Nursing, Vocational Nursing, Level 2 Certificate
Program Information
If you are a compassionate, take-charge person with a desire to make patients feel comforted in the face of illness, then a career in vocational nursing may be the right career for you. As the population is quickly expanding and aging, the need for quality health care is greater than ever and those who can provide that care are in short supply. A nursing certification from San Jacinto College will change your life and help save the lives of others.
The San Jacinto College Vocational Nursing curriculum includes:
- a focus on helping students develop as individuals and as responsible citizens who will become a competent practitioner in nursing;
- a combination of class lectures, nursing skills training, and clinical experience in a variety of health care settings; and
- an approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Board of Nursing. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates may apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination - Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN). Graduates who pass this examination are granted a license by the Texas Board of Nursing to practice as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN).
Career Opportunities
The US Department of Labor is reporting a sharp increase for these jobs, with specific increases in large cities and metropolitan areas.
Graduates can work in:
- Hospitals,
- Out-patient facilities, and
- Nursing homes.
Earning Potential
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN): $50,9121 per year
- 1
Source: texaswages.com, median salary Gulf Coast region, 2021
For more information, students may contact the following:
North Campus
281-998-6350, x7128 or vnnursingnorth@sjcd.edu
South Campus
281-998-6350, x3592 or vocational.nursing@sjcd.edu
Campuses
North Campus
South Campus
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 (THECB) and the Texas Board of Nursing. Upon successful completion of the program (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.
Applicants for the program must meet the requirements for general admission to the College and must also meet program-specific requirements. For detailed information concerning admission requirements and deadlines for submitting applications and related documents, students may contact the department of Vocational Nursing.
South Campus Contact Information:
Email: vocational.nursing@sjcd.edu
Phone: 281-998-6150, x3592
Website: Nursing
North Campus Contact Information:
Email: vnnursingnorth@sjcd.edu
Phone: 281-998-6150, x7128
Website: Nursing
Texas Board of Nursing
1801 Congress Ave
Suite 10-200
Austin, Texas 78701-3944
Phone: 512-305-7400
Fax: 512-305-7401
Students enrolling into San Jacinto College programs with external learning experiences (i.e., clinical, practicum, externship, cooperative, etc.) will be required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the clinical/external learning sites to engage in all clinical/external learning experiences. Vaccination requirements at clinical/external learning sites are implemented pursuant to the independent authority of such facilities and are not mandated by San Jacinto College. Failure to meet the immunization requirements mandated by clinical/external learning sites 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 clinical/external learning site.
Admission
Applicants for the program must meet the requirements for general admission to the College and must also meet the following specific requirements:
- Be a high school graduate, GED, or equivalent;
- Have a GPA minimum of 2.25 on college-level coursework;
- Pass a physical examination and meet specific immunization requirements; and
- Pass a criminal history check and drug screen.
Please note that 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 licensure as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (213.28 Texas Board of Nursing; Rules and Regulations, February 2018). Applicants can address any concerns directly with the Texas Board of Nursing. In accordance with Texas House Bill 1508, 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 Department Chair.
Application Dates
Applications for entry into the program are accepted each year in the fall and spring. Periodically, based on need, the North campus may offer a summer and/or evening sequence of courses. For exact dates, students may view the Nursing webpage.
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 2 | 3 |
| VNSG 2161 | Clinical V - Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training | 1 |
| VNSG 1105 | NCLEX-PN Review | 1 |
| Credits | 11 | |
| Total Credits | 45 | |
- 1
VNSG 1226 Gerontology and VNSG 1162 Clinical III - Practical Nurse will rotate second and third term.
- 2
VNSG 1301 Mental Health and Mental Illness 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.