Upward Mobility LVN to ADN Program

Director: Shirley MacNeill, MSN, RN, CNE

Office: Allied Health Building, Office 102

Phone: 409-984-6356

The Upward Mobility LVN to ADN Program (ADN Program) is designed to allow the experienced Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) the opportunity to advance in their nursing career by earning an associate of applied science degree after successfully completing the Upward Mobility LVN to ADN Program. The Upward Mobility LVN to ADN Program is designed to provide sound educational experience, ensure competence in nursing, and achieve the LVN’s goal of career advancement with minimal duplication of education.

The Upward Mobility LVN to ADN Program is competency based and typically a twelve-month program leading to an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing and eligibility to take the Next Generation National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become a Registered Nurse (R.N.).

The Upward Mobility LVN to ADN Program is a selective enrollment program. The program has a limited capacity and selects students based upon defined criteria. Students must complete prerequisite courses before applying to the program. Potential students must have a clear and unencumbered Vocational Nursing License, before full acceptance into the Upward Mobility LVN to ADN Program. Application forms, selection criteria and admission procedures are available from the Upward Mobility LVN to ADN Program in the Allied Health Building and the LSCPA website.

Admission Requirements

Individuals interested in enrolling in the Upward Mobility LVN to ADN (ADN) Program must apply to Lamar State College Port Arthur and submit a program application for the ADN Program.

Complete information about requirements and application forms are available from the Allied Health Department and the LSCPA website.

The number of students admitted to any class is governed by space availability and the requirements of the Texas Board of Nursing. The Admission Criteria Rating Form was developed to aid in the objective selection of the class.

Applicants are ranked according to their score on the Admission Criteria Rating Form. In any given admission period, those applicants having the highest scores are the applicants admitted to the program. Lamar State College Port Arthur is an open access institution. All available slots are filled with the most qualified applicants.

Successful completion of academic prerequisites does not guarantee admission to the program. Successful completion of the ADN Program does NOT guarantee that a graduate may take the NCLEX-RN.

Students who plan to apply for the ADN Program must complete prerequisite courses with a 'C' or better.

Upon receipt of a completed ADN Program application student information will be submitted to the Texas Board of Nursing for a background check. Students may be required to submit fingerprints upon notification by the approved vendor of the Texas Board of Nursing.

Once students are admitted into the ADN Program a drug screening, proof of required immunizations, and American Heart Association CPR will be required to meet the clinical facility requirements. Students must pass the drug screening and have all of other requirements met in order to attend clinical. Nursing Faculty will offer a CPR course during the semester to students who need it.

Program Information

Once accepted into the Upward Mobility LVN to ADN Program, the curriculum is three semesters in length. One cohort of students begin the program in January. During the program, students attend lecture, laboratory, and clinical courses. For additional information about the ADN Program, please examine the Nursing Program Handbook available on the LSCPA website (www.lamarpa.edu).

Students enrolled in the Upward Mobility LVN to ADN Program must meet the following requirements in order to graduate:

Earn a ‘C’ or better in all courses in the Recommended Program of Study.
Maintain a Cumulative 2.0 Grade Point Average.
Submit an online application to complete the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and pay associated fees.
Pay NCLEX-RN fees to Pearson Vue.
Submit LSCPA graduation application and pay associated fees.
Complete an approved NCLEX-RN Review Course taken within the final semester.

Students must earn a minimum score of 75% in all nursing courses (RNSG) to earn a grade of ‘C’.

Eligibility for Licensure

The Texas Board of Nursing (TBON) identified certain circumstances that may render a potential candidate ineligible for licensure as a nurse in the State of Texas. The board provides individuals with an opportunity to Petition for a Declaratory Order as to their eligibility in accordance with Article 301.257 of the Nursing Practice Act. Information is available on the TBON website, www.bon.texas.gov.

To check your eligibility for licensure or renewing your license, please review the following questions:

Have you ever had any disciplinary action on a nursing license or a privilege to practice in any state, country, or province?
Do you have an investigation or complaint pending on a nursing license or a privilege to practice in any state, country, or province?
Have you, in the last 5 years*, been addicted to and/or treated for the use of alcohol or any other drug?
For any criminal offense*, including those pending appeal, have you:

(You may only exclude Class C misdemeanor traffic violations or offenses previously disclosed to the Texas Board of Nursing on an initial or renewal application.)
1. Been arrested or have a pending criminal charges?
2. Been convicted of a misdemeanor?
3. Been convicted of a felony?
4. Pled “nolo contendere,” no contest or guilty?
5. Received deferred adjudication?
6. Been placed on community supervision or court-ordered probation, whether or not adjudicated guilty?
7. Been sentenced to serve jail or prison time or court-ordered confinement?
8. Been granted pre-trial diversion?
9. Been cited or charged with any violation of the law?
10. Been the subject of a court martial, Article 15 violation or received any form of military judgment/punishment/action?
Have you ever had any licensing (other than a nursing license) or regulatory authority in any state, jurisdiction, country, or province revoked, annulled, cancelled, accepted surrender of, suspended, placed on probation, refused to renew or otherwise discipline any other professional or occupational license, certificate, nurse aide registration or multistate privilege to practice that you held?
Are you currently suffering from any condition for which you are not being appropriately treated that impairs your judgment or that would otherwise adversely affect your ability to practice nursing in a competent, ethical, and professional manner?
*Are you currently the target or subject of a grand jury or governmental agency investigation?
*Are you currently a participant in an alternative to discipline, diversion, or a peer assistance program? (This includes all confidential programs) NOTE: Any positive response will remain confidential and not subject to public disclosure unless required by law.
Have you ever been granted the authority to practice nursing in any country, state, province, or territory?

NOTE: This does not apply to any nursing license(s) issued by another US state or territory, excluding Puerto Rico. If you were licensed in Puerto Rico, you should be answering yes.
*Pursuant to the Texas Occupations Code §301.207, information, including diagnosis and treatment, regarding an individual’s physical or mental condition, intemperate use of drugs or alcohol, or chemical dependency and information regarding an individual’s criminal history is confidential to the same extent that information collected as part of an investigation is confidential under the Texas Occupations Code §301.466.

Upward Mobility LVN to ADN Nursing, Associate of Applied Science