/Institutions/Vernon-College/json/2023-2024/General-Catalog-local.json

/Institutions/Vernon-College/json/2023-2024/General-Catalog.json

Licensed Vocational Nursing

Certificate of Completion: Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN)

Licensed Vocational Nurses are Allied Health professionals who assist Registered Nurses and physicians to provide care for clients with a variety of health care needs in various settings. In performing their work, LVNs monitor clients, gather and record information, provide basic care, as well as administering medications and treatments. Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will be able to take the NCLEX-PN licensure exam which credentials the Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN).

Licensed Vocational Nurses can find career opportunities in long-term care facilities, clinics, physician offices, home health agencies, and hospitals.

The Licensed Vocational Nursing Program is fully accredited by the Texas Board of Nursing.

For further information, contact the LVN program office at 940.696.8752 ext. 3221.

Program Admissions Requirements

1. Complete the Vernon College admission procedure. A student must be accepted by the College before being accepted by the LVN program. Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the Licensed Vocational Nursing Program.
2. Texas Success Initiative complete in Reading, Writing and Mathematics.
3. A minimum grade point average of 2.0 for prerequisite courses will be required for admission.
4. All students will be required to take the nursing pre-admission entrance examination (HESI A2) prior to applying for the LVN Program. Results of this examination will be used as one criterion in the admission of applicants to the program.
5. Beginning fall, 2020, all LVN Program applicants will be required to have completed BIOL 2401, Anatomy and Physiology I with a grade of “C” or better, prior to admission into the program. BIOL 2402, Anatomy and Physiology II, and PSYC 2314, Lifespan Growth and Development, will be required as co-requisite courses but may be taken prior to nursing program admission. Anatomy and Physiology II must be completed by the end of the first semester in the LVN Program. Lifespan Growth and Development must be completed by the end of the second semester in the LVN Program. These courses may be completed prior to LVN Program enrollment. A grade of “C” or better is required for program progression. BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I, and BIOL 2402 Anatomy and Physiology II (if taken prior to program admission) will only be valid if completed within 10 years of admission (first class day) to the nursing program. Any student not completing Anatomy and Physiology II by the end of the first program semester or Lifespan Growth and Development by the end of the second program semester, with a grade of “C” or better, will be dismissed from the LVN Program.
6. Submit an application for admission to the Licensed Vocational Nursing Program.
7. Submit evidence of a physical examination that has been performed within six months of acceptance (first program class day) to the nursing program. The physical examination must be performed by a licensed health-care provider (exams performed by chiropractors will not be accepted) who will verify that the student is psychologically and physically capable of performing direct patient care, is free of any communicable disease, and has the capability of lifting twenty (20) pounds. Included in the physical exam are results of a tuberculin skin test or chest x-ray, evidence that the following immunization requirements have been met prior to enrollment in the nursing program: tetanus/diphtheria toxoid (TD), varicella measles (students born after January 1, 1957), rubella, mumps (students born after January 1, 1957), and hepatitis-B series. The hepatitis B series (3 injections) are required by the program. The first injection must be received prior to the first clinical assignment in the program. The series should be completed in a timely manner to remain in the program and remain eligible for clinical assignments. Bacterial Meningitis vaccination is also required for students younger than 22 years of age (read the vaccination requirement and exemptions on the VC website). Annual influenza vaccination is also required while enrolled in the LVN Program. Documentation of a full COVID-19 vaccination series is required by clinical sites. For immunization exclusions and waivers and acceptable documentation of immunizations, students should contact the LVN Program office. Pre-admission drug screening will be required.
8. Obtain a Healthcare Provider CPR card from an American Heart Association accredited provider. CPR Classes are offered through the Vernon College Continuing Education Department.
9. A person convicted of a felony that relates to the duties and responsibilities of an LVN may be disqualified from obtaining licensure as an LVN. The Texas Board of Nursing may not license such a person and, upon conviction of a felony, may suspend or revoke the license of a person previously licensed.
10. Information regarding program standards and policies is printed in the Licensed Vocational Nursing Program Student Handbook.
    

Readmission

Readmission to the Licensed Vocational Nursing Program assumes that the applicant is eligible to return to the College. Students who are unsuccessful in the Nursing Program may be considered for re-admission once. Only after such applicant eligibility is determined in the affirmative will the following application process progress. Students who are unsuccessful in more than one nursing course are not eligible for re-admission. Selected applicants will take/retake all nursing courses required after admission to the program. Readmission to the Nursing Program is not guaranteed.

The student involved is responsible for calling before registration to determine eligibility for enrollment.

Re-Entry

Students who are unsuccessful in the Licensed Vocational Nursing Program may be considered for re-entry once. Various factors will determine re-entry eligibility. Students who are unsuccessful in more than one nursing course are not eligible for re-entry. Students returning to the nursing program without consecutive learning and incurring a lapse of more than one year in the program of learning may be assessed additional cost of testing to determine placement level of re-entry. Students applying for re-entry must provide the LVN Department with the cause for course interruption or course failure and the corrective actions to be taken to ensure course success if re-entry is granted.

