Nursing (ADN)/Nursing Transition (LVN to ADN)

Many options are available to help you reduce the already low ACC tuition cost.

Student Resources

+ BACKGROUND CHECKS

Two clear background checks are required as a condition of full acceptance after initial acceptance into an ACC nursing program and before you may enroll in any nursing course that has a clinical component: (1) a DPS/FBI background check conducted by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON); and (2) a background check by Viewpoint which is required by clinical affiliates.

A Petition for Declaratory Order (DO) is a formal disclosure to the Board of Nursing of an eligibility issue that may prevent an applicant from taking the NCLEX and receiving initial licensure. The DO permits the Board to make a decision regarding a petitioner’s eligibility for licensure prior to entering or completing a nursing program.

A Petition for DO should only be submitted after receiving an outcome letter requesting it, or if you received a Blue Card, BUT have to disclose a non-CBC related eligibility issue (i.e. answering “yes” to any questions other than Question 4).

You should submit the DO & $150 if:

You should submit the DO ONLY if:

You will need to contact the Board for specific instructions on submitting the DO without the $150 payment. Please send an email with your name, DOB, and last 4 of your SSN to webmaster@bon.texas.gov. The subject line should be DO – Payment Bypass.

The Petition for DO must be submitted electronically via the Nurse Portal (https://www.bon.texas.gov/texasnurseportal/).

If you submit a Petition, the BON will investigate your case and then send you a letter stating whether you are eligible to sit for the NCLEX licensure exam. If the BON letter says you are eligible to sit for the licensure exam, you must submit the letter to the nursing department no later than 30 days before first day of class. If you do not have the BON letter by 30 days before first day of class, you will not be eligible to enroll in the nursing program, and you will have to re-apply to the next nursing program after you do receive the BON letter.

You are eligible for admission into an ACC nursing program only after you: (1) Submit the Petition for Declaratory Order form to the BON; (2) Receive the BON outcome letter verifying your eligibility for future licensure; (3) Submit the BON outcome letter to the nursing department no later than 30 days before first day of class; and (4) meet the minimum standards set by clinical affiliates.

If you know you have an issue that will require disclosure, you may begin gathering necessary documentation and writing a letter of explanation. However, you should wait for the outcome letter requesting the Petition for DO, or a Blue Card, IF you have to disclose a non-CBC related eligibility issue (i.e. answering “yes” to any question other than Question 4 on the following license eligibility questions).

Satisfactory criminal background check findings are determined by the licensure eligibility criteria established by the BON and standards mandated by clinical affiliates and ADN program policy.

Applicants who are convicted of a felony, appealing a felony conviction, have a deferred adjudication felony, or are on parole for a felony, are not eligible for admission to Alvin Community College nursing programs. "Conviction” is defined in Texas Administrative Code Chapter 213, RULE §213.1, #12

This policy is applicable even if a prospective student has filed a “Petition for Declaratory Order” with the BON and received BON consent to sit for the NCLEX-RN after graduation from an approved ADN program.

Texas Board of Nursing (BON) Licensure Eligibility Questions

  1. Have you ever had any disciplinary action on a nursing license or a privilege to practice in any state, country, or province?
  2. Do you have an investigation or complaint pending on a nursing license or a privilege to practice in any state, country, or province?
  3. Have you, in the last 5 years*, been addicted to and/or treated for the use of alcohol or any other drug?
  4. For any criminal offense*, including those pending appeal, have you: (You may only exclude Class C misdemeanor traffic violations or offenses previously disclosed to the Texas Board of Nursing on an initial or renewal application.)
    1. been arrested and have a pending criminal charge?
    2. been convicted of a misdemeanor?
    3. been convicted of a felony?
    4. pled nolo contendre, no contest, or guilty?
    5. received deferred adjudication?
    6. been placed on community supervision or court-ordered probation, whether or not adjudicated guilty?
    7. been sentenced to serve jail, prison time, or court-ordered confinement?
    8. been granted pre-trial diversion?
    9. been cited or charged with any violation of the law?
    10. been subject of a court-martial; Article 15 violation; or received any form of military judgment/punishment/action?

    NOTE: Expunged and Sealed Offenses: While expunged or sealed offense, arrests, tickets, or citations need not be disclosed, it is your responsibility to ensure the offense, arrest, ticket or citation has, in fact, been expunged or sealed. It is recommended that you submit a copy of the Court Order expunging or sealing the record in question to our office with your application. Non-disclosure of relevant offenses raises questions related to truthfulness and character. (See 22 TAC §213.27)

    NOTE: Orders of Non-Disclosure: Pursuant to Tex. Gov’t Code § 552.142(b), if you have criminal matters that are the subject of an order of non-disclosure you are not required to reveal those criminal matters. However, a criminal matter that is the subject of an order of non-disclosure may become a character and fitness issue. Pursuant to Gov’t Code chapter 411, the Texas Nursing Board is entitled to access criminal history record information that is the subject of an order of non-disclosure. If the Board discovers a criminal matter that is the subject of an order of non-disclosure, even if you properly did not reveal that matter, the Board may require you to provide information about any conduct that raises issues of character and fitness.

    1. Have you ever had any licensing (other than a nursing license) or regulatory authority in any state, jurisdiction, country, or province revoked, annulled, cancelled, accepted surrender of, suspended, placed on probation, refused to renew or otherwise discipline any other professional or occupational license, certificate, nurse aide registration or multistate privilege to practice that you held?
    2. Are you currently suffering from any condition for which you are not being appropriately treated that impairs your judgment or that would otherwise adversely affect your ability to practice nursing in a competent, ethical, and professional manner?
    3. *Are you currently the target or subject of a grand jury or governmental agency investigation?
    4. *Are you currently a participant in an alternative to discipline, diversion, or a peer assistance program? (This includes all confidential programs) NOTE: Any positive response will remain confidential and not subject to public disclosure unless required by law.
    5. Have you ever been granted the authority to practice nursing in any country, state, province, or territory?

    NOTE: This does not apply to any nursing license(s) issued by another US state or territory, excluding Puerto Rico. If you were licensed in Puerto Rico, you should be answering yes.

    *Pursuant to the Texas Occupations Code §301.207, information, including diagnosis and treatment, regarding an individual’s physical or mental condition, intemperate use of drugs or alcohol, or chemical dependency and information regarding an individual’s criminal history is confidential to the same extent that information collected as part of an investigation is confidential under the Texas Occupations Code §301.466.

    You are eligible for admission into an ACC nursing program only after you: (1) Submit the Petition for Declaratory Order form to the BON; (2) Receive the BON outcome letter verifying your eligibility for future licensure; (3) Submit the BON outcome letter to the nursing department no later than 30 days before first day of class; and (4) meet the minimum standards set by clinical affiliates.

    + HESI-A2 TEST (mandatory for all applicants)

    Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) is a company that produces tests which evaluate whether nursing applicants have the knowledge and skills to be successful in nursing school.

    Alvin Community College nursing programs require applicants to make a high enough score on the HESI Admission Assessment Exam (HESI-A2 test) in order to be considered for admission. An acceptable HESI-A2 test score is mandatory for all nursing applicants regardless of educational background, no exceptions. You may not substitute any other test scores for HESI test scores.

    HESI-A2 DATES & REGISTRATION

    HESI-A2 DEADLINE

    HESI-A2 TEST SCORE CRITERIA

    RE-TAKING THE HESI-A2

    COST OF THE HESI-A2 TEST

    GETTING YOUR HESI SCORES TO THE ACC NURSING DEPARTMENT

    PREPARING FOR THE HESI-A2 TEST

    OTHER HESI INFORMATION