ADN Programs Houston, TX

A career in nursing is beneficial for those who enjoy caring for others. Providing physical and emotional support must always be a top priority for those who enter the profession, but there are other benefits of getting an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). The current need for nurses in the healthcare sector means there are numerous opportunities for new and existing nurses. Apart from the abundance of opportunities, nurses also receive excellent compensation for their valuable contributions. Nurses come in at number 18 on the list of best-paying jobs not requiring a bachelor’s degree. New nurse graduates in Texas report earnings of $50,000 or more per year.

In one survey, more than 91% of nurses expressed satisfaction with their choice of profession. Their duties are physically and emotionally challenging, but the joys of caring for others and taking an active part in the restoration of health more than compensate for the challenges.

The ADN program provides one of the fastest routes for entry into the profession. Students can complete the requirements (approximately 60 credits) in just two years of full-time attendance. They become eligible for licensure and employment as a registered nurse after successful completion of the National Council Licensure Exam. The Texas Board of Nursing oversees the registration of nurses in the state.

Houston Community College

Students enrolled in the Associate Degree Nursing Program at Houston Community College will acquire the knowledge and skills to care for and counsel patients and their families in various health care settings. Program graduates will be awarded an Associate of Applied Science degree and will be eligible to apply for the NCLEX for licensure as a Registered Nurse.

Program Outline
Semester credits: 60
Duration: 24 months

Course titles:
Prerequisite courses – Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, Composition I, General Psychology

Core Courses – Foundations for Nursing Practice, Pharmacology, Clinical – Registered Nursing, Nursing Skills I, Anatomy and Physiology II, Anatomy and Physiology II Lab, Common Concepts of Adult Health, Clinical – Registered Nursing, Care of Children and Families, Clinical – Registered Nursing, Integrated Care of the Patient with Complex Health Care Needs, Clinical – Registered Nursing, Care of the Childbearing Family, Mental Health Nursing, Clinical – Registered Nursing, Humanities/Fine Arts Elective, Professional Nursing: Leadership and Management, Nursing Skills II, Complex Concepts of Adult Health, Clinical – Registered Nursing, Professional Nursing Review and Licensure Preparation (Capstone)

Admission criteria:

  • Be admitted to HCC before applying to the ADN program
  • Submit official college transcript – allow time for evaluation of transcripts
  • Attend a Program Information Session – registration is required
  • Complete the application form
  • Submit a completed application to the nursing program in person to Students Services at HCC Center of Excellence for Health Sciences
  • Submit official transcripts indicating completion of the prerequisite courses
  • Complete the prerequisite courses with a minimum grade C and GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Complete a placement test Math 0314 – if assessed below college level math
  • Complete HESI testing with a score of 80% or higher in Anatomy and Physiology, Grammar, Math, and Reading. Candidates must score 800 or higher in the Critical Thinking section
  • Complete the letter of intent form by the deadline
  • Provide proof of personal health insurance
  • Pass a drug screen
  • Complete a physical examination
  • Provide immunization record indication Hepatitis B immunization series, MMR, Tdap, varicella, meningitis, and influenza
  • Clear a criminal background from the Texas State Board of Nursing
  • Complete mandatory Program and Student Services Orientation on the date indicated in the admission email.

Program Cost:
The approximate cost of completing the ADN program is $8,969 for in-district students. The cost includes tuition, textbooks, lab fees, liability insurance, paring, Jurisprudence, Pearson Vue exam, medical insurance, immunization, HESI test, and criminal background/drug screening.

Website: https://www.hccs.edu/
Address: 3100 Main Street, Houston TX 77002
Phone: 713-718-2000
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 49.24%

Lone Star College

The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program at Lone Star College includes classroom, laboratory, and clinical instruction that covers concepts that progress from simple to complex. The curriculum is divided by content area such as care of children, families, and adult health. Graduates of the ADN degree are eligible to apply to take the licensure exam to become a Registered Nurse. The Texas BON will determine the applicant’s eligibility to take the exam. Admission to the program is competitive, so students are accepted based on scores determined by the GPA of prerequisite courses and national and standardized pre-entrance tests.

