Grayson College Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
On the Texoma corridor in Denison, Grayson College runs selective Associate Degree Nursing (traditional, LVN-to-RN, and Bridge-to-RN cohorts), a Vocational Nursing certificate, and an ACEN-accredited RN-to-BSN completion program online. This guide cites Grayson’s published 2024 NCLEX-RN table, 2025–26 tuition including nursing differential rates, and NLN NEX admission rules from official Future Students materials; confirm every detail with Grayson and the Texas Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Grayson combines simulation and skills labs with clinical rotations across the Sherman–Denison area (and selected Oklahoma sites). Admission is competitive: a points-based selection process, NLN NEX testing, Texas Board of Nursing background screening, and strict immunization compliance—not open enrollment once you reach nursing coursework.
Overview & Why Students Choose Grayson College
Grayson College is a public community college headquartered in Denison, Texas, serving the Texoma region along the Red River. Its Health Sciences pathway clusters nursing with Associate Degree Nursing (AAS Nursing, RN), Vocational Nursing, a Transitional Entry (LVN-to-RN) track, a dedicated Bridge-to-RN option for qualified paramedics, LVNs, and military-trained medics, and an online RN-to-BSN for licensed RNs—so students can enter or advance without leaving the area.
The ADN program publishes ACEN continuing accreditation and Texas Board of Nursing approval; official materials describe integrated theory, skills lab, simulation, and sequenced clinical coursework. Applicants should plan for selective admission, competitive points ranking, NLN NEX testing, and Board-driven background clearance before the first clinical term.
Grayson’s Program Outcomes page shows a 99.07% NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2024 alongside Texas (92.76%) and national (91.16%) comparison rows on the same table. Confirm newer cohorts on that page and compare with the Texas Board of Nursing Education Dashboard.
Reasons students choose Grayson College
Documented NCLEX trend data
The college publishes multi-year NCLEX-RN pass rates with state and national context, which helps applicants see recent cohort performance before applying.
Stacked nursing pathways
Students can progress from VN → ADN, enter a Bridge cohort if they are paramedics or military medics, or return later for an RN-to-BSN online—all anchored at the same institution.
Simulation-intensive ADN design
Official ADN descriptions highlight classroom, skills lab, simulation lab, and clinical courses each semester—useful if you learn best with repeated hands-on practice before high-acuity rotations.
Texoma clinical footprint
Published clinical information cites rotations in Sherman, Denison, and Durant (OK), exposing students to rural/suburban and cross-border healthcare systems.
Transparent tuition structure
The 2025–26 catalog spells out per-credit tuition plus an additional differential for RNSG/NURS (and viticulture) courses so nursing students can budget beyond generic undergraduate rates.
Nursing Programs Offered
Program names below mirror Grayson’s Health Sciences pathway list and ADN/RN-BSN public pages (March 2026). Pre-licensure pathways award the AAS Nursing degree or VN certificate; RN-to-BSN is post-licensure only for Texas (or eligible) RNs.
Pre-licensure
Traditional Associate Degree Nursing (ADN)
Four sequential RNSG semesters (fall/spring, 16 weeks) after prerequisites, awarding an AAS in Nursing. Cohorts start fall and spring. Applicants apply as Pre-Health Science majors before submitting the selective nursing application, per Future Students instructions.
Transitional Entry (LVN-to-ADN)
Designed for licensed LVNs, this track completes the AAS Nursing degree in three nursing semesters with its own application (TE form) and point system. Unencumbered Texas LVN licensure is required by deadlines stated on the Future Students page.
Bridge-to-RN (Paramedic / Military / Healthcare experienced)
Grayson advertises Accelerated Hybrid and Traditional in-person Bridge cohorts for eligible LVNs, Texas-paramedics/NREMT-Ps, or military health-care specialists—with prerequisite science coursework, NLN NEX ≥ 59.5%, and licensure verification rules published on Future Students. Confirm the latest application links; some cycles still list “coming soon.”
Vocational Nursing Certificate
The certificate pathway prepares graduates for NCLEX-PN and LVN licensure. Follow the vocational nursing site for admission rules, timelines, and immunization requirements separate from ADN.
