Associate Degree Nursing Programs

www.wc.edu/nursing

Dr. Marvella Starlin, RN Program Director
Business Building (BUSI), Ste. 104
817-598-6309 • mstarlin@wc.edu

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

The Weatherford College Associate Degree Nursing program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). The board may be reached at the George W Bush State office Buildings at 1801 Congress Ave. Ste 10-200, Austin, TX 78701; phone: 512-305-7400. The nursing curriculum plan is approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. ACEN may be reached at 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia 30326, phone: 404-975-5000.

The Associate Degree Nursing program is a curriculum comprised of four semesters of nursing courses offering classroom, laboratory, sim, and clinical learning experience and an additional semester of academic coursework to be taken as prerequisites for admission to the program. The Main campus evening program and Wise County Campus offer a Fast Tract program option with sequential semesters completing the program one semester earlier than the main campus day program. The course of study is comprised of 60 semester credit hours and is designed to prepare the graduate to meet the Essential Competencies of Graduates of Texas Associate Degree Nursing Programs functioning within the roles of Member of the Profession, Provider of Patient-Centered Care, Patient Safety Advocate and Member of the Healthcare Team. Registered nurses prepared at the associate degree level possess a high degree of technical nursing skills and apply scientific principles to all nursing care. Graduates of an associate degree nursing program may continue their education at Weatherford College to earn a bachelor’s degree. Individuals interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing via an RN-BSN track may complete all required academic coursework for this track at the community college level. Individuals interested in the RN-BSN track may contact the ADN program or Weatherford College Student Services to receive academic advising for sequencing of courses to enable the individual to obtain “BSN academic core complete” status to combine with successful completion of the Associate Degree Nursing Program. This combination will render the individual eligible to obtain the BSN degree through completion of only 30 more credits of bachelor degree-level nursing coursework at multiple universities. Further, the individual interested in this track can be advised in early acceptance steps to facilitate seamless transition. All nursing courses must be taken in sequence. Students may choose to complete any of the general education courses prior to enrolling in the program or at any time prior to the required semester, but not later than sequentially required.

Students completing this curriculum receive the Associate of Applied Science degree and are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The Texas Board of Nursing determines eligibility for licensure. In order to minimize potential problems nursing graduates might experience in obtaining a nursing license, it is important to understand the licensing process. Schools of nursing do not have the power to grant licensure for the registered nurse (RN). The nursing program has full accreditation by the Texas Board of Nursing to provide education and training which qualifies a student to take the state licensing examination.

CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO INELIGIBILITY FOR STATE LICENSURE

The Texas Board of Nursing has identified certain circumstances that may render a potential candidate ineligible for licensure as a registered nurse in the State of Texas. The board provides individuals the opportunity to petition the board for a Declaratory Order as to their eligibility in accordance with Section 301.257 of the Nursing Practice Act.

If you are required to answer “yes” to any of the following questions, contact the Associate Degree Nursing director for further instructions. Processing a petition may take 6 to 12 months, or longer, after you provide all required documentation and depending on your circumstances. Once all requested documents have been received, you will be notified that the petition has been transferred to the Enforcement Department for review.

  1. In the past 5 years, been addicted to and/or treated for the use of alcohol or any other drug?
  2. For any criminal offense, including those pending appeal, have you:
    •  been convicted of a misdemeanor?
    • been convicted of a felony?
    • pled nolo contendere, 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 or prison time, or court-ordered confinement?
    • been granted pre-trial diversion?
    • been arrested or any pending criminal charges?
    • 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 may only exclude Class C misdemeanor traffic violations.)

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. It is recommended that you submit a copy of the Court Order expunging or sealing the record in question to our office with your application. Nondisclosure of relevant offenses raises questions related to truthfulness and character.

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


     3. 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 disciplined, any other professional or occupational license, certificate, nurse aide registration or multistate privilege to practice that you held?
     4. Are you currently suffering from any condition for which you are not being appropriately treated that impairs your judgment or that would otherwise adversely affect your ability to practice nursing in a competent, ethical, and professional manner?
     5. Are you currently the target or subject of a grand jury or governmental agency investigation?
     6. Are you currently a participant in an alternate to discipline, diversion, or 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.

     7. 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.

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. 

An individual enrolled or planning to enroll in a basic nursing program who has reason to believe that he/she is ineligible for licensure must petition the board for a declaratory order as to his/her eligibility. The individual must submit a petition on forms provided by the board which includes:

  1. a statement by the individual indicating the reason(s) and basis of potential ineligibility;
  2. if the potential ineligibility is due to criminal conviction, any court documents including, but not limited to, any indictments, judgments, probation records and evidence of completion of probation, if applicable;
  3. if the potential ineligibility is due to mental illness (which is defined as an illness, disease, or condition which either substantially impairs the person’s thought processes, perception of reality, emotional stability, judgment, or behavior), evidence of evaluation, including a prognosis, by a psychologist or psychiatrist, evidence of treatment, including any medication;
  4. if the potential ineligibility is due to chemical dependency including alcohol, evidence of evaluation and treatment, after care and support group attendance; and
  5. the required non-refundable fee of $39.00 (money order or cashier’s check) made payable to the Texas Board of Nursing.

