Howard College
A Beacon of Education and Life-long Learning
Nursing
The Vocational Nursing Program is a 12 month Certificate Program that offers college credit. It is designed to prepare students to perform direct patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse and/or Physician. Students are prepared for upward mobility in a nursing career. The program is approved by the Texas Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Upon completion, students will make application to take the State Board Examination to become Licensed Vocational Nurses. Many Vocational Nursing students after passing their State Board Exam return to Howard College Accelerated (Transition) Associate Degree Nursing Program to become Registered Nurses.
Vocational Nursing Application Packet (PDF)
Prior to actual admission in the Vocational Nursing Program, applicants must have successfully completed the required support courses with a final grade of C or above:
Anatomy & Physiology I & II
Nutrition
Life Span/Growth & Development
Selection points will be earned from the Anatomy & Physiology I grade, and either Nutrition or Life Span (whichever is higher).
Students must take the Psychological Services Bureau (PSB) Exam. Entrance points will also be earned for scores on this exam.
The VN Program itself is a THEA-Waived program, however, applicants will be asked to take the THEA or Pre-THEA Reading exam in order to gain entrance into prerequisite academic courses.
Following completion of the admission requirements (or proof of enrollment in summer classes) by the designated deadline of June 1, the applicant will be considered for the selection pool. All applicants to the Howard College Vocational Nursing Program who have met the requirements for admission to the college will be evaluated according to the criteria specified. Each applicant will be ranked on the basis of total points. A minimum of 18 points or 70% should be obtained for consideration of admission to the program.
If you are admitted to the VN Program, the classes you will take for the next year will all be VNSG (Vocational Nursing) classes with the exception of Microbiology, which may be taken prior to admission.