total Points
Nursing Prerequisite GPA – computed only on the five prerequisite courses. It must be a 2.5 or higher to move forward. There is NO rounding. Nursing GPA is computed for degree plan courses only (prerequisites and co-requisite courses). It must be a 2.5 or higher to move forward. There is NO rounding. Earned course grades must be a C or better.	2.5 or higher – Required   3.8 – 4.0 = 5 pts 3.6 – 3.79 = 4 pts 3.4 – 3.59 = 3 pts 3.2 – 3.39 = 2 pts 2.5 – 3.19 = 1 pt	5
Degree plan Courses: BIOL 2301, BIOL 2101, MATH 1342, BIOL 2302, BIOL 2102, ENGL 1301, PSYC 2301, Humanities/Fine Arts/Phil, BIOL 2320, BIOL 2120	A = 4 pts, B = 3 pts, C = 2 pts, CLEP/AP = 2 pts	40
LVN to RN Applicants HESI Points – Based on the LVN to ADN Entrance Exam score for each of the following sections: Fundamental, Medical-Surgical, Professional Issues, Psychiatric/Mental Illness, and HESI LVN to ADN Entrance Exam Composite score (overall score). HESI exam results are valid for 12 months. HESI exams may only be taken twice per calendar year and must be at least 30 days apart. If re-taking the HESI exams, the remediation packet is required prior to taking the 2nd HESI exam.	901 or higher = 5 pts, 851 – 900 = 3 pts, 800-850 = 1 pt     901 or higher = 5 pts, 851 – 900 = 3 pts, 800-850 = 1 pt	25
Bonus Point Hold any health care certificate or license excluding LVN, BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP, EMR, or First Aid certificates	Maximum of 1 pt	1
Total Maximum Points		71

Applicants will be notified by mail whether they have been selected for the program. Requirements after acceptance into the TSC ADN program are:

1. Submit a document received from the Texas Board of Nursing indicating clearance following their background check (i.e., blue card or outcome letter).
2. Mandatory attendance to the ADN Program orientation at the scheduled day and time. (You will receive this information in your acceptance letter).
3. Submit proof of immunizations, TB test, or chest x-ray (if history of positive TB skin test), Pre-entrance Medical Form, and current CPR. See the Immunization Record in your application. If your immunizations cannot be completed by the enrollment date, you will need to re-apply for the following admission cycle. (Hepatitis B takes six months to complete the series). NOTE: You will need proof of immunizations or titer to upload in our immunization document tracker before your first clinical day.
4. Submit current proof of American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (CPR).
5. Consent to both the Castle Branch background check and the Texas Board of Nursing criminal background check must be completed prior to admission.
6. Consent to a drug test at a time determined by the Program Director.
7. Provide a copy of your health insurance and driver’s license prior to clinical rotations (you will upload these documents in Castle Branch after mandatory orientation).
8. LVN applicants must check off all required nursing skills in the first two years of the program before admission.

*All documents submitted become the property of the College upon receipt. All information contained in the application is to be accurate and correct. Any misrepresentation of the facts will make the applicant ineligible for admission.

Effective September 1, 2017, HB 1508, 85th Leg., R.S. (2017), amended Chapter 53 of the Texas Occupations Code to add Subchapter E relating to notice to applicants to and enrollees in certain educational programs regarding the consequences of a criminal conviction on eligibility for an occupational license.

Pursuant to Chapter 53, Subchapter E, of the Texas Occupations Code, please be advised that Texas Southmost College offers programs that lead to an occupational license as defined under Texas Occupations Code 58.001. Licensing authorities may have guidelines concerning prior criminal convictions that would make an individual ineligible for the issuance of a given license. If you are enrolled in a program that may prepare an individual for an occupational license and/or if you later decide to change to a program that prepares you for an occupational license as defined under Texas Occupations Code 58.001, in accordance with state law, please be advised of the following:

1. An individual who has been convicted of an offense may be ineligible for issuance of an occupational license upon completion of the educational program;
2. Each licensing authority that may issue an occupational license to an individual who completes an educational program must establish guidelines that state the reasons a particular crime is considered to relate to a particular license and any other criterion that affects the decisions of the licensing authority.
3. Local or county licensing authorities may issue additional guidelines related to criminal history. Applicants should contact their respective local or county licensing authority for more details.
4. A person may request a criminal history evaluation letter regarding personal eligibility for a license issued by a licensing authority under Texas Occupations Code 53.102.

