Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) Program

The Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) program at Texarkana College is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in health care.

Texarkana College students learning nursing techniques in our LVN program.

What to Know at a Glance

Duration

1-year certificate (40 sch)

Delivery

Face-to-face

Scheduling Options

Full time; Day classes

Where it is offered

Main Campus

About Our LVN Program

Students learn to provide direct nursing care to acutely and chronically ill patients within the health care settings. The role of the VN is to function under the leadership of registered nurses and physicians. TC offers an LVN to RN degree transition program that will help you take your healthcare career to the next level.

Upon completion of the LVN program, graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) to become Licensed Vocational Nurses.

  • Critical Thinking
  • Leadership
  • Adaptability
  • Management
  • Problem Solving
  • Technical Proficiency
  • Life-long Learning
  • Cultural Awareness
  • Ethical Decision Making
  • Professionalism
  • Time Management
  • Organization
  • Safety Awareness
  1. Register for a Mandatory Information Session with the Enrollment Management Specialist (EMS) at 903-823-3351.
  2. A completed Apply Texas college application with Texarkana College listed as college of choice.
  3. Any student on suspension or probation must be cleared through the TC Admissions Office.
  4. Have a personal guidance interview with the EMS. Appointments are required. Call 903-823-3401 to set up an appointment.
  5. TSI: All applicants must satisfy the requirements of the Texas Success Initiative. A copy of scores must be submitted with application.
  6. An official high school transcript or GED scores and transcripts from all colleges attended. High school seniors must submit a 7-semester transcript with a completed transcript to be on file 2 weeks prior to registration.
  7. Overall GPA and Nursing GPA of 2.0 or higher.
  8. Take the TEAS entrance exam. You must have an overall minimum score of 50 to be eligible for entry.  The TEAS must be within 2 years of the program application date. A maximum of three TEAS attempts within a 12 month period are allowed. TEAS exam scores taken at proctored testing sites other than Texarkana College may be submitted. A minimum of 15 days is required between testing attempts. Students pay and register for the TEAS on-line at atitesting.com. REMEMBER your user name and password!  You will need them for logging in when you take the TEAS exam and throughout the nursing program.
  9. Completion of BIOL 2301/2101 and BIOL 2302/2102 with a grade of “C” or higher must be attained prior to the first day of the LVN program.
  10. Successful completion of American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers. This is available through the Texarkana College Business and Community Education Division. Card/Certificate must not expire prior to the expected date of graduation.
  11. Prior to full acceptance into the LVN program, students must: pass a physical examination, have a negative drug screen and TB skin test, and receive a satisfactory criminal background check from the TX Board of Nursing. These are not required until notification in writing of “Conditional Acceptance” into the LVN program has been received. Students who do not provide the EMS with proof of a satisfactory background check by the due date will forfeit their place to an applicant on the waiting list.
  12. Completed Immunizations: Several are required.  Please discuss with the EMS.  The Hepatitis B vaccine series is required.   NOTE: It takes 4-6 months to complete the vaccine series. Allow time for this prior to application. The series must be completed prior to the first day of class. If you have any questions, please contact the EMS.  If vaccination requirements are not met, the student will be withdrawn from the LVN program.
  13. Return checklist to the Enrollment Management Specialist with an original signature and date.

Completion of one’s file does not constitute admission to the Nursing Program. Please be aware that it is your responsibility to complete the appropriate admissions requirements by the stated deadlines.

Any student who is dismissed from the LVN program due to Professional and/or Ethical violations is not eligible for re-entry into the LVN program. In addition, any student who has had a Clinical failure due to unsafe clinical practice is not eligible for re-entry into the LVN program.

Candidates for re-admission to the LVN program must complete the re-admission procedures.  Re-admission into the LVN program will be considered on an individual basis, on a space availability basis, and faculty recommendation.  A student who leaves the LVN program for any reason other than an Ethical violation or Clinical failure will be permitted one other opportunity to re-enroll.  Students must apply for re-entry into the LVN program within 12 months after leaving the LVN program.  The re-entering student must complete courses as prescribed by the nursing department. Some courses may need to be repeated.  If the request for re-admission is greater than one year, the student will be required to re-enter as a beginning student.

NOTE: The student accepted for re-admission will be under the current policy and procedures of the Health Sciences Division program at the time of re-admission. Candidates who re-apply, meet the criteria, and are accepted for readmission will be offered two opportunities to re-enter the LVN program.  If the candidate declines re-entry both times, they are removed from the list of applicants and will be required to apply as a new applicant into first semester.

Steps For Re-Admission

  1. Complete the Health Sciences Division Application for Re-entry form.
  2. Have a personal guidance interview with the Enrollment Management Specialist (EMS). Appointments are encouraged but not necessary. Inform the EMS that you have been enrolled in the LVN Program previously.
  3. Have a conference with a member of the VN faculty if required by the Admissions Committee.
  4. Complete re-entry testing, if required.
  5. Complete all other requirements set forth by the Admissions Committee.
  6. The student will be required to have a current physical examination and negative drug screen. The student will also have a clear criminal background check through the Texas BON. These are not required until notification in writing of “Conditional Acceptance” into the nursing program has been received.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

  1. You may ask the college Enrollment Services Office staff for a math review sheet.
  2. BIOL: 2301/2101 and BIOL 2302/2102 may be transferred from another institution.
  3. Experience in health care is recommended prior to admission (volunteer, nurse assistant, etc.).
  4. Notification of conditional acceptance or denial will be mailed to all candidates. Any questions should be directed to the Enrollment Management Specialist.
  5. There is no waiting list carried over from one admission cycle to the next. Students who do not get accepted into the class must re-apply for the next class.
  6. Applicants are ranked according to the criteria on the Vocational Nursing Points System for Admission Ranking tool.
  7. The number of students admitted is based on clinical space availability and the number of faculty members.
  8. Students who are not admitted are responsible for re-applying for the next class.
  9. Students are responsible for keeping their files updated, including mailing address, email address, and phone number.

Transfer students will be evaluated and placed in the LVN Program on an individual basis, as space allows.

Steps for Transfer Admission

  1. Complete the First Admission process.  (Admission scores from other programs or a college GPA may be accepted).
  2. Have a personal guidance interview with the Enrollment Management Specialist.
  3. Submit course syllabi of previous nursing classes.
  4. Sign permission for obtaining a letter of reference from previous school of nursing.
  5. Prior to acceptance, a physical examination, negative drug screen and satisfactory criminal background check.  These are not required until notification in writing of “Conditional Acceptance” into the nursing program has been received.

Possible Careers and Salaries

LVN/LPN

$36,977

Registered Nurse

$66,227

Acute Care Nurse

$66,227

Health Informatics Specialist

$52,658

Surgical Technologist

$46,590

Tuition Costs

Approximate total LVN program cost for in-district (Bowie County residents) for the Nursing, Vocational Program is $6,710.

student spotlight

“When working at the hospital, everyone told me I made a good choice to pick TC’s LVN program, that I picked a good one.”

– Nate McClain, Student

TC Nursing student, Nate McClain

Program Contacts

Karen Tyl

Vocational Nursing Program Coordinator

Karen Holt

Health Sciences Enrollment Specialist

Courtney Schoalmire, MNSc, MSN, RN

Dean of Health Sciences

Take the Next Step With TC

Need More In-depth Information About This Program?

Register for a Nursing Information Session

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Schedule a Campus Tour

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Contact Texarkana College to Get Started

For immediate assistance:

Karen Holt, Health Sciences Enrollment Specialist

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