Nursing, Vocational Nursing, Certificate

Application Link will be available Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 9am through the new Embark Application Portal.
*NOTE: Students applying to both VN and ADN must select the ADN/VN Dual Application. Only one application is required when applying to both programs.

Program Overview

Are you passionate about making a difference in people's lives? The Laredo College Vocational Nursing Program is the perfect place to start your journey.  The primary role of the vocational nurse is to provide quality-nursing care in a structured health care setting for clients who are experiencing common, well-defined health problems with predictable outcomes.  The vocational nurse functions under the supervision of a registered professional nurse and/or a physician.  As a vocational nurse, you'll work as part of an Interdisciplinary Team (IDT), collaborating with other healthcare professionals to provide holistic and patient-centered care.

Admission Information/Application Requirements

Application & ATI TEAS Testing process has changed. Please read instructions carefully.

Admission Information/Application Requirements

The student seeking admission to the V.N. Program must meet basic requirements: 

1. Apply for admission and be accepted to Laredo College (A student must reapply if they last attended more than 1 year ago) Click here for more information.
2. Be College Ready (TSI) in Reading, Writing, and Math.
3. Have a minimum 2.5 GPA (Pre-requisite, Institutional & Overall)
   *Courses that begin after December 1st (including flex courses) will not count toward GPA calculations for program admission purposes.
4. If pre-requisite courses were completed at another institution, official transcripts must be submitted to the LC admission office to be added to your LC student records prior to program application submission.
5. GPAs for: Prerequisites, Institutional, and Overall will be calculated based on a point system.
6. Complete (V.N.) pre-requisite courses with a “C” or better; “D” course grades are not considered passing:
   *PSYC 2314 – Life Span Growth & Development
   * MDCA 1409 – Anatomy and Physiology for Medical Assistants
   *OR completion of BIOL 2301/2101 and BIOL 2302/2102 will satisfy this Requirement
7. Schedule the ATI TEAS Exam
   *Pay $15.00 exam sitting fee (Oct-Feb) at Bursar’s Office at the LC Ft. McIntosh Campus or South Campus. The fee is non-refundable if the scheduled exam date and time are missed. A new fee is required for rescheduling the exam attempt.
   *Provide receipt to the Nursing Department at the South Campus located in the College of Health Sciences, room A223, to schedule the ATI TEAS Exam or call: 956-721-5255. Additional exam instructions and entry ticket will be given upon scheduling a date.
   *Only one attempt is allowed per admission cycle; scores from other schools are not accepted.
   *A score of 58% is required to be eligible to apply to the Vocational Nursing Program.
   *Testing dates available: November-February (Mondays only) at Laredo College, Lerma Pena Room 227, Fort McIntosh Campus, West End Washington Street.
   *November: 2, 9, 16, *30
   *December: 7, *14
   *January: 18, *25
   *February: 1, 8, 15, *22
   Please note that space is limited based on the number of testing seats available per testing day.
   *Dates with additional space for accommodations.
   *Accommodations may be provided with prior approval; contact Disability Services at (956) 721-5137 or email lcds@laredo.edu two weeks prior to scheduled accommodation exam day.
   Important: If you are a new student and have not registered for Disability Services, you will need to fill out an LC Disability Services Registration and meet with the Director of Disability Services first before requesting exam accommodations to obtain an accommodation approval.
8. Complete and submit the selected nursing program application. Click below and create an account:
                 **New Link will open here January 25, 2027**
   *NOTE: Students applying to both the A.D.N. and V.N. programs must select the ADN/VN Dual Application. Only one application is required when applying to both programs. A minimum score of 65% is required, and completion of the program's prerequisites is required when applying to both programs.
   *Applications Opens the fourth Monday in January at 9am - Applications Closes the last Friday in February at 11:59 pm
   *An LC Palomino ID# is required to apply, and your LC student email.
   *Please use your full legal name (no nicknames) as it appears on your government- issued ID. This information will be submitted to the Texas Board of Nursing for background check processing and must match your government-issued ID.
   *A status of "Application in progress" is not considered submitted, the applicant needs to complete  and submit the application for consideration. Submissions are not accepted after the application cycle closes.
   *Applicants are required to provide proof of ATI TEAS exam results that meet the minimum program  requirement to fully submit the application. If proof of valid ATI TEAS exam results meeting the minimum passing score is not submitted, the application is canceled and cannot be retrieved or resubmitted.
9. Once an applicant applies, they are screened to verify they have completed the pre-requisite courses with a 2.5 GPA or better and met the minimum ATI TEAS exam score of 58% to be considered for the program
10. Students who meet the ranking for the program are notified by May and must submit the required paperwork to register for the program in the Fall semester.
    
    
    

Selection Process/Competitive Ranking Process

Acceptance to the program is a competitive ranking process based on points awarded for designated criteria.  Meeting all of the criteria does not guarantee anyone admission to the program.

Applicant’s will be allocated points based on:

Pre-Requisite, Institutional, and Overall GPA’s

Maximum of 9 points from GPAs

Pre-entrance standardized examination scores

Maximum of 10 points from ATI TEAS Scores.

Maximum Points for each program is 19 Points.

Pre-Entrance Exam Information

What is on the ATI TEAS, Version 7 Exam?

