DNE Requirements
Students considered for admission to the DNE's (Department of Nursing Education) nursing program MUST:

• Meet the general admission requirements of San Antonio College and be admitted to the college.
• Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (on a 4 point scale) or higher in all San Antonio College work and meet academic standards of the college.
• Not on scholastic probation.
• Have proof of successful completion of a 4 hour college level courses in:
• Human Anatomy and Physiology or its equivalent (4 semester hours) with a grade of "C" or higher.
• Meet basic mathematics competency.  Proof of a basic mathematics competency is a San Antonio College Exit Competency;  HOWEVER, IT IS AN ENTRANCE REQUIREMENT FOR THE  DEPARTMENT OF NURSING EDUCATION.  For nursing students applicants, the following is in effect:
• Accuplacer EA (Elementary Algebra) score of 76 or higher;
• TASP Math of 230 or higher;
• "C" or better in a three-hour college-level mathematics course
• MATH 1314:  College algebra
• MATH 1332:  Liberal Arts Mathematics

Board of Nurse Examiners' Requirement for Licensure (Declaratory Orders)

Conviction of a felony or hospitalization for treatment of mental illness or chemical dependency will not bar a student from admission into the nursing program, but students with criminal convictions may have difficulty progressing in the program. Some hospitals mandate criminal background checks prior to clinical laboratory experiences.  Students not passing the background checks are prohibited from attending clinical laboratories at those hospitals.

The Board of Nurse Examiners for the state of Texas may deny a graduate's application to write the N-CLEX-RN licensure examination if the student has a criminal conviction or a mental or physical disability or illness which may endanger the welfare of persons under his/ her care. Applicants with questions concerning background checks or the Board's eligibility requirements should contact the Department of Nursing Education for further information.

Students, during the Application Process, will be required to sign a paper stating they have been informed and understand the Declaratory Order Clause.  It is imperative that one contacts the Board early to ascertain their status for approval to take the N-CLEX rather than wait until one is near completion of the program.

(See Declaratory Orders and Drug Testing Policy)

The Department of Nursing Education requirement guidelines includes the applicant/student’s ability to functionally use all senses necessary to perform the duties and responsibilities of a registered nurse.  The applicant/student must demonstrate intellectual and emotional well-being consistent with the expectations of registered nurses caring for clients.

The applicant must 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 clients.  Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation are all personal qualities that will be assessed during the education process.

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

• Functionally use the senses of vision, hearing, smell, and touch with or without technical (mechanical) compensation.
• Observe a client 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.
• 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.
• Hear, observe, and speak to clients to elicit information; describe changes in mood, activity, and posture; and perceive nonverbal communications.  An applicant must be able to communicate with clients 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.
• Utilize intellectual abilities, exercise good judgment, complete a task, and comprehend spatial relationships.  Comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand the spatial relationships of structures.

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 clients and develop mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with them.  An applicant must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and function effectively under stress.

Attendance at a New Student Orientation is required by all students whether the student status is "admitted" or "alternate pool".   Only students who attend Nursing Student Orientation will be allowed to begin nursing classes.  According to a decision by the Board of Nurse Examiners, Distance Learning students are required to come to the campus for the orientation.

The orientation is held the week before classes begin in the Fall and Spring semesters.  The student will be notified of the date.  Plan to set aside the majority of the day for the orientation program.

A required Nursing Student Handbook is published once per year in the summer.  It will be available in the College Bookstore before the Fall semester classes begin.

• Generic Program
• Career Mobility Option