The School of Vocational Nursing respects and supports the philosophy of Valley
Baptist Medical Center and is consistent with the hospital’s Mission statement.
We believe that each person is unique with many interrelated systems which are the result
of a biological, social, psychological, cultural, and spiritual interaction which influences
health and behavior. We believe it is the right of the individual to assume responsibility for
their own life choices including decisions regarding health, illness, recovery, and death.

The World Health Organization defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental and
social well-being...." We believe that nursing care is a service committed to promote a
state of wellness and at the same time educate on the prevention of disease.

We believe that the nursing roles and faculty functions are directed to establish safe and
competent patient care: The graduate is educated on increasing levels of critical skills
based on academic and clinical disciplines that include the scope and standards of
vocational nursing practice as delineated by the Texas Board of Nursing. The graduate, as a member of the health care team, is also prepared to service others with compassion and dignity.
  According to the definition approved by the National League for Nursing, a trained practical nurse is "a person prepared by an approved educational program to share in the care of the sick and in prevention of illness, under the direction of a licensed physician and/or registered professional nurse."

Our vision is to provide innovative quality education based on the philosophy, goals and objectives of this program including the:

1. Preparation of students to be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination.

2. Preparation of students to function under the supervision of registered nurses and licensed physicians by providing basic nursing care as outlined in the scope of service and standards of nursing care.

3. Preparation of students to function as members of the nursing and health care team that meets holistically the health care needs of the patient.

4. Preparation of students to practice in a nursing community environment.