Note that the provisions of Chapter 53 of the Texas Occupations Code relating to the consequences of criminal conviction do not apply to licenses granted by the Supreme Court of Texas, law enforcement officers (Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1701), emergency medical services personnel (Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 773), or persons licensed by the Texas Medical Board, the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of Dental Examiners, or the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners that have been convicted of a felony under Chapter 481 or 483 or Section 485.003 of the Texas Health and Safety Code. If you are seeking one of these licenses, please be aware that other law provisions may apply to the consequences of a criminal conviction.

All applicants to and enrollees of Texas Southmost College are encouraged to review all applicable eligibility requirements for the respective occupational license. Questions related to eligibility requirements should be directed to the applicable licensing authority.

All students applying for the Associate Degree Nursing Program must take and meet the minimum requirements of the HESI A2 and Critical Thinking exams. Students should not take the entrance exam packet until the prerequisites are complete and you are ready to apply to the program. To register for the ADN Pre-Entrance Exams, students must call the Testing Center at 956-295-3660 to get information. Seating is limited on scheduled HESI exam days. Please do not register for the exam until you have completed the prerequisites for the program. The cost for both the HESI exam and the LVN to ADN entrance exam is $54 each. The Admission Assessment Exams may be taken twice during the calendar year; however, there is a 30-day waiting period between exams.

Results from the Admission Assessment Exams can be obtained from the TSC testing center on the day of the exam.

Examinees must report to the computer lab assigned on their scheduled test date. There are no refunds for a missed appointment.

Students MUST bring their TSC student ID card and one other form of ID to be admitted to the testing area for the Admission Assessment Exams.

The most recent HESI scores will be recorded in the entrance grid. If a student repeats the HESI, the entire HESI admission exam must be repeated. Scores from different HESI exams taken on different dates will not be accepted.

The HESI A2 exams are designed to assess prospective nursing students’ academic and personal readiness. Entrance into the Nursing program will rank students based on their Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and General Knowledge, Math, and Anatomy & Physiology scores.

The Critical Thinking exam is a 25-item exam that ranges in score from 0 to 1000. The score represents the students’ abilities in:

• Problem-Solving
• Biases and Ethical Dilemmas
• Argument Analysis
• Analysis of Data

The HESI LVN-ADN Entrance Exam is a comprehensive exam identifying strengths and weaknesses in LVN content areas. It is designed as an entrance exam for LVNs seeking entrance into an ADN program. Entrance into the Nursing program will rank students based on their scores in Fundamentals, Medical-Surgical, Professional Issues, and Psychiatric/Mental Illness, as well as their overall composite score. Please note that Pediatrics and Maternity are tested on this exam and captured in the composite score; however, they will not be ranked in their score.

Acceptance into the nursing program is provisional based on the Texas Board of Nursing FBI criminal background check. Upon acceptance into the ADN nursing program, students will be instructed to complete the FAST pass process to obtain fingerprints, Texas DPS, and the FBI background check process. Students must follow the eligibility guidelines set by the Board of Nursing. Please review the “Eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN Examination” in the information packet to answer these questions. You must provide a written explanation if you answer “yes” to any of the following questions.

1. Have you ever had any disciplinary action on a nursing license or a privilege to practice in any state, country, or province?
2. Do you have an investigation or complaint pending on a nursing license or a privilege to practice in any state, country, or province?
3. Have you, in the last five years*, been addicted to and/or treated for the use of alcohol or any other drug?
4. For any criminal offense*, including those pending appeal, have you Been arrested and have a pending criminal charge? Been convicted of a misdemeanor? Been convicted of a felony? Pled nolo contendre, no contest, or guilty? Received deferred adjudication? Been placed on community supervision or court-ordered probation, whether or not adjudicated guilty? Been sentenced to serve jail, prison time, or court-ordered confinement? Been granted pre-trial diversion? Been cited or charged with any violation of the law? Been subject to a court-martial, Article 15 violation, or received any form of military judgment/punishment/action? (You only exclude Class C misdemeanor traffic violations or offenses previously disclosed to the Texas Board of Nursing on an initial or renewal application.)

