Laredo College Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Along the Rio Grande, Laredo College stacks pre-licensure ADN and a board-approved vocational nursing (LVN) certificate with an LVN/Paramedic-to-RN transition—and, for licensed RNs, a 100% online RN-to-BSN completion. This guide cites 2024 NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN figures from the college’s public outcomes tables, catalog tuition and fee schedules, and selective ATI TEAS requirements; confirm every detail with Laredo College and the Texas Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Laredo College is one of the few public community colleges pairing border-city clinical volume with a published four-year nursing ladder: VN → ADN (or paramedic transition) → online ACEN-accredited RN-to-BSN. Expect selective, points-based ranking (GPA + ATI TEAS), strict clinical compliance, and outcomes posted separately for NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN on the official program pages.
Overview & Why Students Choose Laredo College
Laredo College is a public community college with Fort McIntosh and South campuses in Webb County—strategically positioned on the U.S.–Mexico border where bilingual care and high patient turnover sharpen clinical judgement fast. Nursing lecture, lab, and simulation for the ADN program are centered in the College of Health Sciences at the South Campus (5500 South Zapata Highway), the same footprint where the ACEN-accredited RN-to-BSN completion runs entirely online for Texas RNs.
What differentiates LC from many two-year programs is the explicit ladder: a board-approved vocational nursing certificate, a five-semester generic ADN, a four-semester LVN/Paramedic transition, and finally the 10.5-month RN-to-BSN. Students still face limited seats, TEAS-based ranking, and zero shortcuts on vaccines, background screens, or attendance—matching the rigor employers expect along the Rio Grande corridor.
Laredo College’s public Associate Degree Nursing page lists a 97.87% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2024 (45/46 testers) under the heading “Associate Degree Nursing Data.” The Vocational Nursing page lists a 95.16% first-time NCLEX-PN rate for the same year (59/62). Confirm newer cohorts on those pages and compare with the Texas Board of Nursing Education Dashboard.
Reasons students choose Laredo College
Documented NCLEX ladders
Yearly RN and PN pass-rate tables—plus graduate counts—are posted alongside program marketing so applicants can see how recent classes are performing before they pay application fees.
Border community experience
Clinical partners in Laredo and surrounding South Texas give students exposure to diverse, high-volume med-surg, maternal-child, behavioral health, and community settings.
Paramedic-friendly transition
Licensed Texas paramedics with an accredited EMS AAS can pursue the ADN transition track—not only LVNs—expanding access for EMS professionals seeking RN licensure.
RN-to-BSN without leaving LC
Graduates who pass NCLEX-RN can roll into the college’s own 100% online BSN, with admissions priority for LC ADN alumni per the RN-BSN page.
Transparent catalog pricing
The academic catalog publishes Fall/Spring and Summer tuition-and-fee tables by residency tier, so students can budget off official totals rather than estimates alone.
Nursing Programs Offered
Use the headings below to separate pre-licensure tracks from post-licensure completion. Details come from the Laredo College Academic Catalog and the Health Sciences pathway pages dated for the 2025–2026 handbooks.
Pre-licensure (LVN certificate)
Vocational Nursing (VN) — Level 2 Certificate
The Vocational Nursing page describes a clinically intense 12-month, three-semester sequence (Fall–Spring–Summer) after prerequisites such as PSYC 2314 and MDCA 1409 (or full A&P labs). Graduates earn a Level 2 certificate and may register for NCLEX-PN. The program publishes estimated total tuition/fees around $5,300 excluding books.
Pre-licensure (RN via ADN)
Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) — Traditional
The catalog describes a five-semester AAS after general education and science prerequisites. Students must maintain 2.5 institutional and cumulative GPA, earn at least 75% (C) in each nursing course, and meet attendance rules tied to ACEN and clinical agencies. Graduates are NCLEX-RN eligible; progression rules are spelled out in the 2025–2026 ADN Student Handbook.
ADN Transition Track
Designed for Texas LVNs or Texas-licensed paramedics who hold an accredited EMS AAS. The transition page cites roughly 18 months (four semesters) after prerequisites such as Composition I, Psychology, and A&P I. Students must keep an active, unencumbered LVN or paramedic license for the duration of the program.
Post-licensure & transfer pathways
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
LC’s 100% online RN-to-BSN runs about 10.5 months and requires an unencumbered RN license. The program page notes ACEN initial accreditation effective March 16, 2020, expiring Spring 2026; verify renewal status with ACEN before enrolling.
