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Vocational Nursing
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Purpose |
The purpose of the program is to prepare graduate vocational nurses as beginning practitioners who are competent and self-directed to function under the supervision of a registered nurse, licensed physician, or dentist. These graduates will be able to assume the role of a licensed vocational nurse, after taking and passing the National Council for Licensed Practical Nurse for the State of Texas Examination (NCLEX - PN). In doing so, vocational nurses will be prepared to better serve themselves, the community, and society as a whole.
The Southwest Texas Junior College School of Vocational Nursing consistently strives to promote the highest standards in vocational nurse education and nursing practice. The school operates under the direction of SWTJC and the Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas.
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Accreditation |
| This program is accredited by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas. |
Class Schedule |
New classes begin in the fall semester of each year and continues for an academic school year. The following courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C prior to enrolling in the Fall nursing semester:
BIOL 2401 Human Anatomy & Physiology I-4 sem. hrs.
BIOL 2402 Human Anatomy & Physiology II-4 sem. hrs.
PSYC 2301 General Psychology-3 sem. hrs.
HECO 1322 Nutrition and Diet Therapy -3 sem. hrs.
ORIE 0100 New Student Orientation-1 sem. hr.
PSYC 2314 may be taken concurrently with the vocational nursing courses during the Fall semester; however, the faculty strongly recommend taking PSYC 2314 prior to the fall semester. PSYC 2314 must be completed with a minimum grade of "C " prior to enrolling in the Spring semester of nursing. |
Admissions Requirements to the Vocational Nursing courses |
1. High School Diploma via an official transcript or a General Education Development Equivalency.
2. Official transcripts from each college/university attended other than SWTJC.
3. Take the TASP exam. Score at least 230 on the Reading section, 220 on the Writing section, and 215 on the Math section.
4. Completion of Southwest Texas Junior College student application form for admission.
5. Evidence of good physical and mental health as reflected by a recent (within 12 months) physical exam by the applicant's choice of physician. The exam with documentation must include:
TB skin test or CXR
VDRL
Up-to-date immunization record
First injection of three in the Hepatitis B vaccination series
Must show proof of CRP for Health Care Provider (Adult, Infant, and Child)
6. Three letters of personal character reference.
7. The Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas requires the following questions to be asked of each applicant for licensure:
Have you ever been convicted of a felony?
Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor other than a minor traffic violation?
Have you been hospitalized with a psychiatric occurrence within the past three (3) years?
Have you ever engaged in the intemperate use of drugs within the past three (3) years?
Have you ever engaged in the intemperate use of alcohol within the past three (3) years?
A person who has been convicted of a felony that relates to the duties and responsibilities of a Licensed Vocational Nurse may be disqualified from obtaining a licensure as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. The Board may not license such a person, and may upon conviction of a felony, suspend or revoke the license of a person previously licensed.
Students with felony convictions who apply to take the NCLEX-PN will be initially denied. The graduate will have the option to appeal the decision. The decision will be based upon a variety of factors, to include: age at the time of offense; seriousness of the offense; length of time since the offense; and demonstrated rehabilitation. The process is very long, and the individual may still be denied, and will not have a temporary permit during the appeal. If the individual is approved to take the exam, a temporary permit will be issued at that time.
Crimes which the Board considers to be directly related to the duties and responsibilities of a Licensed Vocational Nurse shall include, but are not limited to:
offenses against the person; offenses against property; offenses involving fraud, dishonesty or deceit; offenses related to drug or alcohol; offenses which include attempting or conspiring to commit any of the above named offenses.
For further information regarding the Board questions, please call (830) 591-7316. |
Admission Process |
1. Individuals who have completed files in the admissions office prior to July 1 are eligible for acceptance into the program. Acceptance will be based on a point system by the Vocational Nursing Admissions Committee. Students will be notified of acceptance in writing. In addition, a list of alternates will be established.
2. After notification of admission into the nursing courses, the applicant must turn in the following prior to the first day of class:
a) "Health Status" form completed by a physician, including documentation of:
1) TB results, VDRL results
2) current immunization record
3) Hepatitis B vaccination
b) Letter of the State Board questions regarding convictions
3. Students admitted to the program must enroll in the student liability insurance program or provide proof of personal liability insurance.
