LVN - ADN Transition Program Preparation for RN (AAS)

This twelve-month program provides a transition track into the ADN program. It is designed specifically for applicants who are already licensed vocational nurses (LVN) who wish to make the transition to the ADN program. The graduate of the WCJC LVN-ADN Transition program is prepared to meet the differentiated essential competencies (DECs) at the associate degree level as defined by the Texas Board of Nursing in four (4) major roles: member of the profession, provider of patient-centered care, patient safety advocate, and member of the health care team. General education courses as well as nursing courses are included in the curriculum and are transferable to many four-year colleges that offer baccalaureate degrees in nursing.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are qualified to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON).

The LVN-ADN Transition program has a limited enrollment. Admission to the program is by a competitive ranking process.

Applicants are accepted for Wharton campus only to begin in summer.

Application packet is published online in September.

• Application packet deadline is the third Wednesday of January.

Application/Admission Requirments

1. Application and current admission to WCJC.
2. Must have all components of Texas Success Initiative (TSI) satisfied prior to application.
3. Complete application to the LVN-ADN Transition program.
4. If applicant has attended any institution other than WCJC, the applicant must request a transcript evaluation through the Office of Admissions and Registration. This must be completed at least one month prior to the application deadline. (Office of Admissions and Registration must have official transcript from each college attended.)
5. A copy of transcript from each college, including WCJC, must be included with the LVN-ADN Transition program application packet.
6. Admission Test: 
   ​TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills)
   1. Applicants with a minimum score of 70% in Reading, 70% in Math, and 70% in Science will receive application points. Applicants may retake any section to achieve the 70%.
   2. All exam component results must be within two (2) years.
7. Must have the following courses completed prior to application deadline with a grade of “C” or higher and an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher in prerequisite courses. There is no time frame on prerequisite courses.
   1. BIOL 2401 - Anatomy & Physiology I  
   2. BIOL 2402 - Anatomy & Physiology II  
   3. BIOL 2420 - Microbiology  
   4. ENGL 1301 - Composition I  
   5. PSYC 2301 - General Psychology  
   6. PSYC 2314 - Life Span Growth & Development  
   7. Humanities/Fine Arts Elective, per WCJC catalog
8. Proof of current Texas licensure as a LVN in good standing.
9. Hepatitis B vaccination series began by November 15^th, if not done previously. Applicant must submit proof of completion of the series in the application packet.
10. Statement of Student Responsibility completed and signed.
11. Letter of Good Standing: If you have previously enrolled in any nursing program, you must provide a letter from the program director stating you are a student in good standing and are eligible for readmission to that program.
12. Must have all components of application packet complete and turned in by deadline to be processed for admission.

Competitive Ranking Process

Acceptance to the LVN-ADN Transition program is a competitive ranking process based on points awarded for designated criteria. Meeting all the criteria does not guarantee anyone admission to the program.

Criteria for points include, but not limited to:

1. Proof of completion of prerequisite courses by the stated deadline. Grade must be a “C” or higher and an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher in prerequisite courses.
   1. BIOL 2401 - Anatomy & Physiology I  
   2. BIOL 2402 - Anatomy & Physiology II  
   3. BIOL 2420 - Microbiology  
   4. ENGL 1301 - Composition I  
   5. PSYC 2301 - General Psychology  
   6. PSYC 2314 - Life Span Growth & Development  
   7. Humanities/Fine Arts Elective, per WCJC catalog
2. TEAS examination results with minimum of 70% in Reading, 70% in Math, and 70% in Science.
3. Proof of completion of specific course work toward a RN-BSN transition program with minimum grade of “C”.
   1. ENGL 1302 - Composition II  
   2. MATH 1342 - Elementary Statistical Methods  
   3. HIST 1301 - United States History I  
   4. HIST 1302 - United States History II  
   5. GOVT 2305 - Federal Government (Federal Constitution & Topics)  
   6. GOVT 2306 - Texas Government (Texas Constitution & Topics)  
   7. SPCH 1315 - Public Speaking  or
      SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication  
   8. CHEM 1405 - Introductory Chemistry I  or
      CHEM 1411 - General Chemistry I  
   9. Humanities/Fine Arts Elective, per WCJC catalog
   10. BIOL 1322 - Nutrition & Diet Therapy  
   11. PHED 1164 - Introduction to Physical Fitness & Wellness  or
       PSYC 1300 - Learning Framework /EDUC 1300 - Learning Framework  

