FAQ
- How do I apply to workforce solutions for financial assistance?
The applicant must tour the school, complete all application and enrollment activities. The school will then provide the student with the cost obligation form completed by the Financial Aid Department. The student will then take this form to workforce solutions for review of eligibility per their guidelines.
- When is the cut off for enrollment in the next VN program?
The table for application deadlines and enrollment deadlines is on the main home page of the website.
- 3. I already took my HESI test somewhere else in the past 3 years and scored higher than 77, do I need to take it again?
The school requires a previous HESI test with a score of 80 overall or higher. You do not need to repeat the test as long as the previous HESI test was taken in the past three years unless you wish to try for a higher score which might affect your overall score on our scoring guidelines for admission which could improve your chances of being accepted.
- How do I know I got accepted?
The school will notify you by email and/or phone call.
- What is an alternate position?
The school has 25 positions available for the VN program. The school shall accept up to 25 qualified applicant students and if there are enough qualified applicants, then the school will assign up to 5 alternate positions. The alternate position would become actively enrolled if one of the 25 students accepted decided to drop out, or not proceed with enrollment prior to the first day of class or within the first 4 days of class.
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Does VNI accept international students?
At this time, VNI is not SEVIS certified and approved. Once the school completes its accreditation process it will then apply for SEVIS certification and approval by DHS. So, as of right now, no we do not issue I-20's or accept international students.
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Can students mail in their LVN Enrollment packets?
Enrollment packets can be mailed to the school, please ensure that they are complete with all required elements. Mailing address for enrollment packets is : 11201 Steeple Park Drive Houston, TX 77065 Attention: Dr. Kimberley Kelly DNP MSN BSN RN LNC VN Program Director or can be dropped off in person. We also accept them via email to kkelly@vni.edu
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Do I need a new user name and password for each HESI test?
The student uses the same user name and password to access their evolve account. The school gives the student the unique test password for the HESI test each time they take the exam.
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How many times can I take the HESI exam?
A student can take the HESI test up to 3 x per our policy. If a student needs more than 3x to take the test, and average the overall Superscoring of 80%, then we recommend the student try to apply with our next open enrollment.
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What if I forget to establish a username and password on the evolve website before testing day?
The student will NOT be able to test and must reschedule with the school. It is too disruptive to try and create an account the morning of the test.
- Do I need to show proof of a High School diploma or GED to be accepted in the ?
You DO need a high school diploma nor a GED to be accepted in the . You can get your GED here in Houston at these locations:
- Houston Community College (HCC)
- Lone Star College
- Harris County Department of Education
- San Jacinto College
- www.GEDtestingservice.com
- Is The Vocational Nursing Institute, Inc. accredited?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education otherwise known as COE. Council on Occupational Education, 7840 Roswell Road, Building 300, Suite 325, Atlanta, Georgia 30350, call Telephone (Local): 770-396-3898, Telephone (Toll-Free): 800-917-2081, Fax: 770-396-3790 www.council.org
- When is the affidavit of graduation posted once students graduate?
The school will post the affidavit of graduation within 8-12 weeks post-graduation. This will provide the students with time to take the BON jurisprudence course, study for the NCLEX PN exam, and complete the application to test with the BON. The school provides students with virtual ATI (vATI) four weeks prior to graduation, which is an individual nurse educator coach to help the student prepare for the NCLEX PN. When the coach issues the student the green light from vATI then the affidavit is posted by the Program Director. This is explained in each semester of the program, vATI has a 98% pass rate of students taking the NCLEX the first time as of December 2020.
- What are the barrs by the BON for becoming a nurse?
We recommend each student contact the TBON directly to see if they can sit for the nursing exam. The school requires students to produce their blue card or declaratory letter prior to classes beginning.
On the TBON website is the eligibility requirements. The questions asked include as of 6/1/2021: Please go to the website for updates at: https://www.bon.texas.gov/licensure_eligibility.asp
- Have you ever had any disciplinary action on a nursing license or a privilege to practice in any state, country, or province?
- Do you have an investigation or complaint pending on a nursing license or a privilege to practice in any state, country, or province?
- Have you, in the last 5 years*, been addicted to and/or treated for the use of alcohol or any other drug?
