Special Admission for Nursing at Sam Houston State University
Program Specific Requirements
BSN (Pre-licensure program)
Process for Nursing Program Admission
- Apply to SHSU through Undergraduate Admissions, for the semester you wish to begin the Nursing program.
- Submit your application to the Nursing Program via Nursing CAS for the semester you wish to begin the School of Nursing.
- Take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) and have results sent to the SHSU School of Nursing. (The TEAS is not required for the RN to BSN program.)
- Review immunization requirements listed on the School of Nursing website. Most immunizations are due with the application. Incomplete immunizations will result in the applicant being disqualified.
- Only 2 graded attempts of a Science course is allowed. A 3rd graded attempt automatically disqualifies a student to apply, with the exception of expiration. Nutrition does not count as a science course.” Drops/withdraw/resign does not count against graded attempts.
Students must complete 30 credit hours with a minimum 3.0 GPA and no grade less than a C, prior to making application to the School of Nursing. At least 20 credit hours must be from the nursing field of study.
All natural science courses must be completed within 7 years of application to the School of Nursing.
Admission consideration to the School of Nursing requires an overall GPA of 3.0 in all degree requirements and a 3.0 GPA in all nursing field of study courses. All grades must be a ‘C’ or better.
Students must score a minimum of 70 on the ATI-TEAS for admission consideration. ATI-TEAS sub-scores must be a minimum of 55. The TEAS exam may be taken every 30 days prior to the application period in which you are applying. During the application period, the TEAS exam can only be taken one (1) time. Given multiple test scores for a nursing applicant, the student must select which test scores that will be used for the application.
If you meet the preliminary requirements for acceptance, you will receive instructions for completing a criminal background check and fingerprint scanning with the agency specified by the Texas Board of Nursing
Students are conditionally accepted pending satisfactory completion of drug screening and criminal background checks and any relevant courses in progress.
Excerpts from Texas Board of Nursing website and Petition for Declaratory Order Form
- Applicants with eligibility issues (a positive criminal background screen and/or answering “yes” to questions 2-5) that could prevent them from taking the NCLEX examination, upon completion of a nursing program, must complete the eligibility review process. If you have a positive criminal background screen, you will NOT be admitted into SHSU’s Nursing program without an outcome letter from the Board of Nursing for the State of Texas stating that you have been granted permission to write the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The eligibility review process permits the Board to make decisions regarding an applicant’s eligibility for licensure prior to entering or completing a nursing program. Effective January 2018, applicants should wait for the initial outcome letter (for those not receiving a blue card) before submitting a Declaratory Order. However, they can submit paperwork in advance if they must also answer “yes” to questions 2-5.
- Further information:
School of Nursing Application Process
Texas Board of Nursing
Health
Students must provide evidence of being in good physical health, free of disease, and of having received all required immunizations. Prior to beginning classes students must pass a criminal background and drug check.
Core Performance Standards for Admission and Progression
**** Please Read Carefully ****
Below are listed the performance standards of the professional nursing program. Applicants to the Sam Houston State University (SHSU) School of Nursing (SON) should read these standards carefully, and be sure that you can comply with them. The SHSU SON expects all applicants for admission to possess and demonstrate the skills, attributes, and qualities set forth below, without unreasonable dependence on technology or intermediaries.
Critical Thinking: Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment, sufficient powers of intellect to acquire, assimilate, apply, and evaluate information and solve problems. For example, identify cause-effect relationships in clinical situations; develop and implement nursing care plans according to the nursing process; respond without delay to emergency situations
Interpersonal: Interpersonal abilities sufficient enough for interaction with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, economic, and intellectual backgrounds. For example, Establish rapport with patients/clients, colleagues, and other health care professionals. Respect cultural diversity and the rights of others.
Communication: Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form. Utilizes effective communication skills to interact with patient/client, peers, and other health care personnel of various ages, cultural, economic, and intellectual backgrounds in a variety of settings. For example, read, write and speak English effectively so as to be understood. Explain treatment and procedures; provide health teaching to individual clients and groups of clients based on assessed needs, available resources, age, lifestyle and cultural considerations; documents and interprets nursing actions and patient/client responses. Communicate information accurately and effectively with other Schools, colleagues, clients, and client families. Evaluate written orders, care plans, and treatment requests.
Mobility: Ability to reach assigned clinical sites. Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care. Sufficient physical abilities to function in the patient care settings, such as, physical health and stamina needed to carry out nursing procedures. Ability to calibrate and use equipment effectively. Ability to grasp small objects and perform electronic keyboarding/documentation. Ability to move around the patients/clients’ rooms, workspaces, treatment areas, and be able to move, position, and transport patients without causing harm, minimal pain, and discomfort for patient and staff alike.
Sensory: Sufficient use of the senses of vision, hearing, touch, and smell to observe, assess, and evaluate effectively (both close and at a distance) in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings. For example, hear monitor alarms, emergency signals, auscultation sounds and cries for help. Observe patient/client responses. Perform tactile/palpation functions of physical examination or those functions related to therapeutic intervention, e.g., insertion of catheters and IVs for therapy.
Behavioral: Sufficient motivation, responsibility, and flexibility to function in new, ever-changing, and stressful environments. Adapts appropriately to ever-changing needs of clients and client families. Adapts to assignment change of patient, clinical, or laboratory area in a manner that allows the student to meet objectives while providing safe, adequate patient care. Accountable for clinical preparation and independent study. Performs nursing functions in a safe, responsible manner. Ability to recognize the need for further research and respond accordingly based on changes in patient/client status since assignment was made.
