Vocational Nursing Admission Information

Looking to start a career in nursing? San Jacinto College’s three-term vocational nursing program can help get you there. Learn about admission requirements and steps to apply. Submit your application today!

 

VN Program Quick Guide

The VN program accepts applications twice per year. The Spring 2024 application period is open from July 6 until September 27, 2023. The online application will close at 3 p.m. on the closing date. You can find all the information you need right here to get you started quickly and easily. 

Steps to Apply

Vocational Nursing Student

Admissions Resources

Vocational Nursing Student

Program Requirements

To be accepted into the VN program, you must meet the general admissions requirements for San Jac as well as the ones specific to our program. Under these, you must:

  • Be a high school graduate or have passed the GED
  • Passed the placement test with acceptable scores
  • Completed the needed college preparatory courses
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.25 on college-level coursework
  • Pass a physical exam
Vocational Nursing Students

Admissions Best Practices

  • If you have questions about the program requirements, prerequisites, transcripts, or application, reach out to us.
  • An information session is not mandatory, but we highly recommend attending one. This will give you more information about the program and the admissions process.
  • You must complete the online application in one sitting. Have your documents ready in PDF form.
  • Your application will not be processed without your HESI reports and all transcripts.
  • You may have two prerequisite courses “in progress” when you apply. However, any prerequisites not completed before applying will not be used in the scoring rubric. 

Steps to Apply

Use this as a checklist to make sure you're completing every step to apply. Then keep scrolling to get more information on certain steps.

  1. Apply to San Jac

    If you’re not a current San Jac student, you need to first apply to the College. You can apply online through the ApplyTexas website. Or visit our admissions page for more information.

    Admissions

  2. Request a Transcript Evaluation

    We automatically evaluate transcripts, but there are a few exceptions. This includes  transcripts from schools outside of the US and military transcripts. In addition, if we received your transcript prior to 2019, then you’ll need to request a transcript evaluation. Simply call our main number at 281-998-6150, ask for a transcript evaluation, and describe your type of transcript.

    International Transcripts

  3. Attend the San Jac New Student Orientation

    If you’re a first time college student, this orientation is mandatory. You need to complete this orientation before you can apply to the VN program.

    Plan Your Orientation

  4. Contact an Advisor in the Admissions Office 

    Your advisor will let you know if there are any entrance exams you need to take. If you’ve already taken your entrance exams, your advisor can help evaluate your scores.

    Contact an Advisor

  5. Create a CastleBranch Profile

    We use CastleBranch for document tracking. When applying to the program, you’ll use CastleBranch to provide a background check. Once you are admitted to the program, you will use CastleBranch to provide additional requirements.

    CastleBranch

  6. Take the Nursing Admission Assessment Exam (HESI A2)

    You must achieve a score of 70% or higher in each testing section. Make sure to upload your test transcript with your application.

    Register for HESI Exam

  7. Attend an Information Session

    Attending an information session isn’t mandatory for admission, but they’re very helpful. You can find out more about the program and get answers to questions about the application process.

    Information Sessions

  8. Apply to the VN Program


    Spring 2024 Application Period:

    July 6, 2023 - September 27, 2023 @ 3 p.m.

    Once you have completed the rest of the steps, you’re ready to apply to the program! Upload your documents and complete the application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
    Use your student login to access the application.

    Vocational Nursing Application - North Campus  
    Vocational Nursing Application - South Campus

Required Documentation

Make sure you have the required documentation ready and that you submit everything with your application.

You’ll need to include your San Jac GPS (Graduation Plan Strategy)  report when you apply. Access your GPS Report through My San Jac. To get your GPS Report:

  1. Log into the My San Jac Student Portal.
  2. Click on “My San Jac GPS” under “Academic Support” tools.
  3. Click on Degree Evaluation.
  4. Click on What If located under the first tab: Worksheets.
  5. Select Associates of Applied Science from the Degree drop-down. 
  6. Select a desired year from the Catalog Year drop-down. 
  7. Select Vocational Nursing from the Major drop-down.
  8. Click the Process What-If button near the top of the screen. This process may take a few minutes to generate the request. 
  9. Click Print on the top right corner. Keep a copy and submit one copy in the application packet.

Please remember that all transcripts must:

  • Have been printed within 60 days of applying
  • Be submitted in PDF format
  • Have your name visible
  • Show a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 

Get Your GPS Report

Get Your GPS Report

Log into your My San Jac dashboard to get your GPS Report.
My San Jac

You’ll need to include your San Jac GPS (Graduation Plan Strategy)  report when you apply. Access your GPS Report through My San Jac. To get your GPS Report:

  1. Log into the My San Jac Student Portal.
  2. Click on “My San Jac GPS” under “Academic Support” tools.
  3. Click on Degree Evaluation.
  4. Click on What If located under the first tab: Worksheets.
  5. Select Associates of Applied Science from the Degree drop-down. 
  6. Select a desired year from the Catalog Year drop-down. 
  7. Select Vocational Nursing from the Major drop-down.
  8. Click the Process What-If button near the top of the screen. This process may take a few minutes to generate the request. 
  9. Click Print on the top right corner. Keep a copy and submit one copy in the application packet.