- For any criminal offense*, including those pending appeal, have you:
(You may only exclude Class C misdemeanor traffic violations or offenses previously disclosed to the Texas Board of Nursing on an initial or renewal application.)- been arrested and have a pending criminal charge?
- been convicted of a misdemeanor?
- been convicted of a felony?
- pled nolo contendre, no contest, or guilty?
- received deferred adjudication?
- been placed on community supervision or court-ordered probation, whether or not adjudicated guilty?
- been sentenced to serve jail, prison time, or court-ordered confinement?
- been granted pre-trial diversion?
- been cited or charged with any violation of the law?
- been subject of a court-martial; Article 15 violation; or received any form of military
NOTE: Expunged and Sealed Offenses: While expunged or sealed offense, arrests, tickets, or citations need not be disclosed, it is your responsibility to ensure the offense, arrest, ticket or citation has, in fact, been expunged or sealed. It is recommended that you submit a copy of the Court Order expunging or sealing the record in question to our office with your application. Non-disclosure of relevant offenses raises questions related to truthfulness and character. (See 22 TAC §213.27)
NOTE: Orders of Non-Disclosure: Pursuant to Tex. Gov’t Code § 552.142(b), if you have criminal matters that are the subject of an order of non- disclosure you are not required to reveal those criminal matters. However, a criminal matter that is the subject of an order of non-disclosure may become a character and fitness issue. Pursuant to Gov’t Code chapter 411, the Texas Nursing Board is entitled to access criminal history record information that is the subject of an order of non-disclosure. If the Board discovers a criminal matter that is the subject of an order of non-disclosure, even if you properly did not reveal that matter, the Board may require you to provide information about any conduct that raises issues of character and fitness.
- Have you ever had any licensing (other than a nursing license) or regulatory authority in any state, jurisdiction, country, or province revoked, annulled, cancelled, accepted surrender of, suspended, placed on probation, refused to renew or otherwise discipline any other professional or occupational license, certificate, nurse aide registration or multistate privilege to practice that you held?
- Are you currently suffering from any condition for which you are not being appropriately treated that impairs your judgment or that would otherwise adversely affect your ability to practice nursing in a competent, ethical, and professional manner?
- Are you currently the target or subject of a grand jury or governmental agency investigation?
- Are you currently a participant in an alternative to discipline, diversion, or a peer assistance program? (This includes all confidential programs) NOTE: Any positive response will remain confidential and not subject to public disclosure unless required by law.
- Have you ever been granted the authority to practice nursing in any country, state, province, or territory?
NOTE: This does not apply to any nursing license(s) issued by another US state or territory, excluding Puerto Rico. If you were licensed in Puerto Rico, you should be answering yes. *Pursuant to the Texas Occupations Code §301.207, information, including diagnosis and treatment, regarding an individual’s physical or mental condition, intemperate use of drugs or alcohol, or chemical dependency and information regarding an individual’s criminal history is confidential to the same extent that information collected as part of an investigation is confidential under the Texas Occupations Code §301.466.
Regulatory Updates
DADS bulletin: Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) On-Call Services Pilot Program
12-28-11
Due to the need to clarify issues regarding LVN on-call services, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) and the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) will delay full implementation of the pilot program for the Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) and Texas Home Living (TxHmL) waiver programs and all Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (ICFs/ID) with capacities of 13 or fewer beds until March 1, 2012.
Providers may not continue to use LVNs to provide on-call nursing services after March 1, 2012, unless they are participating in the pilot.
Providers who have already submitted the verification of eligibility and pilot agreement forms to DADS may begin to participate in the pilot prior to March 1, 2012.
This delay does not affect the requirement that effective January 1, 2012 for the HCS and TxHmL waiver programs, and effective February 1, 2012 for the ICF/ID program, all LVNs must be clinically supervised by a registered nurse (RN) or an advanced practice registered nurse. In addition, HCS waiver providers must have a written plan and schedule in place by January 1, 2012 to complete an initial comprehensive nursing assessment by an RN for all individuals enrolled in HCS by September 1, 2012.
DADS will relay further information regarding the pilot program in the next several weeks.