Be sure that you read all Admissions Guidelines in the College of the Mainland Catalog. This document is meant to help highlight the steps of the admissions process. Completion of these steps does not have to occur in this particular order.

STEP 1: General Eligibility Requirements

  • MAY NOT SEEK ADMISSION TO BOTH THE ADN AND VN PROGRAM FOR THE SAME TIME PERIOD
  • Accepted by the College of the Mainland
  • Official copies of all transcripts received by COM, including high school transcripts or GED
  • Complete and pass all sections of the THEA examination unless student is exempt (see catalog)
  • Earn a minimum grade of 'C' in remedial or writing course, if the course was required
  • Students who receive more than one grade of 'D,' 'F,' or 'W' in a Nursing course (VNSG), will be ineligible to take any nursing course for a period of five years following the last failed course, unless the student withdraws with a passing average from the Nursing course(s). In addition, students who are eligible for readmission may be readmitted to the VN Program only ONCE in a five year period following ANY withdrawal / dismissal from the Program. Readmission is based on space availability.
  • Meet the physical requirements for nursing (see additional information)
  • Reading level of 12.0 or higher (from an Accuplacer test completed in the last 5 years); If you have not taken the Accuplacer test in the past 5 years, call Testing Services at 409-938-1211 x.379 to schedule your test. If you are not currently a COM student, apply for admission to COM before scheduling a test date
  • Cumulative grade point average of 2.5 if applicable
  • All students will be required to complete and obtain a clear criminal background history check prior to admission to the program. A student who does not receive a clear criminal background check will be required to file a Declaratory Order of Eligibility with the Board of Nurse Examiners for the state of Texas to determine his/her eligibility to take the NCLEX-PN. If you have questions about your eligibility, refer to the Texas Board of Nursing web site.
  • All students will be required to successfully complete a random drug screening. Drug screens are completed by an external vendor selected by the Nursing Program. Any non-negative results must be reviewed and approved by a Medical Review Officer for a student to remain in the program.
  • Students may receive extra points on the applicant placement system for some previously taken courses (see Applicant Placement System form in Nursing Office). However, science courses must not be over 5 years old to earn any extra points.

STEP 2: Pre-Nursing Orientation Session

Complete the Pre-Nursing Orientation online. Orientation information will be posted on the VN Program page.

STEP 3: Obtaining a Degree Plan/ Educational Development Plan

Schedule an appointment with an advisor/counselor in the Advisement/Counseling Center (x.297) to develop a personalized Educational Development Plan (EDP). It is your responsibility as a student to make arrangements to do an EDP. To the EDP meeting you must bring a copy of evaluations of all transcripts from other colleges previously attended, test scores (dated within the past 5 years), proof of TSI status, and proof of present enrollment at another college if applicable. Once you have secured a copy of your personal EDP from the Advisement/Counseling Center, you will need to bring a copy to the Nursing Office. Your application cannot be reviewed until a copy of your EDP is submitted to the nursing office.

STEP 4: Application for Admission to the VN Program

Return the completed application to the Nursing Office on or before the due date listed on the application.

STEP 5: Criminal Background Checks

Students who successfully complete steps 1-4 and are selected for admission to the VN Program (see Applicant Placement System information below), will be conditionally accepted pending the results of a criminal background investigation completed by a vendor chosen by the College of the Mainland Nursing Program. Students who receive a clear result prior to the published deadline will be admitted, whereas students who do not have a clear result by that date will not be admitted to the program. A student with a positive criminal history may begin a Declaratory Process with the Board of Nursing Examiners (BNE). The BNE will make the determination of whether or not an individual is eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN. Upon receipt of this permission from the BNE, a student may reapply to the VN program.

NOTE: Other Entrance Requirements and important information about admission

  • Students will be required to submit a completed "Statement of Health Status" form and "Immunization History"; all students must have begun the Hepatitis B Vaccine series upon entering the program (refer to the College of the Mainland Catalog for details).
  • All students must have a current CPR Level C Certification for Health Care Providers (This can be obtained through COM Career Services; call extension 224 for details)
  • All students must have begun the Hepatitis B Vaccine series upon entering the program
  • Students accepted for admission to the VN Program will be notified in writing by letter from the Director of Nursing. These students will be required to confirm in writing their intent to enroll, on or before the Confirmation Date listed on the acceptance letter. Failure of a student to confirm their intent to enroll by the Confirmation Date will result in forfeiture of the admission offer and the student will not be eligible for enrollment. Alternate applicants will be offered admission to the program based on the number of vacancies at 5:00 p.m. on the Confirmation Date.
  • If you have taken BIOL 2401 and BIOL 2402 in the last 5 years and earned a grade of C or better, you will be exempt from taking VNSG 1320. Other courses will be reviewed individually.
  • Nursing courses over 3 years old must be repeated for credit.
  • Students who receive more than one grade of 'D,' 'F,' or 'W' in a Nursing course (VNSG), will be ineligible to take any nursing course for a period of five years following the last failed course, unless the student withdraws with a passing average from the Nursing course(s). In addition, students who are eligible for readmission may be readmitted to the VN Program only ONCE in a five year period following ANY withdrawal / dismissal from the Program. Readmission is based on space availability.

V N Menu

Approval

  • COM's Vocational Nursing Program is fully approved by the Texas Board of Nursing (TBON):
  • Texas Board of Nursing (TBON)
    333 Guadalupe #3-460
    Austin, TX 78701
    1-512-305-7400
    www.bne.state.tx.us