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| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS | ||
| 1. How do I get started? | ||
| Attend one of the scheduled nursing information sessions. This will help you clarify differences between programs. See Program Activities. | ||
| 2. How can I apply to the nursing program? | ||
| The first step is to pick up or download the application checklist. Once the checklist is completed and appropriate signatures are obtained, an application can be completed. Applications are distributed yearly beginning in January. | ||
| 3. What hospitals and or clinics will I have my nursing rotations at? | ||
| Hospital sites: Montgomery
College has been utilizing Conroe Regional Medical Center and Memorial Hermann in the Woodlands. St. Luke’s will be included soon. Additionally, there will be specialty clinical site visits scheduled throughout the city. |
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| 4. Do I have to take the TASP/THEA exam? | ||
| TASP/THEA status must be "Passed" in all three areas (Reading, Writing & Math), or the student must be TSI complete in all three areas by some other means (see an advisor or counselor). | ||
| 5. How much does the program cost? | ||
VN program: Including tuition, books, immunizations, uniforms, and license application fees, the cost is approximately $1890.37 the first semester, $1142.80 the second, and $1028.45 the third, totaling $4061.62 for in-district students. Out of district students will have a cost of $2570.52 in the first semester, $1742.80 in the second, and $1588.45 in the third, totaling $5901.77. Transition program: The beginning semester is approximately $350 in tuition and fees, $100 for uniforms and $800 for textbooks (which are used throughout the program). The second semester costs are approximately $500, while the final semester costs are about $1000 in tuition and fees. ADN program: Total cost for tuition, books, uniforms, and license applications is approximately $6,900.00 in district, for the four semester period. For an out-of-district student, the approximate cost is $11,000 for the four semester period. |
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| 6. How long is the program? | ||
The VN program must meet the state board requirement of approximately 1400 hours; therefore, the program is a full-time, one year program that begins each fall semester. Students typically, are in class all day Monday through Friday, except holidays and breaks recognized by the college district.
The (generic) ADN program is four semesters long. |
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| 7. The AD Nursing Program indicates there are nine (9) to twelve (12) credit hours per semester, how many clock hours per week will I need to commit to the program? | ||
| The nine ( (9) hour semester equates to 21 actual classroom/clinical hours. The twelve (12) credit semester equals to twenty-five (25) contact hours. Additionally, you should plan on a minimum study time of two (2) to three (3) hours per week, per credit hour. | ||
| 8. Can I get financial assistance for the program? | ||
Yes, the financial aid department utilizes several different sources to assist you with your financial needs, should you qualify. There are many different scholarships geared only for the nursing profession that are also available. For more information, visit the following web addresses: http://www.nhmccd.edu/templates/index.cfm?theme=pros&id=02033&top=getstarted and http://ecampus.nhmccd.edu/Student_Services/FinAid/index.asp |
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| 9. Will taking science classes in college help me in the program? | ||
| Yes, since much of
the VN program is science-based taking Biology 2401 and Biology 2402 can
be very helpful to success in the program. If you have been out of school
for some time, BIOL 1406 is recommended prior to BIOL 2401. Additionally,
these courses are utilized in the ranking process for admission. Specific course requirements need to be completed for entry into the LVN to ADN program. Please see the checklist for a list of these courses. |
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| 10. How many students are accepted? | ||
| Montgomery College
accepts twenty-four students each fall for the VN program and thirty LVN’s
to the LVN to ADN transition program each summer. Current plans include accepting 30 students to the full ADN program in Fall 04. |
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| 11. When will I be notified? | ||
| Letters will be sent
to applicants approximately one month after the application deadlines. Deadlines are February 15 for the August VN class and March 1 for Transition. |
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| 12. Is there a waiting list to get in the program? | ||
| No, the nursing program fills their allocation, then, places approximately 10 applicants as alternates. If you are not accepted into the program, you then must reapply the following year. | ||
| 13. How often is the program offered? | ||
| The VN program is
offered every summer with an application deadline of February 15, early
in the year. Only Kingwood and Tomball College currently offer spring start.
