The Vocational Nursing Program is a twelve (12) month certificate program that offers college credit. The program is designed to prepare students to perform direct patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse and/or physician. Students are prepared for upward mobility in a nursing career. The program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Upon completion, students may make application to take the NCLEX-PN (State Board Examination) to become Licensed Vocational Nurses.
Students may complete the Vocational Nursing Program in one year and,upon successful completion, apply to continue into the Accelerated Program to complete an Associate Degree Nursing.
Note: A criminal background clearance is required before acceptance into the nursing program. Prior to submitting an application, an applicant with a criminal history must have a cleared Declaratory Order letter from the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). Information is available on the TX BON website under licensure and eligibility. Please be aware this may take a year or longer.
Admission and selection criteria for both campuses is available at:
Health Professions Programs - Howard College
Pre-testing
Students seeking admission to the Associate Degree Nursing Program must take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam.
Health Insurance
Students enrolled in the Nursing Program are required to purchase health insurance prior to beginning of clinical experiences and to maintain such insurance for the duration of their enrollment.
Prerequisites
Prior to admission in the Vocational Nursing Program, applicant must successfully complete the required courses with a final grade of “C” or above.
The minimum grade required in all co-requisite courses is a final grade of “C” or above. Progression in the Vocational Nursing program is contingent upon successful completion of the leveled nursing courses is 78 (considered a “C” in the vocational nursing program).
All applicants to the Howard College Vocational Nursing Program who have met the requirements for admission to the college will be evaluated according to the criteria specified. It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit all required documents and to make all appointments and pay all fees for testing.
Program Schedule
Vocational Nursing Program, Certificate (Big Spring)
Vocational Nursing Program, Certificate (San Angelo)
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