Big Spring Transition LVN to RN Program
PLEASE NOTE: THE BIG SPRING TRANSITION (LVN TO RN) PROGRAM IS OFFERED TWICE PER YEAR WITH ENTRY IN EITHER THE SUMMER OR SPRING.
NEW – APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 1 AND OCTOBER 1
TRANSITION PACKET NOW AVAILABLE
The Transition Associate Degree Nursing Program is a 12-month program that has been developed for the currently licensed Vocational Nurse. The lecture portion of this program is performed in the online learning environment. The program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The program at Howard College, 1001 Birdwell Lane in Big Spring, TX, is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326. Phone # (404) 975-5000 https://www.acenursing.org/. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate degree nursing program is Continuing Accreditation. The students who enter this program are Vocational Nurses who have recently completed their VN requirements or who have been practicing a year or, in some cases many years, and who wish to further their education and become a Registered Nurse. The Vocational Nurse who is admitted to this program will take a Transition Nursing course in the first semester, and upon successful completion of this class will merge with the second-year generic ADN students. Some of our ADN students take advantage of our articulation agreements with Texas Universities and go on to earn their BSN degree.
- Step 1: Apply to Howard College
- Step 2: Nursing Application
- Step 3: Required Pre-Requisite Courses:
PSYCH 2314 Life Span Growth and Development
*BIOL 2301 Anatomy and Physiology I (lecture)
*BIOL 2101 Anatomy and Physiology I (lab)
BIOL 2302 Anatomy and Physiology II (lecture)
BIOL 2102 Anatomy and Physiology II (lab)
*BIOL 2320 Microbiology for Non-Science Majors (lecture)
*BIOL 2120 Microbiology for Non-Science Majors (lab)
*Courses must be completed before Summer II.
LVN Unencumbered License or Official Transcript of LVN program if waiting to take NCLEX.
+Official college transcripts are required for courses taken other than at Howard College.
- Step 4: Take the TEAS exam. You will register for this at https://www.atitesting.com/teas/register. Please contact the testing center at Howard College 432-264-5637 or visit howardcollege.edu/testing/testing-bigspring for more information and to schedule. TEAS scores not taken at Howard College will be accepted from ATI and must be submitted with the application.
- Step 5: Other Required Documents:
Immunizations:
Hepatitis B Three Shots OR a positive titer.
Measles (MMR) Two doses OR a positive titer. Varicella Two doses OR a positive titer.
Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) One dose required within the last 10 year
+ Influenza and TB once accepted into the program. All vaccines once accepted will be uploaded to Castle Branch code (HQ91im)
Background:
Successful completion of a background clearance through castle branch @ https://portal.castlebranch.com/HH80/package-selection. (HQ91bg) prior to acceptance.
In addition, all applicants must review TX BON Licensure Eligibility prior to acceptance @ https://www.bon.texas.gov/licensure_eligibility.asp. It is mandatory to have a clearance letter/blue card prior to completion of the Nursing Program. Responding NO when the answer is YES may result in program dismissal.
Once selected must show proof of BLS card (American Heart Association- Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers) contact 432-264-5649 for more information, copy of health insurance card, copy of driver’s license, physical exam (form to be provided) and TB/PPD test.
Nursing has been an integral part of Howard College’s history for over fifty years. The LVN program at the college began in 1958. The Associate Degree program began in January of 1976. The Big Spring Campus hosts a LVN, RN, and Transition program. The LVN program has a branch at the San Angelo campus as well. Since June 2003, the didactic portion of the second year of the RN program has taken place in the online learning environment.
Clinical rotations for all programs are excellent and varied. We are fortunate to have Affiliation Agreements with many hospitals and clinics in Big Spring, San Angelo, and the surrounding areas.
~Florence Nightingale, 1914
We, the faculty, believe nursing is a practice discipline with a unique body of knowledge based on principles and concepts derived from the sciences and humanities. The goal of nursing as a caring profession is to assist individuals, families, and communities in health promotion, maintenance and restoration throughout the life process.
These expenses in addition to tuition and fees are approximate only and are subject to change.
Cost information, Please contact Financial Aid for more information regarding tuition and fees.
Tuition and Fees for each semester can be found in the Howard College Catalog.
Scholarship Opportunities
Please use the following link to apply for scholarships-
https://howardcollege.edu/students/financial-aid-and-scholarships/scholarships/
Fees Associated with Admission:
- Immunizations – Variable
- Background Check –Variable
- CNA Course/Certification – Variable
In addition to tuition/fees assessed from the college, the following approximate additional fees are the responsibility of the student and are subject to change:
- Basic Life Support Class for Health Care Providers (CPR) – $56 depending on where you take it.
- Physical Exam – Variable depending on health insurance
- Drug Test-$45
- Health Insurance – Variable
- TB Test (PPD) annually – Variable depending on health insurance
- Flu Shot annually –Variable
- Clinical Travel Expenses (in and out of town) – Variable
Uniforms:
- Scrubs –$60 for each set (each student will need at least 2 sets of scrubs) (variable)
- Closed Toe/Heel Shoes – Variable
- Lab coats are optional – $40 (variable)
- Stethoscope – Variable
- Penlight – Variable
- Bandage Scissors – Variable
- Program Patch – $6
- Watch with a second hand (not digital or smartwatch) – Variable
Textbooks and Online Testing Programs: (prices are variable and estimates for each program)
LVN Approximately
- $1500
RN Approximately
- $2000
Transition Approximately
- $1500
Computer access/availably and printing often required
Licensing Expenses during Final Semester:
- NCLEX Exam Fee – $200
- TX BON Application Fee – $100
- Additional Reviews or products prior to taking NCLEX – Variable
Luci Gabehart MSN, RN, CNE
Dean of Health Professions- Howard College- Big Spring
ADN Director
432-264-5074
lgabehart@howardcollege.edu
Natalie Franco BSN, RN
LVN Program Director- Howard College- Big Spring
432-264-5136
nfranco@howardcollege.edu
Malinda Pope
Administrative Assistant to Health Professions
432-264-5070