Nursing Assistant (CERT2)

• The Nursing program develops the abilities to assess patient/client health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care, evaluate responses, and accurately document. Students are prepared to deliver care across the lifespan and to patients/clients of diverse populations, families and/or communities. Students are prepared for interdisciplinary collaboration in which they will promote, restore, maintain, and advocate for optimal health outcomes for individuals in their care.
• Program Highlights
• LSC Nursing Programs offer state of the art simulation equipment and laboratories. Students participate in hands-on training at clinical sites one day each week.
• Credentials and Careers
• The Nursing AAS Program-Block Curriculum Path is a 60 credit hour program, 5 semester program offered at LSC-Cy-Fair. The Nursing, AAS Program-Integrated Curriculum Path is a 60 credit hour, 5 semester program; a Level 2 Nursing Assistant, comprised of 34 hours; and an ADN to VN, Level 2 Certificate, comprised of 44 hours. These programs are offered at LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball. The Nursing, AAS Program-Transition to Professional Nursing Path is a 4 semester, 60 credit hour program offered at LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball.
• Job opportunities include registered nurse, licensed vocational nurse.
• Transferability
• General education courses (Core) are designated for easy transfer to Texas public institutions and applicable to requirements at private and out-of-state institutions.
• Technical coursework may be transferrable to other institutions.
• Please consult with a program advisor for more information about transferability.

