Frequently Asked Questions

We highly recommend meeting with an Academic Advisor or attending one of the group advising/information sessions conducted by the School of Nursing before program entry deadlines. Students should meet with an Academic Advisor early in their college career to ensure they understand the program entry requirements, entry deadlines, and prerequisite courses. Students should determine if the program will be the best fit for their educational needs.

Tuition and fee information is available on the Tarleton Business Services website.

In addition to general university tuition and fees, the student majoring in nursing assumes financial responsibility for payment of textbooks and materials, criminal background check, health insurance, uniforms, some lab supplies, standardized achievement testing, and clinical accessories. Fees collected through university tuition and fee structure provide funds to pay the student’s malpractice insurance, purchase of equipment, and purchase of disposable lab supplies.

Students must also provide their own transportation to health care agencies. Driving distances will vary; clinical assignments will be based on availability of learning experiences. Due to travel distances, it may be necessary for the student to stay overnight in order to participate in clinical experiences. The student is responsible to pay for room and board if overnight stay is necessary.

UNDERGRADUATE:

In the final semester of study, the undergraduate student is required to pay fees for the application to take the NCLEX-RN as well as the application for licensure.

Upon admission to the nursing program, all undergraduate students must pay for and submit evidence of the following:

• Current Immunizations (MMR, hepatitis B series, Tdap, and varicella)
• TB Screening
• American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR or Red Cross Professional Rescuer CPR certification
• Urine Drug Screening (randomly thereafter admissions to the program)
• Exam Soft Testing Program
• Evolve/HESI Products
• Virtual Simulation Products
• Electronic Health Record Products

GRADUATE:

Graduate students submit immunizations, TB screening, and CPR information (as described above) before attending their first clinical course.

Financial aid is available from the Financial Aid Office; scholarship information is available from the Office of Scholarships.

Nursing scholarships are typically awarded in late April for the following school year. The nursing program has 11 endowed scholarships and awards approximately $55,000 in awards annually. A nursing faculty committee usually selects scholarship recipients. Nursing students are also eligible for other Tarleton scholarships.

UNDERGRADUATE:

The BSN program has an excellent reputation in the community. Majority of graduates have jobs upon graduation. The BSN program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) since the program began in 1995. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Tarleton State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

The annual National Council Licensing Examination for RN (NCLEX-RN) first-time pass rate is determined within the examination year (October 1 to September 30) who achieve a passing score the first time students take the NCLEX-RN.

• 2022 54.17% (192 students)
• 2021 78.42 % (190 students)
• 2020 89.19% (185 students)
• 2019 83.70% (184 students)
• 2018 84.52% (168 students)
• 2017 76.92% (169 students)
• 2016 80.42% (143 students)
• 2015 90.91% (110 students)
• 2014 84.40% (109 students)

Those who do not pass on their first attempt, typically pass upon repeating the exam. Very few students must take the exam more than twice.

We do not set time limits on prerequisites. However, students are accountable for the content from these program prerequisite courses. You will need current knowledge of the natural and behavioral sciences, English, statistics, and nutrition to be successful in the program.

Undergraduate and graduate students are required to comply with the University policies regarding immunizations. Information about specific University immunization requirements are available from the Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination page.

All students must meet the clinical requirements for entry into the program. More information on requirements can be found in the Student Resources page. 

Undergraduate and graduate students are required to have professional liability insurance purchased through a student group policy. The cost of the malpractice insurance is part of the student fees when registering for a clinical nursing course.

Undergraduate and graduate students are also required to submit proof of health insurance coverage upon entering and must stay current while enrolled. 

Background check and drug testing is required for all program entries. Random drug testing may be performed. Certain clinical sites require additional background checks throughout the course of the nursing program. 

The LVN to BSN program is housed in Waco and is offered in the hybrid format. Most lecture activities are delivered online, however students are required to attend once monthly skills lab and/or simulation activities in Waco or Fort Worth. The RN to BSN and MSN programs are offered online, with faculty housed in Fort Worth, Waco, and Stephenville. 

The traditional BSN track is housed on the Stephenville campus.

A home computer is not required but students will need access to a laptop on a regular basis for testing purposes. You must have consistent and timely access to a computer, Microsoft software, and the Internet. Although a computer course is not required for admission to the nursing program, faculty expect students to have certain computer skills upon program entry. For example, students should be able to:

• utilize input devices (keyboard, mouse/track pad, touch pad)
• perform basic Tarleton State University adopted software application functions including but not limited to opening an application program and creating, modifying, printing, and saving document
• utilize keyboarding proficiency and speed necessary to prepare documents in a timely manner
• plan, create, and edit documents using readable fonts, alignment, page setup, tabs, and ruler settings
• utilize netiquette to communicate
• attach documents to email messages, and
• locate websites and information via the Internet

Students who do not possess the necessary computer skills are advised to complete a college or continuing education computer course prior to program entry.

Students may take the non-nursing prerequisite courses at a regionally accredited college or university. Official transcripts will be evaluated by the appropriate office (undergraduate or graduate) for equivalency to the prerequisite courses required for admission to the Tarleton State University School of Nursing. Undergraduate students must submit official transcripts to Tarleton State University Office of Admissions for evaluation on or before the application deadline. Graduate students must submit official transcripts to the Office of Graduate Studies. You may review the Transfer Articulation Policies located within the Admission menu section of the current University catalog.

Nursing courses may possibly be transferred for our BSN and LVN to BSN programs. For the RN to BSN, all courses must be taken through Tarleton. We do not accept students who have been unsuccessful in other nursing programs. A maximum of twelve credit hours with a grade of “B” or higher will be considered for transfer to the undergraduate and graduate programs. Students must submit the course syllabus for review and approval to the appropriate program Department Head. Any nursing course considered for transfer must have been completed at a nationally accredited nursing program at a regionally accredited institution within the last five years.