Transition From Vocational To Professional Nursing

Total Credit Hours: 41

Microbiology, Developmental Psychology, Composition I: 2 of these 3 must be completed prior to entering the program. The Humanities or Fine Arts elective may be taken prior to the semester indicated but no later than the semester in which it is  listed. All coursework must be completed with a "C" or better. Failure to successfully complete the Clinical Math Exams will result in a clinical failure and dismissal from the nursing program. Students must also complete a state mandated jurisprudence exam with a score of 75 in order to take the NCLEX-RN.

Graduation & NCLEX for Licensure

CREDIT HOUR NOTE: You can tell easily how many hours of credit a particular course is worth by looking at the course identification number. The second digit in this four-digit number gives the semester-credit-hour value of the course. For example, the English course ENGL1301 is worth three (3) hours credit, and the Microbiology course BIOL2420 is worth four (4) hours of credit. One lecture hour is equivalent to one credit hour. A 2:1 ratio is used in determining lab hours to credit hours and a 3:1 ratio is used in determining clinical hours. Each credit hour of lecture equals 50 contact minutes per week. A four (4) credit hour clinical course of 256 fifty-minute contact hours (240 sixty-minute clock hours) generally results in a clinical course that meets for two consecutive eight-hour days each week for 15 weeks during both the fall and spring semesters. See catalog course descriptions for the number of hours of lecture, laboratory, and clinical hours required for each course.

Students with prior vocational nursing experience and training may apply for admission to RNSG1227: Transition to Professional Nursing. Students will also take RNSG1300 Health Assessment Across the Lifespan during their first semester. All Students seeking admission to the transition course are expected to be competent in basic nursing skills.

Students should also understand that they must complete all academic courses required of other ADN students. Completing the majority of all non-nursing courses prior to entrance will be to the student’s advantage for acceptance into the program.

After successful completion of this first semester, transition students would then take the Minimester Psychiatric clinical and the Second Year courses as listed on the previous page. Traditional transition students should be able to complete the program in two years. An online/hybrid transition track option begins each Fall. Application deadline is May 1 - June 1. See the nursing website for details.

Admission Process : Transition students must follow the same admission process as beginning students. Documentation of current licensure as a vocational/practical nurse is required.

NOTE: See the Transition link on the nursing web site for additional options.

About Transfer Credit

Admission by Transfer is considered on a space available basis. Applicants must meet all requirements of the nursing program in addition to those of North Central Texas College. All college credits from other institutions will be evaluated on an individual basis to determine their possible application to the nursing curriculum requirements. A letter grade of “C” (75) or better is required for transfer for all previous nursing courses and academic support courses. Students who have not been academically successful in other nursing programs will not be considered for transfer. Previous nursing courses must be from an accredited program of nursing. A transfer will not be considered if the student has missed a full semester of enrollment in a nursing program. The student must submit:

1. A letter stating the reason for transfer.
2. Course descriptions and/or course syllabi for previous nursing courses.
3. Resume of previous clinical experience to include documentation of skills provided by the faculty of the transferring school.
4. Letter of recommendation from the Department Head of the school from which the applicant is transferring.

Students will be evaluated on an individual basis by the Program Coordinator to determine their level of entry.