Program Outline
Semester credits: 60
Duration: 2 years

Course titles:
Prerequisite courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology, Composition and Rhetoric

Core courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Introduction to Nursing, Health Assessment, Nursing Skills II, General Psychology, Medical Microbiology, Common Concepts of Adult Health, Clinical – Common Concepts of Adult Health, Mental Health Nursing, Clinical – Registered Nursing, Complex Concepts of Adult Health, Clinical – Registered Nursing, Maternal/Newborn Nursing and Women’s Health, Clinical – Registered Nursing, Pharmacology, Creative Arts/Language, Philosophy, & Culture, Adaptation to Role of Professional Nurse, Advanced Concepts of Adult Health, Clinical – Registered Nursing, Care of Children and Families, Clinical – Registered Nursing

Admission criteria:

  • Demonstrate college readiness by placing into ENG 1301 and MATH 1314 or higher or obtaining satisfactory scores on assessment exams
  • Complete the prerequisite courses with a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higer – BIOL 2401 and ENGL 1301. The biology course must be equivalent to 4 credit hours, which includes lectures and lab and completed no more than five years before entry to the program
  • Complete a national, standardized nursing pre-entrance test with the minimum score requirement
  • Provide official transcripts from all colleges attended
  • Submit a completed college application
  • Official lab report of Quantitative Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Immunity titer completed within the past 3 years
  • Complete the AHA Basic Life Support for Providers Certification
  • Obtain a satisfactory FBI background check – completed through the BON

Program Cost
Tuition and fees cost $1,236 per semester for full-time students (12 credits).  Students must also cover the costs for textbooks, uniforms, titers and immunizations, testing fees, lab equipment, licensure fees, physical exam, background check, drug screens, CPR certification, health care insurance, and transport to and from the clinical sites.

Website: https://www.lonestar.edu/index.htm
Address: 5000 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands TX 77381
Phone: 832-813-6500
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 87.50%

Brazosport College

The Brazosport College ADN Program leads to an Associate in Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.). Program graduates will be eligible to apply for the NCLEX for licensure as a Registered Nurse. Persons interested in applying to the program must complete mandatory entrance testing in college-level reading, writing, and math. The application period runs from mid-January to mid-April. Classes begin in the Summer II semester every year.

Program Outline
Semester credits: 60
Total program hours: 1760
Duration: 2 years

Course titles:
Prerequisite courses – Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, Medical Terminology, English I, Microbiology

Core courses – Introduction to Nursing, Dosage Calculation for Nursing, Health Assessment, Pharmacology, Nursing Skills I, Nursing Skills II, Clinical Nursing I, Common Concepts Adult Health, Clinical Nursing II, Mental Health Nursing, Lifespan Growth & Development, Maternal/Newborn Nursing & Women’s Health, Care of Children & Families, Complex Concepts Adult Health II, Clinical Nursing III, Clinical Nursing IV, Language, Philosophy, Culture or Creative Arts

Admission criteria:

  • Complete all the admission requirements
  • Complete the TSI test – if applicable
  • Have a high school diploma from an accredited secondary school or equivalent
  • Complete the FASFA online
  • Request college transcripts to be sent directly to Brazosport College Registrar
  • Take and pass the TEAS
  • Submit three references from professors or other individuals
  • Provide documentation of required immunizations – Td, MMR, Hepatitis B, Varicella, annual influenza, meningococcal vaccine, annual PPD screening
  • Obtain a satisfactory FBI criminal background check initiated by the ADN program coordinator
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better on the prerequisite courses
  • Have a urine drug screen and physical exam
  • Current BLS CPR

Program cost:
Tuition and fees cost $2,172 per year for full-time students. Additional costs include course fees, books, insurance, uniforms and patches, BLS,  equipment, NCLEX Review, and licensure exam.

Website: https://www.brazosport.edu/
Address: 500 College Drive, Lake Jackson, TX 77566
Phone: (979) 230-3000
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 90.00%

Lee College

Lee College’s Associate Degree Nursing Program prepares students with the foundational concepts and competencies to practice as a registered nurse. Graduates will be eligible to apply for the NCLEX for licensure by the Texas Board of Nursing. Through articulation agreements with Chamberlain University and Lamar University, graduates have the opportunity to transition to the BSN by enrolling in the RN to BSN program. Candidates for enrollment are advised to complete the general education courses before entering the program.

Program Outline
Semester credits: 60
Total program hours: 1760
Duration: 2 years

Course titles:
Prerequisite courses – Anatomy and Physiology I, Pharmacology, English Composition I, Introduction to Psychology

Core courses – Life Span Growth and Development, Foundations for Nursing Practice, Nursing Skills I, Clinical Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Complex Concepts of Adult Health, Clinical – Registered Nursing, Microbiology, Care of the Childbearing Family, Clinical- Registered Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Clinical – Nursing Registered Nurse Training, Creative Arts/Language, Philosophy and Culture, English Composition II, Enhanced Concepts of Adult Health I, Clinical – Nursing Registered Nurse Training, Professional Nursing – Leadership and Management

Admission criteria:

  • Apply for admission to Lee College before applying to the nursing program
  • Request official transcripts to be sent to the Admissions and Records Office
  • Provide documentation of Hepatitis B immunizations
  • Must carry personal health insurance – submit a copy of student’s health insurance card
  • Complete a criminal background check
  • Take and pass the pre-admission test (HESI A-2)
  • Submit an application to the nursing program within the time specified – January 15 to March 15
  • Have an overall GPA of 2.7 in degree plan courses
  • A minimum 2.7 GPA on prerequisite courses
  • A minimum 2.5 GPA on science courses
  • Demonstrate computer skills competency
  • Submit to drug screen

Program cost:
Tuition and fees cost $773 per semester for full-time students. The program is eligible for financial aid.

