Vocational Nursing Certificate


Pre-Requisite Courses
PSYC 2301 Introduction to Psychology

This course is an introduction to the fundamental principles of behavior. Special emphasis is placed on methods of research and critical thinking skills. This is a survey course and covers a variety of topics theories and approaches to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. PSYC 2301 is reading and writing intensive and is a college sophomore course.

Credit hours
3 credit hours.
Lecture/Lab/Clinical
Three hours of lecture each week.
BIOL 2401 Anatomy & Physiology I

Anatomy & Physiology I is intended for students entering a field of study in health sciences or kinesiology.  This course is the first semester of a two semester sequence and includes a study of basic cell biology histology the integument skeletal muscular and nervous systems. Animal dissection is a required component of laboratory activity in both face-to-face and online format. Successful completion of BIOL 2401 with a C or better allows the student to continue on to BIOL 2402. 

Credit hours
4 credit hours.
Lecture/Lab/Clinical
Three hours of lecture and three hours of lab each week.
Prerequisites

TSI complete in reading and writing.


Note

Additional course fee(s) required.

BIOL 2402 Anatomy & Physiology II

BIOL 2402 is a continuation of BIOL 2401.  The course includes a study of the structure and function of human organ systems including circulatory digestive respiratory urinary and reproductive. Animal dissection is a required component of laboratory activity in both face-to-face and online formats .

Credit hours
4 credit hours.
Lecture/Lab/Clinical
Three hours of lecture and three hours of lab each week.
Prerequisites

BIOL 2401 with a final grade of C or better.


Note

Additional course fee(s) required.

Pre-Requisite Hours
11

Year 1 Semester 1
Fall
VNSG 1502 Applied Nursing Skills I

Introduction to and application of primary nursing skills. Emphasis on utilization of the nursing process and related scientific principles.

Credit hours
5 credit hours.
Lecture/Lab/Clinical
Three hours lecture and six hours of lab each week.
Prerequisites

Admission to the Vocational Nursing Program


Note

Additional course fee(s) required.

VNSG 1304 Foundations of Nursing I

Introduction to the nursing profession including history standards of practice legal and ethical issues and role of the vocational nurse. Topics include mental health therapeutic communication cultural and spiritual diversity nursing process pharmacokinetics and holistic awareness including nutrition sleep/rest activity coping and roles/relationships across the life span.

Credit hours
3 credit hours.
Lecture/Lab/Clinical
Three hours of lecture and one hour of lab each week.
Prerequisites

Admission to the Vocational Nursing program.


Note

Additional course fee(s) required.

VNSG 1429 Medical-Surgical Nursing I

Application of the nursing process to the care of adult patients experiencing medical-surgical conditions in the health-illness continuum integrating concepts of nursing process health care nutrition pharmacology and psycho/physiologic impact of stress. Included is the study of broad concepts of pain fluid/electrolyte balance gastro intestinal respiratory and urinary systems.

Credit hours
4 credit hours.
Lecture/Lab/Clinical
Four hours of course work each week.
Prerequisites

Admission to the Vocational Nursing Program.


Note

Additional course fee(s) required.

VNSG 1260 Clinical I

Detailed education training and work-based experience and direct patient/client care at a clinical site. On-site clinical instruction supervision evaluation and placement. Focus is on meeting basic needs for a variety of clients with common medical surgical disorders.

Credit hours
2 credit hours.
Lecture/Lab/Clinical
Eleven hours of clinical experience each week.
Prerequisites

Admission into the Vocational Nursing Program


Note

Additional course fee(s) required.

HPRS 1210 Introduction to Pharmacology

A study of drug classifications actions therapeutic uses adverse effects and routes of administration. Does NOT include dosage calculations.

Credit hours
2 credit hours.
Lecture/Lab/Clinical
Two hours of lecture each week.
Total Credit Hours
16

Year 1 Semester 2
Spring
VNSG 1432 Medical-Surgical Nursing II

Continuation of Medical-Surgical Nursing I with application of the nursing process to the care of adult patients experiencing medical-surgical conditions in the health-illness continuum. Integrated concepts of nursing process nutrition pharmacology psychosocial needs and ethical legal issues are addressed in caring for clients with cardiovascular neurological integumentary musculoskeletal and hematological alterations. Includes a variety of health care settings.

Credit hours
4 credit hours.
Lecture/Lab/Clinical
Four hours of course work each week.
Prerequisites

VNSG 1429


Note

Additional course fee(s) required.

VNSG 1261 Clinical-Medical Surgical II

Detailed education training and work-based experience and direct patient/ client care at a variety of clinical sites. On-site clinical instruction supervision evaluation and placement. A continuation of VNSG 1260. Focus is on increased complexity and advanced care in meeting bio-psych-social needs of adults through the roles and competencies of the vocational nurse.

Credit hours
2 credit hours.
Lecture/Lab/Clinical
Eleven hours of clinical experience each week.
Prerequisites

VNSG 1260


Note

Additional course fee(s) required.

