EDUCATION PLAN(S)
DEGREE/CERTIFICATE OPTION(S)

Vocational Nursing Education Plan

In accordance with Texas' 60x30TX strategic plan, Hill College has identified ten Marketable Skills available to students through our various certificate/degree programs. Graduates completing a program with Hill College will be able to identified and communicate program specific marketable skills to area employers as they pursue a career. Students need to be aware of the marketable skills affiliated with their programs (highlighted below). These skills include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas that are valued by employers, and are primary or complementary to a major.

Ten Marketable Skills

Hill College uses College Central Network as its official resume and job posting service.  Local employers post jobs exclusively to our school via the CCN site.  Students and alumni create your account profile at www.collegecentral.com/hillcollege to:

• Easily search and apply to local and national Full-time, Part-time, Internship/Co-op job opportunities
• Create and upload your resume and career portfolio to make available to employers
• Access event announcements, career advice documents, podcasts, videos and articles.

Director of Vocational Nursing
Janis Grimland, BSN, RN 
254-659-7927, jgrimland@hillcollege.edu

The following pre-requisites must be completed or in-progress for possible selection in the Vocational Nursing program. The minimum grade requirement is a "C" or better. The minimum GPA 2.50 for the Vocational Nursing degree plan courses.

BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I
BIOL 2402 Anatomy and Physiology II
PSYC 2301 General Psychology

Additional courses not required for selection but are part of the Vocational Nursing degree plan:

VNSG 1216 Nutrition
VNSG 1331 Pharmacology

HITT 1305 Medical Terminology is offered outside of the Vocational Nursing program. Students who have completed it with a "C" or better will get credit as part of the Nursing I if selected.

This is a 3 semester hour course. Student who have taken Medical Terminology with another college will need to submit official Transcripts and course descriptions for course evaluation.

Program Location:  Johnson County Campus

August Entry 2021

Important deadline date:

Application and supporting documents:  July 1, 2021
Entrance testing:  TEAS Test must be completed by Noon June 30, 2021

TEAS test minimum passing (all required sections must meet the minimum passing)

Required: Overall 58.4%; Reading 58.7%; Math 58.7%; Science 42.3%
Optional: English 55.4%

Teas test cost: $77.00. Schedule and pay at www.atitesting.com

After you have scheduled your test date you will need present a photo ID at the Hill College Testing Center on the day of your test.

ATI offers study material options which can be purchased at http://www.atitesting.com/ati_store/

Prices are subject to change

1. Hard Copy study guide - $40-$50.00
2. 2 practice tests - $35-46.00
3. Study Guide with 2 practice test $115.00
4. Test Prep package $209.00

Immunization Requirements

            2 MMR’s or positive serological titer

            Varicella 2 injection series or positive serological titer

            HEP B 3 injection series or positive serological titer

            Tetanus (within last 10 years)

            Tdap (once as an adult)

            Seasonal Influenza

CPR – American Heart Association BLS for Health Care Provider.  No other CPR card accepted.  No exceptions.

NOTE:  AFTER selection the student will be required to submit a physical (on the Health and Community Services approved form) and a negative TB result. 

Board of Nursing requirement (High School Graduates OR GED)

• Official High School Transcript with a date of graduation/completion or GED scores (Mandatory for ALL applicants).
• Out of Country High School Transcripts must be translated into English by a certified translator. The original document must be also be submitted. 

TOEFL Procedure Demonstrate English proficiency as an admission requirement.

This may be demonstrated by:
       2 years of High School in the United States and its territories.
Or

       Submission of acceptable scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language Test (TOEFL)            within two years of the posted deadline date of program application.

TOEFL minimum passing: Internet score of 80 or a computer-based TOEFL score of 250 or a paper/pencil test score of 600.  Scores will not be considered if they are more than two years old. TOEFL Test score reports must be sent directly to the Health Science Department from the testing center. Information about the TOEFL may be obtained from the web site: www.ets.org/toefl or by calling 1-800-468-6335.

TOEFL Waiver (VN applicants only) The student can request a TOEFL waiver form from the Health Science department if they meet the following criteria:  completion with a “C” or better of 4 different college level English courses and 1 college level communication course; from an accredited US college/university.

