Philosophy The Vocational Nursing Faculty supports the following beliefs Application to the VN Program Promotion

Readmission Transfer to the TC VN Program from Another Nursing Program Prioritization Listing for Readmission and Transfers Vocational Nursing Requirements (47 Semester Hrs.)

This one-year Vocational Nursing (VN) program is designed to prepare students with the experience and education to function in a variety of health care settings under the supervision of a registered nurse. Upon successful completion of the program, a certificate is awarded by Temple College, and allows graduates to apply to take the state licensing examination for vocational nursing. Completion of the VN program does not guarantee admittance to the vocational nursing licensure examination. Graduates will be required to answer questions about their drug, alcohol, psychiatric, and/or conviction history for determination of eligibility to take the licensing examination for vocational nursing. Further information is available in the office of the VN department.

Philosophy

The philosophy of the Temple College Vocational Nursing program reflects the beliefs of the faculty and provides the foundation for the nursing program. The philosophy of the program complements the institution’s mission statement by providing quality education to prepare VN graduates who are capable of entry-level employment in the diverse community served by Temple College. The purpose of the VN program is to provide assistance in supplying the Central Texas area with qualified vocational nurses who are prepared to take the National Council Licensure Examination to become licensed vocational nurses.

The Vocational Nursing Faculty supports the following beliefs:

Individual - Each individual is recognized as a holistic being with physical, psychological, socio-cultural and spiritual dimensions which are interrelated to create a whole. Individuals continuously adapt to an ever changing environment while experiencing varying degrees of health throughout the lifespan. Therefore, each person has the right to make positive lifestyle choices for his/her health to maintain optimum quality of life. These lifestyle choices must focus on meeting the basic needs that are essential to life and progress toward self-actualization. Each individual has the right and responsibility to be given treatment in a caring manner and to be actively involved in planning this care to meet their individual needs.

Society - A society is formed by the networking of individuals, families, and communities. Each person brings to this group their own perceptions, values, attitudes, skills and knowledge. In a society that is dynamic and culturally diverse, everyone benefits when individuals work together to form common goals that meet the needs of all members.

Nursing - Nursing synthesizes knowledge from both the arts and the sciences to form the theoretical base for the profession. It combines the art of caring and nurturing with scientific principles and skills in providing preventative, therapeutic, and rehabilitative care for individuals and families. The nursing process is used as a basis for providing a systematic decision making approach in providing holistic care to clients in various stages of the life cycle. As nurses increase their levels of expertise, they demonstrate competency in the roles of provider of care, coordinator of care, and member of a profession according to their levels of responsibility.

Vocational nursing - The vocational nurse is an integral component of the health care team. Each nurse provides direct basic care for multiple clients in structured settings and assists in the coordination of care in collaboration with other health care professionals. These nurses recognize the role of nursing research in improving client care. Vocational nurses are accountable for their own actions and must provide a standard of practice that is within legal and ethical parameters. Each nurse must seek opportunities that promote personal and professional growth.

The Teaching-Learning process - Learning is defined as an interactive process demonstrated as a partnership that fosters professional growth. The teaching-learning process must be individualized and collaborative. The faculty must provide a curriculum that is continuously evaluated to meet the ever changing educational and technological needs of society. Faculty members must inspire excellence as they serve as role models and facilitators in providing learning experiences that target the learner’s needs. The student must demonstrate responsibility for learning by actively participating in the learning process. Learning experiences proceed on a continuum from simple to complex.

Nursing education - All nursing education consists of nursing theory principles integrated with clinical experiences in varied health care settings. Nursing education empowers students to problem solve and use critical thinking skills to seek solutions to problems. Students from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds must be provided opportunities to develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to become competent, caring, and legal-ethical members of the health care team. Quality nursing education must be provided in an environment conducive to helping students achieve their personal and professional goals.

Education as a Lifelong Process - Education is a process that enhances one’s knowledge by building on experiences and skills. Therefore, the basic blocks for learning must be formed into a strong foundation so that learning can continue as a lifelong process. As each person acquires skills, knowledge, and legal-ethical growth, their educational goals may be attained for the present, but new ones should be formed for the future. Each person must learn to evaluate their need for continuing education to maintain a lifelong accountability in their educational journey.