NOTE: Expunged and Sealed Offenses: While expunged or sealed offenses, arrests, tickets, or citations need not be disclosed, it is your responsibility to ensure the offense, arrest, ticket, or citation has, in fact, been expunged or sealed. You should submit a copy of the Court Order expunging or sealing the record in question to our office with your application. Non-disclosure of relevant offenses raises questions related to truthfulness and character. (See 22 TAC §213.27)

NOTE: Orders of Non-Disclosure: Pursuant to Tex. Gov’t Code § 552.142(b), if you have criminal matters subject to an order of non-disclosure, you are not required to reveal those criminal matters. However, a criminal matter subject to an order of non-disclosure may become a character and fitness issue. Pursuant to Gov’t Code chapter 411, the Texas Nursing Board is entitled to access criminal history record information subject to an order of non-disclosure. Suppose the Board discovers a criminal matter that is the subject of an order of non-disclosure. In that case, even if you properly did not reveal that matter, the Board may require you to provide information about any conduct that raises character and fitness issues.

5. Have you ever had any licensing (other than a nursing license) or regulatory authority in any state, jurisdiction, country, or province revoked, annulled, canceled, accepted surrender of, suspended, placed on probation, refused to renew or otherwise discipline any other professional or occupational license, certificate, nurse aide registration or multistate privilege to practice that you held?

6. Are you currently suffering from any condition for which you are not being appropriately treated that impairs your judgment or would otherwise adversely affect your ability to practice nursing competently, ethically, and professionally?

7. *Are you currently the target or subject of a grand jury or governmental agency investigation?
8. *Are you currently a participant in an alternative to discipline, diversion, or a peer assistance program? (This includes all confidential programs) NOTE: Any positive response will remain confidential and not subject to public disclosure unless required by law.
9. Have you ever been granted the authority to practice nursing in any country, state, province, or territory? NOTE: This does not apply to any nursing license(s) issued by another US state or territory, excluding Puerto Rico. If you were licensed in Puerto Rico, you should be answering yes.

*Pursuant to the Texas Occupations Code §301.207, information, including diagnosis and treatment, regarding an individual’s physical or mental condition, intemperate use of drugs or alcohol, or chemical dependency, and information regarding an individual’s criminal history is confidential to the same extent that information collected as part of an investigation is confidential under the Texas Occupations Code §301.466.

Tuition and Fees
Estimated Tuition and Fees for the Traditional 2-year ADN program include all courses, lab fees, program testing fees, required software fees, and NCLEX fees totaling approximately $15,000 for the whole program. This total includes all pre- and co-requisite courses in the degree plan. Visit the Cost of Attendance page for additional information regarding the estimated costs of attending TSC.

Visit the Cost of Attendance page for additional information regarding the estimated costs of attending TSC.

Operating System: 32-bit and 64-bit Versions of Windows 10.
CPU Processor: 1.86Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo or greater
RAM: highest recommended for the operating system or 2GB
Hard Drive: highest recommended for the operating system or 1GB of available space
working USB port is required

Surface Pro, Surface Books, and Surface Laptops are supported (Non-Pro Surface devices are NOT supported)
Must be running a supported Operating System (See PC Requirements)
External Keyboard (USB or Bluetooth) required.
Hard Drive: Minimum of 1GB available space.
a working USB port is required

Mac Users
Supported Operating Systems: OS X 10.12 (Sierra), OS X 10.13 (High Sierra), and OS X 10.14 (Mojave). Only genuine versions of Mac Operating Systems are supported.
CPU: Intel processor
RAM: 2GB
Hard Drive: 1GB or higher available space
A working USB port is required (Newer devices may require an adaptor)
The server version of Mac OS X is not supported

Students entering the TSC ADN program are required to fill out an Essential Physical Competency Standards worksheet. Students must continue to successfully demonstrate/perform the following activities as a required component to continue in the program.

