The innovative approach of these programs requires students to take academic courses of anatomy and physiology, nutrition, and general psychology prior to enrolling in the vocational nursing courses. Human growth and development may be taken concurrently with the fall semester nursing course, but they must be taken and passed prior to the spring nursing courses. Students receive college credit for the academic courses, which can be used to transfer to a registered nurse program should the student choose to do so. These academic courses are included in the actual hours of the vocational nursing program. In addition to the 10 weeks of required pre-requisite course work, the LVN students engage in 32 weeks of combined classroom, lab and clinical education and training between August and May. Clinical activities include a variety of rotations at local hospitals, nursing homes, health clinics, and physicians' offices.
Graduation occurs upon completion of all program objectives.
Evaluation of the program is by annual report to the State Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas. Students who are presently licensed vocational nurses may enter the Mobility Track of the SAC nursing program, which offers classes in Eagle Pass through distance learning. Clinical practice is conducted at the area hospitals of Uvalde, Del Rio and Eagle Pass. The pre-requisite academic courses are offered through Southwest Texas Junior College. Continue to provide a competent vocational nursing program for the Uvalde and Del Rio communities.