Website: https://www.lee.edu/ 
Address: McNulty-Haddick Building, 711 W. Texas Ave., Baytown, TX 77520
Phone: 281-425-6229
Email: nursingdept@lee.edu
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 94.12%

Wharton County Junior College

Wharton Main Campus admits students to the Texas Board of Nursing approved Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing program one a year. There are two tracks for entry into the program – the traditional entry to prepare students for practice as a registered nurse and the LVN to ADN transition program, which is an accelerated track for Licensed Vocational Nurses. Traditional students will complete the program in 22 months, and the transition program can be completed in 12 months. Instructors focus on the art and science of nursing using classroom lectures, skills lab, and patient care in clinical settings such as clinics, nursing homes, hospitals, and community-based agencies. Students will participate in the clinical sessions for approximately 14 to 16 hours a week. Graduates will earn the AAS in Nursing and will be eligible to take the NCLEX for Registered Nurses. They may also continue their education to the baccalaureate degree. The program begins in the Fall semester. Applications are available from November, and the deadline for complete application requirements is the third Wednesday in March.

Program Outline
Semester credits: 60
Duration: 22 months

Course titles:
Prerequisite courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology I, General Psychology, Lifespan Growth and Development, Composition I, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Microbiology, and a language, philosophy, & culture or creative arts elective.

Core courses – Professional Nursing Competencies, Introduction to Health Care Concepts, Health Care Concepts I, Professional Nursing Concepts I, Clinical – Registered Nursing, Health Care Concepts II, Professional Nursing Concepts II, Clinical – Registered Nursing, Health Care Concepts III, Professional Nursing Concepts III, Clinical – Registered Nursing, Health Care Concepts IV, Professional Nursing Concepts IV, Clinical – Registered Nursing (Capstone Course)

Admission criteria:

  • Submit an application for admission to the college
  • Satisfy the components of the Texas Success Initiative before submitting an application to the program
  • Apply to the ADN program
  • Submit an unofficial or copy of an official transcript from each college attended with the AND application.
  • Complete a transcript evaluation of any college coursework completed outside of WCJA. Transcripts for evaluation should be sent one semester prior to the application deadline
  • Complete the prerequisite courses with a GPA of 2.5 or higher and a grade C or better
  • Take and pass the TEAS with a minimum score of 70% in Reading, 70% in Math, and 70% in Science.
  • Sign and date the Students’ Responsibility Form
  • Show proof of Hepatitis B vaccination

Program cost:
The cost of attendance for two years is $10,380 for in-district residents. Costs include tuition, technology fee, student fees, liability insurance, drug screen, criminal background, physical exam, immunizations, books, uniforms, testing fees, and licensure fees.

Website: https://www.wcjc.edu/index.aspx
Address: 911 Boling Highway, Wharton, Texas 77488
Phone: (979) 532-4560
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 84.00%

College of the Mainland

The ADN Program at College of the Mainland prepares adults to become registered nurses and care for patients in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings. There are full-time and part-time pre-licensure tracks as well as an LVN to RN transition track for persons who are licensed to practice as vocational nurses. The curriculum combines theory in the classroom with practical work in a simulated lab and clinical sites. Students who successfully complete the program requirements will receive an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing and will be eligible to apply to the Texas Board of Nursing to take the NCLEX for Registered Nurses.

