Vocational Nursing (LVN) Program
Coordinator: Jo Anna Gott, BSN, RNC
Office: Allied Health Building, Office 117
Email: lvn@lamarpa.edu
Phone: 409-984-6357
Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) legal scope of practice is defined by the Texas Nurse Practice Act (NPA) and Texas Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations. The LVN is guided by a directed scope of practice, requiring appropriate supervision of a registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, physician, dentist or podiatrist and is responsible for providing safe, compassionate, and focused nursing care to assigned patients who have predictable health care needs. The LVN is required to function within the federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines of the employing health care institution, with a consistent focus on patient safety. (Texas Board of Nursing). The Vocational Nursing Program is an ideal entry-level learning opportunity for a career in nursing.
The Vocational Nursing Program is a competency-based program designed to prepare graduates to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN/VN) to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse.
The Vocational Nursing Program curriculum is three semesters in length. The program admits two classes per year, in the Spring and Fall Semesters.
Students enrolled in the Vocational Nursing Program must meet the following requirements in order to graduate:
- Earn a ‘C’ or better in all pre-requisite, co-requisite and nursing courses.
- Maintain a Cumulative 2.0 Grade Point Average.
- Submit and pay the associated fees for the application for Licensure to the Texas Board of Nursing.
- Register for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) with Pearson Vue and pay associated fees.
- Submit LSCPA graduation application and pay associated fees.
- Complete an approved NCLEX-PN Review Course.
Graduates of the Lamar State College Port Arthur Vocational Nursing Program are currently employed in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, physicians’ offices, outpatient community clinics, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies.
Admission Requirements
Individuals interested in enrolling in the Vocational Nursing Program must apply to Lamar State College Port Arthur, submit a program application for the Vocational Nursing Program, and may be required to attend a PreOrientation session.
Complete information about requirements and application forms are available from the Allied Health Department and the LSCPA website.
The number of students admitted to any class is governed by the requirements of the Texas Board of Nursing. The Admission Criteria Rating Form was developed to aid in the objective selection of the class.
Applicants are ranked according to their score on the Admission Criteria Rating Form. In any given admission period, those applicants having the highest scores are the applicants admitted to the program. Lamar State College Port Arthur is an open access institution. All available slots are filled with the most qualified applicants.
Successful completion of academic prerequisites does not guarantee admission to the program. Successful completion of the Vocational Nursing Program does NOT guarantee that a graduate may take the NCLEX-PN/VN.
Students who plan to apply for the Vocational Nursing Program must complete prerequisite courses with a 'C' or better. Upon completion, the pre-requisite courses will earn students a Certificate of Completion for Nurse Aide.
To enroll in the prerequisite NURA classes (NURA 1301/1160), a student must first complete the criminal background check process with the agency chosen by LSCPA.
Upon receipt of a completed Vocational Nursing Program application student information will be submitted to the Texas Board of Nursing for a background check. Students will be required to submit fingerprints upon notification by the approved vendor of the Texas Board of Nursing.
Once student's are admitted into the Vocational Nursing program a drug screening will be required to meet the clinical facility requirements.
Eligibility for Licensure
The Texas Board of Nursing (TBON) has identified circumstances that may render a potential candidate ineligible for licensure as a nurse in the State of Texas. The board provides individuals with the opportunity to petition for a Declaratory Order as to their eligibility in accordance with Article 301.257 of the Nursing Practice Act.
The Allied Health Department requires students to complete the criminal background check process through the Texas Board of Nursing before being fully accepted into the Vocational Nursing Program. Please note that this is a separate background check from that required for the NURA 1301/1160 courses.
Information is available from the Texas Board of Nursing website: http://www.bon.texas.gov.
The Board of Nursing looks at responses to questions relating to criminal conduct to determine eligibility for licensure. To check your eligibility for licensure, please review the following:
- For any criminal offense including those pending appeal (excluding Class C misdemeanor traffic violations), have you:
- Been arrested or have any pending criminal charges?
- Been convicted of a misdemeanor?
- Been convicted of a felony?
- Pled “nolo contendere” (no contest) or guilty?
- Received deferred adjudication?
- Been placed on community supervision or court-ordered probation, whether or not you were judged guilty?
- Been sentenced to serve jail or prison time or court-ordered confinement?
- Been granted pre-trial diversion?
- Been cited or charged with any violation of the law
- Been the subject of a court martial, Article 15 violation, or received any form of military judgment/punishment/action?
- Are you currently the target or subject of a grand jury or governmental agency investigation?
- Has any licensing authority refused to issue you a license or ever revoked, annulled, cancelled, accepted surrender of, suspended, placed on probation, refused to renew a license, certificate or multi-state privilege held by you now or previously?
- Has any licensing authority ever fined, censured, reprimanded or otherwise disciplined you?
- Within the past five years, have you been addicted to and/or treated for the use of alcohol or any other drug?
- Within the past five years, have you been diagnosed with, treated or hospitalized for schizophrenia and/or psychotic disorder, bi-polar disorder, paranoid personality disorder, anti-social personality disorder or borderline personality disorder which impaired or does impair your behavior, judgment, or ability to function in school or work.