The Vocational Nursing Program degree plan consists of a total of 43 semester credit hours: seven (7) semester credit hours consist of non-nursing courses that are recommended to be taken prior to entering the program. Thirty-six (36) semester credit hours of nursing coursework includes classroom, laboratory and clinical learning experiences. Those 36 hours of nursing coursework require three semesters for completion. The curriculum leads to a Certificate in Vocational Nursing.

The Vocational Nursing Program is taught at Eastview Campus (EVC), and admits students in the Fall and Spring semesters. The program schedule is designed to usually allow one day in the week that the students are not committed to class or clinical (except for the Summer semester). Once students enter the nursing coursework, they must take all courses in the level concurrently before they can progress to the next level. Nursing courses are designed differently than other college courses. The lab and clinical courses may have additional contact hours required.

Graduates of ACC’s Vocational Nursing Program are well qualified for entry level positions in a variety of clinical settings and are vital to meeting the healthcare needs of the community. Graduates are able to apply to the Texas Board of Nursing for licensure and to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). The program is one of only two vocational nursing programs in the State of Texas to be accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Additionally, ACC offers the vocational nursing graduate career mobility through the Mobility Track or the Alternate Entry option of the Associate Degree Nursing Program.

Clinical Assignments, Childcare, and Transportation

Clinical assignments are based on the learning objectives for the students, not where students live. Austin students may be assigned to clinical facilities located across Austin, in Round Rock and Georgetown. Students may be required to attend clinical assignments as early as 6 a.m. and as late as 11 p.m. It is extremely important that students have appropriate arrangements for childcare that will enable them to arrive on time and remain in the clinical area the designated number of hours. The program has very strict attendance policies related to the clinical experience. Reliable transportation is also very important to ensure successful completion of the clinical objectives.

Personal Factors

Nursing school is time consuming and academically challenging. The Vocational Nursing faculty at ACC recommend that students limit the amount of hours they work. Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all courses – in the Vocational Nursing Program, anything below a 77 is an “F.” Statistics show that students are at greater risk for failure if they are also working more than 20 hours per week.