Associate of Science — Nursing Field of Study
The Health Sciences pathway list includes an AS transfer plan for students targeting a university BSN elsewhere; it is not a standalone pre-licensure clinical program at LC.
Texas applicants with criminal history, disciplinary action, or substance-related incidents may need a declaratory order from the Texas Board of Nursing before admission. Immunizations, DISA background checks, drug screens, and clinical site policies apply to every track—see the current ADN, VN, and BSN handbooks for exhaustive lists.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Associate Degree Nursing and ADN Transition public pages, Laredo College’s “Associate Degree Nursing Data” table lists a 97.87% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2024 based on 45 of 46 first-time candidates (the table does not separate generic vs. transition cohorts). Earlier years on the same table (2020–2023) also appear for trend review.
NCLEX-PN (vocational nursing)
The Vocational Nursing page publishes a parallel table: 95.16% first-time NCLEX-PN in 2024 (59 of 62 candidates). The page includes a column labeled “National Passage Rate” for comparison; confirm definitions with Laredo College because methodology may differ from Board dashboards.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (ADN program data) | 97.87% (2024, 45/46 testers)—Laredo College Associate Degree Nursing pages |
| NCLEX-PN first-time pass (VN program data) | 95.16% (2024, 59/62 testers)—Laredo College Vocational Nursing page |
| Source (school) | laredo.edu AAS Nursing · ADN Transition · Vocational Nursing |
| Source (regulatory) | Texas Board of Nursing Education Dashboard (confirm program-level reporting and approval status) |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and methodology. Always confirm the newest first-time pass rates, graduate counts, and any Board monitoring status directly with Laredo College and the Texas Board of Nursing before making academic decisions.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Border institutions like Laredo College frequently interact with binational families, but visa, language, and clinical clearance rules are still program-specific. Use the checklist below as orientation—not legal advice—and confirm every requirement with the admissions office, international student services (if applicable), and the Texas Board of Nursing.
- English-language proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS, or other requirements and minimum scores for this school.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: WES, CGFNS, or other evaluators required by the school.
- Texas Board of Nursing: For RN licensure (with or without a U.S. degree), confirm NCLEX eligibility and document requirements with the Board.
- Immigration & visa: Program eligibility for F-1 or other visa types and impact on clinical placements.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Laredo College’s international office and the Texas Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
General admission to Laredo College is open, but every clinical nursing track is selective. Expect prerequisite GPA screens, ATI TEAS scheduling at the college, non-refundable $10-per-program application fees paid at the Bursar, DISA background screening, drug testing, and vaccine documentation that mirrors hospital consortium rules—not merely LC policy.
Application timeline (2026 ADN / VN cycle posted online)
| Program | Window | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| ADN & VN (dual option available) | Jan 28, 2026 (9:00 a.m.) through Feb 27, 2026 (11:59 p.m.) | Submit via Embark (adn-vn2026); TEAS testing targeted for the week of April 13, 2026; only top-ranked students advance to Fall starts for generic ADN. |
| ADN Transition (LVN/Paramedic) | Separate webportal instructions | Requires prerequisites such as ENGL 1301, psychology courses, and A&P I prior to the Spring start; minimum 65% overall TEAS per public page. |
| RN-to-BSN | Feb 2–July 17, 2026 (posted hours) | Online Embark application; must hold an active Texas (or eligible) RN license. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | Not publicly disclosed; ADN page notes only ~40–45 Fall seats after TEAS ranking. |
| GPA expectations | Programs use 2.5+ prerequisite/institutional/overall GPA calculations; nursing courses require ≥75% once admitted (see catalog progression rules). |
| ATI TEAS | Version 7 on campus; minimum overall 65% for generic ADN, 58% for VN; transition track also lists 65%. External TEAS attempts are not accepted. |
| Competitive points | Published matrices award up to 9 points for GPA bands and up to 10 for TEAS subsection performance. |
Tips for applicants
