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Vocational Nursing Program - One Year Certificate

(VNSG)

Introduction

The Vocational Nursing (VN) program is a clinically intensive one year certificate program that offers classroom instruction and related clinical practice in four basic areas of nursing: fundamentals, medical/surgical, maternity/pediatric, and psychiatric. Supporting courses and program content include basic human anatomy and physiology, mathematics, pharmacology, nutrition, life cycle/growth and development, vocational adjustment, legal and ethical aspects of nursing practice, and nursing skills. The Vocational Nursing Program is fully approved by the Texas Board of Nursing. Upon completion of the program, the graduate will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

Applying for Admission into the Institution

  1. If not presently enrolled at Laredo College, submit the following forms to the Enrollment & Registration Services Center at the Lerma Peña Center, Room 116:

    1. LC Admissions Application and Information Form

    2. Official high school transcript or GED certificate

    3. Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities

  2. The Nursing Program online application is available on the website at http://www.laredo.edu/cms/LC/Instruction/Divisions/Health_Sciences/Nursing/Online_Application_Form/

Program Admission Criteria

All required forms must be completed and received by Laredo College by:

4th Monday in February - Fall Admission

The student seeking admission into the Vocational Nursing Program at Laredo College must meet the following requirements:

  1. General admission criteria must be met as outlined in the Laredo College catalog.

  2. Complete Assessment Test requirements for placement and/or satisfy the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements for entry into college level courses.

  3. LC Institutional and Overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or greater. The student on scholastic probation will not be considered for admission.

  4. Admission for the applicant who has not previously attended LC will be based on Overall GPA. The student must meet all of LC's general admission requirements. The applicant must have overall GPA of 2.5 or greater. Official transcripts must be submitted to the admissions office for evaluation of course credit.

  5. Complete program prerequisite courses: PSYC 2314, MDCA 1409 (or BIOL 2301, BIOL 2101- Lab & BIOL 2302, BIOL 2102 -Lab). All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better. Although the minimum passing grade for individual prerequisite is a "C", overall prerequisite grade point average (GPA) must be a 2.5. Earning all "C's" will result in a GPA of 2.0 which does not meet the requirement. Student must follow the Vocational Nursing program curriculum plan valid for the current entrance year.

  6. Only applicants that are accepted to the Vocational Nursing Program will be required to submit the recommendation form, CPR, and the immunization form.

  7. Negative Criminal Background. The applicant’s information will be submitted to the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). Texas BON will notify applicants via email to schedule an appointment with Identogo, www.identogo.com. The applicant will be able to schedule an appointment at a Live Scan location in Texas through online enrollment or by phone at 1-888-467-2080 to have their fingerprint scanning performed and submitted to the Texas Board of Nursing. The applicant will receive verification from the Texas Board of Nursing of the applicants Criminal Background Status. Documentation of a Negative Criminal Background from the Texas BON must be submitted to complete the application, admissions process, and prior to enrolling in any nursing courses. The applicant must receive confirmation in writing that he/she is eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam

  8. A standardized pre-entrance exam will be administered as a component of the nursing program's admission process to demonstrate proficiency. The areas required to complete successfully include the Reading, English Language Usage, Math, and Science. The applicant will be allowed one attempt per admission period and is responsible for the cost of the exam and/or preparation materials.

Application Review Process

  1. The Nursing Admissions Committee will review all applications to assure that the application is complete.

  2. Applicants who have met the required GPA, and completed all prerequisite courses, as described on the Program Admission Process, will be eligible to take the standardized pre-entrance exam.

  3. Applicants will be notified through LC's PASPort email address with instructions about the standardized pre-entrance exam.

  4. Once all qualified applicants have taken the standardized pre-entrance exam, applicants will be notified by email regarding their program admission status. A number of applicants who meet the program’s admission requirements may not be admitted to the program based on space availability. Applicant’s will be ranked based on the following criteria using the highest:

    1. Pre-Entrance Standardized Exam Scores,

    2. GPA of the prerequisite courses,

    3. If the applicants are ranked equally, they will be further ranked by the highest institutional GPA.

The applicant who is not selected for admission must submit a new application during the next application period and complete all admission requirements as described in the Program Admission Criteria and Application Process.

The student accepted into the Vocational Nursing Program must:

  1. Submit verification of physical examination by a U.S. physician or nurse practitioner.

  2. Submit evidence of negative 10 panel drug screen.

  3. Submit evidence of current American Heart Association BLS Health Care Provider CPR Certification.

  4. Purchase student liability insurance (premium rates applicable to current academic year and paid through tuition and fees).

  5. Purchase nursing uniforms and necessary accessories (rates applicable to current academic year).

  6. Pay additional fees for standardized nursing examinations and computer programs (Cost may vary).

  7. Computer Access & Equipment: Students accepted in the program will be notified by letter on computer compatibility and specs requirements.

  8. Immunization: documentation submitted upon admission to the Nursing Program

    • Tetanus-Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap): one dose required within the last ten years.

    • Measles, Mumps Rubella (MMR). Students born on or after January 1, 1957, must show acceptable evidence of vaccination of two doses of measles-containing vaccine administered since January 1, 1968.

    • Complete series of Hepatitis B Vaccines. Serology confirmation of immunity to the Hepatitis B virus acceptable.

