Vocational Nursing

Vocational Nursing Program Information

The Vocational Nursing program is available to students in two locations:

Palestine (Fall entry) and Terrell HSC (Spring entry)

If approved by the Texas Board of Nursing, graduates of TVCC’s VN Program are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination – PN to become licensed as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN).

There is a selection process for this program. It is the student’s responsibility to read the current health occupations brochure or contact an advisor regarding the current process. Students may apply if they expect to complete the prerequisite courses or become TSI complete by the end of the fall semester.

Note: Criminal history may disqualify individuals from obtaining or maintaining nursing certifications.

All nursing VN applicants will be given instructions for obtaining fingerprints for an FBI criminal background check for the Texas Board of Nursing. These should be completed at least 90 days prior to the start of nursing classes as the student must be cleared by the Board of Nursing before the semester starts. The Board of Nursing will contact the student if a petition for a declaratory order concerning their eligibility to take the licensing examination (NCLEX-PN) is required. The student must have a “blue” card, a positive outcome letter or an eligibility letter (declaratory order) before starting classes. Students who need to complete this requirement will be sent an email in January with instructions. If the case must be sent to the enforcement division, the processing may take 6-24 months, so applicants must apply early. If a student is not able to start nursing courses due to waiting for a declaratory order, a space will be reserved for the following year pending a positive outcome from the Texas Board of Nursing.

Any nursing applicant who has been diagnosed with, treated, or hospitalized in the past five years for schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, paranoid personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, or borderline personality disorder, or addicted to or treated for the use of alcohol or any other drug within the past five years, must petition the Texas Board of Nursing for a declaratory order concerning their eligibility to take the licensing examination, the NCLEX-PN.

The Texas Board of Nursing can be reached at 512-305-7400. The application for a declaratory order can be downloaded from the BON website at www.bon.texas.gov/forms_declaratory_order.asp.

VNSG-1119. Leadership and Professional Development. (1 Credit)

(1-1-1-0) This course is taken for academic credit. (Prerequisites: see advisor) Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. Study of the importance of professional growth. Topics include the role of the licensed vocational nurse in the multi-disciplinary health care team, professional organizations and continuing education. Lab fee.

VNSG-1122. Vocational Nursing Concepts. (1 Credit)

(1-1-1-0) This course is taken for academic credit. (Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Vocational Nursing Program) Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. Introduction to the nursing profession and its responsibilities. Includes legal and ethical issues in nursing practice. Concepts related to the physical, emotional and psychosocial self-care of the learner/professional. Lab fee.

VNSG-1126. Gerontology. (1 Credit)

(1-1-1-0) This course is taken for academic credit. (Prerequisite: See advisor) Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. Overview of the physical, psychosocial and cultural aspects of the aging process. Addresses disease processes of aging. Exploration of perceptions toward care of the older adult. lab fee.

VNSG-1160. Clinical I. (1 Credit)

(1-0-0-6) This course is taken for academic credit. (Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Vocational Nursing Program) Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills and concepts. Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional. Lab fee $87 includes drug screen and professional liability insurance.

VNSG-1230. Maternal-Neonatal Nursing. (2 Credits)

(2-2-1-0) This course is taken for academic credit. Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. A study of the biological, psychological and sociological concepts applicable to basic needs of the family including childbearing and neonatal care. Utilization of the nursing process in the assessment and management of the childbearing family. Topics include physiological changes related to pregnancy, fetal development and nursing care of the family during labor and delivery and the puerperium. Lab fee.

VNSG-1231. Pharmacology. (2 Credits)

(2-2-1-0) This course is taken for academic credit. (Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Vocational Nursing Program) Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. Fundamentals of medications and their diagnostic, therapeutic and curative effects. Includes nursing interventions utilizing the nursing process. Lab fee.

VNSG-1234. Pediatrics. (2 Credits)

(2-2-1-0) This course is taken for academic credit. Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. Study of the care of the pediatric patient and family during health and disease. Emphasis on growth and developmental needs utilizing the nursing process. Lab fee.

VNSG-1261. Clinical IIb. (2 Credits)

(3-0--12) This course is taken for academic credit. (Prerequisite: VNSG 1122, 1400, 1472, 2473, 1160 and 1231) Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills and concepts. Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional. Lab fee.

VNSG-1262. Clinical IIIa. (2 Credits)

(2-0-12-0) This course is taken for academic credit. (Prerequisite: See advisor) Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills and concepts. Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional. A preceptorship at the end of the semester provides a capstone experience and allows the student to integrate technical skills, nursing concepts, and basic workplace competencies learned throughout the program in the care of clients at an assigned setting. Lab fee.

