Admission Requirements

Admission into the ADN Program is selective and screened through a selection process bi-annually for the traditional track ADN students and annually for the LVN to RN track students; and 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 below. Please click on the Admission Rubric in the left banner under forms to locate a fillable form for you to input your grades and HESI scores to calculate your admission score. The admission committee will utilize this same form to rank student candidates for the ADN program.

The next application deadline will be in Fall 2021. Per the Texas Board of Nursing Board Order to open the ADN program, the first cohort admitted in Fall 2019 must complete the curriculum, graduate, and pass the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. For questions, please call the Nursing Office at 956-295-3576

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). TSC Enrollment Checklist
2. Traditional ADN applicants will complete the HESI A2 assessment test and Critical Thinking exam. The HESI A2 entrance exam is a standardized exams to assess skill level in Math, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Anatomy & Physiology and Critical Thinking exam assesses problem solving, biases, and ethical dilemmas, argument analysis, and analysis of data.
3. LVN to ADN applicants will compete 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, 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, as well as a remediation packet prior to 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 & Physiology, and Vocabulary), as well as 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 each section of the exam (Fundamentals, Medical-Surgical, Professional Issues, and Psychiatric/Mental Illness), as well as a minimum of 800 on composite score for the exam.

**The LVN to ADN entrance exam covers content on Pediatric and Maternity which will reflect in the composite score, but will not be individually ranked.
The HESI entrance requirement must have been completed within 12 months on the application deadline.

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

2. Overall GPA of 2.5 from all completed college courses applicable to the nursing degree plan.  Only grades of “C” or higher are accepted.
3. 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.
4. Completion of pre-requisites, BIOL 2301, BIOL 2101, MATH 1342, BIOL 2302, and BIOL 2102, with a “C” or better.
5. Biology pre-requisite courses must have been taken within five years prior to entering the nursing program. 
6. LVN applicants will need to submit their LVN License and proof of consecutive employment for the last 6 months in direct patient care.
7. Complete Essential Physical Competency form.

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

Applicants will be notified by mail whether they have been or have not been selected into the program.  Requirements after acceptance into the TSC ADN program are:

1. Submit 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 on 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, current CPR.   See the Immunization Record in your application. If your immunizations cannot be completed by enrollment date, you will need to re-apply for the following admission cycle.  (Hepatitis B takes 6 months to complete the series).

   NOTE:  You will need proof of actual immunizations or titer to upload in our immunization document tracker prior to your first clinical day. 

4. Submit current proof American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (CPR).
5. Consent to both 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 a driver’s license prior to clinical rotations (you will upload these documents in Castle Branch after mandatory orientation).
8. LVN applicants will need to check off on all required nursing skills in the first two years of the program prior to admission.

*All documents submitted become property of the College upon receipt.  All information contained in the application is to be true 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 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 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 which 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 the 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 provisions of the law may be applicable relating to the consequences of criminal conviction.

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