Lone Star College System Nursing Program Review
The Lone Star College System (LSCS, LSC) is growing and is now the chief higher education organization in the Houston area. Founded almost forty years ago, LSCS is the fastest growing community college system in the state of Texas. The college system is made up of five colleges located in Cyress, Kingwood, Conroe, Houston and Tomball and nursing programs are offered in four out of the five cities.
LSCS has associate and certification degrees in various subjects and partnerships with several universities. The tuition is affordable and there are several faculties that offer both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. At LSCS, you can use your Nursing courses toward an Associate of Arts academic degree or enter the workforce.
The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) and Transition to Professional nursing for Articulating Students programs are approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.
Selection Criteria For All Programs:
All of the different nursing programs at LSCS have slightly varied application periods throughout the year.Admission to a program is based on the total number of points earned by an applicant, which is based on a scoring sheet.
Students are then ranked according to their scores. If an applicant achieves a high score, then he or she is accepted into a program or potentially placed on another list. If a student is accepted, he or she will be informed of their status via mail. Those applicants placed on the other list will receive a letter of acceptance. If an applicant is not accepted, he or she will then be sent a letter of non-acceptance into the nursing program. There is no waiting list for nursing program at LSCS, but applicants who are not admitted are welcome to re-apply at any time during the application period.
Prior to admission, all applicants must submit a background test, a HESI test, SSI, Hepatitis B and Meningitis (HIB) immunization records, program prerequisites, a clear criminal history, and sign a FERPA. After being admitted to the program, candidates must go through drug screening, a physical exam, an English proficiency test, CPR certification, TB test, MMR, Tdap, and Varicella immunizations and purchase malpractice/liability insurance.
Offerings for Nursing:
Associate of Applied Science Degrees:
LSCS offers four Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees. The curriculum for this degree becomes progressively more difficult, and learning is content-driven in subjects from children and family care to adult health.
Nursing Credit Certificates:
Graduates of the Nursing Credit Certificate are prepared to provide nursing care for clients with an expected diagnosis in various health care settings. This certificate is ideal for students interested a career as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) or a nursing assistant.
Nursing Continuing Education:
Lone Star College offers certificates in both medication aid and nurse’s aid. Additionally, Lone Star has individual course offerings for nursing professionals.
Nursing Bachelor’s Degree:
Upon completion of your initial two years of college coursework at a Lone Start College System campus, students may be interested in continuing education at a university level. Students can also obtain a bachelor’s degree at LSC-University Center and after attaining a bachelor’s degree, students will be far more noticeable to a prospective employer and have an increased earning potential.
Bachelor of Science for Nursing (BSN):
Upon graduation from the Bachelor of Science for Nursing degree (BSN), graduates can take the National Council Licensure Examination and can become licensed for practical nursing. If students are interested in starting their career as a nurse generalist, the BSN is the perfect course. Graduates of the BSN are trained to meet community and state needs for nurses who can assume leadership roles in the delivery of health care. Graduates of the nurse generalist program can go on to take up positions in the field of nursing and continue into further nursing study. If a student is already a registered nurse, he or she is also required to obtain the same prerequisites and requirements as other applicants. However, applicants interested in entering the Registered Nurse – Bachelor of Science for Nursing (RN-BSN) degree are only admitted for the Fall semester.
In order to apply to the BSN program as an RN, applicants must have completed all pre-clinical requirements with a minimum “C” grade, and a GPA of 2.50.2. Applicants must also documentation proving he or she is licensed to practice nursing in Texas and have an associate degree in nursing from a Texas nursing associate degree program. Applicants must also prove employment in nursing of at least six months full-time, or part time for one year. Alternatively, applicants must prove he or she has been enrolled in a refresher course with a clinical module within the last two years.
Nursing Master’s Degree:
LSC-University Center also has several master’s degrees available at six partner institutions. Interested students should have already earned a bachelor’s degree. A master’s degree is obligatory for some management positions in nursing as well as teaching at a college level.
Contact:
Lone Star College System
Campuses:
Kingwood:
20000 Kingwood Drive
Kingwood, TX 77339
281-312-1600
Montgomery:
3200 College Park Drive
Conroe, TX 77384
936-273-7000
North Harris:
2700 W.W. Thorne Drive
Houston, TX 77073-3499
281-618-5400
Tomball:
30555 Tomball Parkway
Tomball, TX 77375
281-351-3300