The Transition program begins in the summer with an application deadline of March 1. The ADN (generic) program begins every fall, with an application deadline of March 1st. |
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| 14. Can I go part time? | ||
No, the VN program
is geared for full-time, Monday through Friday. The ADN program also meets 25 hours per week. Students are encouraged not to work more than 20 hours per week. |
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| 15. Can I transfer from one NHMCCD Nursing program to another NHMCCD nursing program? | ||
| Only if the there are current openings at other campuses that are following the same schedule. | ||
16. Can I transfer from an outside nursing program to any NHMCCD nursing program? |
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| 17. Is your nursing program accredited on the state and/or national level? | ||
Yes.
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| 18. Do you offer evening classes? | ||
No evening classes are currently offered; however, evening clinicals are available the last VN semester and may be offered in the transition program. Only Kingwood College offers an evening ADN program. |
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| 19. How much homework will I have? | ||
| Students average about 2-3 hours per evening. | ||
| 20. Can I work full time and still go to nursing school? | ||
| No, the VN students find their schedules too demanding to accomplish program goals while working. Transition students are encouraged not to work more than 20 hours per week. | ||
| 21. Can I be accepted to the program with a grade point average under a 2.0? | ||
| No, the VN admission
requirements state that each applicant must have a 2.0 or higher. A 2.5 GPA or higher is required for the Transition program and the ADN program. |
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| 22. Can I become a nurse if I have been convicted of a felony? | ||
| Texas law states if
you have ever been convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors, you may
be ineligible to receive a nursing license in the State of Texas. You must
submit to a criminal background check. Drug and assault related offenses
are carefully scrutinized. If this affects you, please contact: The Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners Investigation Office 333 Guadalupe Street, Ste. 3-400 Austin, Texas 78701 or The Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas 333 Guadalupe Street, Ste. 3-460 Austin, Texas 78701 |
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| 23. How do I get a license to practice as a License Vocational Nurse? | ||
| When students graduate from the VN program, they are eligible to apply for licensure with the Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas (BVNE). Paperwork will be completed with the faculty and the graduating students. The license application fee is $93. Graduates then apply to take the national licensing exam, the NCLE-PN, which costs $200. In order to become an LVN and practice as a nurse, a person must graduate from a VN program, pass the NCLEX-PN, and qualify for a license through the BVNE. | ||
| 24. Will it be easy to get a job once I graduate? | ||
| Texas, as well as the nation, is experiencing a critical nursing shortage, therefore the job market is excellent. | ||
| 25. When is the deadline to apply? | ||
| Applications and official transcripts are due by February 15, 2005 for the VN fall semester and March 1, 2005, for the Transition program. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. | ||
| 26. What is the difference between NHMCCD campuses? | ||
| Each campus has the same admission criteria for the type of programs they offer. Currently, CyFair, Kingwood, Tomball, and Montgomery Colleges all have vocational nurse programs. North Harris and Tomball Colleges offer the full associate degree nursing program. North Harris, Tomball, and Montgomery Colleges all have the Transition programs. Clinical rotations will typically be more in proximity to the campus you chose. | ||
| 27. What is the difference between an LVN and an RN? | ||
| One difference is the schooling. LVN’s typically go to school for one year and RN’s typically go to school from 2-4 years depending on whether you are going for an Associates degree in Nursing or a Bachelors degree in nursing. LVN’s and RN’s also have different responsibilities. The LVN delivers care to the bedside, in hospitals, clinics and home care. The RN delivers, plans, and manages care of clients in acute care and specialty areas. Salaries significantly increase in relationship to are years of training. (See Career Opportunities) | ||
| 28. What are the physical requirements of becoming a nurse? | ||
| See Compliance with Americans with Disability Act | ||
| 29. Can I become a nurse if I have a disability? | ||
| Yes, if “reasonable accommodations” allow you to perform according to the standards. | ||