Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Degree

Nursing is a selective admission program. Applications to the program are considered via a point system that includes grade point average, grades in required courses, residence, and other criteria. Preference will be given to individuals residing in Brown, Comanche, Eastland, Erath, and Young counties. Applicants must apply and be accepted to Ranger College and must submit a separate application to the ADN Department.

TEAS Version 7 Entrance Exam - must be taken before the application deadline:

• Starting in fall 2022, applicants must successfully complete the ATI TEAS Version 7 entrance exam with a cumulative score of “Proficient” and 40.7% or higher in each content section: Reading, Math, Science, and English & Language Usage. The required cumulative and content scores must be achieved in a single attempt of the TEAS. If any of the applicant’s Anatomy & Physiology or Microbiology courses are older than five years at time of application, the TEAS 7 Science score must be 58.7% (Proficient) or higher.
• The maximum number of attempts an applicant may take the TEAS is three times during an academic year.
• The TEAS is offered at RC’s Brown County Center in Early, Texas, on selected Thursdays throughout the summer and academic year. Official TEAS scores must be sent to: nursing@rangercollege.edu
• The TEAS may be taken online via remote proctoring, or in-person at Ranger College, in-person at another approved institution of higher education, or in-person at an approved TEAS testing site. Register for the TEAS at: atitesting.com
• If taken remotely or at another institution or testing site, the Nursing Department will only accept official TEAS transcripts sent through ATI.

Candidates may submit documentation of vaccines and other requirements with the application. Prerequisite courses must be completed prior to beginning the program. A grade of C or better in all prerequisite courses, and a prerequisite cumulative prerequisite GPA of 2.5 or higher, is required to be considered for acceptance into the nursing program.

Requirements for initial application (subject to change) must be included in the application packet:

1. Proof of high school graduation or completion of a GED. This must be verified by an official high school transcript or an original GED transcript.
2. Texas Success Initiative (TSI) scores that meet Ranger College requirements.
3. Cumulative G.P.A. of 2.5 or better on pre-requisite course work, with a grade of C or higher in each prerequisite course.
4. A completed application to Ranger College and a separate application to the ADN Department: AA Nursing
5. Physical Exam. (Form included in the application packet available on the website.)
6. Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology classes must be current within five years from the date of application. If any of the Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology classes are older than five years from the date of application, the applicant’s TEAS 7 Science Score must be 58.7% (Proficient) or higher. Otherwise, the applicant must retake the course(s) and achieve a C or higher, with a cumulative prerequisite GPA of 2.5 or higher.
7. Proof of immunization status via official documentation from a healthcare clinic or provider. The list of required immunizations is on the website and application and is subject to change based on clinical affiliation requirements.
8. Proof of one negative QuantiFERON gold test OR one negative T-SPOT. Students with a positive blood test must provide documentation of medical clearance, as required for approval of patient care by the clinical agencies.
9. Proof that Hepatitis B vaccine series will be complete prior to start of direct patient care; OR show serologic confirmation of immunity to the hepatitis B virus.
10. Completion of all prerequisite courses prior to the start of the program. Students must earn a C or higher and a cumulative 2.5 or higher on pre-requisite courses for admission
11. Submission of application to the program and the required TEAS Version 7 scores on or before the annual deadline of May 15 for traditional ADN and October 1 for Bridge (LVN to RN) students.
12. Any degree plan corequisites taken before admission must be a C or higher. If a corequisite course grade is a D or F, whether taken at Ranger College or another institution, the corequisite course must be retaken with a course grade of C or higher prior to the start of the program.
13. Applicants must be in good financial standing with Ranger College before being fully accepted into the program and registered for nursing courses. See the catalog section titled, “Tuition and Fees, Overdue Financial Obligations” for more information.
14. Interview with ADN Admissions Committee.

Students will be accepted based on criteria established by the selection committee and a point system. A satisfactory FBI criminal background check is required by the Board of Nursing prior to final admission to the program and a drug test will be required every semester during the program.  Required notification: Criminal charges/activity occurring prior to or during your nursing program may affect your eligibility to be licensed following graduation. Refer to the Texas Board of Nursing website for licensure eligibility: https://www.bon.texas.gov/licensure_eligibility.asp.html

The Ranger College Department of Nursing will submit names to the Texas Board of Nursing on the new and accepted student roster AFTER the student has been through the selective admission review process, has been admitted to the program, and has accepted the invitation to enter the program. Students needing to seek Texas Board of Nursing clearance for criminal history prior to acceptance must file a declaratory order with the Texas Board of Nursing and must pay the fee required by Texas Board of Nursing.

1. One point will be given for each of the prerequisite and general education courses in the AASN curriculum completed with a grade of C or higher on the first (see list under AASN curriculum). A&P courses will only receive one (1) point if taken in the last 5 years. Courses currently in progress will not receive any points. (Total of eight points possible)
2. One point for each course will be given if the student received a grade of A on the first attempt of Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL 2401), Anatomy & Physiology II (BIOL 2402), Microbiology (BIOL 2420). (Up to 3 additional points).
3. Three points will be given if the student currently resides in one of the following counties: Brown, Comanche, Eastland, Erath, or Young. Proof of current residency must be provided with application. (Proof may include driver’s license, state issued identification card, or current utility bill for residence in the applicant’s name.)
4. One point will be given if at least fifteen semester credit hours have been successfully completed at Ranger College. This does not include CLEP hours.
5. Points given for GPA will be equivalent to the student’s GPA for the completed prerequisite courses.
6. One point will be given if the applicant is currently employed at a healthcare facility located in the college service area. (This includes acute care, long term care and physician offices, etc.).
7. One point will be given if the applicant is a member of Phi Theta Kappa.
8. The interview and narrative are evaluated by the admissions committee.

Note that this point system is subject to change.

Associate of Applied Science in Nursing: Traditional ADN Program

 

For students who ARE NOT already Licensed Vocational Nurses.

Upon completion of the AASN degree, students will be able to:

1. Use clinical reasoning and knowledge based on the nursing program of study, evidence-based practice outcomes, and research-based policies and procedures as the basis for decision-making and comprehensive, safe patient care.
2. Demonstrate skills in using patient care technologies and information systems that support safe nursing practice.
3. Promote safety and quality improvement as an advocate and manager of nursing care.
4. Coordinate, collaborate, and communicate with diverse patients, families, and the interdisciplinary health care team to plan, deliver, and evaluate care.
5. Adhere to standards of practice within legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks of the professional nurse.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of delegation, management, and leadership skills.
7. Demonstrate behavior that reflects the values and ethics of the nursing profession.