Vocational Nursing Certificate

Cathy Carney, MSN, RN
Division Chair, Vocational Nursing
Gainesville Campus Room 2411
(940) 668-7731 ext. 4330
ccarney@nctc.edu

The Vocational Nursing program is fully approved by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) and is a certificate program. This program is designed to prepare entry-level practitioners to provide direct care to patients of all age groups under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed physician. Emphasis is placed upon the ability to make sound judgments based on the knowledge of scientific principles and the ability to utilize technical skills in a variety of settings.

Classes are admitted in the fall semester on the Gainesville, Corinth, Bowie, and Graham campuses and in the spring semester on Gainesville Campus and Online. The program is 12 months in length. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be awarded a certificate of completion and is eligible to submit an application to write the National Council Licensing Examination - Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN).

Students admitted to the online e-campus are enrolled in the spring semester. The online curriculum is identical to the one taken by students in the traditional classroom. The students accepted to the e-campus will complete the curriculum in 12 months, will be awarded a certificate of completion, and will be eligible to submit an application to write the NCLEX-PN.

Classroom and online instruction are correlated with clinical practice where students apply the theory and skills of nursing in giving direct care to patients. Active, student-centered learning is the goal. Students will participate in a combination of classroom, hybrid, and online learning during the course of the program. Clinical experiences are offered in a variety of settings such as hospitals, long-term care, physician’s offices, home health facilities, and community venues.

Graduates successfully completing the program demonstrate the following program learning outcomes:

• Member of the Profession
  • Function within the nurse’s legal scope of practice and in accordance with regulation and the policies and procedures of the employing health care institution or practice setting.
  • Assume responsibility and accountability for the quality of nursing care provided to patients and their families.
  • Contribute to activities that promote the development and practice of vocational nursing.
  • Demonstrate responsibility for continued competence in nursing practice, and develop insight through reflection, self-analysis, self-care, and lifelong learning.
• Provider of Patient-Centered Care
  • Use clinical reasoning and knowledge based on the vocational nursing program of study and established evidence-based practice as the basis for decision-making in nursing practice.
  • Assist in determining the physical and mental health status, needs, and preferences influenced by culture, spirituality, ethnicity, identity, and social diversity of patients and their families, and in interpreting health-related data based on knowledge derived from the vocational nursing program of study.
  • Report data to assist in the identification of problems and formulation of goals/ outcomes and patient-centered plans of care in collaboration with patients, their families, and the interdisciplinary health care team.
  • Provide safe, compassionate, basic nursing care to assigned patients with predictable health care needs through a supervised, directed scope of practice.
  • Implement aspects of the plan of care within legal, ethical, and regulatory parameters and in consideration of patient factors.
  • Identify and report alterations in patient responses to therapeutic interventions in comparison to expected outcomes.
  • Implement teaching plans for patients and their families with common health problems and well-defined health learning needs.
  • Assist in the coordination of human, information, and physical resources in providing care for assigned patients and their families.
• Patient Safety Advocate
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the Texas Nursing Practice Act and the Texas Board of Nursing Rules that emphasize safety, as well as all federal, state, and local government and accreditation organization safety requirements and standards.
  • Implement measures to promote quality and a safe environment for patients, self, and others.
  • Assist in the formulation of goals and outcomes to reduce patient risks.
  • Obtain instruction, supervision, or training as needed when implementing nursing procedures or practices.
  • Comply with mandatory reporting requirements of the Texas Nursing Practice Act.
  • Accept and make assignments that take into consideration patient safety and organizational policy.
• Member of the Health Care Team
  • Communicate and collaborate in a timely manner with patients, their families, and the interdisciplinary health care team to assist in the planning, delivery, and coordination of patient-centered care to assigned patients.
  • Participate as an advocate in activities that focus on improving the health care of patients and their families.
  • Participate in the identification of patient needs for referral to resources that facilitate continuity of care, and ensure confidentiality.
  • Communicate patient data using technology to support decision-making to improve patient care.
  • Assign nursing activities to LVNs or unlicensed personnel based upon an analysis of patient or work place need.
  • Supervise nursing care by others for whom the nurse is responsible.
  • Assist health care teams during local or global health emergencies or pandemics to promote health and safety, and prevent disease.

Career Opportunities

Vocational nurses practice under the direct supervision of registered nursing staff and physicians. They may perform basic nursing duties independently or may assist registered nurses or physicians in more complex nursing situations. The average entry- level salary for vocational nurses ranges from $40,000 to $49,000. Employment may occur in hospitals, extended care facilities, doctor’s offices, home health organizations, and a variety of other health care settings.