Application to the VN Program

Students applying to the Vocational Nursing program must meet the following requirements:

1. Complete the Temple College admission procedure.
2. Complete the application procedure for the VN Department:
   • Schedule to take the nursing admission assessment test. This test score is valid for one year.
     This nursing admission assessment test is given in September through November for the class beginning the following summer. Check with the Vocational Nursing Office for specific testing dates. Study guides for the nursing admission assessment test are available in the Temple College bookstore. The test is given in the Testing Center, located in One College Centre and at the Hutto Campus. A minimum composite score of 80 is required on the admission assessment test in order to file an application.
   • Complete an application from the VN Department after taking the Admission Assessment test.
   • If you have college credits that apply toward the VN curriculum, you must furnish official transcripts to the VN office of all course work from these colleges or universities. Biological Science courses must have been taken within the past ten years.
   • If you do not have college course work that applies to the VN curriculum, you must furnish evidence of an official high school transcript to the VN office showing evidence of graduation or an official General Education Development Equivalency certificate.
3. After satisfactory completion of the above application process, individuals will be notified by letter of whether or not they were conditionally accepted into the program.
4. If conditional acceptance to the VN program, the following requirements must be completed:
    
   • A satisfactory criminal background history check (specific instructions will be given). The background check process will be conducted In accordance with Texas Board of Nursing regulations. Students must successfully complete the background check prior to registration and beginning Vocational Nursing classes. Any healthcare facility associated with Temple College may also require criminal background history checks. Permission to perform the criminal background history check must be given by the student. Failure to give permission could result in dismissal from the program. It may be necessary to dismiss students from a program if they are barred from practicing at any healthcare facility. Future employment and licensing may be affected by the results of a criminal background history check.
   • Current physical examination (within six months prior to beginning the nursing program) verifying good physical and mental health with required immunizations. Note: Students shall receive a complete series of Hepatitis B vaccine prior to the start of direct patient care.
   • Written documentation of successful completion of a CPR course designed for health care providers (e.g., Basic Cardiac Life Support for Health Care Providers from American Heart Association). No student will be permitted in the clinical setting without current documentation on file (must remain current throughout the VN program).
   • A urine drug screen in accordance with instructions provided by VN office.
5. In the event the application is rejected, the applicant may request a meeting with the VN Director. Such a request is submitted in writing and includes reasons why the application should be reviewed.
6. All nursing students will be required to purchase professional liability insurance at the time of registration. Additional expenses incurred as part of the program are the responsibility of the student.

Note: Admission to Temple College does not constitute automatic acceptance into the nursing program. Admission to the nursing program is determined during the early spring for the summer semester. In the case of competitive admissions, requirements over and above the minimum may be necessary. Applications will not be processed if any of the stated admission requirements are missing or incomplete.

Students seeking admission to the VN program are admitted to the program on the basis of the following criteria, with maximum point totals awarded as indicated:

• Admission Assessment test scores (minimum of 80 composite score required) (Up to 6 points)
• Completion of these courses prior to or during the fall semester of the application period: (up to 2 points)
  1. BIOL 2404: Intro to Anatomy and Physiology (1 point)
  2. ITSE 1294: Special Topics in Computer Science (1 point)
• Temple College Service Area Residency Status (1 point)

One point will be deducted from an applicant’s point total if the applicant has failed any nursing course in another vocational nursing program.

Promotion

Once a student is accepted into and begins the VN curriculum, it is expected that the student will continue to progress directly to the next semester’s courses. In order to do this, the student must:

1. Have completed all previously required courses with a “C” grade (2.0 based on a 4.0 scale) or better;
2. Maintain good academic standing (see the College catalog, Minimum Academic standards, Scholastic Probation, & Scholastic Suspension policies);
3. Meet all general Temple College requirements (be approved for registration).
4. Failure in any required nursing course indicates the possibility of failure on the board exam.
   Therefore, after a second nursing program failure or withdrawal for any reason, a student may not reapply.

In all nursing courses, the following grading scale will be used.

