Nursing

The Nursing Program at Paris Junior College

Paris Junior College (PJC) has been educating area nurses since 1968. The Paris Junior College Nursing Program is classified as a one-plus-one ladder program that offers vocational nursing (LVN) and LVN-to-RN programs. The first year of study is the Vocational Nursing (LVN) program that prepares the student for entry into the health care industry. Upon successful completion of this first year, students satisfying all admission requirements may continue their education by entering into the LVN-to-RN Associate Degree Nursing program.

Vocational Nursing Program

The Licensed Vocational Nursing program prepares nurses to provide direct care to patients in acute and long-term care facilities, physician's offices, clinics, and other types of health agencies. LVNs practice under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician.

The LVN program at PJC may be completed in 12 months (Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters). Upon successful completion, the graduate receives a Certificate for Vocational Nursing and is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination to become a licensed vocational nurse (NCLEX-PN).

Application Timeline

IMPORTANT: Prospective PJC nursing students need to contact the Health Occupations Secretary at 903-782-0734 as soon as possible to provide information to begin the Board of Nursing background check.

An admission application for the Licensed Vocational Nursing Program may be obtained from November 1 through March 1. To receive a nursing application by mail, or to pick one up in person, contact the Health Occupations staff at 903-782-0734 or email nursing@parisjc.edu. Completed applications are accepted in the Health Occupations Office until the date listed on the application. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered for admission.

Vocational Nursing Admissions Selection Criteria

Admission to the Vocational Nursing Program is selective. Prospective students cannot register for nursing courses without permission. Admission to the program is dependent on:

• Available Space
• Documentation of approved Criminal Background from the Texas Board of Nursing. Students must show proof of eligibility to test from the Texas Board of Nursing.
• Completion of the following prerequisites with a minimum grade of "C." A minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher in the prerequisite courses is also required.
  • PSYC 2314 - Lifespan Growth and Development
  • BIOL 2401 - Anatomy and Physiology I
  • BIOL 2402 - Anatomy and Physiology II
  • BIOL 1322 - Nutrition and Diet Therapy
• Admission criteria:
  • The following are used to calculate the 21 available admission points:
    • Preadmission HESI A2 testing (2 - 6 points). Testing is available at the PJC Testing Center; information and additional sites are provided in the admission application forms.
    • GPA in prerequisite courses (2 - 8 points): minimum GPA of 2.5 in prerequisite courses.
    • Current health care related experience or certification (1-2 points).
    • Nursing Support Courses (1 - 5 points). Students are encouraged to complete some or all of the LVN-to-RN program prerequisite and support courses. A minimum grade of "C" is required.
      • ENGL 1301 - Composition I
      • PSYC 2301 - General Psychology
      • SOCI 1301 - Introduction to Sociology
      • BIOL 2420 - Microbiology for Non-Science Majors
      • MUSI 1306 - Music Appreciation (or any equivalent fine art course)

NCLEX-PN Pass Rates: The Texas State Board of Nursing establishes the required pass rate for nursing schools in the state. The required pass rate is 80 percent.

LVN-to-RN Associate Degree Nursing Program

The LVN-to-RN Associate Degree Nursing program is a one-plus-one program transitioning the licensed vocational nurse into professional practice. A student must maintain a current, unencumbered Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) licensure in Texas or a Compact Nursing State in order to be considered for admission and remain in the program.

The LVN-to-RN program prepares nurses for entry-level positions integrating knowledge and skills to provide care to patients in a variety of health care settings. The LVN-to-RN program may be completed in 12 months (Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters). Upon successful completion, the graduate receives an Associates of Applied Science Nursing Degree and is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination to become a registered nurse (NCLEX-RN).

Application Timeline

IMPORTANT: Prospective PJC nursing students need to contact the Health Occupations Secretary at 903-782-0734 as soon as possible to provide information to begin the Board of Nursing background check.

An admission application for the LVN-to-RN Associate Degree Nursing Program may be obtained March 1 through May 31. To receive a nursing application by mail, or to pick one up in person, contact Health Occupations staff at 903-782-0734 or email nursing@parisjc.edu. Completed applications are accepted in the Health Occupations Office until the date listed on the application. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered for admission.

If you have not attended PJC in the last year, contact the PJC Office of Admissions and Records; the PJC Application for Admission is available upon request or at www.parisjc.edu/apply. All college transcripts must be reviewed by the PJC Office of Admissions and Records staff prior to admission. Only those courses approved by PJC will be used to calculate the admission score.

LVN-to-RN Nursing Program Admission Selection Criteria

Admission to the LVN-to-RN Associate Degree Nursing program is selective. Prospective students cannot register for nursing courses without permission.

Admission to the program is dependent upon:

• Available space.
• Documentation of approved Criminal Background from the Texas Board of Nursing. Students must show proof of LVN licensure and eligibility to test from the Texas Board of Nursing.
• Completion of the following prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of "C." A minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher in the prerequisite courses is also required.
  • PSYC 2314 - Lifespan Growth and Development
  • PSYC 2301 - General Psychology
  • BIOL 2401 - Anatomy and Physiology I
  • BIOL 2402 - Anatomy and Physiology II
  • BIOL 1322 - Nutrition and Diet Therapy
  • ENGL 1301 - Composition I
• Admission Criteria point score
  • The following areas are used to calculate the 17 available admission points:
    • Preadmission HESI RN Mobility Exam or HESI Exit PN (2 - 5 points). Testing is available at the PJC Testing Center. Information and additional sites are provided in the admission application forms. A minimum score of 850 is required.
    • A minimum GPA of 2.5 in prerequisite courses (2 - 8 points).
    • Successful completion of the Vocational Nursing program at Paris Junior College.
    • Nursing Support Courses (1 - 3 points). Students are encouraged to complete some or all of the following LVN-to-RN program support courses. A minimum grade of "C" is required.
      • BIOL 2420 - Microbiology for Non-Science Majors
      • SOCI 2301 - Introduction to Sociology
      • MUSI 1306 (or any equivalent fine art course)

Accreditation Data

The LVN-to-RN Associate Degree Nursing program is located in Paris, Texas, and is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia, 30326, 404-975-5000.

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree Nursing Prog0ram is Continuing Accreditation.

The LVN-to-RN Associate Degree Nursing program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON), George H.W. Bush State Office Building, 1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 10-200, Austin, Texas, 78701, (512) 305-7400. Click https://www.bon.texas.gov to visit the website.