Blinn vocational nursing programs invite prospective students to virtual information sessions
Programs prepare graduates for in-demand careers as essential workers in the healthcare industry
September 21, 2020
The Blinn College District invites prospective students to learn more about its traditional and online/blended vocational nursing programs that lead to high-demand careers in the healthcare industry. Both programs are based at the Blinn-Brenham Campus.
Virtual information sessions for Fall 2021 admissions will take place on Zoom at noon on the following dates: Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020; Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020; Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020; Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021; Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021; Wednesday, March 3, 2021; and Wednesday, April 7, 2021.
All program applicants must attend one of the seven mandatory information sessions offered between October 2020 and April 2021. Participants can register for a session by visiting www.blinn.edu/vocational-nursing/information.html.
“These sessions give prospective students an important introduction to Blinn’s coursework and the expectations of the profession,” Program Director Michelle Marburger said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the need for more trained nursing professionals, and we invite dedicated individuals to learn more about the benefits of our programs.”
Blinn’s vocational nursing programs provide students the education and training needed to become highly skilled, licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) capable of working in a variety of medical settings. All programs include courses in the health sciences, basic nursing skills, gerontology, essentials of medication administration, mental health/mental illness, normal growth & development, vocational nursing concepts, pharmacology, pediatrics, maternal/neonatal nursing, medical/surgical nursing, professional development, and clinical courses each semester.
During the 10-month face-to-face programs, students spend approximately 40 hours per week in the classroom and clinical settings. Because students devote a great deal of time to studying and preparing for class and clinicals, faculty recommend that students limit their work hours.
Blinn’s online/blended Vocational Nursing Program is a 12-month program that begins each August. This program provides students the flexibility to fulfill a portion of their course work remotely and attend face-to-face clinical and laboratory experiences at the Brenham Campus and at local hospitals and clinics.
Graduates of each program are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and the Nursing Jurisprudence Examination and are considered LVNS after passing both exams.
Blinn’s Vocational Nursing Program graduates consistently post first-attempt passing rates well above the Texas and national averages. According to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, almost 98% of Blinn’s graduates from the program in the past three years have found jobs in the profession.
Employment opportunities include home health, dialysis, hospitals, clinics, and physicians’ offices. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for LVNs is expected to grow 9% between 2019 and 2029, resulting in 65,700 additional positions and median pay for an LVN was $47,480 per year.
For more information regarding the face-to-face and online/blended vocational nursing programs, visit www.blinn.edu/vocational-nursing or contact Peggy Schwarze at 979-830-4283 or peggy.schwarze@blinn.edu.