VNSG-1400. Nursing in Health and Illness I. (4 Credits)

(4-3-4-0) This course is taken for academic credit. (Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Vocational Nursing Program) Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. Introduction to general principles of growth and development, primary health care needs of the patient across the life span and therapeutic nursing interventions. Lab fee $632. Lab fee includes ATI testing package and drug testing fee.

VNSG-1409. Nursing in Health and Illness II. (4 Credits)

(4-4-1-0) This course is taken for academic credit. Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. Introduction to health problems requiring medical and surgical interventions. Lab fee $635. Lab fee includes ATI diagnostic testing program.

VNSG-1461. Clinical IIa. (4 Credits)

(4-0-0-24) This course is taken for academic credit. Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills and concepts. Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional. Lab fee.

VNSG-1462. Clinical IIIb. (4 Credits)

(4-0-0-24) This course is taken for academic credit. (Prerequisite: See advisor) Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills, and concepts. Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional. A preceptorship at the end of the semester provides a capstone experience and allows the student to integrate technical skills, nursing concepts, and basic workplace competencies learned throughout the program in the care of clients at an assigned setting. Lab fee $70 includes registration fee for mock trial.

VNSG-1472. Nursing Skills I. (4 Credits)

(4-2-8-0) This course is taken for academic credit. (Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Vocational Nursing Program) Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. Introduction to basic nursing skills. Emphasis on utilization of the nursing process and related scientific principles. Lab fee.

VNSG-2214. Applied Nursing Skills III. (2 Credits)

(2-1-4-0) This course is taken for academic credit. (Prerequisite: VNSG 1231, 1122, 1400, 1472, 2473, and 1160) Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. Application of nursing skills to meet complex patient needs utilizing the nursing process and related scientific principles. Lab fee.

VNSG-2473. Nursing Skills II. (4 Credits)

(4-2-8-0) This course is taken for academic credit. (Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Vocational Nursing Program) Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. Continuation of application of advanced nursing skills to meet patient needs utilizing the nursing process and related scientific principles. Lab fee.

VNSG-2510. Nursing in Health and Illness III. (5 Credits)

(5-5-1-0) This course is taken for academic credit. (Prerequisite: See advisor) Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. Continuation of Nursing in Health and Illness II. Further study of medical-surgical health problems of the patient including concepts such as mental illness. Incorporates knowledge necessary to make the transition from student to graduate vocational nurse. Lab fee $632. Lab fee includes ATI diagnostic testing program.

A grade of 75 or better is required in all courses, nursing and non-nursing.

What Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Do

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) provide basic nursing care.

SUMMARY

2021 Median Pay: $48,070 per year; $23.11 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Work Experience in a Related Occupation: None
On-the-job Training: None
Number of Jobs, 2021: 657,200
Job Outlook, 2021-31: 6% (As fast as average)
Employment Change, 2021-31: 41,300

Work Environment

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses work in many settings, including nursing homes and extended care facilities, hospitals, physicians’ offices, and private homes. Most work full-time.

How to Become a Licensed Practical or Licensed Vocational Nurse

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses must complete a state-approved educational program, which typically takes about 1 year to complete. They must be licensed.

Pay

The median annual wage for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses was $48,070 in May 2021.

Job Outlook

Employment of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. As the baby-boom population ages, the overall need for healthcare services is expected to increase. LPNs and LVNs will be needed in residential care facilities and in-home health environments to care for older patients.

SUGGESTED CITATION:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational-nurses.htm (visited May 28, 2023).

Some careers in this field will require a bachelor's degree.

TVCC's vocational nursing certificate leads to the LVN-to-ADN Transition AAS degree. See an academic advisor for more information on this transfer opportunity.
TVCC's LVN-to-ADN Transition AAS degree in nursing will lead to a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in nursing with TVCC or other participating universities. TVCC's RN-to-BSN program is an affordable, accessible hybrid program that gives TVCC ADN graduates the opportunity to continue working with faculty with whom they are familiar. TVCC has entered into a "CABNET" (Consortium for Advancing Baccalaureate Nursing Education in Texas" agreement with several universities. These agreements list the general education requirements for the BSN degree at the participating universities. Upon completion of these general education courses and the ADN AAS degree as well passing the NCLEX-RN to become a RN, the graduate will need to complete the final 30 hours of upper division nursing courses at the selected college or university in the RN-to-BSN program (the majority of which can be done on-line). See an academic advisor for more information on this transfer opportunity.

Vocational Nursing