Please remember that all transcripts must:

  • Have been printed within 60 days of applying
  • Be submitted in PDF format
  • Have your name visible
  • Show a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 

Get Your GPS Report

Get Your GPS Report

Log into your My San Jac dashboard to get your GPS Report.
My San Jac

We will accept HESI A2 exam scores from another institution if it was taken within two years of your application date.  You can also take the test virtually through ProctorU. If you choose to take it virtually, please note:

  • Scores will be available when the exam closes for all exams. 
  • You can download the Chrome or Firefox extensions to make test day smoother.
  • At the end of the application period, the exam closes, and results can be accessed in your Evolve by Elsevier account. 
    The approximate cost is about $50.

This ProctorU video will help you get an idea of what to expect on exam day.

Take Your Exam

Take Your Exam

Sign in to take your ProctorU exam.
ProctorU Virtual Exam
Vocational Nursing Students

I’m Accepted! Now What?

We know there’s a lot to our application process, but the hard work has paid off. Get more information on paying for school and registering for classes.
Register for ClassesPaying for College

Requirements Upon Acceptance

There are a few more requirements you must meet once you’ve been accepted. 

New student orientation for the VN program is mandatory. Orientation details will be included in your acceptance letter.

  • Learn about the program expectations and how to prepare for the course.
  • Be able to ask questions of administration, faculty, and staff.
  • Receive course materials with information on registration, books, supplies, and more.

We use CastleBranch to document and track immunization records, drug screenings, and more. It is also a good idea to obtain hard copies of your immunizations for your own records. Once you are accepted, please upload documentation for the following immunizations:

  • Tdap (within the last 10 years) 
  • TB (PPD) skin test, Chest X-ray, or Quantiferon test (within the past year)
  • Influenza (flu shot, must be current and updated throughout the program)
  • Titer showing proof of immunity to Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR)
  • Titer showing proof of immunity to Hepatitis B
  • Titer showing negative screening for Hepatitis C
  • Titer showing proof of immunity to Varicella (chicken pox)

Additional Vaccine Requirements
As part of the VN program, you will be studying in facilities outside of the College. During these times, you will be required to comply with the immunization policies of each facility to be able to participate. This includes COVID-19 vaccinations. These requirements are implemented by the outside facilities and are not mandated by San Jac. Failure to meet the immunization requirements may limit your ability to complete the program. It may also delay your graduation date. San Jac does not process exemptions. You must address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the external learning site.

Please upload to CastleBranch proof of Basic Life Support (BLS), CPR, and AED Training for Health Care Professionals Certificate card from the American Heart Association. Online courses are not accepted.

 

You will need to submit your original Blue Card or Outcome Letter to the Vocational Nursing Office at orientation. You will receive these after your background check.

We also use CastleBranch for our background checks and drug screenings. You must have a clear criminal background to be eligible for a nursing license. If you have an issue in attaining your license, you can file a Declaratory Order. Declatory orders allow the Board of Nursing to make a decision on your eligibility before you enter a nursing program. Please note:

  • You can file a Declaratory Order if you answer yes to questions 3-5 on the licensure eligibility requirements. 
  • Wait to file a Declaratory Order until you receive a letter from the Board of Nursing telling you to do so. If you foresee incidents on your criminal background check, you should start gathering information, such as statements and court documents. But wait to submit anything until the Board of Nursing requests a Declaratory Order.
  • At the end of San Jac’s application period, our nursing office will email qualified applicants with directions for completing the background check. If the Board of Nursing has approved your eligibility, you may go ahead and enroll in the program. You will need to provide proof of clearance by either the “Blue Card” or the “Outcome Letter” from the Board of Nursing.

The drug screen, Blue Card, and physical exam are required after you are accepted into the program. You will receive information about these screenings once you’ve been accepted. You may schedule the exam with a private physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. Just make sure you use the forms the Vocational Nursing program provides. 

The exam:

  • Should show that you are physically and emotionally fit to perform all the requirements of direct patient care 
  • Should show you are free from communicable diseases
  • Are subject to review by the department, medical opinion, or policy of hospitals and agencies that serve as extended campus sites for clinicals.

You must have health insurance when you are accepted into the program, and maintain your insurance without lapses throughout the program. The Gold Card does not count as health insurance.

San Jac doesn’t participate in a specific College-sponsored health insurance plan. You may obtain insurance through private companies. Compare companies and study the terms of their policies before buying coverage. We are offering the following providers as a resource only, not as an endorsement:

Contact Us

 

South Campus Vocational Nursing

Call: 281-998-6350 ext. 3592
Email: vocational.nursing@sjcd.edu  

North Campus Vocational Nursing

Call: 281-998-6350 ext. 7128
Email: vocational.nursingno@sjcd.edu