4. Applicants shall not be admitted after the second day of class.
Re-Admission Process
1. Re-enrollment will be limited to two separate admissions.
2. To receive credit for previous nursing courses passed, the student must re-enroll within one year of the last admission
3. All re-enrollment must comply with the current admission requirements. |
VOCATIONAL NURSING (CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION) |
Program of Study
Summer Session I Credit
ORIE 0100? New Student Orientation
BIOL 2401 Human Anatomy & Physiology-4
HECO 1322 Nutrition and Diet Therapy--3
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Total 7
Summer Session II Credit
BIOL 2402 Human Anatomy & Physiology-4
PSYC 2301 General Psychology-3
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Total 7
Fall Semester Credit
PSYC 2314 Human Growth & Development-3
VNSG 1323 Basic Nursing Skills-3
VNSG 1122 Vocational Nursing Concepts-1
VNSG 1136 Mental Health-1
VNSG 1429 Medical-Surgical Nursing I--4
VNSG 1126 Gerontology-1
VNSG 1227 Essentials of Medication Administration-2
VNSG 1360 Clinical - Practical Nurse--3
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Total 18
Spring Semester Credit
VNSG 1230 Maternal-Neonatal Nursing-2
VNSG 1234 Pediatrics --2
VNSG 1432 Medical-Surgical Nursing II--4
VNSG 1138 Mental Illness--1
VNSG 1231 Pharmacology--2
VNSG 1561 Clinical - Practical Nurse--5
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Total 16
Total Credit Hours for VN Program 48
? All students are required to take ORIE 0100; however, ORIE 0100 does not count toward degree requirements. |
Summary of Nursing Class, Lab, and Clinical Hours |
Class Lab Clinical
Summer I * 144 0 0
Summer II * 144 0 0
Fall 208 96 288
Spring 176 0 464
Totals: 672 96 752
*academic lab hours are included in the class hours
Total Program hours: 1520 |
Tuition and Fees |
Students enrolling in the program pay the regular college tuition and fees. Del Rio students pay the regular Out-of-District fees. All Nursing students can expect to pay the following:
Prior to 1st class day:
Required physical exam, TB test and/or chest x-ray, VDRL test, Hepatitis B vaccination series of three injections (about $80 per injection), immunizations (if needed).
Fall:
Uniforms and Lab coats (must be ordered through the nursing program)
(Two uniforms and two lab coats are recommended)
Females about $130.00
Males about $150.00
School patch for each uniform & lab coat (available in bookstore) about $2.50 each
Required books (available in bookstore) about $600.00
Nursing Equipment (available in bookstore) about $50.00
(stethoscope, bandage scissors, hemostat, penlight sphygmomanometer, gait belt, goggles)
Other equipment: white nursing shoes or leather tennis shoes; watch with a second hand.
Personal liability insurance (Bill Beatty Insurance) $14.50
ATI's Nursing Assessment Exams $100.00
Spring:
State Board Examination (National Council of State Boards of Nursing) $200.00
State Board Licensing fee (Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners) $88.00
Licensure picture about $10.00
Graduation cap & Gown and certificate (SWTJC) $26.00
ATI's Nursing Assessment Exams $100.00 |
Withdrawal and Dismissal Policy |
Southwest Texas Junior College School of Vocational Nursing reserves the right to request at any time the withdrawal of any student whose health, conduct, personal qualities or scholastic records indicate that it would be inadvisable for the student to continue in the program.
A student wishing to withdraw from the nursing program and remain in good standing at Southwest Texas Junior College must participate in an exit interview with nursing faculty. A student must also comply with the withdrawal procedure as stated in the college catalog under "Changes and Withdrawals" (see Academic Regulations section). |
Refund Policy |
| See Finance Section |
Program Objectives |
The Southwest Texas Junior College School of Vocational Nursing will maintain at all times a quality curricula and strive to provide excellence in nursing practice. Upon completion of the program the student will be able to:
1. Provide and maintain a quality curriculum, while endeavoring to meet the individual learning needs of each student.
2. Strive to teach and provide excellence in nursing practice.
3. Seek to develop a desire to learn, while viewing education as a life-long endeavor.
4. Provide optimal learning experiences to ensure safe clinical practice in both rural and urban situations.
5. Continue to reflect the curriculum and the needs of the community. |
Attendance Policy |
| Students are required to adhere to attendance policies as outlined in the vocational nursing student and clinical handbooks. |
Graduation Requirements |
Nursing graduates may participate in the graduation exercises of Southwest Texas Junior College. Nursing students will be eligible for graduation upon satisfactorily completing the program requirements at which time they will be presented a certificate of completion upon making formal application for graduation (see Curricula section). Graduates will be eligible to submit application to write the licensure
examination administered by the National Council for Licensed Practical Nurse for the State of Texas (NCLEX - PN). Students will be assisted with the application procedure by the instructor.
1. All courses of the vocational nursing program must be completed with at least a 75 or better in order to graduate.
2. All nursing courses in the Fall semester must be completed with at least a 75 or better in order to progress to the Spring semester.
3. All areas of the TASP must be passed in order to graduate.
4. ORIE 0100 must be passed in order to graduate. |