The Associate Degree Nursing program reserves the right to change the curriculum and program policies as deemed necessary for the maintenance of a high quality education. Policies regarding advanced placement, dismissal, probation, class and clinical attendance, malpractice insurance, grading and readmission are available in the Associate Degree Nursing Student Handbook.

The program and courses within the program are subject to approval and changes mandated by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Board of Nursing.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE IN NURSING

  1. Completion of entrance requirements for the Associate Degree Nursing program;
  2. Sixty semester hours of credit as prescribed by the Associate Degree Nursing Curriculum Outline Course of Study;
  3. An overall minimum GPA of 2.0 in all courses presented for graduation with a grade of 78 or better in nursing courses; and “C” or better in all non-nursing courses;
  4. Student must meet Weatherford College TSI (Texas Success Initiative) requirements.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING LVN TO ADN TRANSITION TRACK

The course of study is comprised of 48 semester credit hours and upon completion of the curriculum; students will be awarded a total of 12 credits for previous LVN courses, to complete the 60 credit A.A.S Degree in Nursing. The prerequisite non-nursing courses must be completed or in progress before making application to the ADN program. All admission requirements relevant to the ADN program must be met in order to be accepted into RNSG 1324. Additionally, work experience as an LVN and proof of licensure as a Licensed Vocational Nurse in the State of Texas is required. Applications for admission to the main campus day program Summer LVN-RN Transition program track are accepted each year from the first business day in December through the last business day in February. Applications for admission to the Spring LVN-RN Transition program track at the main campus evening and Wise Campus day programs are accepted each year from the first business day in May through the last business day in September.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Admission requirements considered include the following:

  1. Submit Weatherford College application and official transcripts to the office of student affairs.
  2. Submit Health Science application with transcripts (unofficial will be accepted) and TEAS scores to the nursing office.
  3. Completion of all prerequisite courses with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and no individual prerequisite course grade lower than a “C”. The prerequisite non-nursing courses must be completed or in progress before making application to the ADN program.
  4. Completion of the TEAS entrance exam with a minimum score of 70% on the reading comprehension section.  Additionally, the Adjusted Individual Total Score must be 65.6% or better.
  5. Submit proof of first Hepatitis B immunization.
  6. Submit proof of residency (copy of drivers licence or bill receipt).
  7. If LVN, submit proff of LVN License printed from BON website.

Applications are accepted the first business day in December through the last business day in March each year for fall admission to the ADN program and the first business day of May through the last business day in September each year for the spring admission to the ADN Program.  Microbiology and anatomy & physiology courses MUST have been taken within five years prior to admission. Exceptions to this rule may be granted based on applicant successful passing of additional testing. For further information contact ADN Administrative Assistant or Director.

Once selected for admission to the program, the student MUST:

  1. complete a criminal background check.
  2. obtain a TB screening test or chest x-ray, a urine drug screen and a health screen.
  3. submit records of up-to-date immunizations of T-dap, MMR and Varicella.
  4. submit proof of major medical health insurance.
  5. provide proof of current AHA Health Care Provider CPR.
  6. provide proof of receipt of two Hepatitis B vaccinations and a positive titer demonstrating sero-conversion or all three Hepatitis B vaccinations is required prior to the first clinical day of the first semester. Proof that this process is in progress must be given when the student attends initial orientation into the program.
  7. obtain nursing liability insurance (purchased through Weatherford College).

Before being accepted into the Associate Degree Nursing Program an applicant whose native language* is not English must submit an acceptable score on the TOEFL iBT with the application. Additional information may be obtained from the Health Science Department. (*-A native language is a language that is acquired naturally during childhood & is usually spoken at home, as opposed to a language that is learned later in life, for example, as a part of a person’s formal education.) Acceptable TOEFL Scores are:

  • A score of 20 or greater is required on the Speaking Skills Component.
  • A composite score of 83 or greater is required.
  • Four scaled section scores in Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing are required.
    • Information on methods of obtaining the above criteria will be available to the student upon acceptance to the program.

Selection into the nursing program:

Admission is competitive due to the limited number of slots, and is open to qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, or disability.  Students will be selected based on the number of points earned. Points are awarded for grades earned in academic courses, academic courses in progress, and TEAS scores. For further information about points earned contact the Nursing Department Secretary or Program Director. The potential applicant is strongly encouraged to use study materials to prepare for the TEAS entrance exam, to optimize scoring potential. Contact the Academic Support Center for further information about tutorial assistance and other available preparatory materials.

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