Vocational Nursing Program

Areas of Study - Degrees & Certificates  >  Health Sciences  > Nursing Programs  > Vocational Nursing Program 

 Vocational Nursing Certificate

The vocational nursing program is a three semester, one year, full-time 48 credit hour certificate program. The program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing, 333 Guadalupe Suite 3-460, Austin, TX 78701, http://www.bon.texas.gov or telephone 512.305.7400. Upon completion of the Vocational Nursing Certificate, nursing graduates may apply to take the licensure exam to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). Eligibility to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) is determined solely by the Texas Board of Nursing.

 Admission Criteria - Vocational Nursing

In addition to the system admission requirements, the following are required for the vocational nursing program. The application process is competitive, with students being accepted into the program based on scores determined by: grade point averages; and the scores from the national, standardized nursing pre-entrance test. Refer to the website for a sample score sheet.

1. Students must be college ready in reading, writing, and math as evidenced by LSC approved exam scores showing placement into ENGL 1301  and MATH 0309 /MATH 0310  or higher.  English and Math placement scores may also be satisfied by successful completion of ENGL 1301  and MATH 0309 /MATH 0310  courses or higher.
2. Complete BIOL 2404  with a grade of “C” or higher (Completion of both BIOL 2401  & BIOL 2402  is accepted in place of BIOL 2404  and is recommended for those students planning to transition into the ADN program). Biology courses submitted for program credit must be equivalent to 4 credit hours (lecture and lab) and must be completed no more than five (5) years prior to application to the nursing program.
3. Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in college level courses.
4. Complete a standardized nursing pre-entrance test. The cost of this test is the responsibility of the applicant. All applicants must take the nursing pre-entrance test. The entrance test may be taken one (1) time every sixty (60) days. Only the most recent test score will be used for the admission process. If entrance exam is repeated in less than sixty (60) days, only the first set of scores will be used.
5. Submit official transcripts from colleges attended other than LSC.
6. Submit a completed application to the preferred college’s nursing program. Application deadlines are posted on the nursing website. Separate applications to the college nursing programs are only required if the application deadline differs.
7. Applicants must provide documentation (official lab report) of a Quantitative (numerical value) Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Immunity (HbsAb) titer completed within the past 3 years that reflects immunity to the hepatitis B virus. A copy of this lab result must be submitted at the time of application.  The HBsAb is a blood test that confirms immunity to hepatitis B virus.  LAB REPORTS SIMPLY STATING “NEGATIVE” OR “POSITIVE” ARE NOT ACCEPTED.

When a student does not demonstrate immunity to hepatitis B, the following MUST be provided at the time of application:

• Documentation of the previously completed series of 3 immunizations,
• The original quantitative HbsAb lab report
• Evidence of having received at least the first booster shot in the second series of three immunizations AFTER the original negative quantitative titer.

​PLEASE NOTE: CDC guidelines recommend that students who are receiving the first hepatitis B vaccine series follow the schedule of immunizations at zero, one and six months and obtain a titer four to six weeks following the third immunization.  This entire process takes seven (7) months.  Simply getting immunizations/vaccinations without the titers is NOT SUFFICIENT and may prevent students from being admitted to clinical sites.

1. Complete the American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support for Providers Certification.
2.  Final acceptance into the program is contingent upon a satisfactory FBI background check (completed through the Texas BON) and Social Security number verification. Clinical facilities may also require verification of medical insurance, drug testing, additional immunizations, and other medical requirements.

Program  Curriculum

By completing the program, students will earn one award: