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.

Faculty

1. Robyn Carrion, ADN: Instructor
2. Eursula Davis, BSN: Instructor
3. Jo Anna Gott, BSN, RNC-OB, CBC: Program Coordinator
4. Kathy Guidry, ADN: Instructor
5. Lois Holmes, ADN: Instructor
6. Debbie Lawson, ADN: Instructor
7. Mary Perry, ADN: Instructor
8. Andrea Reyes, BSN: Instructor
9. Melissa Smith, ADN: Instructor

Admission Requirements

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

To register for any VNSG course a student must submit an application to the Vocational Nursing program, attend a Pre-Program Orientation 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 Pre-Program Orientation session. 
  • Students applying for admission into the Spring 2024 Vocational Nursing program should plan to attend a Pre-Program Orientation session on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at 3:30 p.m. or Thursday, September 21, 2023, at 3:30 p.m. 
  • The sessions will be held in the Allied Health Building located at 1701 Procter Street in Port Arthur, Texas, 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 Thursday, October 5, 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
• Spring 2024 Vocational Nursing Program Application (PDF)
• Spring 2024 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the size of the admitting class determined?

The total number of students that can be admitted to a class is determined by rules and regulations mandated by the Texas Board of Nursing. The rule governing class sizes states: "The number of students admitted to the program shall be determined by the number of qualified faculty, adequate educational facilities and resources, and the availability of appropriate clinical learning experience for students." (Rules & Regulations 214.8a)

Can I take non-nursing courses listed on the degree plan before being accepted into the VN Program?

Students are encouraged to complete all non-nursing co-requisite courses on the degree plan while waiting to be accepted into the VN program. Only courses on the degree plan which are completed by the application deadline are considered in the admission rating scale. Applicants must update courses as they are completed.

If I am a transfer student, how do I know my classes/credits will transfer?

Courses taken in Texas should have the same reference number. For additional information, please contact the transcript evaluator at (409) 984-6167 or by e-mail@ nelsonhr@lamarpa.edu.

When do classes start? How many days a week are we in class and clinical? Is each semester different from the other?

The program admits new applicants each Spring and Falls and three semesters. Classroom hours are typically 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, and clinical hours are from 6:30 am to 3:30 pm. But may vary.
The number of days students must devote to the program varies each semester. Each semester has a clinical component that is completed at facilities in the Golden Triangle area.

What are the minimum requirements to be considered for admission to the VN Program?

To be considered for admission into the VN Program, submit HESI scores taken within the last year, you must score 75% or higher in reading comprehension and a 70% cumulative score. Complete all prerequisites before the start of the program and submit the completed application by the due date.

What criteria are used to select applicants?

The VN Program is a selective admissions program. The goal is to select the most qualified applicants. Criteria that are considered in the admission process include academic achievement and consecutive applications.

Only complete applications submitted by the due date will be considered for admission.

When is the application due date and when will I know if I am accepted?

Applications for the Vocational Nursing Program starting in Spring opens in October.  These applicants will be notified by email after the application portal closes as to their application status (Accepted or Not Qualified).

Applications for the Vocational Nursing Program starting in the Fall opens mid-May.  These applicants will be notified by email after the application portal closes as to their application status (Accepted or Not Qualified).

How long is the waiting list?

There is no waiting list. Applicants who are not selected for admission may reapply when the application process opens again.

Do I need to submit a new application each year?

The nursing department will keep your application for one year. However, to be considered for the next class, you must submit a new application with current (less than one year) contact information, work history, updated transcripts and HESI score. All documents must be current, meaning less than one year since submission. Applications with no activity for 12 months will be destroyed.

Should I retake courses to improve my GPA?

The decision to repeat courses is up to the individual candidate.

Career Information

What do LVNs do?

LVNs work in non-complex patient care areas under the guidance of RNs and/or licensed physicians or dentists. LVNs attend to personal hygiene needs, administer medications, chart, and assist with meeting patient care needs.

What hours can I expect to work and how much will I make?

LVNs are assigned like other health care workers to work 8 to 12 hours shifts, periodic weekends, and some holidays. New graduate vocational nurses are currently starting at $15 - $20 per hour base pay in the Golden Triangle.

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