• The ATI TEAS, Version 7 Exam is comprised of four content areas: reading, math, science, and English and language usage. The TEAS 7 contains 39 reading, 34 math, 44 science, and 33 English and language usage scored items.
• The table below displays the number of questions in each category as well as time limits for each section of the TEAS.  There are 170 total questions on the ATI TEAS, Version 7, which includes 150 scored items and 20 unscored, pretest items.  The total time limit is 209 minutes. The ATI TEAS, Version 7 Exam will introduce alternate item-type questions, questions that are not the conventional, single-answer multiple choice question. Click here for more information on alternate item-type questions.

The ATI TEAS, Version 7 will be released on June 3, 2022.  Official TEAS Prep by ATI has been released to prepare you for the new exam.  Visit www.atitesting.com/teas-prep for more details.

Pre-Req, Background Info/Vaccines/Clinical Requirements/Etc. 

Please refer to the Student Handbook for criminal background verification, vaccine requirements and additional program information.

Conditional Acceptance

A student conditionally accepted into the V.N. Program must attend a mandatory orientation with the nursing programs retention specialist to review the conditional acceptance requirements scheduled in May and with program faculty in August prior to the start of the fall semester. The student is responsible for all fees associated with program admission requirements. Official instructions will be sent to your student email outlining requirements for submission timelines into DISA Healthcare Technology (https://disahealthcare.com/) (previously known as Castle Branch).

1. A negative criminal background check is required by the Texas Board of Nursing. The applicant's information will be submitted to the Texas Board of Nursing. The Texas BON will notify applicants via email to schedule an appointment with Morpho Trust or IdentoGO (https://www.identogo.com/ ). The applicant will then be able to schedule an appointment at a live scan location in Texas through online enrollment or by phone at 1-888-467-2080 to have their fingerprint scanning performed and submitted to the Texas Board of Nursing. The applicant will receive verification from the Texas Board of Nursing of the applicant's Criminal Background Status. Documentation of a negative criminal background must be submitted to complete the application and admissions process, and prior to enrolling in any nursing courses. The applicant must receive confirmation in writing that they are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN exam.
2. Submit verification of physical examination by a U.S. physician or nurse practitioner.
3. Submit evidence of a negative 10-panel drug screen.
4. Submit evidence of a current American Heart Association BLS Health-Care Provider CPR Certification.
5. Purchase student liability insurance fee (premium rates applicable to current academic year and paid through tuition and fees).
6. Purchase nursing uniforms and necessary accessories (rates applicable to current academic year).
7. Pay additional fees for standardized nursing examinations and computer programs (cost
   may vary).
8. Computer Access & Equipment: Students admitted to the program will be notified by email on computer compatibility and specs requirement.
9. Immunizations - documentation must be submitted to DISA Healthcare Technology according to due dates indicated:
   -Two Step TB test upon entering, and annually thereafter, or a Chest X-Ray within 2 years, or T-Spot or QuantiFERON-TB Gold serum blood test acceptable.
   -Two (2) Doses or current titer of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Series must be completed based on the series requirements. Students born on or after January 1, 1957, must show acceptable evidence of vaccination of two doses of measles-containing vaccine administered since January 1, 1968.
   -One dose of Tetanus-Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) required within the last ten years as an adult (18 years or older).
   -Influenza vaccine annually in September for fall admission and January for Spring admission.
   -Initiation of Hepatitis B (HBV) vaccine series prior to direct patient contact, but series must be completed based on the series requirements (initial, one month, and four months) or Heplisav-B (2 dose requirement). Serologic confirmation of immunity to the hepatitis B virus is acceptable.
   -Two doses of varicella (chickenpox). Also acceptable: Titer report indicating varicella immunity.
   -Bacterial Meningitis Texas State Law Senate Bill 62, requires students who meet the criteria below, to provide proper documentation that they have received the bacterial meningitis vaccination within the last five years and at least 10 calendar days before the beginning of the semester for: All new or transfer students under age 22, all returning students under the age of 22, who have experienced a break in enrollment of a least one fall or spring term, students enrolled in online courses that physically attend classes or come to campus within the semester.
   -Recommended: Hepatitis A and COVID-19 vaccine.
   
   At the discretion of clinical sites, the student or nursing program may be required to provide physical or electronic documentation to clinical sites prior to the start of the clinical experience. Program Directors/Instructors will provide directions regarding submission of documents and time frames.
   
   The following documents may be required for submission by the student and/or faculty to the clinical site:
   -A negative criminal background check completed through the Texas Board of Nursing and
   the local sheriff’s office.
   -Negative 10-panel drug screen.
   -Immunization records.
   -Unexpired, valid government-issued identification card.
   The (V.N.) Program adheres to the Equal Educational Opportunity Policy listed in the LC Manual of Policy FA (LEGAL). Click here to access the policy.
   
   
   
   

*LC IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENT*

Students enrolling into Laredo College programs with external learning experiences (i.e., clinical, practicum, externship, cooperative, etc.) will be required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the clinical/external learning sites to engage in all clinical/external learning experiences. Vaccination requirements at clinical/external learning sites are implemented pursuant to the independent authority of such facilities and are not mandated by Laredo College. Failure to meet the immunization requirements mandated by clinical/external learning sites may limit a student’s ability to complete the program and/or may delay the student’s graduation date. Laredo College does not process exemptions, and students should address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the clinical/external learning site.

Plan of Study

Download PDF

VN Program Pathway

VN Student Handbook 2025-2026