Nursing

Published or Revised December 01, 2022

Paris Junior College's program for Nursing is consolidated. It offers a Vocational Nursing (LVN) program and an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program.

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 Associate Degree Nursing Program, which prepares the student to enter into professional nursing.

The LVN program at PJC may be completed in 12 months. 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).

The LVN program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) 333 Guadalupe Street, Suite 3-460, Austin, Texas, 78701, (512) 305-7400. Click http://www.bon.texas.gov to visit the website.

The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program is approved by the Texas Board of Nurse (BON) 333 Guadalupe Street, Suite 3460, Austin, Texas, 78701, (512) 305-7400. Click http://www.bon.texas.gov to visit the website. Also, this program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. – 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Ga., 30326, 404-975-5000. Click www.acenursing.org to visit the website.

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

The Associate Degree Nursing program prepares graduates for entry-level positions in the direct care of patients with commonly occurring health problems.

In compliance with the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) policy #29, the following student achievement data is made available for the Associate Degree Nursing (RN) program:

Pass Rate on NCLEX: The Texas State Board of Nursing establishes the required pass rate for nursing schools in the state. Required pass rate is 80 percent.

GRADUATE YEAR	PASS RATE	STATE AVERAGE	NATIONAL AVERAGE
2018	96.08% (49/51)	91.62%	88.56%
2017	90.91% (20/22)	89.77%	86.94%
2016	93.75% (30/32)	87.14%	84.30%
3 YEAR AVERAGE	93.58%	89.51%	86.60%

Program Completion Rate: The completion rate addresses the number of students that graduate the nursing program and are eligible to take the NCLEX examination for licensure. Readmissions occurring during the program year are not calculated as part of the completion rate. The graduation rate includes all students graduating the program.

GRADUATE YEAR	ADMITTED	COMPLETED	COMPLETION RATE	GRADUATION RATE
2018	70	48	68.5%	72%
2017	67	19	28%	30.5%
2016	70	26	37%	46%

Placement Rate: Graduate placement rates are a required reported outcome to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and for the purposes of program evaluation. Placement rate is defined as: employed in the nursing environment or directly related field, active-duty military placement, or continuation of education. The most recently-reported Paris Junior College (PJC) placement outcomes are provided below:

GRADUATION YEAR	PLACEMENT RATE
2016, reported 2017	100%
2015, reported 2016	98%
2014, reported 2015	100%

For more information, contact Tamera Lewis, Director of Nursing, at 903-782-0759 or tlewis@parisjc.edu.

Application Timelines

An admission application for the Licensed Vocational Nursing Program may be obtained from November 1 through February 14. Completed applications are accepted by appointment, January through February, for the class beginning with the Summer I semester.

An admission application for the Associate Degree Nursing Program may be obtained from March 1 through May 15. Completed applications are accepted by appointment, May through June, for the class beginning with the Fall semester.

Admission Criteria
Vocational Nursing Program

• Pre-Admission Testing (2-6 Points)
  
  Exam used is the HESI A2. Testing information and sites will be distributed with the application forms. A cumulative score of 75 with a minimum score of 75 in Anatomy & Physiology and 80 in reading comprehension is required in order to make application to the programs. Points will be based on the HESI cumulative score.
  
  HESI Cumulative SCORE
  Scores 75-79 (2 Points)
  Scores 80-84 (3 Points)
  Scores 85-89 (4 Points)
  Scores 90-94 (5 Points)
  Scores 95-100 (6 Points)


• Grade Point Average (GPA) (3-8 Points)
  
  Four academic prerequisite courses: BIOL 2401, BIOL 2402, PSYC 2314, BIOL 1322
  2.50-2.74 - 3 Points
  2.75-3.00 - 4 Points
  3.01-3.24 - 5 Points
  3.25-3.49 - 6 Points
  3.50-3.74 - 7 Points
  3.75-4.00 - 8 Points


• Successful completion with a "C" or better of the five non-nursing courses; one point for each course. (1-5 Points)
  
  Courses: ENGL 1301, PSYC 2301, SOCI 1301, BIOL 2420, MUSI 1306


• Current health care related experience or certifications (1-2 Points)
  
  Less than one year of experience or certification only - 1 point
  One or more years' experience - 2 points
  
  Total Points 21

Admission Criteria
Associate Degree Nursing Program

• Must hold an unencumbered license as an LVN in Texas, or a Compact Nursing State.

• Pre-Admission Testing HESI Exit or HESI Mobility Exam (2-5 Points)
  
  Testing sites and information will be distributed will be distributed with application forms. A minimum cumulative score of 850 points on an exam taken within the past two years is required in order to make application to the program.
  
  HESI Exit/Mobility Cumulative Test Score
  Scores 850 - 899 (2 Points)
  Scores 900 - 949 (3 Points)
  Scores 950 - 999 (4 Points)
  Scores greater than 1000 (5 Points)

• Prerequisite courses cumulative 4.0 scale GPA (3-8 Points)
  
  Six academic, non-nursing courses: BIOL 1322, BIOL 2401, BIOL 2402, PSYC 2301, PSYC 2314, and ENGL 1301 are the minimum prerequisite courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 required in order to make application to the program.
  
  Prerequisite Courses Cumulative GPA Scoring Grid
  2.5-2.74 - 3 Points
  2.75-3.00 - 4 Points
  3.01-3.24 - 5 Points
  2.25-3.49 - 6 Points
  3.5-3.74 - 7 Points
  3.75-4.00 - 8 Points

• Completion of the three non-nursing academic support courses (3 Points)
  
  Students are encouraged to complete the academic support courses prior to entering the program. Support courses not completed prior to admission must be taken within their assigned semester on the LVN-to-RN Degree Plan. Support courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better in order to be awarded admission points.
  
  Support courses completed with a "C" or better; one point for each course.
  BIOL 2420
  SOCI 1301
  MUSI 1306

HESI Requirements for Nursing Admission at PJC

Students interested in applying to the vocational or associate degree transition nursing programs must meet the following HESI exam requirements. HESI scores must be within two years of application to be accepted. Currently there is not a limit on the number of attempts to pass.

Vocational Nursing Program Requirement

• HESI A2 (counts for points on application)
  • One single report that includes all 5 categories with an overall minimum score of 75% (multiple reports will not be accepted)
    • Required categories: reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, anatomy & physiology, and math
    • Required category scores:
      • Reading comprehension: 80%
      • Anatomy & Physiology: 75%

Associate Degree Transition Program Requirement

• HESI Mobility (required for eligibility)
  • This exam assesses the vocational nursing knowledge of the applicant and is very similar to an NCLEX exam in which all categories are tested, i.e. fundamentals, basic skills, math, pharmacology, OB, cardiac, renal, etc.
    • Students must score a minimum of 850 to apply.

Click here for directions on signing up to take the HESI A2 and HESI LPN to RN Mobility tests.