Eligibility for Licensure

It is important to understand the licensing process of the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) in order to minimize potential problems nursing graduates might experience in obtaining a nursing license. Schools of nursing do not have the authority to grant licensure for LVN’s or RN’s. The nursing program is granted permission from the BON to educate and train individuals to apply to take the licensing exams. Individual graduates must apply to the Texas Board of Nursing to take the licensing exam.

Nursing students enrolled or planning to enroll in a nursing program who have reason to believe that they might be ineligible for licensure must provide the BON with information and they will determine eligibility for licensure. The BON will ask candidates the following.

Answers to issues related to eligibility are available on the Board of Nursing website under FAQs for new students.

Board of Nursing FAQ

Specific questions related to licensure of individuals with Criminal History is Rule 213.28.

Common eligibility issues that may need to be addressed by the BON include answering yes to any criminal offense, including those pending appeal. The BON will ask the following questions.

Have You:

• Been convicted of a misdemeanor?
• Been convicted of a felony?
• Pled no contender, no contest, or guilty?
• Received deferred adjudication?
• Been placed on community supervision or court-ordered probation, whether or not adjudicated guilty?
• Been sentenced to serve jail or prison time or court-ordered confinement?
• Been granted pre-trial diversion?
• Been arrested or have any pending criminal charges?
• Been cited or charged with any violation of the law?
• Been subject of a court-martial; Article 15 violation; or received any form of military judgment, punishment, or action?
• Results of the DPS/FBI Background check and fingerprint scan may prohibit final admission to the program until the Declaratory Order is received by the student from the BON. The student must inform the Division Chair of the outcome of the petition for Declaratory Order by providing a copy of the clearance letter received from the BON, the Declaratory Order with or without conditions received from the BON, or the letter of denial received by the BON.

Admission

To be officially admitted to the Vocational Nursing program at NCTC, students must meet qualification requirements beyond college standards and carefully follow the step-by-step process outlined below. Attending a Vocational Nursing program information session is recommended, but not mandatory. Times and locations for the information sessions are posted and updated on the Information Session link of the nursing program website. Applying for the next class has additional detailed information regarding testing, including a checklist of things needed before submitting an application to the program.

Step One

A student may apply for Admission to NCTC through ApplyTexas. Complete the college admission process as outlined on the NCTC website. An applicant should submit official transcripts from every college attended by sending them to the Admissions Office. This must be done early enough so that a degree audit can be completed by the Registrar’s Office before submitting an application to the nursing program.

Step Two

One all admission requirements are met, an applicant wll be notified by the Admissions Office of acceptance to NCTC. At this point, the applicant maybegin the process of registering for the nursing entrance exam.

Step Three

After an applicant has completed steps one and two, an applicant should apply for admission to the Vocational Nursing Program. Vocational Nursing Applications should be submitted online to the MyNCTC page. Copies of the required entrance exam, transcripts from high schools, all colleges other than NCTC and a copy of a degree audit must be provided at the time of submission. Applications may be completed between:

• March 1-31 for Fall Semester admission
• August 1-31 for Spring Semester admission

If an applicant is not admitted to the Vocational Nursing Program after submitting an application, they must submit a new application during the next application period in order to be considered for admission in subsequent semesters.

Step Four

An applicant’s entrance exam and transcripts will be evaluated to determine eligibliity for the Vocational Nursing Program. Refer to the Points requirement. Applicants will be ranked according to application points and scores on the Entrance Exam:

• Application points will be given if Anatomy & Physiology for Allied Health or Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy & Physiology II were completed with a “C” or higher.
• An application point will be given if applicant submits proof of certification as a Certified Nurse Aide, Certified Medical Assistant, Certified Patient Care Technician, or has their EMT or Paramedic license.
• The Entrance Exam consists of four areas: Reading, Math, Writing, and Science. Applicants will be given points based on their scores.

Step Five

Candidates with the highest application points will be considered for admission to the Vocational Nursing Program. Applicants may not take the entrance exam more than twice during an academic year (August through July). Applicants accepted to the program will be registered in nursing courses by the nursing program. Students do not enroll themselves in nursing courses.

Any applicant wishing to re-apply for the following semester must go through the admission process again in order to be considered.

Step Six

Those students selected for admission will be sent details on the following items:

• Physical Examination form signed by a physician.
• Proof of major medical insurance coverage or accident insurance coverage.
• Malpractice insurance. This is added to the tuition/fees bill at the time of registration. Malpractice insurance must be renewed each fall semester.
• A Urine Drug Screen will be required of all students. The nursing office will arrange this.
• Proof of current CPR certification (American Heart Association - Basic LIfe Support).
• Meet the required Immunizations.

Progression Criteria

Students must make a “C” or better in all classroom and clinical courses to progress within the Vocational Nursing program. Students not meeting this standard will be unable to continue in the program; however, they may be readmitted one time, if qualified, on a space-available basis.