Complete science prerequisites before December if you want those grades counted—LC explicitly excludes flex coursework that begins after December 1 from some nursing GPA calculations. Schedule TEAS prep around the Version 7 blueprint, pay Bursar fees early so your Embark submission finalizes, and download all three handbooks (ADN, VN, BSN) to line up vaccines with clinical site deadlines.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Laredo College publishes consolidated tuition + mandatory fee totals by credit-hour load for Fall/Spring and Summer sessions in the Academic Catalog. Nursing students must also budget for uniforms, ATI assessments, CastleBranch or similar tracking, immunizations, travel to South Campus clinicals, and course-specific lab fees that are not always embedded in the grid below.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Sample Fall/Spring totals (catalog schedule) | In-district $1,650 for 12 SCH · Out-of-district (Texas) $2,250 · Out-of-state/international $2,874 (figures taken directly from the official schedule rows). |
| Tuition component | In-district tuition is $50 per SCH on the same table; out-of-district and out-of-state tuition columns scale higher while many fixed fees remain identical. |
| Common add-ons | $20/SCH for online, hybrid, or videoconference delivery; $60/SCH differential for certain repeat or developmental-rule exceedance scenarios (per catalog notes). |
| Program-specific estimates | ADN transition page cites ≈$10,000 tuition/fees for its pathway; VN page cites ≈$5,300 for the one-year certificate—both exclude books/supplies. |
| Source | Laredo College Catalog — Schedule of Tuition and Fees; Cost Estimator tool linked from Financial Aid related links. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
South Texas providers continue to recruit heavily for bedside RNs and LVNs; Workforce Solutions of South Texas and the BLS cite sustained demand, but your individual offer depends on licensure, shift availability, and experience. Use LC’s disclosures as a program-specific snapshot—not a guarantee of employment.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass | 97.87% (2024, 45/46) — Laredo College Associate Degree Nursing data table |
| NCLEX-PN first-time pass | 95.16% (2024, 59/62) — Laredo College Vocational Nursing data table |
| Program-reported employment (ADN table) | 100% “Graduates Obtaining a job” for 2020–2024 columns on the same public ADN statistics table—confirm definitions, survey response rates, and timeline with LC’s institutional research office. |
| Completion rate (ADN table) | 83.01% completion reported for 2024 in the same table—ask the college how “completion” is calculated before comparing to other schools. |
| Source | LC AAS Nursing · LC Vocational Nursing |
Is Laredo College the Right Fit for You?
Choose Laredo College when you want a public, multi-step nursing pipeline with published NCLEX data and the option to stay for an online RN-to-BSN. Reconsider if you cannot commit to South Texas clinical commuting, TEAS score minimums, or the intense compliance calendar required by border hospitals.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Value earning LVN → ADN → BSN within one institution’s ecosystem (with BSN online).
- Thrive in high-volume, bilingual-friendly clinical environments typical of Laredo–Webb County.
- Are organized enough to chase immunization titers, DISA requirements, and strict attendance without reminders.
- Meet TEAS minimums and prerequisite GPA rules with room to compete on the published points scale.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need guaranteed admission immediately after general college acceptance—nursing remains capped.
- Want a traditional on-campus BSN for initial licensure (LC’s BSN is RN completion online).
- Cannot travel to Laredo-area hospitals and community agencies multiple days per week.
- Expect to skip entrance exams or use TEAS scores from other colleges (LC’s policies state they are not accepted).
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Laredo sits on Interstate 35’s international trade corridor, so local hospitals balance trauma, maternal, and migrant-care demand with seasonal surges tied to cross-border traffic. Laredo College nursing students therefore encounter agencies ranging from large acute-care hospitals to federally qualified health centers and long-term care partners; exact rotation contracts rotate year to year.
| Facility / system | Details |
|---|---|
| Laredo Medical Center | Major acute-care hospital with expanded emergency and specialty service lines—common destination for med-surg and critical-care exposures. |
| Doctors Hospital of Laredo | Full-service community hospital with cardiovascular, oncology, and surgical programs; adds breadth for capstone-style rotations. |
| Gateway Community Health Center, Inc. | Webb County FQHC network (multiple Laredo sites) providing primary, pediatric, and preventive care suited to community-health clinical objectives. |
| Regional EMS integration | Because LC allows paramedic transition into ADN, regional EMS agencies and hospitals reinforce advanced assessment skills for that cohort. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Associate-degree nursing classes, labs, and faculty offices are housed in the College of Health Sciences on the South Campus, while Fort McIntosh still delivers many general education courses, student services, and bursar interactions. Expect a commuter culture: most students live in Laredo or commute from surrounding counties, juggling family obligations with 12-hour clinical days.
Student engagement often flows through Health Sciences club activities, service projects tied to clinical partners, and honors societies when eligible. Because the RN-to-BSN is online, upper-division learners may only visit campus for optional support, but they share the same faculty culture of border-health community impact.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Associate Degree Nursing (South Campus)
- College of Health Sciences, 2nd Floor Room A218 · 5500 South Zapata Highway, Laredo, TX 78046 · Phone (956) 721-5252
- General college switchboard
- (956) 722-0521 — main directory line per laredo.edu
- Admissions (Fort McIntosh)
- West End Washington Street, Laredo, TX 78040 · admissions@laredo.edu · (956) 721-5109
- Admissions (South Campus)
- 5500 South Zapata Hwy, Laredo, TX 78041 · (956) 794-4109
- Website
- laredo.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the ADN, VN, or BSN handbook that matches your goal and highlight compliance deadlines.
- Create or update your ApplyTexas record and secure an LC student ID so you can open the correct Embark application.
- Calculate prerequisite GPA scenarios using LC’s rules (especially the December cut-off for flex courses).
- Pay Bursar application fees and snapshot receipts—LC will not process nursing applications without proof of payment.
- Register for ATI TEAS review materials aligned to Version 7 and schedule your exam only after receiving the invitation email.
- Contact the Texas Board of Nursing if you need a declaratory order before you invest in prerequisites.
- Bookmark the BON Education Dashboard to monitor official approval status alongside LC marketing pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What NCLEX-RN numbers does Laredo College publish for 2024?
The public Associate Degree Nursing pages show a 97.87% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2024 with 45 of 46 testers passing—labeled as overall “Associate Degree Nursing Data.” Confirm newer cohorts on the same LC pages and with the Texas Board of Nursing dashboard.
What about NCLEX-PN for Laredo College vocational nursing?
The Vocational Nursing program page lists 95.16% first-time NCLEX-PN for 2024 (59 of 62) and provides a multi-year history plus national comparison columns.
Does Laredo College offer RN-to-BSN?
Yes. The RN-to-BSN track is 100% online, about 10.5 months, and requires an active RN license. The page cites ACEN initial accreditation March 16, 2020, expiring Spring 2026—verify renewal with ACEN before applying.
Which entrance exam does Laredo College nursing require?
Program pages specify the ATI TEAS, Version 7, administered at LC. Generic ADN applicants need a 65% overall minimum; VN applicants need 58%; scores from other schools are not accepted per the posted instructions.
When are the 2026 ADN/VN applications due?
Embark applications for the dual ADN/VN portal open January 28, 2026, 9:00 a.m. and close February 27, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (Central). Always confirm the live LC page in case the college adjusts the cycle.
Can Texas paramedics use the Laredo College transition track?
Yes. The ADN transition page states that Texas-licensed paramedics who hold an AAS from an accredited EMS program may apply alongside LVNs; both groups must remain licensed while enrolled.
How much will tuition cost for 12 in-district credits?
Use the catalog tuition schedule: for example, 12 SCH totals $1,650 for in-district Fall/Spring before adding online-course fees or nursing-specific charges.
Does Laredo College guarantee a job after graduation?
No—no nursing program can promise employment. LC’s ADN statistics table includes a “Graduates Obtaining a job” row that shows program-reported percentages; confirm definitions and survey methodology with the college rather than relying on headline numbers alone.
Where will I complete clinicals at Laredo College?
Expect rotations throughout Webb County—often including major hospitals such as Laredo Medical Center and Doctors Hospital of Laredo plus community clinics like Gateway Community Health Center—but precise sites change each term.
What GPA must I keep inside the Laredo College ADN curriculum?
Catalog progression requires at least 75% in each nursing course, at least 2.5 institutional and cumulative GPAs to advance, and concurrent theory/clinical success; see the ADN handbook for remediation policies.
References
- Laredo Health Sciences — Associate Degree Nursing (AAS)laredo.edu … /aas-nursing.html
- Laredo Health Sciences — ADN Transition (LVN/Paramedic)…/aas-nursingtransition.html
- Laredo Health Sciences — Vocational Nursing…/certII-vn-program.html
- Laredo Health Sciences — RN-to-BSN…/bsn-nursing.html
- Laredo College Academic Catalog — ADN programcatalog.laredo.edu (ADN)
- Laredo College Academic Catalog — Tuition & fee schedulecatalog.laredo.edu/tuition-fees/schedule
- Laredo College — Admissions contactadmissions/contactus
- 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 alignment of NCLEX figures and tuition tables with Laredo College’s public Health Sciences pages and Academic Catalog, for separation of pre- versus post-licensure programs, and for Texas Board of Nursing cross-references.
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