Post-licensure
RN-to-BSN Completion
Grayson describes the program as 100% online for post-licensure RNs, with full- and part-time options and flexible scheduling per the RN-BSN About page. The same page lists ACEN continuing accreditation for the baccalaureate program—confirm current status with ACEN and the program office.
Texas nursing students must satisfy immunizations, CPR, drug screening, periodic background checks, and Board fingerprint requirements. Criminal history may require a declaratory order before clinical enrollment. Repeated science course attempts reduce admission points, and students must maintain C or better grades on prerequisites/co-requisites.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to Grayson College Program Outcomes, the 2024 NCLEX-RN pass rate reported for Grayson was 99.07%, with Texas at 92.76% and national at 91.16% shown on the same table (calendar-year presentation). The page also lists 2022–2023 rates for trend review. For Board-published dashboards and any first-time tester counts not shown on the college page, use the Texas Board of Nursing Education Dashboard.
NCLEX-PN (vocational nursing)
Grayson’s RN program outcomes page used here focuses on NCLEX-RN. For NCLEX-PN results tied to the Vocational Nursing certificate, check the vocational nursing program’s consumer information or ask the department—figures are not reproduced on this guide without a verified school or Board link.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (GC reported) | 99.07% (2024) — Grayson College Program Outcomes |
| Comparison (same GC table) | Texas 92.76% · National 91.16% (2024 columns on Program Outcomes page) |
| Source (school) | grayson.edu/pathways/registered-nursing/program-outcomes.html |
| Source (regulatory) | Texas Board of Nursing Education Dashboard |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and reporting methodology. Confirm the latest pass rates, cohort size, and program approval status with Grayson College and the Texas Board of Nursing before using any figure for academic or licensing decisions.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international students and internationally educated nurses vary by institution, visa type, and Texas Board of Nursing policy. Use the checklist below as guidance only—this is not legal or immigration advice.
- English-language proficiency: Official minimum scores (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.) for degree-seeking admission at Grayson.
- Transcript evaluation: Agency requirements for foreign coursework before prerequisite credit can count toward selective health programs.
- Clinical eligibility: F-1 or other visa holders must confirm whether pre-licensure nursing clinicals and Board background checks are feasible for their status.
- Texas Board of Nursing: Internationally educated nurses seeking Texas licensure need Board-specific CGFNS/ELP steps—parallel to—but separate from—college admission.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Grayson’s admissions/international office, the nursing department, and bon.texas.gov.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
General admission to Grayson College is handled through the Office of Admissions, but seat-based nursing programs use a separate selective process. You must be fully or conditionally admitted to the college, complete prerequisites with a C or better, meet a minimum 2.5 GPA (prerequisite or cumulative, per Future Students), submit the nursing-specific application, and complete NLN NEX with a ≥ 59.5% overall average on verbal, science (A&P + health subsets), and math. Science courses more than five years old (traditional) or ten years old (transitional entry) trigger higher A&P score requirements—read the official testing section carefully.
Application timeline (Fall 2026 ADN cohort example)
| Milestone | Date / window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application opens | January 2026 | Exact day listed on Future Students (March 24, 2026 update) |
| Application closes | March 31, 2026 | Fall 2026 entry; dates subject to nursing department changes |
| Selection notification | Mid-May 2026 | Email via Vikings account; waitlist used |
| Program start | August 2026 | Includes mandatory orientation in mid-July 2026 per GC table |
| Spring cohort | See Future Students | Confirm parallel deadlines for spring-start ADN on the official page |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate (Nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA | 2.5 prerequisite or cumulative GPA by deadline; grades below C do not count for prerequisites/co-requisites |
| Entrance Exam | NLN NEX at Grayson (or remote proctor for a fee); max two attempts per 12 months, 30-day wait between attempts |
| Selection model | Competitive points system (science grades, residency in select counties, GC credits, CNA/PCT employment verification for traditional track, etc.) |
| Clinical compliance | Full immunization series, drug screen, CPR (AHA BLS), Board fingerprint/CBC clearance, uniform and technology requirements |
Tips for applicants
Plan coursework so sciences are fresh enough to avoid extra NLN penalties, request official transcripts early, and attend a live information session (multiple 2026 dates are posted on Future Students). If you have any criminal or licensing history, start the Texas BON declaratory order conversation before you invest in prerequisites. Document CNA/PCT employment if you want the optional point on the traditional track.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Grayson College publishes 2025–2026 tuition in the catalog and summarizes student-budget assumptions on the Tuition, Fees & Cost of Attendance page. Nursing students pay the standard per-credit tuition and mandatory fees plus an additional differential for courses with subjects RNSG, NURS, or viticulture (FDST).
