Vocational (LVN) Nursing Program
The Vocational Nursing program is fully approved by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) and is a certificate program. This program is designed to prepare entry-level practitioners to provide direct care to patients of all age groups under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed physician. Emphasis is placed upon the ability to make sound judgements based on the knowledge of scientific principles and the ability to utilize technical skills in a variety of settings.
Classes are admitted in the fall semester on the Gainesville, Corinth, Bowie and Graham campuses and in the spring semester on Gainesville Campus. The program is 12 months in length. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be awarded a certificate of completion and is eligible to make application to write the National Council Licensing Examination - Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN).
Students admitted to the online e-campus are enrolled in the spring semester. The online curriculum is identical to the one taken by students in the traditional classroom; however, e-campus students will have clinical experiences assigned on weekends. The students accepted to the e-campus will complete the curriculum in 12 months, will be awarded a certificate of completion, and will be eligible to make application to write the NCLEX-PN.
Classroom and online instruction is correlated with clinical practice where students apply the theory and skills of nursing in giving direct care to patients. Clinical experiences are offered in a variety of settings such as day care centers, hospitals, physician’s office and nursing homes. Graduates successfully completing the program demonstrate the following program learning outcomes:
- Provider of Patient-Centered Care
- Assist in determining health status/needs
- Assist in formulating goals/outcomes
- Implement plan of care within legal and ethical parameters
- Implement teaching plan for the client and family with common health problems
- Assist in evaluation of client’s responses and outcomes
- Provide safe, compassionate basic nursing care to assigned multiple clients
- Use problem-solving approach for decision making in practice
- Member of a Healthcare Team
- Participate as an advocate in activities to promote and improve healthcare to patients and families
- Communicate patient data using appropriate, available technology
- Communicate and collaborate in a timely manner with clients and health care team members in all aspects of patient care delivery
- Participate in identification of client needs for community resources that facilitate continuity of care and maintain confidentiality
- Participate in support of structured health care setting
- Supervise nursing care provided by others for whom the nurse is responsible
- Member of a Profession
- Demonstrate accountability for own nursing practice
- Participate as advocate for improving the health care team
- Demonstrate behaviors that promote vocational nursing
- Function within the nurse’s legal scope of practice and in accordance with policies and procedures of the employing healthcare institution
- Demonstrate knowledge of Texas Nursing Practice Act and the Texas Board of Nursing Rules that emphasize safety, as well as state, federal, and local regulations for accreditation of employment agency
- Implement measures to promote quality and a safe environment for all
- Assist in formulating goals and outcomes to reduce patient risks
- Obtain instruction and supervision as needed when implementing direct patient care
- Comply with mandatory reporting requirements of the Texas Nursing Practice Act
- Accept and make assignments that take into consideration patient safety and organization policies
Licensure of Persons with Mental Illness, Substance Abuse, or Criminal Background Histories
Any student who has a history of mental illness or substance abuse or who has been convicted of a felony must file paperwork with the Board of Nursing (BON) BEFORE entering the Vocational Nursing Program. BNE regulations stipulate that a person convicted of a felony may not be permitted to take the state licensing exam. Don’t spend your time and money in school and then discover you cannot take the exam. Check it out beforehand . Any student who has ever been arrested for anything other than a minor traffic violation will need to submit a Petition for Declaratory Order of Eligibility (DOE) to the BON and pay the required $189 fee. The DOE process takes a minimum of three to six months to complete. Contact the program coordinator for more information.
Criminal background checks will be completed on all applicants accepted to the program. The following histories will disqualify an individual from consideration for clinical rotations:
- Felony convictions
- Misdemeanor convictions or felony deferred adjudications involving crimes against persons (physical or sexual abuse, etc.)
- Misdemeanor convictions related to moral turpitude (prostitution, public lewdness/exposure, etc.)
- Felony deferred adjudications for the sale, possession, distribution, or transfer of natcotics or controlled substances
- Registered sex offenders
Admission
Students seeking admission to the Vocational Nursing program must first apply for and be accepted for admission to North Central Texas College. Faculty will advise students of special admission requirements for the Vocational Nursing program. The admissions process (see page 23 for additional information) requires that a student attend an advisement session, complete an application for admission to NCTC and an application to the Vocational Nursing program. In addition, the student must submit an official high school transcript, notarized home school academic record or documented proof of GED certification. The completed Admissions Packet is submitted to the Admissions Office for processing and then forwarded to the Vocational Nursing Program Coordinator.