• Students must submit official transcripts from colleges attended other than LSC.
• All Biology courses submitted for program credit must be equivalent to four (4) credit hours (lecture with lab component) and completed no more than five (5) years prior to application. Refresher anatomy and physiology and microbiology courses are available through continuing education for students whose biology is older than five years and who do not desire to repeat the courses for credit. The grades earned from the older credit biology courses will be used for grade point calculation where applicable.
• If a nursing pharmacology course (RNSG 1301 - Pharmacology) is submitted for program credit, it must be at least three (3) credit hours and must have been completed no more than five (5) years prior to application for the nursing program. Nursing Pharmacology courses submitted for program credit must be three (3) credit hours and must be completed no more than five (5) years prior to application to the nursing program.
• Please Note: There will be a change to the admission requirements beginning Fall 2026. Admission policies information will be updated once approved.
• Students must submit a completed, electronic application ranking their preferred college's nursing programs. Application deadlines are posted on the college's websites. Separate applications to the college nursing programs are only required if the submission deadline dates differ.
• Admission requirements, selection criteria and the application process for the nursing programs are presented in regularly scheduled information sessions on each LSC campus or online for LSC-North Harris and LSC-Tomball. Students accepted into the LSC nursing programs must adhere to the Code of Conduct and other policies found in the system and nursing student handbooks, which can be found on the LSC website. Final acceptance into the program is contingent upon meeting all medical requirements and a satisfactory criminal background check or clearance by the Texas Board of Nursing and Social Security number verification. Students must submit a completed, electronic application ranking their preferred college's nursing programs. Application deadlines are posted on the LSC websites. Separate applications to the college nursing programs are only required if the application deadlines differ.
• Admission Criteria - Integrated Curriculum Path and Block Curriculum Path
• In addition to the admission requirements of the system and the general requirements listed above, the following are requirements for admission into the associate degree nursing program. The application process is competitive, with students being accepted into the programs based on scores determined by grade point average of prerequisite courses, the scores from the national, standardized nursing pre-entrance test, grades in BIOL 2401, BIOL 2402, BIOL 2420, and RNSG 1301, and overall GPA at LSC. Refer to the nursing website for a sample score sheet. The formula utilized will allow the addition and/or subtraction of points for RNSG 1301 and BIOL courses, and the overall GPA of an applicant. Students seeking admission to the Associate Degree Nursing program must meet the following requirements:
• Students must be college ready in reading and writing as evidenced by LSC approved exam scores showing placement into ENGL 1301 - Composition & Rhetoric I or completion of developmental co-requisite courses.
• Students must be college ready in math as evidenced by a score of 80% or higher on the entrance HESI (A2) EXAM.
• Complete the following prerequisite courses with a minimum grade point average of 2.7 or higher: BIOL 2401 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I and
• ENGL 1301 - Composition & Rhetoric I.
• Note: BIOL 2401 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I is required to meet the admission criteria; however, the highest grade in BIOL 2401 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I or BIOL 2402 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II will be used for calculation of GPA for application purposes.
• Students must obtain a grade of a "C" or higher in all courses required in the associate degree nursing (ADN) degree plan.
• Note: Beginning in the Fall of 2025, the scoring criteria of applications will include a point scale for course grades in RNSG 1301 and all BIOL courses as well as a point scale for overall GPA.
• Below is the formula that would be used to calculate admission scores in addition to the HESI scores:
• for BIOL 2401, BIOL 2402, BIOL 2420, & RNSG 130
• Points Criteria
• 0.3 for each course with an A
• 0.2 for each course with a B
• -0.1 for each course with a C/D
• -0.2 for each course with a F/W
• for GPA
• Points Criteria
• 0.4 GPA > 3.5
• 0.2 GPA 3.0 to 3.5
• 0 GPA < 3.0
• Admission Criteria - Transition to Professional Nursing for Articulating Students
• In addition to the admission requirements of the system and the general requirements listed above, the following are requirements for admission into the associate degree nursing program. The application process is competitive, with students being accepted into the programs based on scores determined by grade point average of prerequisite courses, the scores from the national, standardized nursing pre-entrance test, grades in BIOL 2401, BIOL 2402, BIOL 2420, and RNSG 1301, and overall GPA at LSC. Refer to the nursing website for a sample score sheet. The formula utilized will allow the addition and/or subtraction of points for RNSG 1301 and BIOL courses, and the overall GPA of an applicant. Students seeking admission to the Associate Degree Nursing program are required to:
• Students must be college ready in reading and writing as evidenced by LSC approved exam scores showing placement into ENGL 1301- Composition & Rhetoric I or completion of developmental co-requisite courses.
• Students must be college ready in math as evidenced by a score of 80% or higher on the entrance HESI (A2) EXAM.
• Complete the following prerequisite courses with a minimum grade point average of 2.7 or higher: BIOL 2401 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I,
• RNSG 1301 - Pharmacology, and
• ENGL 1301 - Composition & Rhetoric I.
• Note: BIOL 2401 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I is required to meet the admission criteria; however, the highest grade in BIOL 2401 - Human anatomy & Physiology I or BIOL 2402 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II will be used for calculation of GPA for application purposes.
• Students must obtain a grade of "C" or higher in all courses required in the associate degree nursing degree plan.
• Students must possess a current license or privilege to practice as a licensed vocational nurse in the State of Texas, current National Registry EMT Paramedic Certification, current Texas Department of Health EMT Paramedic Certification, OR current Texas Department of Health Paramedic License.
• Note: Beginning in the Fall of 2025, the scoring criteria of applications will include a point scale for course grades in RNSG 1301 and all BIOL courses as well as a point scale for overall GPA.
• Below is the formula that would be used to calculate admission scores in addition to the HESI scores:
• for BIOL 2401, BIOL 2402, BIOL 2420, & RNSG 130
• Points Criteria
• 0.3 for each course with an A
• 0.2 for each course with a B
• -0.1 for each course with a C/D
• -0.2 for each course with a F/W
• for GPA
• Points Criteria
• 0.4 GPA > 3.5
• 0.2 GPA 3.0 to 3.5
• 0 GPA < 3.0
• Admission Criteria - Vocational Nursing
• In addition to the system admission requirements, the following are required for the vocational nursing program. The application process is competitive, with students being accepted into the program based on scores determined by: grade point averages and the scores from the national, standardized nursing pre-entrance test. Refer to the website for a sample score sheet.
• Students must be college level in reading, writing, and math. Students who are currently enrolled in developmental co-requisite courses may apply to the VN program pending successful completion of the sequence.
• Students must complete BIOL 2404 - Intro to Anatomy & Physiology with a grade of "C" or higher (Completion of both BIOL 2401 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I & BIOL 2402 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II is accepted in place of BIOL 2404 - Intro to Anatomy & Physiology and is recommended for those students planning to transition into the ADN program).
• Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in college level courses.

