Program of Study

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing (ADN) program is a fast-paced transition program for current LVN licensees.  Upon successful completion of the 12-month transition program requirements, students will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for registered nurses.

In this program, students are offered a variety of hands-on clinical experiences to prepare them for becoming a registered nurse (RN). The ADN Program is considered to be Hybrid learning which means classes are online, with labs and clinicals face to face if environmental conditions allow. Face to face clinical experience is an important part of your nursing education and is required for completion of the Program.

It is important to remember that learning is a process of thinking about and interpreting experiences; therefore, this program builds on previously learned skills and content to validate primary nursing skills while introducing new ones. Anchoring learning in a meaningful context, the program will place an emphasis on the nursing process and the  application of related scientific principles. Using modeling, problem-solving and simulation, the program will create learning experiences for the students that include safety and professional characteristics of the professional nurse. These include ethics, safety, diversity and confidentiality. This program will utilize professional standards and values as illustrated in the Differentiated Essential Competencies (DECS) of Graduates of Texas Nursing Programs.

We will validate primary nursing skills with an emphasis on the integrated processes of the nursing process, caring, communication, documentation, ethics, teaching and learning with application of related scientific principles. Safety and infection control are intersected with physiological and psychosocial integrity. Health assessment and promotion across the lifespan with common health care needs are emphasized.

The courses are sequenced from common to complex and chronic to acute. All theory courses are complemented with clinical opportunities and lab simulation, providing the students with opportunities to critically think and practice in a real-world environment. Courses are designed to assist students in using a systematic approach to clinical decision making and preparation to safely practice professional nursing through the promotion, prevention, rehabilitation, maintenance and restoration of health of individuals of all ages.

The blocked teaching curriculum will enable the student to maintain a holistic,  patient-centered approach to nursing,  layering upon previous knowledge. Addressing the life span with each course will enhance student learning and build upon previous levels of knowledge. As Registered Nurses, our students will provide safe, equitable, evidence-based, patient-centered care, working as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team using technology and informatics to meet our future health care demands in Texas.

Our curriculum is designed to exceed the educational standards and competencies set forth from the Texas Board of Nursing, the National League of Nursing and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Learning and assignments will be consistently aligned with patient case studies and scenarios so students will make the connection between theory and reality. We will partner with other healthcare organizations and academic programs in Texas using common prerequisites and nursing curriculum when possible. Student online learning will be assessed through testing, individual and group participation and course content related activities.

Each semester a schedule with lab, exam and clinical days and times (hours and times may change every semester) will be provided to the student. Experiences vary between semesters and are achieved through lab, clinical simulation and patient care settings. Students are RESPONSIBLE and EXPECTED to check email daily for the entire program (due to possible changes in scheduling). Information to access instructors, including email, is found in each course syllabus and posted in each nursing course within the learning management system.

Generally, classes and clinical experience will be scheduled so that the student shall not exceed 12 hours of class or clinical per day. Clinical experience may be offered during the day, evening, night or weekend shifts to provide a well-rounded, realistic and varied view of registered nurse practice. When in the clinical setting, all students will have 30 minutes for lunch, and two (2) fifteen-minute breaks for clinical 8 hours or greater. Breaks and lunch cannot be taken consecutively and must be arranged with clinical faculty. Hand-off reports to responsible staff will be required when the student leaves the clinical setting. Students will follow the rules of the health care facility as outlined by the facility during the orientation.