Associate Degree Nursing

(Hint:  Clicking on words in blue such as    Nursing Information - Step-by-Step Process    will take you to links with additional information.  Also, the links in the right hand column will allow you to navigate easily through the Nursing web site.)

Become a Registered Nurse

The Associate Degree Nursing program is designed to prepare graduates to give direct patient care in a variety of health care settings. Upon completing the curriculum at NCTC, graduates may apply to write the National Council Licensure Examination administered by the Texas Board of Nursing. After passing the exam, they are ready to begin their careers as Registered Nurses or continue their education toward a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN).

Classes

The Associate Degree Nursing program includes educational and integrated nursing curriculum that assists students in acquiring the knowledge and skills to function as beginning practitioners of nursing.  (See Differentiated Essential Competencies.) Students receive classroom instruction and coordinated clinical experience in the nursing care of clients at local hospitals and community agencies under the supervision and guidance of the nursing faculty. Nursing courses are grouped in progressive levels of complexity and students must successfully complete all course work in one level before progressing to the next. After completing the prerequisite courses, students may enter the generic two year track without prior medical education or the two year Transition to Professional Nursing track with a vocational nursing license (LVN/LPN).  NCTC does not offer a Paramedic to RN track. 

Criminal Background Checks

Anyone who has ever had any kind of criminal offense must get clearance from the Board of Nursing (BON) before applying to the nursing program.   Applicants with offenses should not apply unless they have already received a letter from the BON stating that  upon meeting the requirements for graduation, they would be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.   See the link regarding Criminal Background Checks.

Immunizations

The Texas Department of Health requires that all students enrolled in health-related courses must have completed all vaccinations prior to patient contact.  The Hepatitis B series is administered over a period of 6 months.  The first dose must be obtained no later than February 15th for Fall Admission or July 6th for Spring admission in order to have the series complete prior to beginning the program.  Additional immunizations will be required prior to admission to the nursing program. 

Students who are not currently enrolled at NCTC and are under 30 years of age will need to submit proof of a meningitis vaccine to the Registrar's Office prior to registering for any classes. 

Career Opportunities

Registered nurses provide direct patient care, assess patient's condition, perform treatments and procedures, administer medications, and educate patient and family members. A registered nurse in the North Texas area may expect to earn from $31,700 to $61,100 annually. Many hospitals now desire Bachelor's prepared nurses; therefore, NCTC is partnering with several universities to help their graduates obtain their Bachelor's Degrees in Nursing. 

Where to Begin

Read through the information in all of the links on the nursing web site.  The admission process is the same for the Generic (not already an LVN) applicant and the Transition to Professional Nursing (already an LVN) applicant. 

1.  The best place to begin is the   Nursing Information - Step by Step Process. 

2.  Look at the Associate Degree Nursing Curriculum and determine which courses you still need to take before you will be ready to apply to the actual nursing portion of the program. Enroll in those non-nursing courses.   (Students who are already LVN's will want to check out the Transition to Professional Nursing link).  A BSN Pathway is also available.  

3.  If you have ever been arrested, follow the instructions in the Criminal Background Check  link to start the process for clearance with the Board of Nursing.  This process may take several months to complete.

4.  Attend a Nursing Information Session to help you better understand the process and have an opportunity to ask questions.

5.  Remember that  Hepatitis B is a 6-month series and must be completed before you can enter the program so start the series early. 

6.  When you have completed all of the prerequisite and preferably most of the co-requisite non-nursing courses, figure your Priority Points and  follow the instructions in Applying for the Next Class.       Fill out the Degree Audit/Transcript Evaluation Request form and submit it to the Registrar's Office at least 6-8 weeks prior to applying to the nursing program. 

7.  Prepare for the pre-admission exam (Kaplan - $30 fee)  and start gathering immunizations.  You will want to continue watching the Applying for the Next Class link for updates until classes begin. 

8.  After admission into the program and as classes begin, log into your ANGEL account for additional information from faculty members regarding your classes.

Associate Degree Nursing Program

North Central Texas College

1525 West California Street

Gainesville , Texas   76240 - 4699

Telephone:   940/668-4264

email:   egilpin@nctc.edu