Vocational Nursing Certificate Program

Jo Anna Gott, BSN, RNC
Instructor/Program Coordinator
Allied Health Building, Office 117
(409) 984-6357
lvn@lamarpa.edu
 

Program Description

The Vocational Nursing Program is a competency based program designed to prepare its graduates to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN/VN) to become Licensed Vocational Nurses.

LVN’s function under the direction of licensed health care professionals including a registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, physician, dentist or podiatrist to provide safe, compassionate, individualized, goal-directed nursing care to patients who have predictable health care needs. (Texas Board of Nursing, 2015)

Graduates of the Lamar State College-Port Arthur Vocational Nursing Program are currently employed in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, physicians’ offices, outpatient community clinics, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies.

The Vocational Nursing Program is an ideal entry-level learning opportunity into a career of professional nursing.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Functions within the legal, ethical and regulatory standards of the nursing profession.
• Uses a systematic, problem-solving process in the care of multiple patients who have predictable health care needs to provide safe, individualized, goal-directed nursing care.
• Adopts an approach to nursing practice that promotes safety for patients, significant others, self, and members of the healthcare team.
• Cooperates with members of the interdisciplinary health care team to provide optimum, evidence-based, safe care to patients.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the college's admission requirements, students must also apply for admission to the Vocational Nursing Program and attend a PreOrientation session. 

To register for any VNSG course a student must submit an application to the Vocational Nursing program, attend a PreOrientation session, and be accepted into the Vocational Nursing Program.

Applicants must:

• Complete the application process for general admission to Lamar State College – Port Arthur.
• Review the application process for the Vocational Nursing Program in the Application Packet.
• Register and attend a PreOrientation Session. 
  • Students applying for admission into the Fall 2023 Vocational Nursing program should plan to attend a Pre-program orientation session on Monday, March 27 at 2:30pm or Thursday, April 27 at 3pm. 
  • The sessions will be held in the Allied Health Building, 1701 Procter St., Classroom 122.
• Schedule and take the HESI Admission Assessment (A2) exam and score the minimum scores of:
  • Reading 75% or higher
  • Cumulative 70% or higher.
• Complete the Vocational Nursing Program application packet and submit a legible application, with supporting documents, on or before the Monday, May 22, 2023 deadline.

Resources:

• HESI Admissions Assessment exam review book may be available in the Gates Memorial Library or purchased using this link: https://evolve.elsevier.com/cs/product/9780323582261?role=student
• Evolve Student Account Settings Information
• Fall 2023 Vocational Nursing Program Application (PDF)
• Fall 2023 Vocational Nursing Program Application (Word)

The Lamar State College – Port Arthur Vocational Nursing Program will admit two Vocational Nursing classes per year. A class is admitted in the Spring Semester (January) and in the Fall Semester (August).

The number of students admitted to any class is governed by the requirements of the Texas Board of Nursing.

The goal of the Vocational Nursing Standards Committee is the selection of the best qualified applicants.

The Program Admission Rating Form was developed to aid in the objective selection of the class. Applicants are ranked according to their score on the Program Admission Rating Form. In any given admission period, those applicants having the highest scores are the ones admitted to the program.

Lamar State College-Port Arthur is an open access institution. All available slots are filled with the most qualified applicants available in any given admission period.

Eligibility for Licensure

Completion of the Vocational Nursing Program does NOT guarantee that a graduate may take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN/VN). The Texas Board of Nursing may disqualify an applicant from obtaining Licensure. The Texas Board of Nursing, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 3-460, Austin, TX 78701-394, (512) 305-7400, has identified certain circumstances that may render a potential candidate ineligible for licensure as a vocational nurse in the State of Texas. The Board provides individuals the opportunity to petition the Board for a Declaratory Order as to their eligibility in accordance with the Nursing Practice Act.

If you are required to answer “YES” to any of the following questions, you must complete the Petition for Declaratory Order process. Processing your Petition for Declaratory Order may take 4 to 12 months, or longer, after you provide all required documentation and depending on your circumstance. Once all requested documents have been received, you will be notified that the Petition has been transferred to the Enforcement Department for review.

For any criminal offense, including those pending appeal, have you:

1. Been convicted of a misdemeanor?
2. Been convicted of a felony?
3. Pled nolo contendere, no contest, or guilty?
4. Received deferred adjudication?
5. Been placed on community supervision or court-ordered probation, whether or not adjudicated guilty?
6. Been sentenced to serve jail or prison time or court-ordered confinement?
7. Been granted pre-trial diversion?
8. Been arrested or have any pending criminal charges?
9. Been cited or charged with any violation of the law?
10. Been subject of a court-martial; Article 15 violation; or received any form of military judgment/punishment/action?

You may exclude Class C misdemeanor traffic violations.

To obtain a copy of the Petition for Declaratory Order, go to the Texas Board of Nursing (TBON) website at: www.bon.texas.gov/ On the TBON home page, click on "Forms" then under "Initial Licensure & Recognition Forms" click on "Declaratory Order". Read the information carefully, download the "Petition for Declaratory Order" form and follow the directions provided.

The Vocational Nursing Program is approved by the
Texas Board of Nursing
333 Guadalupe St., Suite 3-460
Austin, TX 78701
512-305-7400
www.bon.texas.gov