Reese Center VN Program Entrance Requirements

Vocational Nursing Program

AUGUST 2023 Admission

VOCATIONAL NURSING

REESE CAMPUS

 

ADMISSION TO THE COLLEGE DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMISSION TO THE VN PROGRAM.

• The Vocational Nursing (VN Program is a 12-month curriculum).
• The course of study is designed to prepare individuals interested in the nursing profession to practice as licensed vocational nurses.
• Students satisfactorily completing the program will receive a Certificate of Proficiency and then be eligible to apply to take the State Board Exam (NCLEX-PN).
• The VN Program is offered at the Levelland Campus, the SPC Reese Center, and the Plainview Extension Center.
• The VN Program is approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Board of Nursing.

Steps for VN Programs Admission:

Step 1: Gather Documents:

• Must have a High School Diploma/GED
• Apply to South Plains College (Acceptance to the college does not guarantee admission to the VN Program.)
• Apply online at southplainscollege.edu.  Click on the box that says “Apply to SPC” and follow the prompts.
• Submit Official (Signed and sealed) High School and/or college transcripts from any college attended to the admissions office as soon as possible.
• Submit proof of Meningitis Vaccine to the Admissions office.
• Contact the Admissions office for assistance at 806-716-2355.

Step 2: Apply for Financial Aid (If Needed)

• Processing for Financial Aid takes approximately 6-8 weeks. Do Not Wait for acceptance to apply for financial aid.  The link to complete the FASFA can be found online at southplainscollege.edu under Financial Aid Homepage.
• The Financial Aid office is located in the Student Services BLDG. on the Levelland Campus or can be contacted at 806-716-2368 or financialaid@southplainscollege.edu

Step 3:  VNP Application

• Students do not bring TEAS scores and TSI to nursing dept to get applications – the application is online. Minimum scores for the TEAS test are as follows: 
  

  Math	Reading	English	Science
  58.7	58.7	58.7	Points awarded based on score

  
  TSI Assessment Scores
  Students who are entering college for the first time and who are planning to enroll in college-level courses should plan to take the TSI Assessment test prior to registration, unless otherwise exempted. Visit our Testing site for a list of TSI Exemptions and Testing Schedule.   For more information about the TSI exam, go to this link: http://www.southplainscollege.edu/testing/TSI_frequently_asked_questions.php 
• To register for the TEAS Test, go to this link: http://www.southplainscollege.edu/admission-aid/advising/testing/TEAStestingschedule.php 
  
  
  Click here to download the SPC VN Fillable PDF Application
  
  Step 4:  Complete the ENTIRE Application Packet and return it to the Nursing Department

• Bring the application on or before the deadline (Please call for the occurring VN Application Deadline) with Official Transcripts from any colleges attended.
• NO late applications will be accepted. NO EXCEPTIONS
• Must submit Official (Signed and Sealed) Transcripts, both High School and College including SPC transcripts with your application NO EXCEPTIONS
• We do NOT require recommendation letters
• Must include a valid, legible, email on the application, you will be notified at the email provided of acceptance or denial into the program within 3-4 weeks after the deadline. (Sometimes longer)

Step 5:  Return Application

• You Must return all information to:

• If you mail it in the application must be postmarked on or before the deadline.

If you have any questions please contact Jennifer Steffy at 806-716-4623 or email at jsteffey@southplainscollege.edu

 

ORIENTATION: 

• Uniforms  $250-$300 White Shoes $50-$75  Bandage Scissors $5-$20 Penlight $5
• Admission fingerprinting is approximately $50
• Admission Drug Screen $50

Other items not included in the above estimate:

• CPR (required every 2 years) $60
• Physical exam and immunizations
• Watch with second hand.  No smartwatches in lab or clinical.

