ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS JANUARY 2, 2013 THROUGH DEADLINE 12:00 NOON JANUARY 31, 2013

Steps to Apply:

1. If you are not already a student at TSTC : Apply for general acceptance to TSTC Harlingen by submission of Admission Application. Applicants may apply via the TSTC website: http://www.harlingen.tstc.edu/. Request official sealed copy of your high school transcript or your GED diploma to the Admissions and Records Office. If you received your GED in Texas and need an official diploma, call the Texas Education Agency (TEA) at 512.463.9292 to obtain one.

2. Submit an official college transcript from all previously attended colleges to the New Student Admissions Office. The college transcript(s) must be an official transcript - imprinted with the college's seal and delivered in a sealed envelope.

3. Application submission for the Vocational Nursing Program begins on January 2, 2013; Deadline for applications is January 31, 2013.

4. Complete financial aid application. (We recommend that you apply at least four months prior to registration.) If you are applying for federal financial aid, complete the "Free Application for Federal Student Aid" (FAFSA) for the Pell Grant and other financial aid and submit it to the federal processor. Complete the TSTC Harlingen Financial Aid Office Application and return it to the Financial Aid Office. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information on other grants, scholarships, student loans or sponsoring agencies such as WIA or DARS. Veterans wanting to use their VA benefits should contact their local VA Certification Officer on campus. The "Free Application for Federal Student Aid" can be found at fafsa.ed.gov

5. Applicants for admission are required to take a placement test (i.e. THEA, Compass, Accuplacer, etc.) unless otherwise exempted. For information about exemptions or testing contact the Admissions and Records Office. Applicants to the VN program must meet TSTC requirements of the Texas Success Initiatives (TSI) scores. All remedial courses MUST BE COMPLETE.

6. Prerequisite courses must be completed prior to program application:

• HPRS 1204-Basic Health Profession Skills or NURA 1360-Nurse Assistant
• PSYT 1313-Frameworks for Learning: Psychology of Personal Adjustment OR
•     HRPO 1311 Human Relations
• ENGL 1301-English Composition I or FDNS 1341 Nutrition in the Lifecycle
• HITT 1305-Medical Terminology
• BIOL 2401-Anatomy and Physiology I
• BIOL 2402- Anatomy and Physiology II.
• PSYC2314-Lifespan Growth & Development

Grades of B or better are required in Anatomy & Physiology I & II and Medical Terminology.

7. Applicants to the Vocational Nursing Program must take the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) Entrance Exam, consisting of four sections; reading, math, science and English.  Information on the TEAS Study Manual Version 5.0 may be found at www.atitesting.com/onlinestore  . The composite score will be used within the selection criteria with additional points for GPA and any previous achievements related to nursing education.

8. The TEAS is a computerized test that will be given through the TSTC-HARLINGEN Testing Center, Rm 138. Seats are limited to 30 per date. Click on the date you wish to test, to register. The cost: $50.00 = $15.00 paid to the Business Office prior to test date and $35.00 paid online at time of test. You must have your receipt from the Business Office, a valid credit card to pay for the exam and a picture ID at the time of the test.

            Dates for testing:

TO BE ANNOUNCED

*Test can only be taken one time.

Seats are limited, registration is required!

10. A TYPED essay which must include the following: explanation of desire to be a nurse; the steps taken to make sure the one-year commitment to the Vocational Nursing Program can be fulfilled; and where this education will lead over the next 10 years. Also include hobbies and volunteer work. 
11.  Courses to be considered for admission must be presented on a submitted college transcript. Courses which are not identical with the catalog listing of courses or equivalent in the common course numbering system require a request for substitution form to be filled out and submitted to Admissions with college application.
12. Submit COMPLETE VN APPLICATION packet to the Allied Health Department Secretary’s Office. The logbook must be signed by applicant to record receipt of the application.
13. Applicants will be evaluated on an admission rating scale consisting of TEAS score, GPA, health program certifications and employment experience.  The rankings will be submitted to the Admissions Committee for consideration as a component of the total admission criteria.
14. Applicants selected will be admitted pending proof of physical and mental health on a physical examination taken within 6 months prior to enrollment in the first nursing course. Immunizations must be current and the Hepatitis A & B series must be completed by May 6, 2013.
15. Criminal background checks are required for students involved directly with clients in clinical facilities and by the Texas Board of Nursing for licensure.  To pass the nursing courses involved in this program you must complete clinical rotations at these sites.  If you refuse or for any reason cannot complete this background check or, as a result of the information gathered in this check, you are refused access to a clinical facility, you will be dismissed from this program due to inability to meet clinical objectives.  Information on this will be sent with the letter of acceptance into the program. The CBC will be done through L1.
16. DO NOT COMPLETE A BACKGROUND CHECK PRIOR TO ADMISSION.
17. Employment at many healthcare facilities and agencies require mandatory drug screening. Vocational Nursing students may be required to undergo a random drug screen prior to beginning clinical experiences and at any point during the program at the discretion of the Program Director and/or Instructor.  Failure to take or pass this drug test will result in inability to complete required clinical rotations.
18. Limited numbers of students are accepted to this program.  The admission rating scale and application packet criteria will be used to determine acceptance.  All candidates will be notified in writing regarding admission status.
19. **Not all qualified candidates may be accepted.
20. Some students not selected will be notified that they are alternates.  Students on the alternate list may be admitted if space becomes available.

21. Eligible applicants will be notified of the date to attend the MANDATORY orientation meeting. Those applicants not attending or arriving late to the orientation will automatically be dropped from consideration.

  TSTC-Harlingen Vocational Nursing Program has received approval of the Texas  Higher Education Coordinating Board, and approval from the Texas Board of Nursing. 

  

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   The Vocational Nursing Program's first semester begins Summer Semester.

Completed applications, application checklist information, and written documents must be returned in the application packet folder to the following address:

                        Texas State Technical College Harlingen
                        Vocational Nursing Department
                        ATTN:  Susann East
                        1902 N. Loop 499
                        Harlingen, TX 78550

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS 12:00 NOON JANUARY 31, 2013