Admission Criteria & Applying to LVN Program
Paris Junior College has been training nurses to serve our communities since 1968. Our Nursing Program follows a one-plus-one ladder model, offering both Vocational Nursing (LVN) and LVN-to-RN pathways.
The first year is the Vocational Nursing program, designed to prepare students for immediate entry into the health care field as Licensed Vocational Nurses. Once complete, students have the option to transition to the LVN-to-RN 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
Applications for the LVN Nursing program are available from November 1-March 31. You may request an online application by emailing Brad Bolton at bbolton@parisjc.edu. You may call 903-782-0754 for any questions.
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 https://www.parisjc.edu/academics/start.php. 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.
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.
- Additional points can be awarded if current health care related experiences or certifications apply (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
- 3 SCH Core Language, Philosophy & Culture or Visual/Performing Arts Elective (Core 40/50).
- The following are used to calculate the 21 available admission points:
Admission Criteria & Applying to LVN Program
NCLEX-PN First Attempt Pass Rates:
| GRADUATE YEAR | PJC PASS RATE | TEXAS STATE AVERAGE VN PASS RATE |
NATIONAL PASS RATE AVERAGE |
| 2025 | 100% (33/33) | 91.89% | 86.59% |
| 2024 | 100% (41/41) | 93.25% | 88.38% |
| 2023 | 92% (46/50) | 92.92% | 86.68% |
| 3 YEAR AVERAGE | 97.33% | 92.69% | 87.22% |