Nursing

Students in the Associate Degree Nursing Program are taught the knowledge and skills needed to work with patients and their families in a variety of health-care settings. Graduates are prepared to work collectively and collaboratively with other members of the health-care team to provide nursing care for patients and their loved ones. The graduate may find employment in areas such as hospitals, clinics, home health-care agencies and physician's offices. A career in the field provides a vast range of employment and advancement opportunities. Registered nurses are in high demand both state and nationwide. Beginning salaries usually range upward from $26 to $33 per hour.

Advisory Commitee Members - A.D.N.

Advisory Committee Members are from Community, Business and Health Care Facilities. All have expressed interest in education of future nurses.

Accreditation Agency

The Board of Nursing for the State of Texas
333 Guadalupe, Suite 3-460
Austin, TX 78701

The Associate Degree Nursing Program is conditionally approved by the Texas Board of Nursing (TBON).

The Texas Board of Nursing
333 Guadalupe, Suite 3-460
Austin, TX 78701-3944
(512) 305.7401
www.bne.state.tx.us

Essential Functions of Nursing for the Associate Degree Nursing Program

All individuals who apply for admission to the Nursing Program must be able to perform essential functions included in this document either with or without accommodations. These essential functions are congruent with the State of Texas Board of Nursing expectations of any individual seeking initial licensure as a registered nurse. Texas does not have a limited licensure for the practice of nursing.

In order to best prepare students for success in their chosen fields, Health Sciences Programs have high standards for progression. Unlike other HCC programs, most health science programs require a C (75%) or better to progress to the next course in the program. The Nursing Program in particular requires a minimum grade of B (80%) or better in each RNSG course to progress to the next nursing course or level at HCC.

As of Fall 2023, to be eligible for direct admission into the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program, students are required to successfully complete all prerequisite courses as shown below in the degree plan with a grade of “B” or better.  It is important to note that prerequisite courses may only be repeated up to two times.  However, if a student has taken a prerequisite course more than two times and is no longer eligible for admission in the ADN program, there is still an opportunity to pursue a career in nursing at HCC.  These students are encouraged to consider applying to the Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) program.  Upon completion of this program and becoming licensed as an LVN, the student may then apply to the LVN to ADN transition program.  If you have any questions about this process, please contact coleman.advising@hccs.edu.

Some of these programs also require that these grades be earned without rounding of grading points. For specific questions about grades, grading, and progression within Health Science programs, please contact Coleman College at healthscience.info@hccs.edu.

Essential functions are the basic activities that a student must be able to complete. Any student applicant who has met the necessary prerequisites and who can perform the essential functions of the nursing program, either with or without reasonable accommodations, will be considered for admission. A candidate must be able to perform the identified essential functions in a reasonable independent manner. The use of trained intermediaries is not permitted, in that the candidate’s judgment would be mediated by someone else’s power of observation and selection.

The essential functions are the basic physical, cognitive, psychomotor, social and affective activities that are necessary to successfully complete the HCC-Coleman College Nursing curriculum leading to initial licensure as a registered nurse. Basic functions included are: gross motor skills, fine motor skills, physical endurance, physical strength, mobility, hearing, visual, tactile, smell, reading, arithmetic competence, emotional stability, analytical thinking, critical thinking, interpersonal skills, and communication. Communication in this program is based on English. A student who has been accepted into the Nursing Program and plans to matriculate will:

• Read the “Essential Functions” of the Nursing Program.
• Return the signed and dated document related to Essential Functions to the Nursing Office.

If qualified under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), provide a letter of accommodations from the Disability Support Service Counselor (DSSC) at Coleman College for Health Sciences. (For more information, go to www.hccs.edu; click on For Students; click on Counseling; then click on Disability Resources).

• All Houston Community College System ADN program exams will be computer based to prepare the student for and meet the NCLEX testing requirements.
• Pregnancy may cause a student to delay completing the program based on the clinical facility requirements.

The Texas Board of Nursing offers resources to assist nurses with primary multistate licensure outside of Texas who choose to practice in Texas using compact privilege to understand the Texas Nursing Practice Act.

The new enhanced licensure compact, or eNLC, is the licensure model that allows registered nurses (RNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) to have one multistate license, with the privilege to practice in the home state and in other eNLC states physically, electronically, and/or telephonically. It replaces the original nurse licensure compact (NLC) and adds extra safeguards that maintain public protection at the state level.

Visit https://www.bon.texas.gov/licensure_nurse_licensure_compact_eNLC.asp

Please note, every attempt is made to ensure the above information is accurate and up to date; however, some information is subject to change.

If you have any questions or encounter problems contacting the appropriate licensing board, please contact the Program Director at (713) 718-7230.

Mission Statement

The Associate Degree Nursing Faculty at Coleman College for Health Sciences is committed to upholding the mission of the Houston Community College by establishing a learning environment that promotes the development of nursing values, to provide excellence in nursing education, to foster preparation of students to work in a collaborative environment and to cultivate a life-long pursuit of learning.

Vision Statement

Our vision is congruent with the vision of Houston Community College Coleman College for Health Careers.

Philosophy

The faculty prepares the Associate Degree nursing student in the practice of nursing using a comprehensive educational curriculum with experiences planned in diverse health care settings. The nursing program strives to build on each student's prior experience. The nursing role is characterized by the utilization of a systematic, problem-solving approach, a caring relationship, and commitment to continuing education and professionalism in practice.

Throughout the curriculum, students are provided with experiences that prepare them to care for clients and families with common and complex well-defined health problems. The role of the Associate Degree nurse encompasses four areas: a member of the profession, provider of patient-centered care, an advocate of patient safety, and an active member of the health care team. (www.bon.tx.gov)

Program objectives for students upon graduation are consistent with Rule 215.9

• 1. To prepare graduates to practice according to the standards of nursing practice as set forth in the Board’s Rules and Regulations
• 2. To prepare students to demonstrate the Differentiated Essential Competencies for Graduates of Texas Nursing Programs evidenced by knowledge, clinical judgement, and behaviors for Diploma/Associate Degree students
• 3. To prepare students to utilize a systematic approach to clinical decision making and safe patient care.

Texas Administrative Code, Title 22, Part 11, Chapter 215, Rule 215.9

Admission tests (HESI) is required for admission. More information available in Information Session or by contacting the department.

Upon graduation, students will be able to:

• Communicate effectively with patients, families, and members of the health-care team
• Utilize a systematic problem-solving approach in caring for patients with common and complex needs.
• Demonstrate appropriate entry level Associate Degree Nursing Program didactic competencies to pass the NCLEX licensure exam
• Demonstrate safe entry level nursing practice as defined by the four roles of the Differentiated Essential Competencies of Graduate of Texas Nursing Programs (DECs)

Transfer options available for students wishing to pursue the Bachelor of Science in Nursing at area schools or on-line programs. Contact Department Adviser for more details.

There are 47,346 Registered Nurses employed in the Greater Houston Area. This number is expected to increase by 15.1% over the next four years.

• The estimated annual job openings is 3,078 jobs a year.
• Median Wages - $37.03 hourly, $77,000 annually