Registered Nursing Program at TSTC Harlingen

1. Registered Nursing Programat TSTC Harlingen INFORMATION SESSION Rachel L. Wilson, MSN RN

2. Accreditation • The RN Program has been approved by the Texas board of nursing; • The Higher Education Coordinating Board; and • The Southern Association of Colleges (SACS). This means classes taken here will transfer to higher levels of education colleges.

3. Faculty • All faculty will be Registered Nurses and “master’s prepared” nurses (MSN’s) with documented hours/ experience in their particular course. • Teaching assistants will also be RNs and will be available for tutoring and labs. • Preceptors are employed RNs in the workforce that will be paired up for clinical hours with 2nd and 3rd level RN students.

4. About the program…. • A “completion” not transition program; • Total of 72 credit hours for an Associates of Applied Science degree; • Academics will take at least one full year or more; • Nursing portion is 3 semesters- 16 weeks each. One full year. • All students will be required to be licensed as LVNs prior to attending RN program;

5. Instructional Design • “Instructional Scaffolding” • Is the learning concept that describe how adult learners hook new information onto previous learning. • Nursing is an “art” and a “science” and as such requires time to understand and incorporate the concepts and ideas into what we know of the healing arts. • Nursing is a time honored profession that takes years to develop. We each develop our own practice as we take care of patients and families. There is no “short cut” to becoming a safe, competent nurse.

6. Program Design • Our program is designed to be delivered through face-to-face classroom type courses with additional on-line learning resources, faculty supervised lab simulations and hands-on, supervised clinical experiences in a variety of healthcare facilities in the lower Rio Grande Valley. • We feel a layered approach to nursing education that begins with the certificate level 1 (CNA) then the certificate level 2 (LVN) leading to the AAS/ RN- first level of professional nursing gives the students the opportunity to understand the concepts of nursing in a graduating format and provides for safe, competent and confident nurses.

7. Progression Pathway from CNA to MSN 1. CNA –Certified Nursing Assistant Certificate Level 1 is the first level of nursing education and begins the foundation for the nursing degree. Minimum base pay for CNAs is between $8-12 dollars/hr. 2. LVN- Licensed Vocational Nurse Certificate Level 2 is the second level of nursing education and builds on the CNA certificate, preparing students for the Registered Nursing Program. Pay for LVN is $16-$24/hr. 3. RN- Registered Nurses licensure is obtained with an Associates of Applied Science Degree; usually 2-3 years of study and prepares the student for the BSN/ baccalaureate degree in nursing. Pay for RNs $22-$36/hr 4. BSN- The four year degree in nursing is the BSN and is typically required for mid-management. $60-80K/yr. 5. MSN- One to two years post BSN is required for administration, teaching.

8. Program of Study We use a “block curriculum” approach which includes courses in: • Foundations/ Skills • Pharmacology/Nutrition • (3) Adult med surg courses • Maternity/Peds • Community health • Mental health • Leadership • (3) Clinicals levels

9. Program of Study cont. We feel the best way to become a Registered Nurse is to spend lots of quality time with RN instructors and employed RN preceptors.

10. Clinical Sites • Valley Baptist Medical Center HRL / BVL - signed • Rio Grande State Center- signed • Valley Regional Med Ctr.- signed • South Texas Rehab Hospital- signed • Solara Hospital HRL/BVL- signed • Neighborhood Home Health- signed • Valley Baptist Home Health- signed • Cameron County Health Dept- pending • Odyssey Hospice- signed • Origins (chemical dependency) – pending • Valley Baptist Behavioral Health - pending

11. Admission Requirements • Enrolled in TSTC as a student/ TSI complete • Licenses LVN required & CNA preferred • Submit transcripts- OFFICIAL TSTC required • Prerequisites –B or better within 5 yrs • Entrance test- score 60% • Immunizations current- see chart • Identification- US passport if US citizen, I 55 Driver’s license, SSN card for all. • Be able to pass Criminal background, drug screen and health/ physical after acceptance.

12. Prerequisites • BIOL 2301/2101 A & P 1 with lab • BIOL 2302/2102 A & P 11 with lab • BIOL 2321/2121 Microbiology with lab • CHEM 1311/1111 Gen Chemistry with lab **ALL MUST BE “B” or Better within FIVE YEARS **All other academic courses must be completed before you begin nursing program. • CNA- certificate level one preferred • LVN- certificate level two is REQUIRED

13. SCORING • 1. Certificates/ degrees- CNA (10%) • 2. Academic course completion (20%) • 3. Entrance test scores-(60%)

14. Cost Estimates • Prerequisites- tuition- 37 credits $4,956.00 • Pre-Admission Requirements $200.00 • Admission: physical/titers/CBC $600.00 • First Semester books/tuition/fees $2500.00 • Second Sem. books/tuition/fees $2200.00 • Third Sem. Books/ tuition/fees $2800.00 • Nursing portion + academic total $13,256.00

15. Questions? Refer to information packet on TSTC Harlingen RN Program website; Attend an information session on campus: See website for dates/times and location; Call program director at 956-364-4983