1. Extended walking and standing daily – clinical practice requires an average of 1 hour intermittent sitting, 4 hours intermittent standing, and 3 hours intermittent walking in an average 8-hour work period.
2. Ability to grasp, push, and/or pull.
3. Ability to squat, kneel, bend, reach, and twist – clinical practice requires completing these activities 50% of the time.
4. Carrying and moving equipment – nurses frequently lift/carry up to 50 pounds and push/pull up to 100 pounds.

Other essential competencies identified for nursing care include:

1. A vision that allows detecting physical change and seeing color.
2. Hearing that allows responding to physical and verbal cues.
3. Sense of touch that allows for assessment and palpation.
4. Critical thinking.
5. Interpersonal and communication skills

Students with disabilities, including learning disabilities, who request academic adjustments to a class must notify the Disability Services Office at the beginning or prior to the start of the semester so that appropriate accommodations may be made. In accordance with federal law, a student requesting academic adjustments must provide documentation of his/her disability to the Disability Services counselor. For more information, see the TSC student handbook Disability Services Office.

Students who are granted accommodations related to testing performance must utilize this service if he/she plan to apply these accommodations to the NCLEX-RN. Typically, these accommodations include longer test times and a less distracted environment. Upon scheduling your NCLEX, please refer to the Texas Board of Nursing and the NCSBN website for forms required for NCLEX accommodations.

Q. Is the Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) program accredited?
A. Yes, in January of 2018, Texas Southmost College received initial accreditation from the Texas Board of Nursing to offer an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program.
Q. Upon completion of the ADN program, will other colleges or universities accept my nursing course for admission into a BSN degree program?
A. Yes, students graduating with an ADN at Texas Southmost College graduate from an accredited college and nursing program. Therefore, students will be able to transfer to a higher institution of learning into an RN to BSN program.
Q. Do I have to be an LVN or CNA to apply for the ADN program?
A. No, you do not have to be an LVN or CNA to apply for the traditional track ADN program. We offer an LVN to RN track for currently licensed and working LVNs. However, LVNs and CNAs are welcome to apply to the traditional ADN track.
Q. What is the difference between pre-requisite and co-requisite courses?
A. Pre-requisite courses must be completed prior to applying to the ADN program. These courses include BIOL 2301/2101 Anatomy & Physiology I with the lab, BIOL 2302/2102 Anatomy & Physiology II with the lab, and MATH 1342 Elementary Statistics. Co-requisite courses may be taken along with the nursing program; however, students who complete these courses before submitting their application will earn points based on the grade earned in these courses. The co-requisite courses include PSYC 2301 General Psychology, ENGL 1301 Composition I, BIOL 2320/2120 Microbiology for non-science Majors with a lab, and a Language, Philosophy, & Culture/Creative Arts Elective.
Q. Can I substitute College Algebra for Elementary Statistics?
A. If you took College Algebra PRIOR to 2019, yes – a course substitution will be granted.
Q. How can I study for the entrance HESI exams?
A. The Testing Center webpage has listed some excellent study materials for the HESI A2 and Critical Thinking Exams to prepare for the LVN to ADN entrance exam and the recommended study supplies of NCLEX-PN books or apps.
Q. What happens after I turn in my application?
A. Applicants will be ranked according to the point system posted for the ADN program under Admission Requirements and reviewed by the selection committee. Qualified students will be offered conditional acceptance into the ADN program. Upon acceptance of their conditional offer, students will be required to attend an orientation session to learn about the remaining steps to fulfill before the first day of class. This process includes a required background check, a Texas Board of Nursing fingerprint process, a drug test, immunization tracking, a CPR card, and a physical exam.
Q. Can I work while enrolled in the ADN program?
A. The ADN program is a full-time program. Class times vary, but some will begin as early as 6:00 am on clinical days and end as late as 7:00 pm. Classes will meet generally Monday – Thursday; however, Fridays are reserved for open lab practice and remediation testing. Students will spend an average of 20-30 hours each week in class and an additional 20-30 hours of study time each week.