Nursing also has an academic transfer program.


Program Options:
AAS - Nursing
LVN / Paramedic Bridge to the AAS - Nursing Program
ESC - Healthcare Case Management
MSAA - Certified Nurse Assistant



Collin’s Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program prepares students to make application to the Texas Board of Nursing for licensure as a registered nurse. The nursing curriculum is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). Students must meet eligibility requirements for licensure as established by the Texas Board of Nursing. If an individual has reason to believe he/she is ineligible for licensure, he/she may petition the board for a declaratory order. This should be done prior to entering the program. Contact the Program Director for further information.

Collin County healthcare facilities enthusiastically support the ADN program. Several healthcare facilities throughout the Metroplex are used for the clinical experience. The role of the nurse continues to change in an evolving healthcare system.

Students planning to transfer to a college or university should check with the Collin academic advisor prior to beginning this program to verify course transferability.

For students interested in transferring to a BSN program, please see the Associate of Arts - Nursing Field of Study.


FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES / CORE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS STATEMENT
After initial acceptance to this program, all students are required to meet specific functional abilities - with or without accommodations - for successful completion of the program and to function safely and effectively in the variety of the profession’s settings. The specific functional requirements are found in the Functional Abilities / Core Performance Standards documents provided in the program information on the Nursing website www.collin.edu/nursing. Students who think they may not be able to meet the functional standards and need accommodation are encouraged to contact the college ACCESS department as soon as this program is of interest.


ACCREDITATION
The Nursing Program is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. They may be contacted at:
     3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 500
     Atlanta, GA 30326
     404.975.5000
    www.nlac.org

SCHOLARSHIPS
Various scholarships are available to students when they have been accepted into the Nursing Program. Most scholarships are awarded based on financial need. Other types of monetary support are available through the college’s Financial Aid Office.


ADDITIONAL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
Admission to the Nursing Program is selective. Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the Nursing Program. Registration is by permission only. Information and applications may be obtained from the Program Director, the Health Sciences, Emergency Services and Physical Education Office or the Nursing website: www.collin.edu/nursing.

Placement in mathematics and English courses is based upon the results of each student’s assessments and subjects completed before admission.



AAS – Nursing
72 credit hours

LVN / Paramedic Bridge Program

The LVN / Paramedic Bridge Program at Collin College is designed for individuals who are currently either an LVN or a Paramedic with a minimum of one year experience. The bridge program enables these individuals to be able to fast track through the generic nursing program based upon their previous clinical experiences and ability to demonstrate knowledge in theory and competency of clinical skills.

The LVN / Paramedic Bridge Program has two Tracks. One which enables the student to bridge to the second semester of the nursing program (Track I) and the other which enables the student to bridge the entire first year of the generic nursing program (Track II). All LVN / Paramedic Bridge students must be eligible for admission into the nursing program according to the point system used for selection. A minimum of 11 points must be achieved.

Track I students, after demonstrating eligibility, will then take the Nursing Accelerated Challenge Exam (NACE) – PN to RN. Upon successful completion of the exam, the LVN / Paramedic will then be allowed to demonstrate their competency on first semester nursing skills: vital signs, physical assessment, glucose monitoring, medication administration – except intravenous medications, and sterile dressing changes. The student will then take RNSG-1227 (Transition to Professional Nursing). Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be given credit for RNSG-1219 and
RNSG-1523. The first semester clinical course (RNSG-1360) will be waived based upon the individual’s previous experiences as either an LVN or Paramedic. If the student is unsuccessful in any of the requirements, then they can apply to the generic nursing program and will need to compete with the applicant pool for selection into the nursing program.

Track II students must successfully complete all elements of Track I. If their previous work history indicates experiences in medical / surgical and mental health, the student will be allowed to challenge the second semester of the nursing program. The student will need to successfully complete two exams: Nursing Care of Adults I and Comprehensive Psychiatric Nursing. Upon successful completion of the exams, the LVN / Paramedic will then be allowed to demonstrate their competency on second semester nursing skills: catheterization, nasogastric tube insertion, intravenous starts, intravenous medications, and oxygen therapy / suctioning / tracheostomy care. Upon successful completion of both the exams and the skills, the student will be given credit for RNSG-1229 and RNSG-2504. The second clinical course (RNSG-1461) will be waived based upon the individual’s previous experiences as either an LVN or Paramedic. If the student is unsuccessful in any of the Track II requirements, then the individual is eligible to continue as a Track I student.

Nursing Bridge for LVN /Paramedic
67 credit hours

ENHANCED SKILLS CERTIFICATE
The Enhanced Skills Certificate in Healthcare Case Management is designed to introduce students to the practice and specialized topics concerning healthcare case management. The certificate targets practicing nurses, social workers, respiratory therapists or other healthcare professionals by teaching a multifaceted healthcare case management approach focusing on the coordination and integration of the direct delivery of patient services. The certificate also includes utilization management, medical necessity and the effective and efficient utilization of healthcare resources. The case management process presented explores how the cost and quality components of healthcare services and patient care are balanced by achieving acceptable optimal outcomes while managing cost of care. Course topics explored include the historical perspective of healthcare delivery, the evolution of case management, the roles and models of case management, case management concepts, case management practice including health promotion and illness prevention, disease management, education, referrals, consultation, and collaboration. Exercises with contrived  cases give students the opportunity to practice what they have learned.

ESC - Healthcare Case Management ¹
9 credit hours

MSAA - Certified Nurse Assistant
14 credit hours

Note: The second digit in a course number indicates the number of credit hours
for that course.