Navigating the Lone Star College Nursing Program: A Comprehensive Guide to Requirements and Opportunities

Lone Star College (LSC) offers a comprehensive nursing program designed to prepare students for a rewarding career in healthcare. This article provides a detailed overview of the requirements, tracks, and opportunities within the Lone Star College Nursing Program.

Introduction to Lone Star College Nursing Programs

The Nursing departments of Lone Star College provide a pathway for aspiring nurses to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the field. Graduates of the Lone Star College Nursing Programs are eligible to take the credentialing board exam owned and developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). The NCSBN is an independent, not-for-profit organization through which nursing regulatory bodies act and counsel together on matters of common interest and concern affecting public health, safety and welfare, including the development of nursing licensure examinations. It is not a licensing board. The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States and Canada administered through Pearson VUE. Credentials earned by taking the NCLEX are nationally recognized and students who take the exam are eligible for licensure in Texas as well as other states within the Nurse Licensure Compact.

Program Tracks and Degree Options

Lone Star College offers a multiple entry/exit program of study in Associate Degree Nursing. The ADN Basic Track and the LVN/LP to ADN Transition Track lead to an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing and eligibility to take the RN State Licensure Examination.

Basic Track

Beginning nursing students are admitted in the Fall of each year to pursue four sequential semesters of nursing courses. Classes include lecture, lab, and clinical.

LVN/LP to ADN Transition Track

This track is designed for Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) who wish to advance their careers and become Registered Nurses (RNs).

Essential Requirements for Admission

Gaining admission to the Lone Star College Nursing Program requires careful attention to specific requirements. These stipulations ensure that admitted students possess the foundational knowledge, skills, and personal attributes necessary for success in the rigorous nursing curriculum.

Academic Prerequisites

To be considered for admission into the associate degree nursing program, applicants must meet several academic prerequisites:

Enrollment in LSCS: If you have not taken classes at a LSCS campus within the last year, you must apply to the college.
Course Completion: Complete the following courses with a minimum grade point average of 2.7 or higher: BIOL 2401 and ENGL 1301. Complete BIOL 2404 with a grade of C or higher. (Completion of BIOL 2401 & 2402 is accepted in place of BIOL 2404, and is recommended for those students planning to transition into the ADN program.) Obtain a grade of a "C" or higher in all courses required in the associate degree nursing (ADN) degree plan.
GPA Requirement: Associate Degree (RN) program two tracks are offered at LSC-Montgomery; grade point average of 2.5 or higher is one of the program admission requirements.
Biology Refresher Course: If you have taken the required biology courses for any of our nursing programs, but took them more than 5 years prior to your application into nursing, please read our Biology Refresher Course Information. Biology and pharmacology courses submitted for program credit must be completed no more than five (5) years prior to application to the nursing program. If any of your required BIOL courses were taken beyond the 5 year limit, see the Biology Refresher information.
Associate of Applied Science Degree: Requirements for the Associate of Applied Science Degree include a minimum of 3 credits from the approved list in the current college catalog. Dec.

Health and Safety Requirements

Nursing is a demanding profession that requires individuals to be physically and emotionally capable of providing safe and effective care. To ensure the safety of both students and patients, the Lone Star College Nursing Program has established specific health and safety requirements:

Physical and Emotional Abilities: Students must be physically and emotionally able to meet all program requirements including the rendering of safe nursing care in the clinical setting. These abilities involve lifting, moving, bathing, and transferring patients in and out of bed, calculating medications, and being able to communicate clearly and effectively with patients and members of the healthcare team.
Immunizations: After admission into the program, students must submit a record of current immunizations required by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). The DSHS is now requiring a completed Hepatitis B series prior to direct patient contact.
Physical Exam and CPR Certification: Students must have a physical exam and a current CPR certificate designed for health care providers prior to the first day of clinical.
Health Insurance: Students are required to provide proof of health insurance for entrance into Clinical facilities and to maintain coverage for the entire duration of the program. The College and clinical facilities are not responsible for any claims for expenses that result from an action of a student in the clinical setting.
Professional Liability Insurance: All nursing students are required to carry professional liability insurance.
Drug Screening: Drug screening may be required by clinical affiliates and it is the responsibility of the student to cover the cost of the drug screen.
Social Security Number or Visa: In addition, LSC will notify students prior to, but not as a condition or requirement of admission, that health care facilities will require students to have a Social Security number or a Visa as a condition of being assigned to a clinical facility.
Exposure to Infectious Diseases: Nursing care involves exposure to patients with infectious and blood-borne diseases.

Additional Requirements

Age: Health Occupation Programs Admissions Policy dictates that programs do not consider applications from prospective students not at least 18 years old at the time of the program applications deadlineexcept that LSC-Tomball may honor a current contractual obligation with Klein ISD requiring the admission of students below the age of 18 years old.

The Selection Process

The selection process for students into the nursing program is based on the total number of points calculated on the Scoring Chart for Admission. Students are ranked based on the total number of points earned. Applications to all the LSCS nursing programs exceed available openings therefore the application process is competitive. Generally we receive 2-3 times as many applicants as we have open spaces in a program. Students are selected based on an objective application point system. Student with the highest scores fill the open spaces and there is no permanent wait list maintained. However, after all open spots are filled across the campuses, the next 30-50 qualified applicants in the applicant pool will be placed on an alternate list in the order of their application score. These students may be offered a position at one of the Campuses if an opening becomes available prior to the program start date.

