El Centro College Nursing Program Review
El Centro College (ECC) was first opened in 1966, and is the flagship college of the Dallas County Community College District. Its name reflects its central location in downtown Dallas. It is made up of the El Centro Downtown Campus, the Bill J. Priest Campus, and the West Dallas Campus. El Centro enrolls over 9000 students each semester.
El Centro was the first college in the district to offer nursing classes to students. With its established hospital relationships, students will have the opportunity to take their clinical rotations in the finest healthcare facilities in the area.
Nursing Programs
Associate Degree Nursing (ADN)
Students who take this program will graduate with an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. This program is 71 credit hours and takes two years to complete. After graduation, students will be able to take the Registered Nurse (RN) licensing exam (NCLEX).
The ADN program accepts about 60 students each fall and spring at El Centro and also at North Lake College, which is a satellite campus for the program. Students that take their ADN classes at North Lake will receive their degree from El Centro.
To apply to this program, students must first be admitted by El Centro College, take the prerequisite courses, and take the HESI A2 test. The prerequisite courses for the ADN program are Applied Human Anatomy and Physiology I or Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Composition I, College Algebra, Introduction to Psychology, and Basic Health Profession Skills I. Students must have at least a 2.5 GPA, and have earned a C grade or higher in these courses. Students may also take support courses before they are admitted into the nursing program.
Students are assigned points that are used for ranking and admission to the program. The points are assigned based on the GPA of their prerequisites, the GPA of their support courses, their HESI A2 scores, and their previous health care experience.
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) to RN Bridge
LVNs may continue their education, earn their AAS degree, and become licensed RNs through the Bridge program. Students are admitted into this program twice a year.
To be eligible to apply to this program, students must be currently licensed LVNs, and must have at least six months of recent nursing experience. They must also have been admitted to El Centro College, complete the prerequisite courses with grades of at least C, take the HESI A2 exam, have at least a 2.0 GPA, and take the Continuing Education nursing skills and math review course.
The prerequisites for this program are Applied Human Anatomy and Physiology I or Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Composition I, College Algebra, and Basic Health Profession Skills I. These courses must be completed with a GPA of at least 2.5. In addition, students must take Applied Human Anatomy and Physiology II or Human Anatomy and Physiology II, General Microbiology, Developmental Psychology, and Intro to Speech Communications, all completed with a grade of C or better.
Applicants will be rated by point system based on GPA, prerequisite grades, and HESI test scores. Once accepted into the program, students will take three bridge courses concurrently, made up of lecture, skills, and clinical practice. When they successfully complete those courses, they will enter the third semester (second year) of the ADN program. When they finish the program, they will receive an additional 14 credit hours for previous nursing coursework.
Enhanced Skills Certificate – Perioperative Nursing
This two semester internship teaches nurses the theory and skills to care for patients in a surgical setting, with an emphasis on scrub and circulating roles. Students that are current licensed RNs and who are CPR certified are eligible for this program. After completing the internship, students receive an Enhanced Skills Certificate.
Applicants must be admitted to El Centro, submit official transcripts, complete the Physical Examination and Immunizations Record form, show CPR and RN license documentation, and have health insurance. Applicants are admitted into the program on a first come, first served basis.
Vocational Nursing
Students interested in entry level nursing may take this program and earn a certificate of completion. Those who successfully finish will also be eligible to take the licensing exam to become LVNs. About 30 students are admitted to this program each fall semester.
To apply to the Vocational Nursing program, students must have graduated from high school or have a GED, be admitted to El Centro, complete the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements, finish the prerequisite courses, attend an informational session, and take the HESI A2 exam.
The prerequisites for this program are Applied Human Anatomy and Physiology I or Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Composition I, and Introduction to Speech Communications or Fundamentals of Public Speaking. These courses must be completed with a GPA of at least 3.0. It is also recommended that students take Applied Human Anatomy and Physiology II or Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Basic Health Profession Skills I, and Pharmacology for Health Care Professions.
Applicants are selected based on the GPA of their prerequisites, support courses, HESI scores, and prior healthcare experience.
Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)
This program is offered through Continuing Education. To apply, students must score at least 35 on the Test of Adult Basic Education. They must also have a valid photo ID and Social Security card, up to date immunizations, and CPR certification. If they aren’t CPR certified, they will be required to take CPR for the Healthcare Provider during the program.
This program is 60 hours of lecture and lab time, and 40 hours of clinical time. After finishing the program, students are able to take the state skills and written exam for CNAs. Those that pass will be listed on the Texas Certified Nurse Aide Registry.
The Continuing Education department also offers refresher courses for CNAs, LVNs, and RNs.
Contact:
El Centro College
801 Main Street,
Dallas, TX 75202