Hill College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees.

Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Hill College.

Texas Board of Nursing: Approved Vocational Nursing Education Programs

Texas Board of Nursing granted the Hill College Professional Nursing Program full approval status.

Texas Board of Nursing RN (Registered Nurse) pass rates for last 5 years

The Hill College Nursing department uses the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) FBI background check process during the application process. The nursing program will submit the required documents to the BON. The BON will notify the nursing department of names of students who will be required to submit their fingerprints to the BON.

Please contact the Health and Public Services Division for further information or questions. Having a criminal history does not automatically preclude you from entry but your selection is dependent upon the charge, age of the offense and final disposition. Students with eligibility issues related to a criminal offense must submit a Declaratory Order with the Texas Board of Nursing. All Declaratory Orders must be complete before enrollment in any Hill College nursing program.

For students in this course who may have a criminal background, please be advised that the background could keep you from being licensed by the State of Texas. If you have a question about your background and licensure, please speak with your faculty member or the department chair. You also have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the applicable licensing agency.

Licensure Eligibility

To check your eligibility for renewing your license, please review the following:

1. Been convicted of a misdemeanor?
2. Been convicted of a felony?
3. Pled nolo contendere, no contest, or guilty?
4. Received deferred adjudication?
5. Been placed on community supervision or court-ordered probation, whether or not adjudicated guilty?
6. Been sentenced to serve jail or prison time or court-ordered confinement?
7. Been granted pre-trial diversion?
8. Been arrested or have any pending criminal charges?
9. Been cited or charged with any violation of the law?
10. Been subject of a court-martial; Article 15 violation; or received any form of military judgment, punishment, or action?

NOTE: You may only exclude Class C misdemeanor traffic violations

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 of the Nurse.

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 of duty 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 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.

• Are you currently the target or subject of a grand jury or governmental agency investigation?
• 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? (You may exclude disciplinary actions previously disclosed to the Texas Board of Nursing on an initial or renewal licensure application)
• *In the past five (5) years have you been diagnosed with or treated or hospitalized for schizophrenia and/or psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, paranoid personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, or borderline personality disorder which impaired or does impair your behavior, judgment, or ability to function in school or work? (You may answer “No” if you have completed and/or are in compliance with TPAPN for mental illness OR you’ve previously disclosed to the Texas Board of Nursing and have remained compliant with your treatment regime and have no further hospitalization since disclosure.)
• *In the past five (5) years, have you been addicted or treated for the use of alcohol or any other drug? (You may answer "No" if you have completed and/or are in compliance with TPAPN)

*Pursuant to the Occupations Code §301.207, information, including diagnosis and treatment, regarding an individual's physical or mental condition, intemperate use of drugs or alcohol, or chemical dependency and information regarding an individual's criminal history is confidential to the same extent that information collected as part of an investigation is confidential under the Occupations Code §301.466.

Texas Board of Nursing
Texas Administrative Code (TAC)
www.bon.state.tx.us

• 213.27. Good Professional Character
• §213.28. Licensure of Persons with Criminal Offenses
• §213.29. Fitness to Practice

Eligibility and Disciplinary Matters
         §213.30. Declaratory Order of Eligibility for Licensure

• §214.1. General Requirements
• §214.2. Definitions
• §214.5. Philosophy/Mission and Objectives/Outcomes
• §214.8. Students

I have received a copy of the Texas Administrative Code that pertains to the Hill College Nursing Program. I understand it is my responsibility to seek further clarification regarding the contents of the above rules if needed.