Progression and Readmission Policies

Maintaining good academic standing and professional conduct is crucial for progressing through the Lone Star College Nursing Program. The following policies apply to student progression and readmission:

Passing Grades: A student must pass all concurrent nursing courses in a single semester to progress to the next semester. A student who fails or withdraws from one or more concurrent nursing courses must repeat all concurrent nursing courses for that semester if readmitted to the program.
Readmission Policy: Readmission is not automatic; it is based on remediation of problem areas and space available in the program. Students may only be readmitted to the program one time. If readmitted, the student must enroll in all concurrent nursing courses and is required to adhere to CURRENT nursing program policies. Students who are unsuccessful in any first semester nursing course must reapply to the program.
Professional Conduct: Applicants to the nursing program and student nurses are expected to conduct themselves professionally at all times. Applicants who become disruptive may jeopardize their applications from being considered or their student status and may face disciplinary action as stated in the Lone Star College student handbook and college catalog. In the event that a violation of policy is also a violation of State or Federal law, the College may proceed with disciplinary processes.

Texas Board of Nursing (BON) Declaratory Order

The Texas Board of Nursing (Texas BON) may refuse to admit persons to its licensure examination OR may refuse to issue a license or certificate of registration to any individual with lack of fitness to practice by reason of mental or physical health or intemperate use of alcohol or drugs that could potentially result in injury to patients or the public. The Board may also refuse to grant licensure to any individual with a history of a conviction. An individual enrolled or planning to enroll in a nursing program who has reason to believe that he/she may be ineligible may petition the Texas BON for a declaratory order for eligibility. A person who feels that he/she might have a background issue is strongly advised to begin the Declaratory Process with the Texas BON as soon as possible. A person does not have to be a current nursing student or an applicant to the nursing program to begin the Declaratory process. In-depth reviews are conducted by the Enforcement Department of the TBON and the cost to the student is $150. Students can expect to receive an outcome letter approximately 90 days after an in-depth review or a request for an in-person interview at the Board of Nursing in Austin. The process for filing a Declaratory Order (DO) with the Texas Board of Nursing has changed.

NCLEX Examination and Licensure

Graduates of the Lone Star College Nursing Programs are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The NCLEX is a nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States and Canada administered through Pearson VUE. Credentials earned by taking the NCLEX are nationally recognized and students who take the exam are eligible for licensure in Texas as well as other states within the Nurse Licensure Compact. Prospective and current students should keep in mind that licensing and authorization requirements vary by state and that relocating during the course of a program to another state could impact whether that student can continue in the program. The Texas Board of Nursing does not have statements or policies that specifically address students with disabilities in nursing education programs. Any graduate from an approved vocational or professional nursing education program may apply to take the NCLEX Examination in Texas and for licensure. Eligibility for licensure in Texas as a nurse is determined on an individual basis.

BSN Opportunities

Lone Star College has agreements with the following BSN colleges and universities that allow ADN graduates to earn their BSNs. Warner B. Nickie O. Dr. Dr. Tracie J.

Clinical Experience and Affiliations

The Lone Star College System has affiliation agreements with many local hospitals and clinics in the Houston area. LSC-Montgomery attempts to schedule student rotations with neighboring hospitals and clinical sites in close proximity to the college, such as Conroe Regional Medical Center, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands, St. Nursing Students generally attend class 4-5 days a week, including one 10-12 hour day at an affiliated clinical site. Class is for three hours, two days a week with an exam every other week.

Time Commitment and Study Expectations

Students are generally expected to study 3 hours per week per credit hour. While in the Nursing program, students are enrolled in 8-10 credit hours each semester, which will require a time commitment of approximately 24-30 hours of studying and homework per week.

Technology Resources

In our efforts to prepare students for a changing world, students may be expected to utilize computer technology while enrolled in classes, certificate, and/or degree programs within Lone Star College. LSC Tech Connect: The LSC TechConnect Program offers digital resources such as laptops and iPads for long-term checkout complete with a variety of software - all as a benefit of being a student at LSC! D2L System Check Tool: It is suggested that you use the D2L System Check Tool: LSC Online? Resources?

Application Deadlines

There are different application periods for the different nursing programs throughout the year. Basic Track Nursing program at LSC-CyFair, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball will accept applications Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 8:00 am through Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 4:00 pm. Transition Nursing program at LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball will accept applications Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 8:00 am through Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 4:00 pm. The HESI deadline is Thursday, March 26, 2026. Transition Nursing program at LSC-Kingwood will accept applications Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 8:00 am through Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 4:00 pm. The HESI deadline is Thursday, May 21, 2026. Vocational Nursing at LSC-Kingwood will accept applications Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 8:00 am through Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 4:00 pm. The HESI deadline is Thursday, May 21, 2026. Application deadlines are posted on the colleges web sites.

HESI Exam

Please NOTE: If you have taken the HESI outside of Lone Star College, official scores must be sent directly from Elsevier/Evolve to the nursing program of your first-choice campus and received one week before the application deadline.

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