Qualified applicants may be allowed to re-enter the program and enroll in the previously unsuccessful nursing course(s) on a space-available basis or based on other factors according to the following criteria:

1. Applicants with a clinical failure will receive the lowest priority for re-entry.
2. An applicant on scholastic probation or enforced withdrawal is not eligible for re-entry.
3. An applicant may be considered for re-entry after two failures only if the applicant can justify re-entry. The Nursing Admissions Committee may consider extenuating circumstances.
4. An applicant who is approved for re-entry into the program may be allowed to enroll only if there is space available in the desired course and/or associated clinicals, and only if no other barriers to enrollment, such as program status, exist.
5. Applicants with an overall GPA in the LVN program pre-requisite/co-requisite courses of less than 2.0 or a GPA in their VNSG courses of less than 2.0 will not be eligible for re-entry.
6. Any nursing courses which were successfully completed more than three (3) years prior to the first day of class after admission into the program will not be valid for re-entry. If nursing courses were transferred in from another school and they are over the 3 year limit, they must be retaken. Students who have not been enrolled in the Vernon College LVN program for three (3) or more years will have the option to retake the course or will be required to attain a satisfactory score on a comprehensive exam for each nursing course completed before re-entry and demonstrate clinical competency in selected nursing procedures.
7. Students approved for re-entry will be required to perform the same criminal background check as newly admitted students.
8. Students who think they may be ineligible for licensure due to criminal convictions, mental or physical disability, and/or intemperate use of drugs or alcohol should schedule an appointment with the program Director prior to admission to obtain instructions on petitioning the Texas Board of Nursing for a declaratory order to determine their eligibility.

The student involved is responsible for calling before registration to determine eligibility for enrollment.

Transfer Students

Students are encouraged to take nursing courses in residence. An applicant seeking recognition of previously earned nursing credits from another college Licensed Vocational Nursing Program must meet all requirements for admission and be selected for admission. In addition, the applicant must submit:

1. Course syllabus containing course outline(s) and course objective(s) for all earned nursing credits that need to be evaluated. A course description is not acceptable.
2. A letter of recommendation from the Dean/Director of the nursing program previously attended.
3. Any nursing courses which have been successfully completed more than three (3) years prior to admission into the program will not be valid for transfer. If nursing courses were transferred in from another school and are over the 3 year limit, they must be retaken also. Students who have not been enrolled in the Vernon College LVN program for three (3) or more years will have the option to retake the course or will attain a satisfactory score on a comprehensive exam for each nursing course completed before transfer and demonstrate clinical competency in selected nursing procedures.
4. A minimum grade point average of 2.0 will be required for admission.
5. Transfer students selected for readmission will be required to perform the same criminal background check as newly admitted students.
6. Students who think they may be ineligible for licensure due to criminal convictions, mental or physical disability, and/or intemperate use of drugs or alcohol should schedule an appointment with the program Director prior to admission to obtain instructions on petitioning the Texas Board of Nursing for a declaratory order to determine their eligibility.

Upon receipt, the Nursing Admissions and Review Committee will review all materials to determine which, if any, credits will be considered transferable. Transferability is considered in terms of similarity in course content, course grades, course credits, and course sequence.

Applicants requesting consideration as a transfer student from another Nursing Program in which they could not progress will be considered on an individual basis.

After this review, qualified transfer students may be admitted on a space-available basis.

The student involved is responsible for calling on or before the beginning of registration to determine eligibility for enrollment.

Special Course Requirements

Prerequisites for enrollment in clinicals/practicums that involve direct patient contact in medical care facilities include the following: consent of coordinator the Director of Nursing and practicum clinical supervisor, evidence of liability insurance, a clear/negative drug screen, validated documentation of immunizations, and current CPR certification.

When liability insurance is required, it will be listed as a fee for the clinical/practicum and will be charged during the registration process.

When immunizations are required, evidence of the following must be presented to the Director of Nursing before enrollment in a clinical/practicum: tetanus/diphtheria toxoid (TD), varicella, measles (students born after January 1, 1957), rubella, and mumps (students born after January 1, 1957), influenza, the first of the 3 series of hepatitis B immunizations, and a full COVID-19 vaccination series. For immunization exclusions, waivers, and acceptable documentation, students should contact the Director of Nursing.

All Licensed Vocational Nursing students will be required to provide documentation of current health insurance coverage. Documentation must be presented to the LVN department by the first class day.

Program specific fees are attached to courses to offset program costs including, but not limited to: simulation lab expenses, BON required faculty/student ratios for clinicals, program review course and materials, and allied health computer lab supplies.