FIRST SEMESTER:  $2500 - $3600

• Tuition = 16 hours only = $1217 - $2101  (nursing classes only)

              ** Tuition cost varies for In-district, Out-of-district, or Non-resident.

• Lab Kits and Fees, Testing Fees = $580 (nursing only)

• Drug Screen Fee $35
• Required Textbooks     Used approx. $750      New approx. $950

   ** Textbooks used throughout the entire VNSG program

SECOND SEMESTER:  $2860 - $4080

• Tuition:  16 hours = $1391 - $2411 (nursing classes only)

            ** Tuition cost varies for In-district, Out-of-district or Non-resident.

• Testing and Lab Fees = $350 (nursing only)

• Drug Screen Fee  $35

• Required Textbooks Used approx. $1085       New approx. $1285

THIRD SEMESTER:  $1920 - $3150

• Tuition = 16 hours = $1391 - $2411 (Nursing Classes Only)

             ** Tuition cost varies for In-district, Out-of-district or Non-resident.

• Testing and Lab Fees = $350 (nursing only)

• Drug Screen Fee  $35
• Required Textbooks   Used approx. $150       New approx. $350

Prior to graduation, you will have these estimated additional costs:

• State Board fee $100
• NCLEX-PN Exam fee $200
• Class graduation ceremony cost $10- $20
• Nursing pin $35 - $300

TOTAL PROGRAM COST (ESTIMATE & SUBJECT TO CHANGE)                                   

In-district $ 8,460                   

Out-of-district $12,010  

NOTE: for specific program costs go to: https://www.southplainscollege.edu/admission-aid/paying-for-school/tuitionfees.php.

 

 Suggested Financial Aid Resources Please contact these resources directly

**Nursing Program faculty and staff cannot advise about these resources**

Child Care	Financial Assistance, gas, books
WorkForce Solutions Child Care Services (CCS) 1213 13th St. Lubbock, TX 79401 (806) 744-3572	Workforce Solutions WIA Program 2118 14th St. Lubbock, TX 79401 (806) 765-5038
Catholic Family Service 102 Ave. J Lubbock, TX 79401 (806) 765-8475	Workforce Solutions 1210 Austin St. Levelland, TX 79336 (806) 894-5005
Early Learning Centers of Lubbock  (806) 765-9981	SPC Resources
Housing, Rent, Utilities	Financial Aid Office Levelland Campus 806-716-3800
Lubbock Housing Authority 1708 Crickets Ave Lubbock, TX 79401 806-762-1191	First Step/Nontraditional Program Contact: Health & Wellness 806-716-2529 rcanon@southplainscollege.edu
Guadalupe Economic Services, Corp. 1502 Erskine St Lubbock, TX 79415 (806) 744-4416
Catholic Family Service 102 Ave. J Lubbock, TX 79401 (806) 765-8475	Food, shelter, clothing
Lubbock Co. General Assistance 916 Main St., STE 104 Lubbock, TX 79401 (806) 775-1080	TX Health & Human Services -Food Stamps/TANF 1716 Parkway Dr. Lubbock, TX 79403 (806) 744-7632
My Father’s House Lubbock 1510 S. Loop 289 Lubbock, TX 79412 (806) 799-0990	South Plains Food Bank 4612 Locust Ave Lubbock, TX 79404 (806) 763-3003
Lubbock Co. General Assistance 916 Main St., STE 104 Lubbock, TX 79401 (806) 775-1080	The Bridge of Lubbock 1301 Redbud Ave. Lubbock, TX 79408 (806) 687-0772
Scholarships at SPC: www.southplainscollege.edu quick link to scholarships	Family Promise P.O. Box 1258 Lubbock, TX 79408 (806) 744-5035
	Women’s Protective Services (WPS) (806) 747-6491 (800) 736-6491

 

CURRICULUM

Name of Program/School:  South Plains College
Type of Program: Vocational Nursing
First Semester	Course Number/Course Title	Credit Hrs.
	VNSG 1420 A&P for Allied Health	4
	VNSG 1204 Foundations of Nursing	2
	VNSG 1400 Nsg. Hth & Illness I	4
	VNSG 1323 Basic Nsg. Skills	3
	VNSG 1160-Lic Prac/Voc Nrs. Trng	1
	VNSG 1201 Mental Health & Illness	2
Totals		16
Second Semester	Course Number/Course Title	Credit Hrs.
	VNSG 1227 Essentials of Medication Administration	2
	VNSG 1409 Nsg. Hlth & Illness II	4
	VNSG 1330 Mat-Neo Nursing	3
	VNSG 1460 Clinical Lic-Prac/Voc Nrs. Trng	3
Totals		16
Third Semester	Course Number/Course Title	Credit Hrs.
	VNSG 1331 Pharmacology	3
	VNSG 1334 Pediatrics	3
	VNSG 2510 Nsg Hlth &Illness III	5
	VNSG 1119 Leadership & Prof Dev	1
	VNSG 2461 Clinical-Lic Prac Voc/Nrs Tng	4
Totals		16
	GRAND TOTAL	48

 

The program and courses within the program are subject to approval and changes mandated by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Board

of Nursing.

Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the Vocational Nursing program

The Vocational Nursing program is a twelve-month curriculum, designed to prepare accountable, responsible graduate nurses to practice ready to provide direct patient care in a variety of health care settings. 

Students completing this curriculum receive a Certificate of Proficiency and

are eligible to apply to take the State Board Exam (NCLEX) for Licensed Practical Nurse Licensure. 

           South Plains College LVN program is approved by:

           Texas Board of Nursing

          333 Guadalupe Street #3-460

           Austin, TX  78701   (512)305-7400

           www.bon.texas.gov

      Complete the following before applying for admission:

         Apply for Admission with South Plains College

          Be Texas Success Initiative (TSI) compliant.

   

    Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better

    Have a computer with a webcam and have internet access while enrolled in the nursing program.

Criminal Background Certification

The following are the questions that each candidate for licensure must answer.  You may access the full information form the BON’s website at www.bon.state.tx.us

1.  Are you enrolled, planning to enroll, or have you graduated from a nursing program?

Type of Nursing Program: (circle one) LVN ADN Diploma BSN

Date of Enrollment: _________________________

2. Write Yes or No for any criminal offense, including those pending appeal: (Please answer in each space provided)

          _____A. been convicted of a misdemeanor?

          _____B. been convicted of a felony?

          _____C. pled nolo contendere, no contest, or guilty?

          _____D. received deferred adjudication.

_____E. been placed on community supervision or court-ordered probation, whether or not adjudicated guilty?

          _____F. been sentenced to serve jail or prison time? Court-ordered confinement?

          _____G. been granted pre-trial diversion.

          _____H. been arrested or have any pending criminal charges?

          _____I. been cited or charged with any violation of the law?

_____J. been subject of a court-martial; Article 15 violation; or received any form of military judgment/punishment/action?

You may only exclude Class C misdemeanor traffic violations.  You will need a declaratory order for arrests while a minor.

 

NOTE: Expunged and Sealed Offenses:

While expunged or sealed offenses, 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. Failure to reveal an offense, arrest, ticket, or citation that is not in fact expunged or sealed, will at a minimum, subject your license to a disciplinary fine. Non-disclosure of relevant offenses raises questions related to truthfulness and character.

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 on this form.  However, a criminal matter that is the subject of an order of non-disclosure may become a character and fitness issue. Pursuant to other sections of the 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.

6. [ ] Yes [ ] No Are you currently the target or subject of a grand jury or governmental agency investigation?
7. [ ] Yes [ ] No 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, or ever fined, censured, reprimanded or otherwise disciplined you?
8. [ ] Yes [ ] No *Within the past five (5) years have you been addicted to and/or treated for the use of alcohol or any other drug?
9. [ ] Yes [ ] No *Within the past five (5) years have you been diagnosed with, treated, or hospitalized for schizophrenia and/or psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, paranoid personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, or borderline personality disorder?*

  If “YES” indicate the condition: [ ] schizophrenia and/or psychotic disorders, [ ] bipolar disorder, [ ] paranoid personality disorder, [ ] antisocial personality disorder, [ ] borderline personality disorder *Pursuant to Occupations Code §301.207, information regarding a person’s diagnosis or treatment for a physical condition, mental condition, or chemical dependency is confidential to the same extent that information collected as part of an investigation is confidential under the Occupations Code §301.466. You may indicate “NO” if you have completed and/ or are in compliance with Texas Peer Assistance Program for Nurses (TPAPN) for substance abuse or mental illness.

***IF YOU ANSWER “YES” TO ANY QUESTION #2 - #6, YOU MUST PROVIDE A SIGNED AND DATED LETTER DESCRIBING THE

INCIDENCE(S) THAT YOU ARE REPORTING TO THE BOARD, AS WELL AS SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION. REFER TO THE

INSTRUCTIONS PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Attestation

I, the Petitioner referenced in this application, acknowledge this document is a legal document and I attest that the statements herein contained are true in every respect. I understand that no one else may submit this form on my behalf and that I am accountable and responsible for the accuracy of any answer or statement on this form.  Further, I understand that it is a violation of the 22 TAC § 217.12 (6)(I) and the Penal Code, sec 37.10, to submit a false statement to a government agency; and I consent to release of confidential information to the Texas Board of Nursing and further authorize the Board to use and to release said information

as needed for the evaluation and disposition of my application.