Texas Board of Nursing

Texas Occupation Code (TOC)

https://www.bon.texas.gov/laws_and_rules_nursing_practice_act_2013.asp

The following Texas Occupation Code rules are included in this section: 

      Rule:   §301.252 – License Application
Sec. 301.257. DECLARATORY ORDER OF LICENSE ELIGIBILITY
Sec. 301.452. GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Sec. 301.453. DISCIPLINARY AUTHORITY OF BOARD; METHODS OF DISCIPLINE
Sec. 301.4535. REQUIRED SUSPENSION, REVOCATION, OR REFUSAL OF LICENSE FOR
CERTAIN OFFENSES
Sec. 301.454. NOTICE AND HEARING
Sec. 301.455. TEMPORARY LICENSE SUSPENSION OR RESTRICTION
Sec. 301.456. EVIDENCE
Sec. 301.457. COMPLAINT AND INVESTIGATION
Sec. 301.458. INITIATION OF FORMAL CHARGES; DISCOVERY
Sec. 301.459. FORMAL HEARING
Sec. 301.460. ACCESS TO INFORMATION
Sec. 301.461. ASSESSMENT OF COSTS
Sec. 301.462. VOLUNTARY SURRENDER OF LICENSE
Sec. 301.463. AGREED DISPOSITION
Sec. 301.464. INFORMAL PROCEEDINGS
Sec. 301.465. SUBPOENAS; REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
Sec. 301.466. CONFIDENTIALITY
Sec. 301.467. REINSTATEMENT
Sec. 301.468. PROBATION
Sec. 301.469. NOTICE OF FINAL ACTION

I acknowledge that the Texas Occupation Code above references as it pertains to the Hill College

Nursing Program can be found on the following website

Practice - Licensed Vocational Nurse Scope of Practice

The Texas Nursing Practice Act(NPA) and the Board’s Rules and Regulations define the legal scope of practice for licensed vocational nurses (LVNs). The LVN scope of practice is a directed scope of practice and requires appropriate supervision of a registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, physician, dentist, or podiatrist. The LVN, with a focus on patient safety, is required to function within the parameters of the legal scope of practice and in accordance with the federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and policies, procedures, and guidelines of the employing health care institution or practice setting. The LVN is responsible for providing safe, compassionate, and focused nursing care to assigned patients with predictable health care needs.

Educational Requirements:

Texas Board of Nursing (2010), Differentiated Essential Competencies (DECs) of graduates of Texas Nursing Programs.

Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 301

• Nursing Practice Act (NPA) Section 301.002 (5), Definitions
• Nursing Practice Act (NPA) Section 301.353, Supervision of Vocational Nurse

Rule 217.11 - Standards of Nursing Practice

Scope of Practice Position Statements:  

• Position Statement 15.27 The Licensed Vocational Nurse Scope of Practice
  PDF version for printing
• Position Statement 15.27 The Licensed Vocational Nurse Scope of Practice
  Web version for viewing
• Position Statement 15.14 - Duty of a Nurse in any Practice Setting  PDF version for printing
• Position Statement 15.14 - Duty of a Nurse in any Practice Setting Web version for viewing
• Position Statement 15.14 - Duty of a Nurse - DADS QMP poster
• Position Statement 15.2 - Role of the Licensed Vocational Nurse in the Pronouncement of Death
• Position Statement 15.3 - LVNs Engaging in IV Therapy, Venipuncture, or PICC Lines
• Position Statement 15.25 - Administration of Medication & Treatments by LVNs

Note: For the complete list of position statements, click here.

Eight-Step Decision Making Model for Determining LVN Scope of Practice

 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to LVN SOP include but not limited to:

• Co-signature on Documentation relating to Graduate Nurses and Graduate Vocational Nurses
• Co-signature on LVN Actions/Documentation
• GNs, GVNs, and Newly Licensed Nurses Practicing in Home Health Settings
• Initiation of CPR - A Nurse's Duty
• List of Tasks a Nurse Can/Cannot Perform
• LVN's Performing Triage/Telephonic Nursing/Being On-Call
• LVN's Performing Initial Assessments
• LVN's and Nursing Care Plans
• LVN's "Supervision of Practice"
• Practice of Nursing
• Practice Recommendations for Newly Licensed Nurses
• FAQ - Regarding Position Statements 15.27, The LVN Scope of Practice and 15.28, The RN Scope of Practice
• Staffing Ratios
• Volunteer Retired Nurse Authorization
• When does a Nurse's Duty to a Patient Begin and End

Note: For the complete list of nursing practice FAQs, click here

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