Catalog and Student Handbook 2022–2023 > Degree and Certificate Programs > Academic Program Divisions, Pathways, and Departments > Division of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Health Sciences > Health Sciences Pathway > Department of Nurse Education > Additional Information > Program Tracks > General Admission Guidelines (RN to BSN Program)

General Admission Guidelines (RN to BSN Program)

Admission requirements and selection criteria for application to the RN to BSN program can be reviewed on the RN to BSN Program Information section of the Del Mar College website (https://delmar.edu/bsn/program.html).

The following are required prior to applying to the program:

• Must have been admitted as a student at Del Mar College. For more information, please visit the Becoming a Viking section of the Del Mar College website (https://www.delmar.edu/becoming-a-viking/).
• Must have earned an associate degree in nursing (ADN) from a nationally or regionally accredited institution of higher education that is a Board Approved Nursing Program, or a diploma in nursing from a national nursing accreditation agency. Official transcripts from all prior colleges and universities must be submitted to Del Mar College.
• For courses that have been completed more than once, the most recent grades, not the highest, will be used for admission purposes and in calculation of a student’s Cumulative GPA.
• Students must complete the two (2) credit hour Free Elective requirement prior to start of RN to BSN nursing courses. See the RN to BSN Education Plan section of the Del Mar College website (https://www.delmar.edu/bsn/courses.html) for more information.
• Students may apply if they are within eight (8) credit hours of completion of the Texas Common Core Curriculum plus Free Elective requirement by the May 31st application deadline. In progress courses must be included in the student’s application and designated as “in progress” on official transcripts. Courses in progress at the time of application will be reviewed and Cumulative GPA will be recalculated after grades are posted.
• All general education courses must be completed with grades posted prior to registration for RN to BSN nursing courses.
• Students must have a current, unencumbered license as a registered nurse from a state in which the student resides prior to the start of their first RN to BSN nursing course. Applicants cannot be on probation and must report any past or current disciplinary action taken by a licensing board to the Department of Nurse Education (DNE) office.
• Students must be able to perform the essential skills detailed on the Core Performance Standards worksheet either with or without ADA accommodations. Applicants must sign and submit the worksheet with their application. Students may request the worksheet by emailing RNtoBSN@delmar.edu
• Must have a Cumulative GPA of 2.5 for the lower division general education courses as indicated in the following table. Note: No other courses are considered in calculating student’s Cumulative GPA.

Students must apply to the RN to BSN program online at the NursingCAS website (https://nursingcas.org). The student must meet recommended standards for immunizations for Health Professions Personnel prior to applying for the RN to BSN program track. Additionally, students must submit documentation of the following immunizations (or other acceptable proof of immunity) in the NursingCAS application:

• Hepatitis B Vaccine

  Students are required to have completed the Hepatitis B vaccine series prior to admission. This series takes 6 months to complete, therefore, documentation of at least the first dose is required at the time of application. The entire series must be complete before the start of classes.

• Tetanus-diphtheria Vaccine

  One dose of a tetanus-diphtheria toxoid (Td) is required within the last ten years. The booster dose may be in the form of a tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis containing vaccine (Tdap).

• Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine

  Two doses of varicella vaccine are required. If a student previously had the varicella disease, the student will need to submit verification of immunity or complete and submit the form Documenting History of Illness: Varicella (Chickenpox) (PDF) (https://www.dshs.texas.gov/immunize/docs/C-9.pdf) to the nursing office.

• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccines

  If a student has their immunization record and this record reflects two doses of MMR vaccine then the student is in compliance with all of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella requirements. If a student does not have two documented doses of MMR they will need to ensure that they meet the minimum requirement:

  • Measles: Students born on or after January 1, 1957 must show acceptable evidence of vaccination of two doses of a measles-containing vaccine administered since January 1, 1968 (preferably MMR vaccine).
  • Mumps: Students born on or after January 1, 1957 must show acceptable evidence of vaccination of one dose of a mumps vaccine. Serological lab showing proof of immunity is acceptable.
  • Rubella: Students must show acceptable evidence of one dose of rubella vaccine.

PLEASE NOTE: Satisfactory compliance with the previously listed minimum requirements does not guarantee admission in the nursing program.

Students must meet the following criteria after being accepted, but prior to admission of the RN to BSN program track:

• Physical Examination

  Evidence of good physical and mental health through a health screening documented on the standard departmental physical examination. Please note that failure to reveal a pre-existing physical or mental illness could result in dismissal from the nursing program.

• Purified Protein Derivative (PPD) Test

  Negative PPD or chest x-ray within the last 12 months or other acceptable documentation of negative tuberculosis (TB) status.

  • Students with a positive PPD and a negative chest x-ray on admission into the program must complete a TB screening questionnaire annually while enrolled in the program.
  • 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.
  • Other acceptable blood tests for documentation of TB health status include QuantiFERON-TB In-Tube test (QFT-GIT) and T-Spot TB test (T-SPOT).
    • Positive IGRA: A positive test suggests that TB infection is likely. Additional testing is necessary and includes checking for signs and symptoms suggestive of TB disease, a chest x-ray, and when indicated, examination of sputum or other clinical samples for the presence of TB.
    • Negative IGRA: A negative test suggests that infection by TB bacteria is not likely. No additional testing is necessary.
  • Negative PPD, or other acceptable test documenting negative TB health status, is required yearly thereafter by each student while enrolled in the program.
• CPR Certification

  Document submission of American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider or American Red Cross CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Health Care Providers certification prior to admission. CPR Certification must be kept during the entirety of the nursing program.

• Drug Screen

  Students are required to pass a random drug screen prior to the beginning of clinical rotations. Details regarding the drug screen will be provided after students are accepted to the nursing program.

• Flu Vaccine

  Students must receive and submit documentation of having received a seasonal flu vaccine annually while enrolled in the nursing program. Additionally, student must submit evidence of current compliance with all health requirements.

• Health Insurance

  Students are required to maintain personal health insurance while enrolled in the nursing program.