BLINN OFFERS ONLINE VOCATIONAL NURSING PROGRAM

Ed Pothul Send an email September 10, 2018
31 1,881
  

New online program is the first of its kind in Texas

To accommodate the busy schedules of the working population, the Blinn College District is making it easier than ever to pursue a high-demand career as a vocational nurse.

Beginning this fall, the new online Vocational Nursing Program – the first of its kind in the state – will feature interactive instruction to maximize student engagement and ensure full equivalency to the traditional face-to-face programs located in Brenham and Bryan.

“Blinn’s new online Vocational Nursing Program was created and designed with the working individuals of our community in mind,” said Michelle Marburger, Director of Blinn’s Vocational Nursing Programs. “We are providing the same high-quality education and training as we do in our traditional programs, but in a more accessible and convenient format.”

Approved by the Texas Board of Nursing, Blinn’s online Vocational Nursing Program is a one-year program that begins each August.

On the weekends, students will attend face-to-face clinical and laboratory experiences at the Health Science Center in Bryan and local hospitals and clinics. This face-to-face requirement exposes students to the environment of an actual healthcare facility to ensure they are receiving maximum learning opportunities.

“Blinn’s nursing faculty constantly evolve our programs to fit the needs of all types of students,” said Tom Lescarbeau, Dean for the Division of Health Sciences. “With the addition of this new innovative venture, Blinn hopes to extend its services to individuals in the community who are interested in jumpstarting their career but may not previously have had the opportunity.”

Graduates of the program are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and the Nursing Jurisprudence Examination, and are considered licensed vocational nurses after passing both exams.

The Blinn College District’s first online Vocational Nursing Program class has begun its studies this Fall. Through the program, students can engage in courses online during the week and participate in face-to-face clinical and laboratory experiences during the weekends. (Photo: Courtesy Richard Bray)

Jobs abound in a variety of settings, including home health, dialysis, hospitals, clinics, and physicians’ offices. According to the U.S.  Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for vocational nurses is expected to grow 12 percent between 2016 and 2026, resulting in 89,900 additional positions. In 2017, the median pay for a vocational nurse in Central Texas was $44,950 per year, according to Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley.

In addition to the online Vocational Nursing Program, Blinn offers 10-month traditional face-to-face programs in Brenham and Bryan. The Blinn-Brenham Vocational Nursing Program has posted an approximate 98 percent pass rate on the NCLEX in the past five years, while over 95 percent of Blinn-Bryan vocational nursing students have passed the national exam in that same time span.

Blinn’s Vocational Nursing programs invite students to attend face-to-face and online information sessions to learn more about their options.

The online information session will be available from Saturday, Sept. 15, through Friday, March 1, 2019, at www.blinn.edu/twe/vocn_brenham/infosessions.php. The online session will be divided into two sections: one for those interested in the traditional vocational nursing programs on Blinn’s Brenham and Bryan campuses and one for the new online program.

Students wishing to apply to Blinn’s face-to-face and online programs must attend both sections of the online information session.

The Brenham Campus Vocational Nursing Program will host its face-to-face information sessions at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 3; Wednesday, Dec. 5; and Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019, in Room 205 of the Arts & Sciences Building on the Brenham Campus (map).

The Bryan Campus Vocational Nursing Program will host its face-to-face sessions at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14; and Wednesday, Jan. 16, in Room 3510 of the Health Science Center Clinical Building I located at 8441 State Highway 47 in Bryan.

Each face-to-face session will provide information about Blinn’s vocational nursing programs in Brenham and Bryan, as well as the new online program.

For more information regarding Blinn’s new online Vocational Nursing Program, contact Peggy Schwartz at 979-830-4283 or peggy.schwartz@blinn.edu.

(COURTESY: Richard Bray, Blinn Information)

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Ed Pothul Send an email September 10, 2018
31 1,881

31 Comments

  3. What about deaf students would they need to contact a special needs counselor for this program is this online class for any age and is financial programs aval for cost
    Thank you

    1. Hi, please note that all lecture courses will be online. However, students will need to attend face-to-face clinical and laboratory experiences at the Health Science Center in Bryan and local hospitals and clinics on the weekends. This is may be not be the best option if you far outside of our service area.

  6. Extremely interested in the online program and would also like to k how if you have to register to attend the face to face on either campus.

    1. Hi Demetria, please note that all lecture courses will be online. However, students will need to attend face-to-face clinical and laboratory experiences at the Health Science Center in Bryan and local hospitals and clinics on the weekends. This is may be not be the best option if you live out of state.

    1. Hi Sharon, please note that all lecture courses will be online. However, students will need to attend face-to-face clinical and laboratory experiences at the Health Science Center in Bryan and local hospitals and clinics on the weekends. This is may be not be the best option if you live out of state.

  9. I’m definitely interested in this program. I will be driving out there for the face to face. Will you please send me more information in reference to this program. Do we need to register for the face to face?

    1. Hi Ron, please note that all lecture courses will be online. However, students will need to attend face-to-face clinical and laboratory experiences at the Health Science Center in Bryan and local hospitals and clinics on the weekends.

  11. I wished I lived in the Texas area this is a fabulous opportunity. I have been looking for something like this in my area Altoona ,Pennsylvania. I would love to be given an opportunity like this.I have been a CNA most of my life.i wasn’t able to go to a college or vo-tech because I had small children at home.I hope people take advantage of such a great opportunity to full fill your dream !!!

  12. So happy to hear of a program for vocational nursing. It’s been a great career. 35yrs. So rewarding and gave me the means to support myself and my family.

  13. Am a Kenyan nurse having worked in military for 12 years…can I be considered for vocational nursing program.

    1. Hi Zipporah, no prior experience or prerequisites are needed to apply for Blinn’s online and face-to-face Vocational Nursing Programs. Please note that all lecture courses will be online. However, students will need to attend face-to-face clinical and laboratory experiences at the Health Science Center in Bryan and local hospitals and clinics on the weekends. This is may be not be the best option if you live outside of our region.

    1. Hi Rita, please note that all lecture courses will be online. However, students will need to attend face-to-face clinical and laboratory experiences at the Health Science Center in Bryan and local hospitals and clinics on the weekends. This is may be not be the best option if you live out of state.

  16. Do you have to register to attend the face to face session for the online program or just show up for it?

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