Registered Nursing

Cisco College offers optional pathways to a career in nursing. LVN's can obtain an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) in one year. The LVN to RN program is a 12-month nursing program that begins in the fall and spring semesters of each year.

Not an LVN yet? Cisco College can help!

As part of Cisco College’s partnership with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing in Abilene, all graduates of our ADN program are guaranteed a spot in Texas Tech’s RN to BSN program. The LVN to RN Bridge option prepares the graduate to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Licensure as a registered nurse must be granted by the Board of Nursing for the State of Texas.

Prerequisites for Texas Tech’s RN to BSN may be taken at Cisco (Abilene), followed by two semesters of online coursework through Texas Tech to finish a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing). Students seeking to begin their nursing career at the BSN level can complete all their general education courses at Cisco College. Program costs may include entrance and periodic exam fees, background checks, drug screening, immunizations, and specialized course supplies or supplements.

Prospective students should meet with the Health Sciences Counselor to ensure all requirements are met. Applications should be submitted to the nursing department office 229.

Application Procedure

The LVN to RN program accepts a limited number of students; as a result, the admittance process is deliberate and decisive. Completion of the application procedures is required no later than May 31st for the August class and October 31st for the January class.

1. Apply to Cisco College. Prospective nursing students must have completed the Cisco College general admission application and be enrolled as a student of Cisco College.
2. Must be TSI complete or college-ready in Reading, Writing, and Math.
3. Must submit official copies of all college transcripts regardless of classes or grades.
4. Must fulfill the Cisco College requirements for the AAS degree.
5. Must be a high school graduate or have a GED.
6. Students who have attended another nursing program prior to applying to Cisco College must submit a Letter of Good Standing from the Program Director at the previous institution.
7. Must be an LVN licensed to practice in the state of Texas. Students who recently graduated from the Cisco College VN program can apply prior to taking the NCLEX but must pass the NCLEX to remain in the program.
8. Must submit a current, complete nursing program application available in the Health Sciences counselor's office (Separate from the general college application).
9. Must have completed the Hep B immunization series of 3 shots or provide serologic confirmation of immunity to the Hepatitis B virus.
10. Complete the Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI A-2) Admission Assessment Test during one of our scheduled testing sessions. The test includes the following subjects: Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, and Critical Thinking. The preferred pass rate for applicants taking the HESI test is a score of 70% or higher on each section and the Cumulative score. A minimum score of 65% on each test section will be accepted, but the overall cumulative score must be 70% or higher to apply. Testers who score below 65% on any section must retest over that section(s). Testers who score below 70% on any section(s) can retest on that section(s) if needed. Testers may only retest one time and may not retest on a section(s) in which they score 70% or higher. Cisco College VN graduates who wish to continue their education in the LVN-ADN program do not have to retake the HESI for admission up to one (1) year after graduation from the VN program.
11. Preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher.
12. Completion of an interview.
13. Cisco VN graduates who wish to continue their education in the LVN-ADN program have automatic admission up to one (1) year after graduation from the VN program. Cisco VN graduates with a passing VN HESI score are not required to take the ADN HESI. They must complete the application process but will not be required to sit for an interview or retake the ADN HESI for admission up to one (1) year after graduation from the VN program.
14. Students may apply with three final prerequisites in progress; however, these classes must be completed with a "C" or better prior to the start of the program to maintain eligibility. The 3-hour Language, Philosophy & Culture, or Creative Arts credit or the 3-hour Literature credit (classes beginning with ENGL 23xx) may be taken in the second semester of the program if not taken prior to the start of the program.

Selection Criteria

The selection of candidates for placement in the August program takes place in the summer semester, and for the January program in the Fall.

1. All applicants who meet the minimal admission criteria will be considered; however, the number of applicants normally exceeds the number of students who can be admitted to each class.

2. Preference for admission is determined by the following factors:

Prerequisites

BIOL 2421 Microbiology (4 Hours)

BIOL 2401 Anatomy & Physiology I (4 Hours)

BIOL 2402 Anatomy & Physiology II (4 Hours)

HPRS 2301 Pathophysiology (3 Hours)

PSYC 2301 General Psychology (3 Hours)

PSYC 2314 Lifespan Growth & Development (3 Hours)

ENGL 1301 Composition I (3 Hours)

LVN to ADN students will need 3 hours of either ARTS 1301 (Art Appreciation) or MUSI 1306 (Music Appreciation) as their Creative Arts class. If a student chooses, they may alternatively take 3 hours of any Literature class beginning with ENGL 23xx (Language, Philosophy and Culture, or Creative Arts credit). If the student plans to continue to Texas Tech to complete their BSN, they will need to complete whichever category they did not use for their ADN program. If they do not plan to continue, they may choose which category they want to use to complete the ADN program.

Please see pages 111-113 of the Cisco College Course Catalog for complete course information.