Vocational Nursing (LVN) Port Arthur Location

Recommended Program of Study

Course	Title	SCH
First Semester
NURA 1301	Nurse Aid for Health Care	3
NURA 1160	Clinical-Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide	1
HECO 1322	Nutrition & Diet Therapy	3
BIOL 2301	Human Anatomy and Physiology I (lecture)	3
BIOL 2101	Human Anatomy and Physiology I (lab)	1
BIOL 2302	Human Anatomy and Physiology II (lecture)	3
BIOL 2102	Human Anatomy and Physiology II (lab)	1
Second Semester
VNSG 1400	Nursing in Health and Illness I	4
VNSG 1227	Essentials of Medication Administration	2
VNSG 1204	Foundations of Nursing	2
VNSG 1231	Pharmacology	2
VNSG 1261	Clinical-Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training	2
Third Semester
VNSG 1409	Nursing in Health and Illness II	4
VNSG 1234	Pediatrics	2
VNSG 1462	Clinical-Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training	4
PSYC 2314	Lifespan Growth and Development	3
Fourth Semester
VNSG 2410	Nursing in Health and Illness III	4
VNSG 1230	Maternal-Neonatal Nursing	2
VNSG 1463	Clinical-Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training	4
Total		50

In addition to the college's admission requirements, students must also apply for admission to the Vocational Nursing Program.  

To register for any VNSG course a student must submit an application to the Vocational Nursing program, attend a Pre-Program Orientation session, and be accepted into the Vocational Nursing Program.

Applicants must:

• Complete the application process for general admission to Lamar State College – Port Arthur.
• Review the application process for the Vocational Nursing Program in the Application Packet.
• Schedule and take the HESI Admission Assessment (A2) exam and score the minimum scores of:
  • Reading 75% or higher
  • Cumulative 70% or higher.
• Complete the Vocational Nursing Program application packet and submit a legible application, with supporting documents, on or before the Thursday, October 24, 2024 deadline.

Resources:

• HESI Admissions Assessment exam review book may be available in the Gates Memorial Library or purchased using this link: https://evolve.elsevier.com/cs/product/9780323582261?role=student
• Evolve Student Account Settings Information
• Spring 2025 Vocational Nursing Program Application (PDF)
• Spring 2025 Vocational Nursing Program Application (Word)

The Lamar State College – Port Arthur Vocational Nursing Program will admit two Vocational Nursing classes per year. A class is admitted in the Spring Semester (January) and in the Fall Semester (August).

The number of students admitted to any class is governed by the requirements of the Texas Board of Nursing.

The goal of the Vocational Nursing Standards Committee is the selection of the best qualified applicants.

The Program Admission Rating Form was developed to aid in the objective selection of the class. Applicants are ranked according to their score on the Program Admission Rating Form. In any given admission period, those applicants having the highest scores are the ones admitted to the program.

Lamar State College-Port Arthur is an open access institution. All available slots are filled with the most qualified applicants available in any given admission period.

Eligibility for Licensure

Completion of the Vocational Nursing Program does NOT guarantee that a graduate may take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN/VN). The Texas Board of Nursing may disqualify an applicant from obtaining Licensure. The Texas Board of Nursing, 1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 10-200 Austin, TX 78701, (512) 305-7400, has identified certain circumstances that may render a potential candidate ineligible for licensure as a vocational nurse in the State of Texas. The Board provides individuals the opportunity to petition the Board for a Declaratory Order as to their eligibility in accordance with the Nursing Practice Act.

If you are required to answer “YES” to any of the following questions, you must complete the Petition for Declaratory Order process. Processing your Petition for Declaratory Order may take 4 to 12 months, or longer, after you provide all required documentation and depending on your circumstance. Once all requested documents have been received, you will be notified that the Petition has been transferred to the Enforcement Department for review.

To check your eligibility for renewing your license, please review the following questions:

1. Have you ever had any disciplinary action on a nursing license or a privilege to practice in any state, country, or province?
2. Do you have an investigation or complaint pending on a nursing license or a privilege to practice in any state, country, or province?
3. Have you, in the last 5 years*, been addicted to and/or treated for the use of alcohol or any other drug?
4. For any criminal offense*, including those pending appeal, have you:
   (You may only exclude Class C misdemeanor traffic violations or offenses previously disclosed to the Texas Board of Nursing on an initial or renewal application.)
   • been arrested and have a pending criminal charge?
   • been convicted of a misdemeanor?
   • been convicted of a felony?
   • pled nolo contendre, no contest, or guilty?
   • received deferred adjudication?
   • been placed on community supervision or court-ordered probation, whether or not adjudicated guilty?
   • been sentenced to serve jail, prison time, or court-ordered confinement?
     been granted pre-trial diversion?
   • been cited or charged with any violation of the law?
     been subject of a court-martial; Article 15 violation; or received any form of military
     judgment/punishment/action?
     
     NOTE: Expunged and Sealed Offenses: While expunged or sealed offense, arrests, tickets, or citations need not be disclosed, it is your responsibility to ensure the offense, arrest, ticket or citation has, in fact, been expunged or sealed. It is recommended that you submit a copy of the Court Order expunging or sealing the record in question to our office with your application. Non-disclosure of relevant offenses raises questions related to truthfulness and character. (See 22 TAC §213.27)
     
     NOTE: Orders of Non-Disclosure: Pursuant to Tex. Gov’t Code § 552.142(b), if you have criminal matters that are the subject of an order of non- disclosure you are not required to reveal those criminal matters. However, a criminal matter that is the subject of an order of non-disclosure may become a character and fitness issue. Pursuant to Gov’t Code chapter 411, the Texas Nursing Board is entitled to access criminal history record information that is the subject of an order of non-disclosure. If the Board discovers a criminal matter that is the subject of an order of non-disclosure, even if you properly did not reveal that matter, the Board may require you to provide information about any conduct that raises issues of character and fitness.
     