Program Outline
Semester credits: 60
Duration: 22 months

Course titles:
Prerequisite courses – Composition I, Introduction to Psychology, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Microbiology

Core courses – Lifespan Development, Health Assessment, Nursing Skills I, Introduction to Nursing, Introduction to Nursing Clinical, Common Concepts of Adult Health, Common Concepts of Adult Health Clinical, Mental Health Nursing, Mental Health Nursing Clinical, Care of the Childbearing Family, Care of the Childbearing Family Clinical, Care of Children and Families, Care of Children and Families Clinical, Language, Philosophy, & Culture/Creative Arts, Complex Concepts of Adult Health, Complex Concepts of Adult Health Clinical, Professional Nursing Review/Licensure Preparation, Capstone Clinical

Admission criteria:

  • Submit an official transcript and a Transcript Evaluation Form to the Admissions Department – the transcript evaluation can take up to 3 months during peak times
  • Apply to one of the ADN tracks using the online portal
  • Must have completed the prerequisite courses with a grade C or higher
  • Take and pass the HESI A2 test with a score of 75% or greater in Math, Reading, Grammar, Basic Vocabulary, A&P
  • Complete TSI College Readiness
  • Have a prerequisite GPA of 2.80 or higher
  • Provide proof of Hepatitis B series – 3 vaccinations in total
  • Documentation of annual flu vaccination
  • Immunization record for MMR, Varicella, Tdap
  • Proof of TB screen – must be PPD, chest X-Ray, or Quantiferon serological test
  • Proof of Basic Life Support (BLS) completed within a year of program application

Program cost:
The estimated cost of the program for students who live in-district is $4,926 and $6,256 for students who live out-of-district. Additional costs include but are not limited to textbooks and materials, background check, simulated electronic health record (HER), drug screening, NCLEX Application fee, jurisprudence fee, lab coat, uniforms, immunizations, CPR, health insurance, and physical exam.

Website: https://www.com.edu/
Address: 1200 Amburn Rd., Texas City, TX 77591
Phone: (409) 938-1211
Toll-Free: (888) 258-8859
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 84.72%

Alvin Community College

The Alvin Community College (ACC) facilitates an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program with approval from the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). The goal is to prepare adults to take the NCLEX-RN and provide safe and competent care as a Registered Nurse. There are two career tracks for entry – the traditional two-year pathway and a one-year LVN to RN transition track. The traditional track admits 40 students in each Fall and Spring semester. Approximately 10 to 20 students are admitted to the LVN-to-RN program each June. Qualified applicants are added to an application pool and selected for admission. The school will send a notification to successful applications six weeks after the application deadline.

Program Outline
Semester credits: 60
Duration: 24 months

Course titles:
Prerequisite courses – Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, Composition I, General Psychology

Core courses – Lifespan Growth & Development, Integrated Nursing Skills I, Clinical I RN, Introduction to Professional Nursing for Integrated Programs, Microbiology for Non-Science Majors, Integrated Nursing Skills II, Clinical II RN, Integrated Care of the Patient with Common Health Care Needs, Select from Creative Arts Core Curriculum, Select from Language, Philosophy & Culture Core Curriculum, Integrated Care of the Patient with Complex Health Care Needs, Clinical III RN, Integrated Patient Care Management, Clinical IV RN

Admission criteria:

  • Be admitted to ACC before applying to the ADN program
  • Attend a mandatory applicant meeting
  • Provide proof of Hepatitis B at the meeting – it must indicate two Hepatitis-B injections or report of Hepatitis-B immunity
  • Take the HESI-A2 test – there are no substitutes for this requirement. Scores must be 5 years or less and be at least 78% (cumulative) on Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary & Knowledge, Anatomy and Physiology, and Math
  • Submit official college transcripts to the ACC Registrar
  • Meet the standards for Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Standards
  • Provide proof of certification or licensure in a healthcare-related field for bonus points in the application process – CNA, Medication Aide, EMT, Paramedic, Pharmacy, Radiology, Phlebotomy, Medical Lab Technology, Sonography, or Respiratory Care
  • CPR certification from American Heart Association: Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers
  • Complete the Physical Exam Form provided by the department
  • Negative TB screen and negative drug test
  • Provide two clear background checks – after initial acceptance to the nursing program

Program Cost:
The approximate cost of completing the ADN program is $9,000 for in-district students and $11,000 for those who live out of the district. The cost includes tuition, textbooks, and supplies for two years. It does not include a physical exam, TB test, immunizations, health insurance, and commuting to the clinical sites.

Website: https://www.alvincollege.edu/index.html
Address: 3110 Mustang Road, Alvin Texas 77511
Phone: 281-756-3500
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 91.00%

San Jacinto College

The Associate of Applied Science Degree program at San Jacinto College prepares students for an entry-level career in nursing. Students will learn on campus where they have share learning experiences with other students. They will learn in theoretical and clinical environments as they prepare for success entrance to professional nursing. Clinical rotations conducted at hospitals and otehr agencies will provide unique experiences in patient care. The modern lab will be the place where students will practice with high-fidelity patient simulators before participating in the clinical rotations. Gradautes will be eligible to sit the NCLEX to become registered nurses.