    • Two doses of Varicella (chickenpox). Also acceptable (include dates):

      1. Student received first dose prior to 13 years of age

      2. Laboratory report indicating Varicella immunity, or

      3. Parent/physician validated history of Varicella disease (chickenpox)

    • TB skin test (annually) or a Negative Chest X-ray at the provider’s discretion or based on adherence to facility requirements.

    • Bacterial Meningitis

      Texas State Law Senate Bill 62, requires students who meet the criteria below, to provide proper documentation that they have received the bacterial meningitis vaccination within the last five years and at least 10 calendar days before the beginning of the semester.

      1. All new or transfer students under age 22.

      2. All returning students under the age of 22, who have experienced a break in enrollment of at least one fall or spring term.

      3. Students enrolled in online courses that physically attend classes or come to campus within the semester.

    • Most current Influenza Vaccine due annually in September

    • RECOMMENDED: Hepatitis A

Legal Information for Prospective Nursing Students

An applicant to the Vocational Nursing Program must be potentially eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Vocational Nurses (NCLEX-PN). The applicant who has been convicted of a felony, implicated in substance abuse, or involved in activities considered inappropriate by the Texas Board of Nursing is not eligible to apply or enter the program until he or she has received a declaratory order from the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) granting permission to take the NCLEX-PN. Such an applicant should contact the Texas BON for guidance in petitioning the Board for a decision of eligibility prior to applying for entry to the Vocational Nursing Program at Laredo College. The Board's statement of eligibility or any correspondence must be submitted to the Nursing Programs Director prior to the application deadline. The student is responsible for notifying the Nursing Programs Director should the status in the criminal background check change at any period during enrollment in the program. Refer to the Board's address and phone number listed.

Progression

Students progress through the nursing program's curriculum according to the Vocational Nursing Program Degree Plan. For progression in the Vocational Nursing Program the student must meet all of the following criteria:

  1. Abide by the Rules, Regulations, and Procedures outlined in the Vocational Nursing Student Handbook.

  2. Complete all prerequisites and nursing courses in the required semester sequence as outlined in the Vocational Nursing Program's degree plan with a grade of C = 75% or better and meet all clinical objectives.

  3. The student must maintain an institutional and overall grade point average of 2.5 or greater to progress to the next nursing course.

  4. Complete all college support courses with a grade of C or better.

  5. Declared a major with the office of admissions by completing the Declaration of Major Field of Study Form.

  6. Students will be required to repeat concurrent nursing course(s) if they are unsuccessful in a semester.

Withdrawal

A student considering withdrawal from a Nursing Course(s) should refer to the Vocational Nursing Student Handbook and make an appointment with the Course Instructor and the Program Director.

Continuation

A student requesting continuation in the Vocational Nursing Program must have an institutional and overall grade point average of 2.5 or greater. The request must be in writing and follow the Continuation Procedure outlined in the Vocational Nursing Student Handbook. Documentation of a clear/negative criminal background check must be submitted to complete the continuation process.

Attendance

The Vocational Nursing Program for lecture, lab, and clinical rotation courses require specific attendance hours in order to be in compliance with the accrediting agencies. Students who do not meet the requirements will not complete the program.

For additional information call: (956) 721-5255 or visit the Vocational Nursing Department in the Lopez Nursing Building, Room 124

Laredo College

West End Washington Street

Laredo, Texas 78040

The Vocational Nursing Program is approved by:

Texas Board of Nursing (BON)

333 Guadalupe #3-460

Austin, Texas 78701

Phone: (512) 305-7400

www.bon.state.tx.us

NOTE: Information regarding the Vocational Nursing Program is current at the time of publication and is subject to change without notice.

Vocational Nursing - One-Year Certificate

Prerequisite Courses

Application Deadline: 4th Monday in February

PSYC 2314Lifespan Growth & Development CORE

3
MDCA 1409Anatomy and Physiology for Medical Assistants

4
Total Credit Hours:7

MDCA 1409: Completion of BIOL 2301, BIOL 2101 & BIOL 2302, BIOL 2102 will satisfy this requirement.

Semester I

VNSG 1323Basic Nursing Skills

3
VNSG 1500Nursing in Health and Illness I

5
VNSG 1260Clinical-Licensed Practical/V.N. Training (Fundamentals)

2
Total Credit Hours:10

Semester II

VNSG 1230Maternal-Neonatal

2
VNSG 1234Pediatrics

2
VNSG 2331Advanced Nursing Skills

3
VNSG 1409Nursing in Health and Illness II

4
VNSG 1262Clinical Licensed Practical/V.N.(Med/Surg; Maternity/Newborn; Pedi)

2
Total Credit Hours:13

Semester III

VNSG 2410Nursing in Health and Illness III (Capstone)

4
VNSG 1205NCLEX-PN Review (Capstone)

2
VNSG 1263Clinical Licensed Practical/V.N. (Adv. M/S)

2
Total Credit Hours:8

VNSG 2410, VNSG 1205, VNSG 1463 are Capstone courses taught in the last semester. The learning experiences in these courses results in a consolidation of a student’s educational experience.

Total Credit Hours: 38

Requirements

Complete Assessment Test requirements for placement and/or satisfy the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements for entry into college level courses.

LC Pre-requisite, Institutional and Overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or greater is required.

Successfully complete Pre-Entrance Standardized Exam.

Students must complete the nursing courses in the required semester sequence as outlined in the Vocational Nursing program curriculum plan.

All nursing courses must be taken concurrently

Approved by Texas Board of Nursing and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

NOTE: Information regarding the Vocational Nursing Program is current at time of publication and is subject to change without notice.