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Base tuition + mandatory fees (per SCH) | In-district $100 · Out-of-district (Texas) $150 · Non-resident $210 (2025–26 tables) |
| Nursing differential (RNSG/NURS/FDST, per SCH) | In-district +$59 · Out-of-district +$95 · Non-resident +$155 (example combined in-district nursing rate $159/SCH before other fees) |
| Other common charges | $200 minimum tuition per semester; $20 matriculation + $6 ID card per semester; optional/opt-out Victor E. Bundle course materials fee ($27.50/SCH in 2025–26 table); parking or lab fees as scheduled |
| COA snapshot (9 months, undergrad budget) | Tuition line items of $1,500 plus fees $1,552 for the nine-month in-district budget table—your nursing differential will push real charges higher than that baseline |
| Source | Catalog — Tuition & Fees 2025–2026 · Tuition & Cost of Attendance |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Beyond NCLEX, Grayson’s Program Outcomes page lists date-stamped completion statistics (e.g., cohorts 2020–2022) and job placement percentages for selected graduation years. Treat employment percentages as program-reported snapshots—always read footnotes and confirm methodology on the official page.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN Pass Rate | 99.07% (2024) — Grayson Program Outcomes |
| Program completion (examples) | 2021 cohort overall completion 86.32%; 2022 cohort on-time 61.31% (other years marked in progress on same table) |
| Job placement (examples) | 90.91% (2022 graduates) and 97.67% (2019) per Program Outcomes placement table—confirm current-year updates on that page |
| Source | Grayson College Program Outcomes |
Is Grayson College the Right Fit for You?
Grayson fits learners who want ACEN-accredited ADN preparation, an LVN certificate, or a local RN-to-BSN completion while staying in northeast Texas or southern Oklahoma. It is less ideal if you expect instant admission without competing for clinical seats or if you cannot travel reliably to Sherman, Denison, or Durant rotations.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Thrive in structured cohorts with clearly sequenced RNSG semesters and integrated clinical labs.
- Want multiple entry routes (VN, traditional ADN, LVN-to-RN, Bridge, RN-BSN) within one college.
- Can meet NLN NEX, GPA, and immunization requirements on tight timelines.
- Plan to work in Texoma community hospitals, rural health clinics, or graduate programs that accept ACEN-prepared ADNs.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a traditional campus-based BSN without first completing RN licensure elsewhere.
- Cannot accommodate unpredictable clinical shifts or cross-state travel to Oklahoma sites.
- Prefer open-enrollment nursing programs without entrance exams or points-based ranking.
- Are unwilling to navigate Texas BON background investigations and continuing compliance.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
The Texoma border economy blends tertiary care in Sherman–Denison with rural hospitals, federally qualified health centers, long-term care campuses, and Oklahoma facilities minutes from campus. Grayson explicitly rotates students through Sherman, Denison, and Durant, so graduates often transition into employers already familiar with GC clinical partnerships.
| Facility / system | Details |
|---|---|
| Texoma Medical Center (Denison) | Regional acute-care hub supporting med-surg, surgical, and specialty services for Grayson County residents. |
| Wilson N. Jones Regional Medical Center (Sherman) | Major employer of nurses in Sherman–Denison; common source of high-acuity clinical experiences. |
| Cross-state & rural partners | Clinical materials reference Durant, OK, illustrating cross-border staffing models—useful exposure for nurses who may work in multistate border communities. |
| Outpatient & long-term care | Physician groups, dialysis centers, school nursing cooperatives, and SNFs round out community-based rotations typical of ADN programs. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing instruction happens on Grayson’s main campus health sciences corridor, where simulation suites and skills labs back up classroom theory. Information sessions rotate through auditoriums and classrooms referenced on the Future Students calendar (for example, HS 209 and Irma Auditorium).