• Prerequisite: Must be admitted to the Nursing - Associate Degree Program - Integrated Curriculum Path. Students apply for a CNA certificate after completing the first year of the program.
• This award requires 34 credit hours in total.
• Lone Star College reports 896 contact hours for this award.
• Lone Star College's program page states this award is offered at: LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, LSC-Online, LSC-Tomball.

• Demonstrate accountability, integrity, and respect for all patient care activities and practice in accordance with the standards and codes of the nursing profession while applying ethical and legal principles to clinical decision making.
• Deliver individualized care across the lifespan to culturally diverse patients and families, utilizing the nursing process, evidence-based practices and clinical judgement.
• Provide safe, high-quality, evidence-based nursing care to improve patient outcomes and promote safety across diverse healthcare settings throughout the lifespan.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and manage resources to promote safe, high-quality care for patients and families.

• Tuition shown is the in-district rate of $111.00 per credit hour for 34 credit hours.
• Out-of-district Texas residents pay $249.00 per credit hour ($8,466.00); international and out-of-state students pay $313.00 per credit hour ($10,642.00).
• Lab fees vary by course and liability insurance, uniforms and supplies vary by program, so Lone Star College publishes no all-in total for this award. Tuition above excludes them.
• Financial aid and payment plans are available to most students.
• Application fee: none. Lone Star College applications are free.

Upon completion of the Associate Degree or Vocational Nursing Program requirements, graduates may apply to take the licensure exam to become a registered nurse (RN) or vocational nurse (LVN). Completion of the nursing program, however, does not guarantee eligibility for the licensure exam. Eligibility for the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) or National Council Licensure Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) is determined solely by the Texas BON. Employment in this field requires Texas licensure from the Texas Board of Nursing.

• Clear Criminal History (BON)
• Applicants are required to have a clear criminal background check. Applicants who have a criminal history, mental illness, or chemical dependency of any kind must apply to and resolve it with the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) by completing a Declaratory Order prior to the beginning of the program.
• The process for filing a Declaratory Order (DO) with the Texas Board of Nursing has changed. Students can no longer file a DO in advance. All prospective applicants who were fingerprinted PRIOR to 2010 will be required by the Texas Board of Nursing to redo their fingerprints. Here is the process for filing a DO:
• Any student with a positive criminal background, history of mental illness within the last five years, or chemical dependency within the last five years must contact the Director of Nursing at the campus of their first choice.
• The Director of Nursing will email the student a FERPA form.
• Students will download, sign, and email the form back to the Director. The signed FERPA form provides Directors with the permission to send personal information to the TBON (address, DOB, SS#) for the initial background check.
• After Lone Star College submits your name on a roster, the TBON will send you an initial outcome letter detailing the next steps in the DO process.
• Students are advised to gather official legal/medical documents that may be requested by the TBON to expedite the process.
• Students should allow 60 days for the TBON to respond after the initial review.
• Students with a history of felony criminal conduct may be required to submit at $150 fee to the Board of Nursing. Students with this type of history are encouraged to submit a Declaratory Order one to two semesters prior to their planned admission to allow for review and disposition of the case by the Board.

Each LSC Nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326. You may access the ACEN website or via telephone at 404.975.5000. All LSC Associate Degree and Vocational Nursing Programs are approved by the Texas Board of Nursing (TBON), 333 Guadalupe #3-460, Austin, TX 78701. You may access the TBON website or via telephone at 512.305.7400.

The Student Success Course Requirement is satisfied by successful completion of RNSG 1215 - Health Assessment in the Block Program; RNSG 1309, Introduction to Nursing; RNSG 1517, Concepts of Professional Nursing Practice I for Articulating Students in the Track Program; and RNSG 1523, Intro to Professional Nursing for Integrated Programs in the Integrated Program.