Vocational Nursing (CERT2)

• The vocational nursing program is designed for individuals interested in becoming a licensed vocational nurse. Upon completion of the Vocational Nursing Certificate, nursing graduates may apply to take the licensure exam to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN).
• Program Highlights
• The Vocational Nursing Program offers state of the art simulation equipment and laboratories.
• Credentials and Careers
• The vocational nursing program is a three semester, 48 credit hour, one year, full-time program.
• Graduates are prepared to provide nursing care for clients with predictable outcomes in a variety of health care settings. Students completing the Vocational Nursing, Level 2 Certificate are eligible to apply to the Associate Degree Nursing Program - Transition to Professional Nursing Path.
• Transferability
• General education courses (Core) are designated for easy transfer to Texas public institutions and applicable to requirements at private and out-of-state institutions.
• Technical coursework may be transferrable to other institutions.
• Please consult with a program advisor for more information about transferability.

• Students must be college level in reading, writing, and math. Students who are currently enrolled in developmental co-requisite courses may apply to the VN program pending successful completion of the sequence.
• Students must be college ready in math as evidenced by a score of 70% or higher on the entrance HESI (A2) EXAM.
• Complete BIOL 2404 with a grade of "C" or higher (Completion of both BIOL 2401 & BIOL 2402 is accepted in place of BIOL 2404 and is recommended for those students planning to transition into the ADN program). Biology courses submitted for program credit must be equivalent to 4 credit hours (lecture and lab) and must be completed no more than five (5) years prior to application to the nursing program.
• Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in college level courses.
• Complete a standardized nursing pre-entrance test. The cost of this test is the responsibility of the applicant. All applicants must take the nursing pre-entrance test. The entrance test may be taken one (1) time every sixty (60) days. Only the most recent test score will be used for the admission process. If entrance exam is repeated in less than sixty (60) days, only the first set of scores will be used.
• Submit official transcripts from colleges attended other than LSC.
• Submit a completed application to the nursing program at the preferred campus . Application deadlines are posted on the nursing website . Separate applications to campus nursing programs are only required if the application deadline differs.
• In addition to the system admission requirements, the following are required for the vocational nursing program. The application process is competitive, with students being accepted into the program based on scores determined by: grade point averages; and the scores from the national, standardized nursing pre-entrance test. Refer to the website for a sample score sheet.
• Complete a standardized nursing pre-entrance test. The cost of this test is the responsibility of the applicant. All applicants must take the nursing pre-entrance test.
• Submit official transcripts from colleges attended other than LSC.
• Submit a completed online application to the preferred college's nursing program. Application deadlines are posted on the nursing website. Separate applications to the college nursing programs are only required if the application deadline differs.
• Submission of incorrect documents will cause the application to be rejected . It is the student's responsibility to read and understand the requirements of the application process and to submit an application with all required documents by the application deadline.

• This award requires 48 credit hours in total.
• Lone Star College reports 1440 contact hours for this award.
• Where the course list shows "Choose N credit hours", those courses are the options for one elective slot, not additional requirements.

• Function within the nurse’s legal scope of practice; protecting the rights and dignity of the patient and respecting the rights of others in accordance with the policies and procedures of the employing healthcare institution or practice.
• Utilize the nursing process, evidence-based practice and a commitment to caring for culturally diverse patients across the life span and wellness-illness continuum.
• Use clinical reasoning and a problem-solving approach as the basis for decision making in practice, based on application of scientific principles and clinical data.
• Assume accountability for individual nursing practice, follow established evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, and follow established policies and procedures.
• Utilize effective communication and collaborate with patients, families, and interdisciplinary health care team members.
• Adhere to the Texas Nursing Practice Act and Texas State Board of Nursing Rules that emphasize safety by accepting and making assignments that take into consideration patient safety and organizational policy.
• Collaborate in the development and implementation of teaching plans for well-defined health learning needs, and assist in the coordination of human, information, and material resources, while providing patient and family centered care.

• Tuition shown is the in-district rate of $111.00 per credit hour for 48 credit hours.
• Out-of-district Texas residents pay $249.00 per credit hour ($11,952.00); international and out-of-state students pay $313.00 per credit hour ($15,024.00).
• Lab fees vary by course and liability insurance, uniforms and supplies vary by program, so Lone Star College publishes no all-in total for this award. Tuition above excludes them.
• Financial aid and payment plans are available to most students.
• Application fee: none. Lone Star College applications are free.

• In order to work as a licensed vocational nurse, a person must be licensed by the State of Texas. To take the national licensing examination (NCLEX-PN), a person must be a graduate of a Texas Board of Nursing (Texas BON) approved vocational nursing program. For more information, contact the Texas Board of Nursing, 333 Guadalupe Street, Suite 3-400, Austin, Texas 78701; phone number 512-305-7400, or visit their website at http://www.bon.state.tx.us
• The Texas Board of Nursing (Texas BON) may refuse to admit persons to its licensure examination, OR may refuse to issue a license or certificate of registration to any individual with lack of fitness to practice by reason of mental or physical health or intemperate use of alcohol or drugs that could potentially result in injury to patients or the public. The Board may also refuse to grant licensure to any individual with a history of a conviction, drug/alcohol abuse or mental illness.
• Clear Criminal History (BON)
• Applicants who have a criminal history, mental illness, or chemical dependency of any kind must apply to and resolve it with the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) by completing a Declaratory Order prior to the beginning of the program.
• Important Changes in Texas Board of Nursing Background Check and Declaratory Order Process:
• The process for filing a Declaratory Order (DO) with the Texas Board of Nursing has changed. Students can no longer file a DO in advance. All prospective applicants who were fingerprinted PRIOR to 2010 will be required by the Texas Board of Nursing to redo their fingerprints. Here is the process for filing a DO:
• Any student with a positive criminal background, history of mental illness within the last five years, or chemical dependency within the last five years must contact the Director of Nursing at the campus of their first choice.
• The Director of Nursing will email the student a FERPA form.
• Students will download, sign, and email the form back to the Director.
• The signed FERPA form provides Directors with the permission to send personal information to the TBON (address, DOB, SS#) for the initial background check.
• After Lone Star College submits your name on a roster, the TBON will send you an initial outcome letter detailing the next steps in the DO process. Students are advised to gather official legal/medical documents that may be requested by the TBON to expedite the process.
• Students should allow 30 days for the TBON to respond after the initial review.
• In-depth reviews are conducted by the Enforcement Department of the TBON and the cost to the student is $150. Students can expect to receive an outcome letter approximately 90 days after an in-depth review.

Final acceptance into the program is contingent upon a satisfactory FBI background check (completed through the Texas BON) and Social Security number verification. Clinical facilities may also require verification of medical insurance, drug testing, additional immunizations, and other medical requirements.

The Vocational Nursing programs are approved by the Texas Board of Nursing (TBON), 333 Guadalupe #3-460, Austin, TX 78701. TBON website or phone is 512.305.7400.

• BIOL 2401 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I AND BIOL 2402 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II may satisfy the BIOL 2404 requirement, if student has prior completion of both courses.
• BIOL 1322 - Nutrition may satisfy the VNSG 1216 requirement, if student has prior completion.
• RNSG 1301 - Pharmacology may satisfy the VNSG 1331 requirement, if completed within the last five years.
• The Student Success Course Requirement is satisfied through successful completion of VNSG 1304 - Foundations of Nursing.