Conditional Acceptance - Notification Letters

Utilizing the point award ranking process, a ranked list is generated from the applications which met the above criteria. Conditional acceptance, alternate conditional acceptance letters, and non-acceptance letters are emailed. Please ensure to provide a valid email address when applying to the program. Applicants who receive conditional acceptance letters and/or alternate conditional acceptance letters must respond by the stated deadline. If potential applicant declines, an alternate is placed into the opening.

Full Acceptance

Full acceptance to the LVN-ADN Transition program is contingent upon the applicant complying with the following:

1. Must attend LVN-ADN Transition mandatory orientation.
2. Must receive eligibility approval from Texas Board of Nursing (BON) to take the NCLEX-RN without any restrictions or conditions.
   1. Applicant will be required to have a FBI/DPS fingerprinting and criminal background check completed. Instructions for obtaining the fingerprinting and background check are provided after the applicant has responded to the conditional acceptance or alternate letter.
   2. If there is something in the background check that cannot be resolved by the mandatory program orientation date, the applicant will not be able to begin the program. Once the issue is resolved and the applicant has received approval from the BON without any restrictions or conditions, applicant is eligible to reapply to the program.
   3. Cost of the background check is at the applicant’s expense; cost is approximately $55.00.
3. Must create a Castle Branch account and upload all documentation. Instructions for creating the Castle Branch account are provided after the applicant has received their background check back from the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). The following information must be uploaded into the Castle Branch account once completed:
   1. Must complete health data form which is provided to the student.
   2. Must provide titers showing immunity for the following immunizations:
      1. Hepatitis B
      2. Varicella
      3. MMR (measles, mumps, rubella
   3. Must provide documentation showing proof of required immunizations.
      1. Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (Tdap) adult dose within the last ten years
      2. Hepatitis B series
      3. MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
      4. Varicella
      5. Flu vaccine (current season)
   4. Must provide documentation of annual TB skin test (positive results will require followup).
   5. Must provide copy of current CPR certification by the American Heart Association in Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers.
4. Upon full acceptance to the LVN-ADN Transition program, a Petition for Credit form must be completed by the applicant and approved by the Program Director, appropriate Dean, Registrar, and Vice President of Instruction before credit for prior LVN courses is granted. A fee of $32.00 per credit hour (12 SCH) will be required.

Drug Screen

Drug screens are scheduled at random intervals during the program. Drug screens must initially be negative and remain negative to continue in the program. If results are positive at any time, student is dismissed from the program. Refusal to submit to a drug screen will result in dismissal from the program. Cost of the drug screen is at the student’s expense; cost is approximately $50.00 each screening.

Sequential Curriculum

The grading scale for the Associate Degree Nursing program is as follows:

A = 90 - 100
B = 80 - 89
C = 75 - 79
D = 65 - 74
F = below 65

The curriculum of the LVN-ADN Transition program is sequential; therefore, a student must achieve a minimum grade of 75 in each nursing course to receive credit for the course and progress to the next sequence of courses.

Expenses/Fees

WCJC Prior Learning Assessment fee of $32 per credit hour (12 SCH).

Estimated costs of tuition, textbooks, fees, diagnostic tests, uniforms, insurance, supplies (laboratory and simulation), equipment, and graduation expenses are approximately $7,900 for in-district students and $9,300 for out-of-district students for the program.

Scholarships are available, and applicants may contact the Financial Aid Office for information. Applicants should sign up for FAFSA to be eligible for financial aid.