     
5. Have you ever had any licensing (other than a nursing license) or regulatory authority in any state, jurisdiction, country, or province revoked, annulled, canceled, accepted surrender of, suspended, placed on probation, refused to renew or otherwise discipline any other professional or occupational license, certificate, nurse aide registration or multistate privilege to practice that you held?
6. Are you currently suffering from any condition for which you are not being appropriately treated that impairs your judgment or that would otherwise adversely affect your ability to practice nursing in a competent, ethical, and professional manner?
7. *Are you currently the target or subject of a grand jury or governmental agency investigation?
8. *Are you currently a participant in an alternative to discipline, diversion, or a peer assistance program? (This includes all confidential programs)
   NOTE: Any positive response will remain confidential and not subject to public disclosure unless required by law.
9. Have you ever been granted the authority to practice nursing in any country, state, province, or territory?
   
   NOTE: This does not apply to any nursing license(s) issued by another US state or territory, excluding Puerto Rico. If you were licensed in Puerto Rico, you should be answering yes.
   *Pursuant to the Texas Occupations Code §301.207, information, including diagnosis and treatment, regarding an individual’s physical or mental condition, intemperate use of drugs or alcohol, or chemical dependency and information regarding an individual’s criminal history is confidential to the same extent that information collected as part of an investigation is confidential under the Texas Occupations Code §301.466.
   
   To review the information and complete the Petition for Declaratory Order, go to the Texas Board of Nursing (TBON) website at: 
   https://www.bon.texas.gov/forms_declaratory_order.asp

NCLEX-VN Pass Rates

The Vocational Nursing Program is approved by the
Texas Board of Nursing
1801 Congress Avenue
Suite 10-200
Austin, TX 78701
512-305-7400
www.bon.texas.gov

Students must be TSI Complete

A student completing the LSCPA Vocational Nursing Program is eligible to apply to the LSCPA Upward Mobility LVN to ADN Program after passing the licensure exam to become an LVN.

A student may pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree or the Registered Nurse to Master of Science in Nursing degree after completing the LSCPA Upward Mobility LVN to ADN Program.

How is the size of the admitting class determined?

The total number of students that can be admitted to a class is determined by rules and regulations mandated by the Texas Board of Nursing. The rule governing class sizes states: "The number of students admitted to the program shall be determined by the number of qualified faculty, adequate educational facilities and resources, and the availability of appropriate clinical learning experience for students." (Rules & Regulations 214.8a)

Can I take non-nursing courses listed on the degree plan before being accepted into the VN Program?

Students are encouraged to complete all non-nursing co-requisite courses on the degree plan while waiting to be accepted into the VN program. Only courses on the degree plan which are completed by the application deadline are considered in the admission rating scale. Applicants must update courses as they are completed.

If I am a transfer student, how do I know my classes/credits will transfer?

Courses taken in Texas should have the same reference number. For additional information, please contact the transcript evaluator at (409) 984-6167 or by e-mail@ nelsonhr@lamarpa.edu.

When do classes start? How many days a week are we in class and clinical? Is each semester different from the other?

The program admits new applicants each Spring and Falls and three semesters. Classroom hours are typically 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, and clinical hours are from 6:30 am to 3:30 pm. But may vary.
The number of days students must devote to the program varies each semester. Each semester has a clinical component that is completed at facilities in the Golden Triangle area.

What are the minimum requirements to be considered for admission to the VN Program?

To be considered for admission into the VN Program, submit HESI scores taken within the last year, you must score 75% or higher in reading comprehension and a 70% cumulative score. Complete all prerequisites before the start of the program and submit the completed application by the due date.

What criteria are used to select applicants?

The VN Program is a selective admissions program. The goal is to select the most qualified applicants. Criteria that are considered in the admission process include academic achievement and consecutive applications.

Only complete applications submitted by the due date will be considered for admission.

When is the application due date and when will I know if I am accepted?

Applications for the Vocational Nursing Program starting in Spring opens in October.  These applicants will be notified by email after the application portal closes as to their application status (Accepted or Not Qualified).

Applications for the Vocational Nursing Program starting in the Fall opens mid-May.  These applicants will be notified by email after the application portal closes as to their application status (Accepted or Not Qualified).

How long is the waiting list?

There is no waiting list. Applicants who are not selected for admission may reapply when the application process opens again.

Do I need to submit a new application each year?

The nursing department will keep your application for one year. However, to be considered for the next class, you must submit a new application with current (less than one year) contact information, work history, updated transcripts and HESI score. All documents must be current, meaning less than one year since submission. Applications with no activity for 12 months will be destroyed.

Should I retake courses to improve my GPA?

The decision to repeat courses is up to the individual candidate.

Laura Baker, ADN: Instructor

Christina Chargois, ADN: Instructor

Jo Anna Gott, BSN, RNC-OB, CBC: Program Coordinator

Lois Holmes, ADN: Instructor

Mary Perry, ADN: Instructor

Brenda Ramsey, MSN: Instructor

Yecenia Rangel, Remediation and Retention Specialist

Andrea Reyes, BSN: Simulations Specialist

Melissa Smith, ADN: Instructor

Sarah Smith, MSN: Instructor

We encourage students to get involved in our Allied Health Society. This organization joins the various programs represented in the Allied Health Department into one united group. The group seeks to promote a positive image of our various programs but more so serve our community through various volunteer opportunities available during the school year.