I understand that if I have any questions regarding this affidavit I should contact an attorney or the appropriate professional health provider.

I will immediately notify the Board if at any time after signing this affidavit I no longer meet the eligibility requirements.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q: What are the hours once in the nursing program?

A:  Class times are Monday through Friday 8-4.
Clinical days are 2nd & 3rd semester: 3 days per week and we do not have a 4th semester. 

2. Q: Can I work while in the nursing program?

A:  We do not advise students to work while they are enrolled in our nursing program, however that is ultimately the student’s choice.  The nursing school workload is vigorous so if you choose to work, please plan accordingly, and stay organized and on top of your schoolwork. 

3. Q: Is nursing school hard?

A:  Yes.  Nursing school is hard, as it should be.  We are training you to care for peoples’ lives.

4. Q: What is the minimum required GPA?

A:  You must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to be eligible to apply to our nursing programs.

5. Q:  Can I take the nursing classes online or at night?

A:  No.  We do not offer any of our nursing classes online or at night.

6. Q:  Can I take more classes a semester or during the summer to get ahead and finish the program earlier?

A:  No.  Our program is set up on a strict curriculum and there are no variances allowed from that curriculum. 

7. Q:  Will my classes from another college transfer to SPC? 

A:  All non-nursing courses that were taken at Regionally Accredited College/University should transfer with no problem, but you will need to check with the registrar to be sure.  If you are trying to transfer nursing courses into our program from another nursing program you will have to discuss that with the Director of our program.  The Director must look at the program you were at and how the courses were taught to see if they will be able to substitute for our courses and all nursing courses must be completed within one year to be considered for transfer.  On average most nursing courses will not transfer into our program because every program is set up differently.

 

PROFESSION	Licensed Vocation Nurse (LVN)	Registered Nurse (RN)
Job Duties	Provide basic bedside medical and nursing care such as monitoring vital signs and inserting catheters, wound care, administering medications, collecting specimens, ensuring the comfort of patients by helping them bathe and/or dress, discussing health care with patients, and reporting the status of patients to doctor and other healthcare professionals involved inpatient care.	Observe and assess patient conditions.  Administer medication and treatment to patients, coordinate plans for patient care, perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, instruct patients on how to manage illnesses after treatment, and oversee other workers such as LVNs, nursing aides, and home care aides.  Report patient status to doctors and other healthcare professionals involved in inpatient care.
Education	You must complete an accredited vocational nursing program which usually takes about one year to complete.  These programs are most often taken at technical or community colleges.  Courses usually combine academia in nursing, biology, and pharmacology, in addition to supervised clinical experiences.	Three educational options are available:  a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN), an Associate’s degree in Nursing (ADNP) and Diploma programs usually require 2 to 3 years to complete.  All programs include courses in social, behavior, and physical science in addition to clinical experiences in various workplaces.
Work Environment	Licensed Vocational Nurses work in many settings, including nursing homes and extended care facilities, hospitals, physician; offices, and private homes.  Most work full time.	Registered nurses work in hospitals, some physicians’ offices, home healthcare services, nursing care facilities, intensive care units, or emergency centers.  Others work in outpatient clinics and schools or serve in the military.
Licensing/Certification	After completing your vocational nursing course from the State-Approved program, you will receive a certification in Vocational Nursing.  Once that is completed, you must take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX_PN) to obtain a license and be able to work as an LVN.	All registered nurses require a nursing license acquired by completing an accredited nursing program and passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLES_RN).  Some RNs may choose to become certified through professional associations in certain specialties.  Certification is usually voluntary, but some advanced positions require it.
Pay	Median annual salary $45,030	Median annual salary $70,730
Job Growth	12% increase through 2026	15% increase through 2026
Typical career steps	After gaining experience, many LVN advance to supervisory positions with additional education one may even advance into other medical specialties such as registered nurses.	Most RNs begin as staff nurses, but with experience and continuing education, there is an opportunity to move into management positions such as Chief of Nursing.  Other options include becoming an Advanced Practice registered nurse (APRN) or moving into the business side of healthcare.  Can continue education and obtain a Master’s of Science of Nursing (MSN) and/or Nurse Practitioner (NP)