Readmission

Any student who has an interruption in the normal progression of his/her nursing studies, whether by failure or withdrawal, may apply for readmission to the Vocational Nursing Department Director. In order for an application for readmission to be considered, it must be reviewed by the Vocational Nursing program faculty; therefore, it should be submitted 2-3 months prior to the desired starting date.

A completed application for readmission must include: (1) a new application, (2) a current transcript, and (3) a written request identifying the reason(s) the program was interrupted, and (4) actions taken to ensure success if readmission is granted. Readmission may include certain stipulations as prescribed by the Program Chair. Faculty may also require that applicants for readmission follow and complete the admission process in effect for first-time applicants.

Grading Policy

Grades in classroom work are based on numerical averages, with corresponding letter grades assigned, providing all required assignments have been satisfactorily completed. Students must make at least a “C” in each theory course, including Anatomy and Physiology courses, and in each clinical practicum in order to progress within the program. The point system used within the Vocational Nursing Program is: A = 90-100% B = 80-89% C = 77-79% D = 66-76% F = 0-65%

Program Cost

Basic tuition and fees for nursing students are figured just as they are for all other students; however, due to the special nature of the program, students will have some additional costs that they should be aware of:

• Laboratory fees will be charged for all courses requiring a lab (in addition to the classroom lecture). For VN students, a lab fee will be charged for each course designed as a “clinical” and for the “skills” course.
• Fees in addition to lab fees will be due at the time of course registration for such things as supplies, standardized tests, malpractice insurance. These fees may vary from year to year but specific information can be obtained from the Vocational Nursing Office.
• Nursing textbooks are highly specialized medical books and can be expensive.

For students not yet officially admitted to the VN program and who may be taking general education courses, textbook costs will vary according to which particular courses are taken, but, on average, plan to spend about $300 per semester hour for books. The approximate cost of the Vocational Nursing Program is $6,800 to $9,500. The cost of the textbooks is included in the tuition and fees charged at registration for the first semester. Students receive a package of books that can be picked up in the campus bookstore after proof of payment from the Business Office.

Supplies and Incidentals

Once admitted to the Program, VN students will need to buy school clinical uniforms (plus patches), a lab jacket, shoes, and a stethoscope. A good wristwatch with a second hand is also needed. Also, the student will need normal school supplies, the LVN Student skills kit, and other costs will include such items as state board fees. Some of these expenses will not be incurred until the latter part of the program.

Health Insurance

Students will need to show proof of Major Medical Insurance or Accidental Injury Medical Insurance before going to clinical agencies.

Immunizations

Students accepted into the LVN program must show proof of the following immunizations, as listed below.

• One dose of tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (TDAP) toxoid in the last 10 years
• Two doses of measles vaccine, administered since 1968
• Two doses of rubella vaccine
• Two doses of mumps vaccine
• Complete Hepatitis B vaccine–this series takes 6 months to complete
• Two doses of varicella (chickenpox)–these must be administered at least 8 weeks apart
• A statement from parents or physician that you had chickenpox is NOT sufficient proof
• One influenza vaccine (given seasonally for the flu)
• Serologic (blood test) proof of immunity or serologic evidence of infection, is acceptable in lieu of the vaccinations.
• All students must have negative results of two Mantoux TB tests or a negative chest x-ray report prior to admission

Essential Physical Competencies for Nursing

In response to the Americans with Disabilities Act, a national survey of administrators of health care facilities, which employ nurses, validated a list of essential competencies a nurse must possess in order to function safely and effectively in a variety of clinical settings.

Results indicate that relatively high numbers of activities were identified in each essential competency category by the health care agencies as being necessary for nursing practice.

These competencies include:

• extended walking and standing daily,
• ability to grasp, push, and/or pull,
• ability to bend and stoop,
• moving quickly in response to an emergency using upper body movements,
• ability to reach,
• carrying and moving equipment, and reaching and/or lifting.

Other essential competencies identified for nursing care include:

• vision acuity to allow detecting physical changes such as cyanosis and the ability to discriminate small print,
• hearing that allows responding to physical and verbal cues,
• a sense of touch that allows for assessment and palpation,
• manual dexterity that allows for skill performance,
• communicate effectively and efficiently in English in both oral and written forms,
• cognitive ability to exercise good judgment, and
• attention to detail and ability to complete tasks within required time limits.

Adaptations most frequently reported as being used by nursing staff were hearing aids, adaptive phones, and calculators.

The ADN and LVN Programs have accepted these competencies as expectations for success in the program. Applicants may be asked to complete a Functional Abilities Performance upon conditional acceptance into the program.