	Numerical Value	Letter Grade	Points
	100-93	A	4.0
	92-85	B	3.0
	84-75	C	2.0
	Below 75	F	0

The minimum passing grade in each nursing course is a “C” or 2.0 on the 4.0 scale. Further grading criteria can be found in each course outline.

Readmission

Eligible students may apply for readmission to the VN program following their withdrawal or dismissal by submitting a new application to the VN Program office. Applicants will be required to complete a readmission assessment in order to be considered for acceptance into the nursing program.  The readmission assessment may include performance of clinical skills that would be expected at the level of entry of the returning student as well as past academic achievement.  If the faculty feels that a student is not at the clinical skill level that is expected, the student may be required to repeat the clinical component for that particular semester.  Students will be evaluated on a point system that will consider completed courses, clinical performance, and probationary status.  Students requesting readmission who have successfully completed any nursing courses more than two years prior to the request will be required to repeat the admission process and re-enroll in all nursing program courses. The time from first VNSG classes until successful graduation from the program cannot extend beyond two years. All policies specified by Temple College for readmitting students will apply (see the College catalog section on readmission under the Application for Admission policy). Applicants being readmitted to the first semester of nursing courses will be considered using the same criteria as new applicants.  Applicants being considered for readmission to other semesters will be considered on a space available basis by the VN Director. The VN Director will review the applicant’s record and make the recommendations as to placement in the program. A student who was dismissed for an unsatisfactory grade in a nursing course (class and/or clinical) will be asked to discuss the problems that led to dismissal and actions that have been taken that would enable him/her to reasonably expect success in completing the program, passing the licensing exam, and contributing to the profession of nursing. After a second nursing program failure or withdrawal, a student is not eligible for readmission. Students who were dismissed for unsafe practice cannot be readmitted to the program.  If a student fails more than one course in the fall or spring, the student will be required to retake all courses for that semester, including the clinical component.

Students who were dismissed for behavioral issues are not eligible for readmission to the program.

Transfer to the TC VN Program from Another Nursing Program

Transfer students who have been enrolled in an approved VN level nursing school will be considered by the Department Chairman for admission on a space available basis. Applicants will be required to complete an admission assessment test in order to be considered for transfer into the TC Vocational nursing program. Also, all policies specified by Temple College for accepting transfer students will apply (see the College catalog section on transfer students under Application for Admission and Academic Honors and Standards policies).

Required non-nursing courses will be evaluated for transferability by the Division Director of Student Enrollment Services and the VN Department Chairman. The student must arrange for all official transcripts to be sent directly to the Admissions and Records office for any non-nursing course they wish to have considered for transfer. In addition, if a course description is not readily available in the Admissions and Records office, the student will be responsible for providing a copy of the appropriate course description prior to the final determination. An official copy of the transcript and course description should also be sent to the VN Department office. Required nursing courses will be evaluated for transferability by the VN Director, in association with the Division Director of Student Enrollment Services. The student must arrange for an official transcript to be sent directly to the Admissions and Records office. In addition, the student will be responsible for providing a copy of the course description, syllabus, objectives, and an official transcript to the VN Director. Nursing courses in consideration for transfer from other programs must have been completed within two years of the request for transfer. The time from first transferred VNSG classes until successful graduation from the TC program cannot extend beyond two years. Prior to the final determination, the VN Director may request the student to provide further information and may consult with specific faculty regarding the acceptability of potential nursing transfer courses into the Temple College curriculum.

Upon final determination of the transferability of any courses, the VN Director will approve the curriculum plan to be followed by the transfer student. Any student transferring into the nursing program from another nursing program will enter Temple College VN program with only one attempt to complete the program.

Prioritization Listing for Readmission and Transfers

Request for readmission or transfer students will be prioritized as follows:

1. First priority: Former Temple College students with a passing grade in previous nursing courses.
2. Second priority: Transfer students with passing grades in previous nursing courses.
3. Third priority: Former Temple College students with a previous nursing course failure.
4. Fourth priority: Transfer students with a previous nursing course failure.

Within each priority group, preference is given based on nursing GPA.

(TSI WAIVED*)

Note: This is a full-time program. All individuals admitted to this program must enroll in a prescribed set of courses for three consecutive semesters. Individuals may not enroll on a part-time student basis.