Nursing Generic Program A.A.S.

Academic Year (AY): October 1 thru September 30

As of January 2023 reporting changed to Calendar Year (CY)

Overall Program Completion

All applicants for nursing studies must be fully enrolled in San Antonio College. Submit your application through the Apply Texas website and verify that you are applying for the semester that you will be entering.

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Step-by-step information on the enrollment process can be found in Admissions & Aid / How to Apply.

Please Note: Individuals need to be 18 years or older to apply for the Nursing Program.

Applicants need to complete and submit an online application to the SAC Nursing Program using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

Please Note: All additional documentation, including transcripts and TEAS scores, can be scanned and submitted with the application under “Upload Transcript.” Name/identify the document by using the “College/University” area. Once the application is closed, you can not update your application.

The application process takes 1 to 1 1/2 months after the closing of the application period. Initially, notification letters will be sent to the personal email address provided on the Nursing application. All subsequent emails will be sent to ACES email address (@student.bagmakerblog.com). It is the responsibility of the applicant to maintain appropriate contact information at all times.

Only applications that are complete will be reviewed for conditional acceptance. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Submitting incomplete, misleading, or fabricated information on the student admission application or any admission document is reason for dismissal of the student from the nursing program at the time the breach is discovered. Students are strongly encouraged to retain original copies of all documents submitted as part of the application packet.

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Science courses must be completed prior to applying with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. GPA calculation of science courses for admission cannot be older than 5 yrs. if transferring from another institution.

• BIOL 2401 Human Anatomy and Physiology I - BIOL 2401 must have been completed within 5 years if transferred from another college or university.
• BIOL 2402 Human Anatomy and Physiology II - The prerequisite is the completion of BIOL 2401. BIOL 2402 must have been completed within 5 years if transferred from another college or university.
• BIOL 2420 Microbiology for Nursing and Allied Health – The prerequisite is the completion of CHEM 1405 or CHEM 1305 and 1105.  BIOL 2420 must also include a lab component. If transferring from another college or university, completion must be NO more than 5 years old.

Allow up to six weeks for the processing of the transfer credit. Having all coursework posted to the applicant record will allow nursing program admissions officials to access course grades for the consideration of the applicant.

Please Note: Lack of grades for required coursework means the applicant will not be considered for admission. It is the applicant's responsibility to make certain all transcripts reflecting degree-requirement courses are evident in the admissions record and have been credited.

General education courses required - at least 3 of the 4 courses must be completed prior to applying.  Any remaining prerequisite course needs to be completed prior to starting the nursing program. The courses required are:

• ENGL 1301 Freshman Composition I
• PSYC 2301 General Psychology
• PHIL 2306 Introduction to Ethics
• PSYC 2314 Lifespan Growth and Development

GPA is calculated by course grade points added together then divided by number of courses (Course grade: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0) = GPA.

Standardized entrance exam ATI Testing of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS)

All applicants must take and submit an ATI TEAS Nursing Student Assessment Exam. The San Antonio College Nursing Program will be accepting the ATI TEAS 7 only. Beginning June 1, 2024, San Antonio College will only accept TEAS testing done in person. We will NO longer allow or accept scores of ATI TEAS that were proctored through remote testing.

ATI TEAS Testing Policy

All following requirements must be met:

1. ATI TEAS score to be submitted by the deadline date of the application period. Applications without a teas score submission cannot be considered for admissions.
2. ATI TEAS score cannot be more than 1 year old.
3. 1 point per testing category (Reading, Math, Science & Language usage) is required.
4. Minimum of 4 points must be achieved in order to be considered for admission

If you need to retake the TEAS test, ATI requires a 30-day wait period.

Although 4 points is the minimum requirement, to increase your chances, it is best if you score higher.

•  All applicants offered admission to the program will need to create a CastleBranch (CB) account costing approximately $70. This CB Compliance account will help digitally manage and organize your required drug screening and other clinical requirement such as immunizations. 

•  Every applicant offered admission to the RN programs in the Nursing Department will also be required to undergo a background check by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON).

At the time when the School of Nursing offers admission to the candidate, the candidate is required to submit the Authorization Form that they are given. The School of Nursing will submit a roster using the information on the Authorization form of the candidates to Texas BON.  If you are offered admission, instructions regarding how to complete your background check will be included in your conditional acceptance packet.

If the results of the background check are clear, the offer of admission will be considered final only if all other admission requirements have been fulfilled. However, if the results are not cleared, the offer of admission may be rescinded based on the timeline for resolving any issues.

The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) has legally granted the power to deny permission for a candidate to take the NCLEX-RN examination if it is deemed the individual has not demonstrated "good professional character."

The Board may refuse to: 

• Approve persons to take the licensure examination.
• Issue or renew a license or certificate of registration to any individual who has been convicted of a felony, a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or engaged in conduct resulting in revocation of probation imposed pursuant to such conviction.   

After the School of Nursing submits the roster of the candidates to the Texas BON. The Texas BON will email a "FAST PASS" originator number to be provided by each candidate to IndentoGo informing them that Texas BON is requesting the CBC report be sent to Texas BON. Each candidate is responsible for making an appointment with IndentoGo using the originator number provided to have the fingerprint check completed. Candidates are also required to pay the cost of the background check and fingerprint scanning.

