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.
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 31. To receive a nursing application by email, 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)
- The following are used to calculate the 21 available admission points:
NCLEX-PN First Attempt 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.
| GRADUATE YEAR | PJC PASS RATE | TEXAS STATE AVERAGE VN PASS RATE |
NATIONAL PASS RATE AVERAGE |
| 2024 | 100% (41/41) | 93.25% | 88.38% |
| 2023 | 92% (46/50) | 92.92% | 86.68% |
| 2022 | 88.46% (46/52) | 87.38% | 79.93% |
| 3 YEAR AVERAGE | 93.48% | 91.18% | 84.99% |