Your Nursing Career Begins Here: LVN to AAS Pathway
San Jacinto College’s Vocational Nursing (LVN) Level 2 Certificate is the first step to becoming a vocational nurse. In the 45-credit LVN certificate, you’ll gain essential nursing skills, pharmacology knowledge, and supervised clinical experience. After earning your LVN credential and licensure (via the NCLEX-PN® exam), you can continue into the Vocational Nursing AAS, expanding your education in leadership, community health, and advanced nursing practices. Each level supports your advancement within nursing careers.
Career Opportunities and Income
Visit sanjac.edu for information regarding career opportunities and potential earnings in the Greater Houston region.
Job Entry Requirements. The College informs all students in this program who may have a criminal background that a criminal history could keep graduates from being licensed by the state of Texas. Students with any questions about their background and licensure may speak with the program’s department chair. This is in accordance with Texas House Bill 1508 amendments to Texas Occupations Code Sec 53.152.
Learning & Career Pathway
This learning pathway - a series of related and “stacked” certificates and degrees - includes the following awards. You can start at any point on the path and earn certificates on your way to completing the degree.
- Nursing, Vocational Nursing, Level 2 Certificate (1 year)
- Health Science Vocational Nursing Pathway, AAS (2 years)
Learning Outcomes and Career Skills
A student completing the last award in the pathway will be able to:
- Apply clinical judgment while functioning within the legal scope of a nurse
- Apply evidence-based practices when providing patient centered care for patients with predictable health care needs
- Function as a patient safety advocate when providing patient-centered
- Demonstrate effective communication with patients, families, and members of the health care team
Program Accreditation
Texas Board of Nursing
1801 Congress Ave
Suite 10-200
Austin, Texas 78701-3944
Phone: 512-305-7400
Fax: 512-305-7401
Licensure or Certification
Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) (also known as Licensed Practical Nurses, LPNs) are a valuable member of the health care team and provide basic nursing care. They work under the direction of registered nurses and doctors. The vocational nursing curriculum is 45 credits and includes a combination of 480 hours of class lectures, 416 hours of lab, and 448 hours of nursing skills training and clinical experience in a variety of health care settings.
The program is approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Board of Nursing. Upon successful completion of the program with a minimum grade of C in each course, graduates are awarded a Level 2 Certificate and are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN® exam). Those students who pass this examination are granted a license by the Texas Board of Nursing to practice as a licensed vocational nurse.
External Learning Experiences
This program includes external learning experiences outside of the classroom, e.g., an internship, externship, clinical, practicum, or cooperative learning experience. Those experiences are typically on-site at a business or organization.
All students participating in external learning experiences are required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the external learning sites. Some learning sites outside the college have their own vaccination requirements. These rules come from those facilities and are not mandated by the college. Failure to meet those immunization requirements may limit a student’s ability to complete the program and/or may delay the student’s graduation date. San Jacinto College does not process exemptions, and students should address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the external learning site.
Locations
College Admission
San Jacinto College is an open admission institution. All students are welcome to apply and will be admitted to the College. You may begin the process on the College’s “How to Apply” webpage.
Program Admission
In addition to being admitted to the College, students must also be admitted to the Vocational Nursing program which has additional requirements and/or steps.
Applicants for the program must meet the requirements for general admission to the College and must also meet program-specific requirements.
- Pass a physical examination and meet specific immunization requirements; and
- Pass a criminal history check and drug screen.
For detailed information concerning admission requirements and application deadlines, visit the vocational nursing admissions page on sanjac.edu.
Plan of Study
5NUR-LVN
| Prerequisites | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Note: The prerequisite for enrolling in the first term is acceptance into the program. | ||
| BIOL 2301 & BIOL 2101 | Anatomy and Physiology I (Lecture) and Anatomy and Physiology I (Lab) | 4 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| First Term | ||
| BIOL 2302 & BIOL 2102 | Anatomy and Physiology II (Lecture) and Anatomy and Physiology II (Lab) | 4 |
| VNSG 1327 | Essentials of Medication Administration | 3 |
| VNSG 1423 | Basic Nursing Skills | 4 |
| VNSG 2431 | Advanced Nursing Skills | 4 |
| VNSG 1260 | Clinical I | 2 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Second Term | ||
| VNSG 1509 | Nursing in Health and Illness II | 5 |
| VNSG 1331 | Pharmacology | 3 |
| VNSG 1261 | Clinical II - Licensed Practical/Vocational Nursing Training | 2 |
| VNSG 1226 | Gerontology 1 | 2 |
| VNSG 1162 | Clinical III - Practical Nurse 1 | 1 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Third Term | ||
| VNSG 1330 | Maternal-Neonatal Nursing | 3 |
| VNSG 1334 | Pediatrics | 3 |
| VNSG 1301 | Mental Health and Mental Illness 1 | 3 |
| VNSG 2161 | Clinical IV - Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training | 1 |
| VNSG 1105 | NCLEX-PN Review | 1 |
| Credits | 11 | |
| Total Credits | 45 | |
- 1
VNSG 1226 Gerontology, VNSG 1301 Mental Health and Mental Illness, and VNSG 1162 Clinical III - Practical Nurse will rotate second and third term.
Capstone Experience: VNSG 1105 NCLEX-PN Review
Students must earn a C or better in all Vocational Nursing (VNSG) and all science courses and maintain an overall cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 to remain in and/or graduate from the program.