Vocational Nursing- LVN

The Odessa College vocational nursing program is a one-year certificate program to prepare the graduate to become a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) after passing the NCLEX-PN. The LVN functions as an important member of a health care team under a licensed physician and/or a registered nurse’s supervision. Vocational nurses provide care in a variety of structured health care settings for individual clients who are experiencing common health problems.

Approval

The Odessa College vocational nursing programs are approved by the Texas Board of Nursing. The BON is located at 333 Guadalupe, Austin, Texas, 78701; phone 512-305-7400. The nursing curriculum plan is approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).

Licensing as a Vocational Nurse (LVN)

Texas utilizes the title of LVN. Many other states use LPN (licensed practical nurse) for this level of nursing practice. The Odessa College vocational nursing graduate must meet state requirements to take the licensing examination National Council for Licensure Examination – Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN®).

Requirements to take the licensing examination to become an LVN include the application and approval process with the BON, payment of fees to the BON, graduation from the nursing program, and graduate certification by the director of the vocational nursing program. Be advised that the BON requires fingerprint identification to screen all applicants for licensure. The fingerprints are analyzed by the state of Texas and the FBI, and there must be clearance on the background check by the BON prior to being allowed to attend any VNSG clinical courses. For licensure eligibility through the Texas Board of Nursing visit the Board of Nursing website HERE

Program Options

The Vocational Nursingh program has mutliple options at several different locations. 

Traditional Adult Program option

The traditional adult program is for students who have completed high school. This program is perfect for the student who is looking to join the nursing workforce quickly. The traditional LVN program is a 12 month certificate program that starts every fall. Courses continue through Fall, Spring and Summer. Students receive their certificate in August, then are eligible to sit for their licensure examination to become and LVN. This program has options offereed in Andrews at the Andrews Business and Technology Center and in Monahans at the Monahans Center. Our LVN program does not require pre-requisite courses prior to application. The program accepts applications every year May 1st - June 1st. 

Dual Credit Program option

The dual credit program option is for Juniors and Seniors in high school. Odessa College currently has dual credit partnerships with Andrews ISD in Andrews, Ector County ISD, and Monahans-Wickett-Pyote in Monahans. This is a 2 year certificate program. These programs accepts students to begin their nursing program courses in fall of their junior year and continue through the Fall, Spring, Summer semester until the August after high school graduation. In August after completing high school, after completed LVN program requirements, students are eligible to sit for the licensure examination to become and LVN in the state of Texas. Applications for this program option are facilitated through the High School partners in the Spring of each year. 

Pre-Admission Requirements 

The vocational nursing program has selective admission criteria. Not all students who apply are accepted. Applications are only accepted during the acceptance period of May 1st - June 1st every academic year.  

•  Enrolled at Odessa College as a credit student.
•  High School Diploma or GED (exception is the Dual Credit students; current transcripts and approval by counselor is required). 
•  Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. 
•  Maintain current AHA CPR card. (Online CPR is not accepted.)
•  Meet immunization requirements. Starting for the Fall of 2021, COVID vaccination will be required for all accepted nursing students. 
•  Provide proof of health insurance.
•  A satisfactory score on the TEAS Test must be achieved. An overall score of 54%, a reading score of 60% and a math score of 60% is required for acceptance. 

Post-Admission Requirements

• Authorize a Board of Nursing required criminal background check (completed after acceptance).
• Obtain a physical examination (completed as part of the program).
• Obtain and pass a drug screen (completed as part of the program). 
• Attend a mandatory orientation prior to beginning the LVN program to be held at Odessa College.

Completion Requirements

All courses in the curriculum are required. Students must complete outcome competencies for each level with a minimum grade of “C” in all nursing courses. A grade of “C” is 75-79. Students must achieve a minimum requirement on multiple thresholds throughout the LVN program. Graduates have the opportunity to participate in a completion ceremony at the end of the educational experience. Students must satisfy all college financial obligations and return any borrowed school property.

Student Responsibility

Students must comply with all Odessa College Student Policies, and the Vocational Nursing Program Student Handbook policies. Program policies are delineated in the VNSG Student Handbook.