Expect a commuter-heavy college experience: many students drive from Grayson, Fannin, Bryan, and Marshall counties or across the river from Oklahoma towns (residency in those Texas counties can add selection points on published ADN rubrics). Nursing peer networks and Health Sciences advising help balance work, family, and clinical obligations.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Main campus
- 6101 Grayson Drive (Hwy 691), Denison, TX 75020, US
- Admissions Office
- Phone: (903) 463-8604 · Email: admissions@grayson.edu
- Nursing department email
- nursing@grayson.edu (per Future Students)
- Health sciences admissions help
- Future Students lists (903) 415-2596 for applicants selecting Pre-Health Science majors
- Website
- grayson.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Bookmark the Future Students page and download the latest information session slides.
- Compare your transcripts to the prerequisite/co-requisite tables and plan retake timing if sciences need refreshers.
- Create your NLN account, budget for NLN NEX attempts, and schedule through Grayson’s testing center.
- Email nursing@grayson.edu with scenario-specific questions (Bridge eligibility, transfer credit, declaratory orders).
- Log into your Vikings email frequently after you apply—decisions and waitlist offers arrive electronically.
- Estimate total cost using both the base tuition table and the RNSG/NURS differential lines in the catalog.
- Add calendar reminders for the Fall 2026 March 31 deadline (or your spring-cycle equivalent).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grayson College ADN nursing accredited?
Yes. Grayson’s Associate Degree Nursing page states the Denison program is ACEN continuing-accredited (public disclosure link provided on the page) and Texas Board of Nursing–approved. Confirm the exact accreditation term with ACEN before quoting it in applications.
What is the Grayson College NCLEX-RN pass rate?
The Program Outcomes table lists 99.07% for 2024, with Texas and national comparison percentages printed beside it. Always confirm newer years on the same page and with the Board dashboard.
Does Grayson College offer a traditional BSN for new students?
Not as a pre-licensure option. Grayson’s baccalaureate offering is the RN-to-BSN completion program for already licensed RNs. New students pursue the AAS Nursing degree or vocational nursing beforehand.
Is TEAS required for Grayson College nursing?
The published ADN selection process specifies NLN NEX (verbal, selected science sections, math), not TEAS/HESI. Policies may differ for other pathways—double-check vocational or Bridge instructions.
What GPA do I need for Grayson College nursing?
Applicants need at least a 2.5 prerequisite or cumulative GPA and must earn C or better in prerequisite/co-requisite courses. Competitive applicants typically exceed the minimum because of the points system.
How much is nursing tuition at Grayson College in 2025–26?
Students pay the published per-credit tuition + mandatory fees ($100 / $150 / $210) plus the RNSG/NURS differential (+$59 / +$95 / +$155) for nursing courses. Use the catalog tuition policy and financial aid COA tables together.
Where does Grayson College send nursing students for clinicals?
Official materials list Sherman, Denison, and Durant, Oklahoma sites; reliable transportation is required every semester.
When is the next Grayson College ADN application due?
For Fall 2026, Future Students lists a March 31, 2026 nursing application deadline with a mid-May decision window. Spring applicants should verify dates that are posted for their cycle.
Does Grayson award extra points for CNAs?
The traditional ADN rubric adds one point for certified CNAs or PCTs who submit employment verification. LVN-to-RN applicants follow the transitional scoring grid instead.
References
- Grayson College — Associate Degree Nursinggrayson.edu/pathways/registered-nursing
- Grayson College — ADN Future Students / Admissionsfuture-students.html
- Grayson College — Program Outcomes (NCLEX table)program-outcomes.html
- Grayson College — Health Sciences Pathway (all nursing programs)health-sciences.html
- Grayson College — RN-to-BSNrn-to-bsn/index.php
- Grayson College — Tuition, Fees & Cost of Attendancetuition-and-costs.html
- Grayson College Catalog (2025–2026) — Tuition & Feestuition-and-fees.php
- Grayson College Catalog (2025–2026) — Registered Nursingnursing-registered program
- Grayson College — Apply / Admissions Contactapply/index.html
- Texas Board of Nursing — Education Dashboardbon.texas.gov Education Dashboard
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for NCLEX figures against Grayson’s Program Outcomes table, tuition and differential rates against the 2025–26 catalog, and admissions testing (NLN NEX) against the March 2026 Future Students update.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the Texas Board of Nursing.
Published: April 1, 2026 · Last reviewed: April 1, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy