Vocational Nursing Program, Certificate

Note: A criminal background clearance is required before acceptance into this program and a drug screening may be required. 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 at http://bon.state.tx.us/olv/pdfs/DOapp.pdf. Please be aware that this may take a year or longer and Howard College has no control over the process. Plan accordingly in order to meet the application deadline of the program for which you are applying.

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 continue a second year for completion of the Associate Degree Nursing Program. Application deadline is June 1. Admission and selection criteria can be obtained by requesting an application from the Department of Nursing, Howard College, 1001 Birdwell Lane, Big Spring, TX 79720, or the Department of Nursing, Howard College, 3501 N. Hwy 67, San Angelo, TX 76905.

Admission Criteria Specific to the Vocational Nursing Program

Prior to actual admission in the Vocational Nursing Program, applicant must successfully complete the required support courses with a final grade of “C” or above. If enrolled in these courses in summer, applicant must furnish proof of enrollment. The minimum grade required for a “C” is a 78 in the nursing program.

BIOL 2401 - Anatomy and Physiology I 
PSYC 2314 - Life Span Growth and Development 
BIOL 2402 - Anatomy and Physiology II 
BIOL 2420 - Microbiology for Non-Science Majors 

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. Each applicant will be ranked on the basis of total points. Students will be admitted to the program according to ranking and point status. Should two or more applicants achieve the same number of points, date of receipt of application will be the determining factor for admission. It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit all required documents and to make all appointments and pay all fees for testing.

Pre-testing

Students seeking admission to the Vocational Nursing Program must schedule a time with the Guidance and Counseling office (432)264-5085 - Big Spring or the Testing and Tutoring Center (325) 481-8300, x-3244 - San Angelo to take the Psychological Services Bureau (PSB-VN) exam (3rd Edition). The exam can be taken once every 60 days. It may not be taken more than three times per admission cycle. After exam scores are evaluated by the counseling staff, the student may be advised to take preparatory course work in various skills that are designed to enhance success in the program.

A minimum of one (1) point must be attained in each section of the PSB (3rd Edition) to qualify for selection/admission into the program. The scores from the PSB are valid for up to 5 years prior to the Fall semester in which they are seeking admission into the Vocational Nursing program.

THEA

The Vocational Nursing Program itself is a Texas Success Initiative-Waived program; however, applicants will be asked to take the THEA or ACCUPLACER Reading exam in order to take Prerequisite academic courses.

Admission Requirements

1. Attend a Howard College Health Professions Orientation per admission cycle.
2. Completed nursing application form for admission submitted to the Vocational Nursing Program (Big Spring or San Angelo): Deadline June 1
3. An official transcript from each college/university attended (to show proof of Prerequisite courses). Please send to the Attention of the Nursing Department.
4. One official transcript from Howard College, if attended, by June 1.
5. Results of the Psychological Service Bureau (PSB) examination (administered by the Guidance and Counseling Department).
6. Proof of Hepatitis B #1 and #2 shots prior to June 1.
7. Successful clearance of a criminal background check and 10 panel drug screening.

Following completion of the admission requirements by the designated deadline of June 1, the applicant will be considered for the selection pool. An applicant’s file is not complete until all of the admission requirements have been completed. Applicants are responsible for keeping their files updated with current addresses and phone numbers.

Final approval of acceptance into the nursing program requires that prior to the first class day students will have:

1. A physical examination (completed after June 1 of the year of admission);
2. Applicant must provide proof of immunizations required by the Texas Health Department, Rule 97.4. Additional immunizations may be required by some facilities;
3. Current CPR certification or American Heart Course for Health Care Providers with AED (Automatic External Defibrillators);
4. Successful clearance of a criminal background check and ten panel drug screening.

Health Insurance

Students enrolled in the Nursing Program are required to purchase health insurance prior to the beginning of clinical experiences and to maintain such insurance for the duration of their enrollment, if not covered by a family member.

Fall and Spring Terms

Written approval must be obtained from the Director of the program before the student can register for nursing courses. The nursing student will then register on the announced registration date. Registration after the announced date will be considered late registration and an appropriate fee will be charged.

*Co-requisite courses - Courses marked with * are considered co-requisite courses. Please see Howard College Nursing Student Policies regarding co-requisite courses and Progression of Students/Continuation of Students within the nursing program. A “C” or above is required in all nursing and support courses to progress to the next term.