RN San Angelo

Mission

The Associate Degree Nursing program supports the mission of Howard College. The program prepares entry-level professionals to meet the nursing-care needs of the communities it serves through quality, innovative education that supports lifelong learning.

Howard College seeks to serve its 13-county service area by offering an accessible Associate Degree Nursing program. The program supports economic, community, cultural, and personal development through community partnerships, innovative teaching, and student development.

Recognizing the diversity of individual learners, the program is committed to excellence in nursing education through a supportive and caring environment that facilitates personal and professional growth, educational mobility, and lifelong learning.

The mission of the generic and accelerated LVN-to-RN pathways is to prepare professional nurses who are critical thinkers and outstanding providers of evidence-based health promotion, disease prevention, rehabilitation, and care for patients across the lifespan in San Angelo and surrounding areas.

Philosophy

The faculty of the Associate Degree Nursing program, as an integral part of Howard College, accept the purposes and objectives of the college.

The faculty believe each individual possesses worth and dignity and has unique abilities for achieving maximum potential. Individuals have the capacity for growth and the freedom to make choices for which they are accountable. Individuals and society seek balance among mental, social, physical, and spiritual dimensions.

The faculty believe nursing is a practice discipline with a unique body of knowledge based on principles and concepts 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.

Nursing fulfills this goal through communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and the nursing process. Within a dynamic internal and external environment, each individual strives to maintain homeostasis on the wellness-illness continuum through adaptation.

The faculty believe nursing education is a dynamic teaching-and-learning process necessary for implementing the nursing process and developing the clinical, human, economic, and community-relations skills unique to nursing practice. Education is a process of self-realization that incorporates life experiences, knowledge, clinical skills, values, individual potential, and accountability to the profession and society.

Learning is a sequential process that requires problem-solving and the ability to organize information into a meaningful whole. Learning occurs through socialization and change.

Approaches to Learning

1. Learning occurs when a need or problem is encountered. Readiness influences direction and motivates the learner.
2. An atmosphere of mutual respect and trust supports the learning process.
3. Reinforcement of desired behavior through rewards enhances retention.
4. Practice and feedback reinforce desired behavior.
5. Learning occurs when the learner accepts primary responsibility for the learning process. Learning is lifelong.
6. Active involvement allows the learner to participate in problem-solving based on individual life experiences.
7. Learning progresses sequentially and hierarchically.
8. Socialization defines values, attitudes, and behavior patterns considered appropriate by the immediate social environment and continues throughout maturity.

The faculty accept responsibility for assisting and facilitating the educational process through guidance and resources. Faculty establish objectives, organize materials, design learning activities, select content, and evaluate performance in ways that support student learning.

The curriculum incorporates accountability, communication, life processes, safety, and adaptation. Faculty use strategies that foster commitment, accountability, decision-making, problem-solving, and self-awareness. Educating registered nurses who become caregivers, leaders, educators, and members of the healthcare community is a unified faculty goal.

Program Goals

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. The faculty believe nurses attain this goal through communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and the nursing process.

The program outcomes—Critical Thinking, Communication, Skills Competencies, and Professional Growth and Development—are consistent with the Texas Board of Nursing's Differentiated Essential Competencies of Graduates of Texas Nursing Programs.

Critical Thinking and Communication

Prepare graduates to perform safe nursing practice as defined by the Texas Board of Nursing competencies for the Associate Degree Nurse entering practice.

Skills Competencies

Prepare graduates to articulate within the full continuum of nursing practice.

Professional Growth and Development

Encourage graduates to commit to professional growth and continuous self-development.

Employability

• Provide the community with graduates who are eligible to apply for the NCLEX-RN.
• Provide the community with graduates who demonstrate basic nursing-practice knowledge, including referrals, consultation, collaboration, fiscal responsibility, technical skills, and care of clients, families, and healthcare institutions.

Howard College and Nursing Program Values

• Focuses on those we serve: Prepares graduates with foundational nursing knowledge and technical skills for serving clients, families, and healthcare institutions.
• Provides quality, innovative instruction and services: Prepares graduates who are eligible to apply for the NCLEX-RN.
• Uses effective and efficient processes, policies, and procedures: Prepares graduates to practice within the continuum of nursing using Texas Board of Nursing competencies.
• Demands personal and institutional integrity and accountability: Provides an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust.
• Fosters high academic standards and exceptional performance: Encourages professional growth and lifelong learning.
• Values each employee and student: Recognizes the worth, dignity, and unique potential of every individual.

