Program Overview
The Vocational Nursing (VN) program leads to a Level II Certificate of Completion awarded by Temple College, and prepares the graduate to apply to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-PN) for practical nurses.
The VN program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing. www.bon.texas.gov
Summer 2027 Cohort — Key Dates
Application Window Opens
Application Window Closes
Admission Decision Notifications
Spring 2027
Sent by email
Processing Time After Window Closes
Up to 6 weeks
Optional In-Person Information Sessions
All sessions are held in the Dell Martin Nursing Education Building (Building 10 on the campus map) at 4:00 pm.
- September 15, 2026
Please follow our social media and webpage for the most up-to-date information: www.templecollege.edu/vn
Apply for Admission to Temple College
Apply for admission to Temple College by clicking the "Apply Now" button on any Temple College web page. Choose the Pre-Nursing degree program.
- You must meet all TSI requirements to be eligible to apply for nursing.
- Verify that your legal name and address are correct within the Temple College system.
- Nursing program applicants must be 18 years old by the first day of class.
Required Actions for TC Admission
- Submit official transcripts from ALL colleges attended to TC Admissions & Records. Transcripts must be received by TC Admissions & Records by the Nursing application deadline.
- Attend an initial advising session that includes mandatory identity verification — photo ID required.
Prerequisite Courses
To be eligible to proceed with the VN program application, you must complete the following prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of "C" or better before the Nursing application deadline:
| Course | Title | Min. Grade |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 2401 | Anatomy and Physiology I | C |
| BIOL 2402 | Anatomy and Physiology II | C |
All Biology courses must be completed within 10 years of application.
You are responsible for ensuring you meet VN prerequisite requirements. Before applying, confirm that any prerequisite courses from other institutions are equivalent to Temple College courses. After applying for admission to TC, send your official transcripts to Admissions and Records, then contact the Advising Office at advisingcenter@templecollege.edu for course evaluation.
HESI A2 Exam
After completing the above steps, schedule and take the HESI Admission Assessment (A2) at an in-person testing site. Please refer to the HESI A2 Requirements & Frequently Asked Questions document on the Vocational Nursing web page for complete information on testing requirements and resources.
Scores from online or remotely proctored exams will not be accepted.
Apply to the Temple College Vocational Nursing Program
Submit the online Vocational Nursing Application during the application window (see dates above).
Before You Apply — Read These Documents
Go to the Temple College Vocational Nursing webpage and read the following documents under the Application Procedure tab:
- Application Instructions
- Transcripts and Transfer Information
- HESI A2 Requirements & Frequently Asked Questions
- Texas Board of Nursing Background Check Process
- Immunizations, CPR & Drug Screening
- Core Performance Standards
- Curriculum Outline for VN
- Estimated Cost & Financial Aid Information
Submitting Your Application
Click the "Apply to Nursing" button on the VN webpage to start a new nursing application for the current cycle. Use your personal email account to log in.
Only use the "Apply to Nursing" button once. You will receive a reminder message for each new application you create when you click the button. To complete a saved application or review a previously submitted application, go to your My Leopard Profile / Self Service.
Uploading Supplemental Items
After submitting the nursing application, log back into your My Leopard Profile/Self Service, select your submitted application, and upload the following before the application deadline:
- Mandatory: HESI A2 results (see HESI A2 Requirements & FAQ for specifics)
- Optional: If you currently hold a CMA/CNA certification, upload your certificate to be eligible to receive the Service Area point (for those living outside the Temple College Service Area).
The application will only be available during the application window dates listed on this page. It can take up to 6 weeks to process applications after the window closes.
Selection Criteria
Admission to the VN program is competitive and not all applicants will be accepted. There are 9 total points available. Candidates are ranked by the total points earned across 3 categories.
Category 1 — HESI A2 Cumulative Score (up to 6 points)
| HESI A2 Cumulative Score | Points Awarded |
|---|---|
| 80 – 83 | 1 |
| 84 – 87 | 2 |
| 88 – 90 | 3 |
| 91 – 93 | 4 |
| 94 – 96 | 5 |
| 97 – 100 | 6 |
Category 2 — Highest Grade in Anatomy & Physiology (up to 2 points)
| Highest Grade in Either A&P Course | Points Awarded |
|---|---|
| B | 1 |
| A | 2 |
Category 3 — CNA/CMA Certification or Service Area Resident (1 point)
If you hold a current CNA or CMA certification, or live in the Temple College Service Area (per the address on file — which may differ from the address on your Nursing application), you will earn 1 point. Only 1 point is available in this category.
| Category | Max Points |
|---|---|
| Category 1 – HESI A2 Cumulative Score | 6 |
| Category 2 – Highest A&P Grade | 2 |
| Category 3 – CNA/CMA or Service Area Resident | 1 |
| Total Available Points | 9 |
Nursing Course Failures
A nursing course failure is any grade lower than a "C", including "WF" grades and any equivalent grade on the official transcript from a sending institution.
- One nursing course failure (in an RN or VN program) within the last 10 years will result in a 1-point deduction from your VN admission score.
- One nursing course failure (at any level) within the last 2 years — you may be admitted to the program only once.
- Two or more nursing course failures (at the VN level) within the last 2 years — you are not eligible to apply for admission or readmission to the program.
Time Commitment
- Clinical courses generally require 12 contact hours (one 12-hour shift) per week, but may vary. Clinical courses may include day, evening, and weekend hours. Some clinical sites are located outside of Temple.
- Mandatory Orientations are required prior to beginning the program and prior to going to clinical facilities. These are held outside of regular class hours.
Conditional Admission Requirements
After all qualified applications have been reviewed and ranked, a class cohort will be selected. Applicants will be notified by email whether or not they are conditionally accepted. If conditionally accepted, you will receive instructions on completing the following requirements.
Do not submit any of the items below with your application. Instructions will be provided after conditional acceptance.
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Core Performance Standards Acknowledgment
An acknowledgment that you are able to meet the Core Performance Standards for Nursing will be required.
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Immunizations, CPR, and Drug Screening
Required by our clinical partners. These must be kept current throughout the program. See the Immunizations, CPR & Drug Screening document on the VN web page for complete information.
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Health Insurance
Health insurance is a requirement for some clinical sites our nursing students attend. If you do not currently have health insurance and do not plan to obtain it upon enrollment, it will limit the number of clinical sites you are eligible to attend. However, health insurance is not required for admission to Temple College or attendance in the Vocational Nursing program.
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Background Check
A satisfactory background check is required. Specific instructions will be sent via email after you apply. All applicants will be asked to complete a background check. See the Texas Board of Nursing Background Check Process document on the VN web page for complete information.
⚠ Start EarlyDo not wait until you are selected to begin the fingerprinting process. Clinical facilities may also conduct background checks. Admission or dismissal may result if you are barred from practicing at any healthcare facility.
Academic Integrity
Nursing applicants shall abide by the Temple College Academic Integrity policy, located in the Student Handbook. Any violation of the Academic Integrity Policy — including submitting falsified information or using prohibited resources on entrance exams — will result in disqualification from applying to the program. Temple College upholds the highest standards of integrity and expects all applicants to do the same.