Program Outline
Semester credits: 60
Duration: 24 months

Course titles:
Prerequisite courses – Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab, Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab, Microbiology for Health Science Majors, Composition I

Core courses – Foundations for Nursing Practice, Nursing Skills I, Health Assessment, Geriatric Nursing, Clinical- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, General Psychology, Pharmacology, Common Concepts of Adult Health, Clinical Nursing Common Concepts for Adult Health, Mental Health Nursing, Clinical Mental Health Nursing, Lifespan Growth and Development, Care of Children and Families, Clinical Nursing Care of Children and Families, Maternal Newborn Nursing and Women’s Helath, Clinical Registered Nursing, Enhanced Concepts of Adult Health, Clinical – Registered Nursing, Professional Nursing: Leadership and Management, Clinical: Management of Clinical Care, Professional Nursing Review and Licensure Preparation

Admission criteria:

  • Must apply for admission to San Jacinto College online
  • Must apply for admission to the ADN program during the application period
  • Must submit all required documents in one packet by the last day of the application period
  • Must submit official transcripts from all colleges previously attended
  • Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
  • Must take an official admission assessment – HESI and obtain a composite score of 75 percent in each section of reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, anatomy and physiology and math
  • Must complete a criminal background check and drug screen through CastleBranch
  • Must provide evidence of completing the AHA CPR and immunization requirements – upload to CastleBranch website. Immunizations include varicella, hepatitis B, MMR, Tdap, flu vaccination, TB skin test
  • Must complete a physical exam and demonstrate physical and emotional fitness

Program Cost:
Tuition costs $996 per semester for in-district students attending full-time. Other costs for textbooks, physical exam, TB test, immunizations, health insurance, and uniform must be covered by the student.

  • Website: https://www.sanjac.edu
  • Address: 13735 Beamer Road, Houston, TX 77089
  • Phone: 281.998.6150
  • NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 88.24%

How Much Does An ADN Earn In Houston?

ADN nurses in Houston earn a median annual salary of $58,670. Nurses with experience earn an average wage of $65,560. You can increase your pay rate by enrolling in an RN to BSN program to complete the BSN degree. BSN nurses clock an annual wage of $87,455 in Houston,

How Long is the ADN in Houston

The ADN program may be completed in 18 to 24 months.

What Is the Easiest Nursing Program to Get into In Houston

Enrolling in a nursing program may be straightforward. However, the need to complete the clinical component, where there are limited spots, creates some competition in the application process. The high school or college GPA and scores of the HESI admission exam are just two of the factors used in the selection process. Start byy giving your GPA a boost and prepare for success on the HESI exam. Some of the easiest schools to gain admission are Lone Star College and Wharton County Junior College.

How Much Does an ADN Cost in Texas? 

Completing an ADN program in Texas is more financially viable than most states. The average cost of the entire program is $8,500 at public colleges. The cost includes tuition, fees, books, and supplies. Limit your options to public schools to get the best bang for your buck.

Is ADN The Same as RN?  

The ADN or associate degree in nursing is a type of degree that prepares you to take the nurse licensure exam to become an RN. So essentially it is one of the pathways to become a registered nurse. There are other routes, such as a diploma in nursing and a bachelor of science in nursing, that will also qualify you to carry the RN title.

The ADN is a great way to get started in nursing. The 24-month course of study covers all essential skills required to assume an entry-level nursing position. It requires much less time than the bacelor of science in nursing, making it the most common route to registered nursing.

The ADN degree will help you qualify for nursing positions in many health care settings. Keep in mind that most hospitals prefer BSN graduates so your associate degree should be a springboard to a BSN. This degree you can earn by enrolling in an RN to BSN program.

Can You Be An RN With an Associate Degree in Texas?

As of November 2023, the Texas Board of Nursing recognizes the associate degree in nursing as a valid educational preparation for taking the NCLEX and licensure as a registered nurse.

Can International Students Study Registered Nursing in the US?

Many international students dream of enrolling in a US university to obtain a nursing degree. Fortunately, that dream may become a reality if you’re willing to work for it. Start by searching out information for international students for your college or university of choice. Those that do accept international students will have pages dedicated for that purpose. Enrolling is competitive even for US residents so work on those areas that will make your application stand out. Some US colleges may have a waitlist for as long as two years so start planning early.

Tuition will be expensive for international students. Check around for available scholarships because you may not be eligible for financial aid.

 

Crystal is a certified Registered Nurse (RN) with a passion for writing about nursing education. Through her articles, Crystal shares insights and tips to help fellow nurses enhance their skills and stay updated with the latest developments in the field. With a focus on practical advice and relevant topics, Crystal's writing is a valuable resource for nursing professionals seeking to advance their careers.