VNSG 1330 Maternal-Neonatal Nursing

A study of the biological psychological and sociological concepts applicable to basic needs of the family including childbearing and neonatal care. Utilization of the nursing process in the assessment and management of the childbearing family. Topics include physiological changes related to pregnancy fetal development and nursing care of the family during labor and delivery and the puerperium.

Credit hours
3 credit hours.
Lecture/Lab/Clinical
Three hours of lecture and one hour of lab each week.
Prerequisites

VNSG 1429


Note

Additional course fee(s) required.

VNSG 1162 Clinical-Maternal/Neonatal

Detailed education training and work-based experience and direct patient/client care. On-site clinical instruction supervision evaluation and placement. Focus is on care of the mother during pregnancy labor delivery and postpartum experience and care of the newborn child.

Credit hours
1 credit hour.
Lecture/Lab/Clinical
Four hours of clinical experience each week.
Prerequisites

VNSG 1260

VNSG 1334 Pediatric Nursing

The study of the care of the pediatric patient and family during health and disease. Emphasis on growth and developmental needs utilizing the nursing process. Includes attainment of competencies related to pediatric nursing.

Credit hours
3 credit hours.
Lecture/Lab/Clinical
Three hours of lecture and one hour of lab each week.
Prerequisites

Completion of the first semester of the vocational nursing program.


Note

Additional course fee(s) required.

VNSG 1163 Clinical-Pediatrics

Detailed education training and work-based experience and direct patient/client care. On-site clinical instruction supervision evaluation and placement. Focus is on care of the pediatric client from birth through adolescence in various stages of health and illness.

Credit hours
1 credit hour.
Lecture/Lab/Clinical
Four hours of clinical experience each week

Note

Additional course fee(s) required.

Total Credit Hours
14

Year 1 Semester 3
Summer
VNSG 1238 Mental Illness

Study of human behavior with emphasis on emotional and mental abnormalities and modes of treatment incorporating the nursing process and the role of the vocational nurse.

Credit hours
2 credit hours.
Lecture/Lab/Clinical
Two hours of course work each week.
Prerequisites

Successful completion of the second semester of the Vocational Nursing Program

VNSG 2160 Clinical-Mental Illness

Detailed education training and work-based experience and direct patient/client care at a clinical site. On-site clinical instruction supervision evaluation and placement. Focus is on the care of clients with abnormal behavior. The vocational nurse's role in behavior management pharmacotherapeutics and as a member of the mental health team is emphasized.

Credit hours
1 credit hour.
Lecture/Lab/Clinical
Three hours of clinical experience each week
VNSG 1219 Professional Development

The study of the importance of professional growth. Topics include the role of licensed vocational nurse in the multi-disciplinary health care team professional organizations ethics legalities trends management and continuing education.

Credit hours
2 credit hours.
Lecture/Lab/Clinical
Two hours of lecture and one hour of lab each week.
Prerequisites

Completion of the second semester of the Vocational Nursing Program


Note

Additional course fee(s) required.

VNSG 2261 Clinical-Professional Development

Detailed education training and work-based experience and direct patient/client care at a clinical site. On-site clinical instruction supervision evaluation and placement. Focus is on management of a group of clients time management priority setting ethical legal practice professional growth exit competencies and roles of the graduate nurse.

Credit hours
2 credit hours.
Lecture/Lab/Clinical
Ten hours of clinical experience each week.
Prerequisites

Successful completion of the second semester of the Vocational Nursing Program.


Note

Additional course fee(s) required.

Total Credit Hours
7




Total Program Hours
48



PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The Vocational Nursing Program is a three semester (Fall, Spring, Summer), 48 credit hour curriculum leading to a Certificate of Competency in Vocational Nursing. Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) and upon passing will receive a license to practice Vocational Nursing.

“The LVN scope of practice is a directed scope of practice and requires appropriate supervision of a registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, physician, dentist, or podiatrist. The LVN, with a focus on patient safety, is required to function within the parameters of the legal scope of practice and in accordance with the federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and policies, procedures, and guidelines of the employing health care institution or practice setting. The LVN is responsible for providing safe, compassionate, and focused nursing care to assigned patients with predictable health care needs” (Texas Board of Nursing, 2022).

Testing Requirements: 

  • TEAS test with an overall composite score of 56% or higher. Please contact the testing center at 903-434-8272 or 903-434-8273 to schedule your test.
  • 2.75 or higher GPA Overall

Health Science Student Advisor: Renee Tomlin-Williams (ctomlin@ntcc.edu) 903-434-8350



Recommended High School Endorsement
Public Service



Career Opportunities

Employment of LVNs is projected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The median annual wage for LVNs was $48,070 in May 2021 (range $37,150 to $63,790). Licensed vocational nurs- es (LVNs) provide basic medical care. They work under the direction of registered nurses and doctors and most work full time. Many work nights, weekends, and holidays, because medi- cal care takes place at all hours. They may be required to work shifts of longer than 8 hours. For more information visit the US Bureau of Labor Statistic’s Occupational Handbook web- site at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/ licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational- nurses.htm.