Selective Admission: Vocational Nursing

Grade Point Average (GPA)

You must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 to apply to our program.

TCC Student ID Number

First, you must apply to TCC.

Apply online with ApplyTCC (use Firefox or Chrome for the best experience)

• Application instructions: How to Apply for Admission

Once you are accepted as a student at TCC, you will get a TCC Student ID number.

You need a TCC Student ID number for your application to Vocational Nursing.

Texas Success Initiative (TSI)

You must meet the TSI requirements to apply to our Vocational Nursing Program.

Questions? See TSI Assessment.

Updated: Prerequisite General Education & Related Courses

New: Starting with the Application for Spring 2025

The science course listed below will not be accepted if they are over 5 years old.

Complete Before Applying to Vocational Nursing

You must have completed this course with a grade of "C" or higher before applying to our program:

• BIOL-2401 Anatomy and Physiology I

Complete Before the 2nd Semester of Vocational Nursing

• PSYC-2301 General Psychology

Performance Requirements

During your time in our program and throughout your career, you must meet these performance requirements to ensure patient safety and welfare.

Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI A2) Admission Exam

HESI A2 is the required admissions exam for the program.

You must earn a minimum score of 75 in each section of the HESI A2:

• Reading Comprehension
• Vocabulary
• Grammar
• Math
• Anatomy & Physiology

You can take the HESI A2 exam online through ProctorU or in-person at the Trinity River Campus Testing Center. See HESI A2 Admission Assessment for details.

Visit the TCC Bookstore to find study materials.

Language Proficiency

If English was not the primary language of your high school, you must provide documentation of proof of English proficiency by submitting the results of either of the following tests.

Required time frame: You must have taken 1 of the tests and earned the passing score or higher within the 2 years prior to your application to our program.

• TOEFL iBT®
  (Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language)
  You must earn a passing score of 83. This is the recommended score to apply for licensure from the Texas Board of Nursing (BON).
• IELTS
  (International English Language Testing System assessment of English language proficiency)
  You must earn an IELTS Band Score of overall 6.5 with a minimum score of 6 in all areas. This is the recommended score to apply for licensure from BON.

Immunizations

The Texas Administrative Code (TAC) and Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council Foundation Community Standards (PDF)Listen require that all students in health-related programs complete the following immunizations before applying to programs where patient contact is a component.

If you know you will be applying to our Vocational Nursing Program within the next year, you will need to start these now because some will take up to 6 months to complete the series.

In order to be eligible to apply, you will need to have proof that you have completed the following immunizations:

• Hepatitis A and B
• Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (TDaP)
• Rubeola / Measles, Mumps, Rubella / German Measles (MMR)
• Varicella

Note: Titers showing positive immunity to the diseases will be acceptable.

You will also need to complete a Tuberculosis Skin Test or Chest X-Ray and the TB Questionnaire (PDF)Listen.

New Vocational Nursing Student Orientation

Attend this 1-day seminar to get information and tips to help you successfully complete the program.

Health Requirements

Before starting our program:

• Physical Exam: Get a physical exam
• Influenza Immunization: Get a flu shot
• CPR Certification: Have current American Heart Health Care Provider CPR Certification
• Health Insurance: Have health insurance throughout the program
  • TCC does not offer College-sponsored student health insurance.
• Immunization Tracking System: Submit your health-related documentation to our online system:
• Physical exam record
• Tuberculosis screen results
• Required immunization records
• CPR certification
• Proof of health insurance coverage

Drug Screening & 2 Criminal Background Checks

Screening and background checks are at your expense. No exceptions.

After being accepted to the program—but before classes begin—you must undergo and pass:

• Drug Screening
  (urine drug screening)
• Criminal Background Check
• FBI Background Check & Fingerprinting
  (Texas Board of Nursing requirement for entrance into program)