Admissions Requirements to the Vocational Nursing courses

1. High School Diploma via an official transcript or a General Education Development Equivalency.

2. Official transcripts from each college/university attended other than SWTJC.

3. Take the THEA exam and pass all areas.

4. Completion of Southwest Texas Junior College student application form for admission.

5. Three letters of personal character reference.

6. Evidence of good physical and mental health as reflected by a recent (within 12 months) physical exam by the applicant's choice of physician.   The exam with documentation must include:

Admission Process

1. Individuals who have completed files in the admissions office prior to July 1 are eligible for acceptance into the program. Acceptance will be based on a point system by    the Vocational Nursing Admissions Committee. Students will be notified of acceptance in writing. In addition, a list of alternates will be established.

2. After notification of admission into the nursing courses, the applicant must turn in the following prior to the first day of class:

        a) "Health Status" form completed by a physician, including documentation of:

            1) TB results, VDRL results

            2) Current immunization record

            3) Hepatitis B vaccination

        b) Letter of the State Board questions regarding convictions

            1). The Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas requires the following questions to be asked of each applicant for licensure:

            A person who has been convicted of a felony that relates to the duties and responsibilities of a Licensed Vocational Nurse may be disqualified from obtaining a             licensure as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. The Board may not license such a person, and may upon conviction of a felony, suspend or revoke the license of a person             previously licensed.

            Students with felony convictions who apply to take the NCLEX-PN will be initially denied. The graduate will have the option to appeal the decision. The decision will             be based upon a variety of factors, to include: age at the time of offense; seriousness of the offense; length of time since the offense; and demonstrated             rehabilitation. The process is very long, and the individual may still be denied, and will not have a temporary permit during the appeal. If the individual is approved to             take the exam, a temporary permit will be issued at that time.

             Crimes which the Board considers to be directly related to the duties and responsibilities of a Licensed Vocational Nurse shall include, but are not limited to:

            offenses against the person; offenses against property; offenses involving fraud, dishonesty or deceit; offenses related to drug or alcohol; offenses which include             attempting or conspiring to commit any of the above named offenses.

            For further information regarding the Board questions, please call (830) 591-7316.

3. Students admitted to the program must enroll in the student liability insurance program or provide proof of personal liability insurance.

4. Applicants shall not be admitted after the second day of class.

Re-Admission Process
1. Re-enrollment will be limited to two separate admissions.
2. To receive credit for previous nursing courses passed, the student must re-enroll within one year of the last admission
3. All re-enrollment must comply with the current admission requirements.

VOCATIONAL NURSING CERTIFICATE 

Tuition and Fees

Students enrolling in the program pay the regular college tuition and fees. Del Rio students pay the regular Out-of-District fees. All Nursing students can expect to pay the following:

Prior to 1st class day:
Required physical exam, TB test and/or chest x-ray, VDRL test, Hepatitis B vaccination series of three injections (about $80 per injection), immunizations (if needed).

Withdrawal and Dismissal Policy

Southwest Texas Junior College School of Vocational Nursing reserves the right to request at any time the withdrawal of any student whose health, conduct, personal qualities or scholastic records indicate that it would be inadvisable for the student to continue in the program.

A student wishing to withdraw from the nursing program and remain in good standing at Southwest Texas Junior College must participate in an exit interview with nursing faculty. A student must also comply with the withdrawal procedure as stated in the college catalog under "Changes and Withdrawals" (see Academic Regulations section).

Program Objectives

The Southwest Texas Junior College School of Vocational Nursing will maintain at all times a quality curricula and strive to provide excellence in nursing practice. Upon completion of the program the student will be able to:

1. Provide and maintain a quality curriculum, while endeavoring to meet the individual learning needs of each student.

2. Strive to teach and provide excellence in nursing practice.

3. Seek to develop a desire to learn, while viewing education as a life-long endeavor.

4. Provide optimal learning experiences to ensure safe clinical practice in both rural and urban situations.

5. Continue to reflect the curriculum and the needs of the community.

Attendance Policy

Students are required to adhere to attendance policies as outlined in the vocational nursing student and clinical handbooks.

Graduation Requirements

Nursing graduates may participate in the graduation exercises of Southwest Texas Junior College. Nursing students will be eligible for graduation upon satisfactorily completing the program requirements at which time they will be presented a certificate of completion upon making formal application for graduation (see Curricula section). Graduates will be eligible to submit application to write the licensure examination administered by the National Council for Licensed Practical Nurse for the State of Texas (NCLEX - PN). Students will be assisted with the application procedure by the instructor.