Temple College began its Vocational Nursing Program in the Fall of 1973. As the program developed, classes moved from Berry Hall on the main campus to the Olin E. Teague Veterans' Center. In 1982, the Nursing Education Building on the East Campus became its present home. In 2004, the Taylor Center was added to the program. The Nursing Education Building underwent renovations in 2005 and became the Dell Martin Nursing Education Center.

The Vocational Nursing Program is an approved one-year certificate program. Currently, this  program consists of three consecutive semesters. All course work is provided within the Nursing Department except BIOL 2404 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology and ITSE 1294 Special Topics in Computer Science.

The Temple College Vocational Nursing Program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing.

Following completion of the program, the graduate is awarded a certificate of completion and is eligible to apply to take the state licensing examination. The graduate must be approved by the licensing board.

The Temple College Vocational Nursing Program has maintained an outstanding reputation with an excellent pass rate on this examination.