Admission Criteria and Course Requirements

1. Apply to Howard College and complete all general admission requirements.

   Review Howard College application requirements.

2. Maintain good academic and disciplinary standing with Howard College and any transfer institution.
3. View the Health Professions Orientation video on the Health Professions San Angelo homepage. Completion is required for all applicants to San Angelo Health Professions programs.

4. Complete the following prerequisite courses with a grade of C or higher by the application deadline:

   • BIOL 2101 and BIOL 2301 – Anatomy and Physiology I lecture and lab
   • BIOL 2102 and BIOL 2302 – Anatomy and Physiology II lecture and lab
   • BIOL 2120 and BIOL 2320 – Microbiology for Non-Science Majors lecture and lab
   • ENGL 1301 – Composition I

   Note: Additional courses are required for program completion. Because of the intensive nature of the program, students are encouraged to complete as many of these courses as possible before applying. Course timing may affect financial aid eligibility while enrolled in program courses.

5. Complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).

   • Register and pay for the examination through ATI Testing.
   • Contact the Testing Coordinator at 325-481-8300 for scheduling information.
   • The TEAS may be taken once per month, with a maximum of three attempts per admission cycle.
   • The examination must be proctored at an approved testing facility. Online or at-home proctored examinations are not accepted.
   • TEAS scores older than five years are not accepted.
   • Submit the TEAS Individual Performance Profile with your full name clearly visible.
6. Successfully complete a criminal background check through CastleBranch at the time of application.

Application Process

Submit a complete online Health Professions application for the Registered Nursing program along with unofficial transcripts from each college or university attended. Incomplete applications may not be prioritized for review.

Fall application deadline: June 5.

Immunization and Certification Requirements

• Hepatitis B: Two- or three-dose series, or a positive titer.
• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella: Two-dose series or a positive titer.
• Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis: One dose within the last 10 years.
• Varicella: Two-dose series or a positive titer.
• Tuberculosis screening: Required annually.
• Influenza vaccination: Required seasonally.
• Certified Nursing Assistant license: Current proof is required.

Requirements After Acceptance

• Complete an approved American Heart Association or American Red Cross Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers course.
• Pass a 10-panel drug test before beginning clinical rotations.
• Provide documented proof of health insurance.
• Pass a physical examination using the form provided by the program.
• Provide documentation of all required immunizations or an exemption accepted by the clinical facility.

Registered Nursing Program Expenses

The following expenses are in addition to tuition and fees. All amounts are approximate and subject to change.

Current tuition and fee information is available in the Howard College Catalog.

Admission-Related Expenses

• Immunizations: Variable
• Background check: Variable
• CNA course and certification: Variable

Additional Program Expenses

• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers course: Approximately $65, depending on provider
• Physical examination: Variable, depending on health insurance
• 10-panel drug test through CastleBranch: Variable
• Health insurance: Variable
• Annual tuberculosis test: Variable, depending on health insurance
• Annual influenza vaccination: Variable
• Clinical travel expenses: Variable and may include in-town and out-of-town travel

Uniform and Equipment Costs

• Scrubs with a red top and black pants: Approximately $60 per set; at least two sets are required
• Closed-toe and closed-heel shoes: Variable
• Optional lab coat: Approximately $40
• Stethoscope: Variable
• Penlight: Variable
• Bandage scissors: Variable
• Program patch: Approximately $6
• Watch with a second hand: Variable; digital watches and smartwatches are not permitted

Textbooks and Online Programs

• Fall Semester I: Approximately $1,500
• Spring Semester II: Approximately $500
• Fall Semester III: Approximately $250
• Spring Semester IV: Approximately $250

Computer access and printing may be required.

Licensing Expenses During the Final Semester

• NCLEX-RN examination fee: Approximately $200
• Registered Nurse application fee: Approximately $100
• Additional review or preparation products before taking the NCLEX-RN: Variable

Manuel Tobias, MSN, RN

Interim Program Chair – Associate Degree Nursing
Phone: 325-481-8371, ext. 3445
Email: mtobias@howardcollege.edu

Tracey Riddle

Health Professions Coordinator
Phone: 325-481-8371, ext. 3435
Fax: 325-481-8373
Email: triddle@howardcollege.edu