Once IndentoGo has completed the background check, they will submit the results to Texas BON. If the fingerprint scan is rejected for some reason, Texas BON will notify the candidate to request a repeat scan be completed. Otherwise, reports will be submitted to Texas BON in approximately 7 to 10 days. Texas BON will then notify the candidate of the results. Candidates with a clear check will receive a blue postcard indicating the finding. It is very important for applicants to keep a copy of their blue postcard for their records and turn in a copy to the Nursing Admissions Department as soon as it is received. You will be eligible to enter the program as long as all other required materials have also been received by the Nursing Department Admissions Specialist.

Candidates who have not been cleared will be notified by Texas BON and asked to submit a petition for a "Declaratory Order." The petition will be reviewed by Texas BON. In order to comply with the Texas Board of Nursing and affiliated clinical agencies, the candidate will not be admitted into the San Antonio College Nursing Program. The candidate may reapply at the next application period when a background check has been cleared by the Texas Board of Nursing.

Frequently asked questions in regard to the Background Checks done through the Board of Nursing can be found on the Texas Board of Nursing site.

To comply with clinical agency requirements, all students registering for clinical nursing courses are required to show written evidence of the following:

Yearly TB Testing one of the following:

1. Negative QuantiFERON-TB Gold or T-SPOT TB blood screen test (good for 2 yrs.), or
2. Negative PPD or chest X-ray with the last 12 month, or
3. Negative PPD yearly thereafter while enrolled in the program.

• Students with a positive PPD must submit current documentation from their Medical Providers (on Health Providers Letterhead) stating that the student is negative for infective process.
• Students whose responses indicate possibility of TB infection must submit documentation of medical evaluation and treatment, if applicable.
• Students with a negative PPD on admission who convert to positive while enrolled in the program must submit documentation of medical evaluation and treatment.

Yearly Flu Shot

Required August thru July. New flu shot must be taken before classes start in August.

Immunizations

• Complete Hepatitis B series or serologic confirmation of immunity to Hepatitis B submitted in 1 of the three options:
  • Hep B – Heplisav-B - 2 shot series of (completed in 2 months).
  • Hep B – Engerix-B, Recombivax HB or Twinrex - 3 shot series (Completed in 6 months).
  • Proof of Hep B Surface Antibody, IgG titer – only this type of titer will be acceptable.
• Complete series of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccines.
• One dose of diphtheria-tetanus toxoid (Tdap or Td) vaccination within the past ten years.
• Two doses of varicella vaccine are needed. Individuals born between 1966-1997 who have a doctor or parental reports of disease are considered immune.
• Serologic confirmation (titers) of immunity to measles, rubella, mumps, hepatitis B, or varicella is acceptable.
• A copy of the immunization record should be submitted to the Admissions department as a process for admission.
• During the nursing program, each student will be asked to show evidence of current immunization requirements required in every clinical course to each clinical instructor.  If there are further questions regarding this requirement, consult your clinical instructor.
• Please read the Admissions and Records site regarding Bacterial Meningitis.

CPR Card in Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers

Proof of current Healthcare Provider cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) card in Basic Life Support for adults, children, and infants. A student must show evidence of having completed American Heart Association (AHA) CPR certification. This certification may be obtained through an AHA approved program. CPR certification should be renewed every two years (must be completed hands-on, no internet recertification). American Heart Association is the required certification.

Drug Screen

Proof of a negative drug screen.

Medical Insurance

Proof of current medical insurance coverage throughout enrollment in the nursing program. It cannot be "cost-shared" insurance.

COVID Vaccine

Beginning November 2021: Students will need to provide proof of the COVID vaccine for clinical courses. For Religious and cultural exemptions, the hospital requires a form to be considered for waiver. The individual hospital/facility will review and determine the exemption status.

Functional Capabilities

The student must also be able to adapt to changing environments, display flexibility and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation are all personal qualities that will be assessed during the admission and education process.

It is assumed that an applicant or a student enrolled in the Department of Nursing Education will be able to perform the following:

Physical Senses

• Functionally use the senses of vision, hearing, smell, and touch with or without technical (mechanical) compensation.
• Observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand.
• Observation necessitates the functional use of the sense of vision and somatic sensation. It is enhanced by the functional use of the sense of smell.

Psychomotor skills

• Execute functional psychomotor movements to provide general nursing care and emergency treatments.
• Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.

Communication abilities

• Hear, observe, and speak to patients to elicit information; describe changes in mood, activity, and posture; and perceive nonverbal communication.
• An applicant must be able to communicate with patients effectively and with sensitivity.
• Communication includes not only speech but reading and writing.
• The applicant must be able to communicate effectively in oral and written form with all members of the health care team.

Intellectual capabilities

• Utilize intellectual abilities by independently reading, writing, and reasoning, understanding logic, and asking questions for clarification.
• Comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand the spatial relationships of structures.

Emotional stability

• Demonstrate the emotional health required for full utilization of intellectual abilities and exercise good judgment.
• The applicant must be able to complete promptly all responsibilities attendant to the care of patients and develop mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with them.
• An applicant must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and function effectively under stress.