What to expect in clinicals as a Blinn vocational nursing student

Students gain hands-on experience in real healthcare settings

March 3, 2025

For students in the Blinn College District Vocational Nursing Program, clinical rotations provide an invaluable opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in real-world healthcare settings. From emergency rooms to rehabilitation centers, students experience firsthand the diverse and dynamic nature of the nursing profession.

Students complete their clinical rotations at respected healthcare facilities such as Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Brenham, St. Joseph Primary Care-Brenham, Hospice Brazos Valley, and more. These rotations allow students to work with experienced nurses, interact with patients, and develop essential hands-on skills under professional supervision.

Tristan Bermea, a vocational nursing student from La Salle, Texas, describes the experience as challenging and rewarding.

“On a week-to-week basis, we rotate through different hospital departments,” he said. “One week we’re in the emergency room, the next in the medical-surgical unit, and later in the semester, we do community rotations. You never know what you’re going to see, and that’s what makes it so exciting.”

This diverse exposure ensures students are prepared for the wide range of situations they will encounter in their future careers. Community rotations introduce students to nursing roles in schools, clinics, and hospice care, demonstrating the many career paths available in nursing.

One of the defining features of Blinn’s program is the support students receive from faculty and clinical partners.

“The instructors genuinely care about our success and do everything in their power to help us,” Bermea said. “Every day is another opportunity to learn, and we’re constantly building on our knowledge.”

Blinn’s partnerships with local hospitals and healthcare providers ensure students receive high-quality, hands-on training. Dr. Michelle Marburger, Vocational Nursing Program Director, emphasizes how these partnerships enhance the learning experience, said, “Our students are fortunate to receive exceptional clinical training in acute care and community settings. Each rotation offers them a new perspective on nursing and prepares them for a variety of career opportunities.”

Michelle Trubenstein, Dean of Health Sciences, echoes this sentiment: “Our clinical partners play a critical role in our students’ education. Their continued support ensures that Blinn graduates are well-prepared to provide excellent patient care in the communities where they live and work.”

Blinn’s Vocational Nursing Program provides students with the foundation to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) and pursue careers in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other medical facilities. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for vocational nurses in 2023 was $59,730.

For more information about Blinn’s Vocational Nursing Program, visit www.blinn.edu/vocational-nursing.