Being granted admission to the College does not guarantee admission to the Vocational Nursing program . Before admission to the program will be considered—on a space-available basis—applicants must attend an advisement session, take an entrance exam and achieve satisfactory scores. The testing and advisement sessions are conducted on selected dates during the school year. To receive an Admissions Packet containing these dates and additional information on how to gain admission to the College and enroll in the program, contact the Vocational Nursing office at (940)668-4291 or you may access the information on the NCTC web site. Look under “Programs Offered” to begin and follow the prompts from there. You will find us under “Technical Programs”.
Admission criteria have been established, and enrollment is limited. Acceptance is based upon the applicant’s performance on pre-admission testing. All students completing the admissions process will be notified of their status by the Director of Admissions and the Vocational Nursing Program Coordinator. Students accepted into the program will be sent physical exam, immunization and recommendation forms. All students accepted to the Vocational Nursing Program will complete a drug screening and criminal background check.
Advanced Placement
Students who have been enrolled in other nursing programs may be eligible for advanced placement into the second semester of the NCTC Vocational Nursing Program. Students seeking advanced placement must make a formal application to the Vocational Nursing Program, including copies of all transcripts from prior nursing programs, and make an appointment for an interview with the program director.
Progression Criteria
Students must make a “C” or better in all classroom clinical courses to progress within the Vocational Nursing program. Students not meeting this standard will be unable to continue in the program; however, they may be readmitted one time, if qualified, on a space-available basis.
Readmission : Any student who has an interruption in the normal progression of his/her nursing studies, whether by failure or withdrawal, may apply for readmission to the Vocational Nursing Department Director. In order for an application for readmission to be considered, it must be reviewed by the Vocational Nursing program faculty; therefore, it should be submitted 2-3 months prior to the desired starting date.
A completed application for readmission must include: (1) a new application, (2) a current transcript and (3) a written request identifying the reason(s) the program was interrupted and actions taken to ensure success if readmission is granted. Readmission may include stipulations such as requiring that the student repeat and pass (C or higher) courses and clinicals they had previously taken and passed with a C or higher. When a course is repeated, the most recent grade will determine progression in the Program. Faculty might also require that applicants for readmission follow and complete the admission process in effect for first time applicants.
Grading Policy
Grades in classroom work are based on numerical averages, with corresponding letter grades assigned, providing all required assignments have been satisfactorily completed. Students must make at least a “C” in each theory course, including Anatomy and Physiology courses, and in each clinical practicum in order to progress within the program. The point system used within the Vocational Nursing Program is:
A = 90–100% • B = 80–89% • C = 75–79%
D = 66–74% • F = 0–65%
Program Cost
Basic tuition and fees for nursing students are figured just as they are for all other students; however, due to the special nature of the program, students will have some additional costs that they should be aware of:
Laboratory fees will be charged for all courses requiring a lab (in addition to the classroom lecture). For VN students, a lab fee of $24 will be charged for each course designed as a “clinical” and for the “skills” course.
Fees in addition to lab fees will be due at the time of course registration for such things as supplies, standardized tests, malpractice insurance, urine drug screening and criminal background check. These fees may vary from year to year but specific information can be obtained from the Vocational Nursing Office.
Nursing textbooks are highly specialized medical books and can be expensive-as much as $1000 for the program. You’ll buy most of your nursing books during the first two semesters; therefore, book costs will be considerably less in later semesters. (Also, most of your nursing books you’ll keep for reference from now on).
For students not yet officially admitted to the VN program and who may be taking general education courses, textbook costs will vary according to which particular courses are taken, but, on average, plan to spend about $30 per semester hour for books. The approximate cost of the Vocational Nursing Program is $6,000.
Supplies and Incidentals
Once admitted to the Program, VN students will need to buy school clinical uniforms (plus patches and name pin), a lab coat, shoes, and a stethoscope. A good wristwatch with a second hand is also needed. Also, the student will need normal school supplies, and other costs will include such items as state board fees and school pin. Some of these expenses will not be incurred until the latter part of the program.
Health Insurance
Students will need to show proof of Major Medical Insurance or Accidental Injury Medical Insurance before going to clinical agencies.