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The EPCC Nursing Division offers three pathways to a nursing career:
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing – Traditional Track
The Traditional AAS Nursing Program is a two-year* program that prepares students to become Registered Nurses (RNs). Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Vocational Nursing (VN) Certificate of Completion
The Vocational Nursing Program prepares students to become Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) and qualify to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical/Vocational Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Two scheduling options are available:
- Traditional Track: 12 months*
- Evening/Weekend Track: 18 months*
The Evening/Weekend Track is designed for working students and offers evening classes during the week and clinical experiences on weekends.
AAS in Nursing – LVN-to-RN Transition Track
The LVN-to-RN Transition Program is designed for licensed vocational nurses seeking to advance their careers and become Registered Nurses. Students completing this track are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN.
EPCC Vocational Nursing graduates may be eligible for admission through the Seamless Transition Pathway, which provides qualified graduates with direct entry into the LVN-to-RN Transition Program without participating in the traditional ranking process.
Career Opportunities While Enrolled
After successfully completing the first semester of the Traditional AAS Nursing Program or the Vocational Nursing Program (second semester for the Evening/Weekend VN Track), students are be eligible to apply for Nurse Aide certification through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
An embedded Medication Aide Certificate is pending approval to begin in Fall 2027 offering another employment option to both AAS and VN students.
Students may also qualify for employment opportunities as nurse technicians, nurse externs, and nurse residents through partnerships with healthcare facilities throughout the region.
Program Start Terms
- The Traditional AAS Nursing Program admits students in the fall and spring semesters.
- The Vocational Nursing Program admits students in the fall and spring semesters for the traditional track and the summer semester for the evening/weekend track.
- The LVN-to-RN Transition Program admits students in the fall and spring semesters. Starting in 2027, qualified EPCC VN graduates may also enter in the summer semester through the Seamless Transition Pathway.
RN-to-BSN Academic Partnerships
We have partnered with the following institutions to provide our students with a seamless transition into a BSN program while enrolled at EPCC or after graduation: