LVN Programs in Texas
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EveryNurse Staff
- Last Updated: August 12, 2023
Jumpstart your career in licensed vocational nursing through LVN programs in Texas. Explore the diverse educational options, from traditional campus-based programs to flexible online courses, preparing students for a rewarding career in nursing.
Licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) are pivotal in the constantly evolving allied health care field. Working under the supervision of a registered nurse, the vocational nurse provides essential medical care to patients in various settings. The demand for LVNs in Texas is very high, with the Texas Workforce Commission predicting a deficit of 57,012 nurses needed in the labor market by 2032. This job growth makes the role of a licensed vocational nurse a promising career path for individuals interested in nursing.
If you’re a resident of Texas considering a career in nursing, a vocational nursing program can be your first step toward a rewarding profession. This guide will help you understand the types of LVN programs available and how to choose the right program for your nursing career goals.
Introduction to LVN Programs in Texas
LVN programs in Texas offer students a comprehensive education in vocational nursing, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel as part of a health care team. The vocational nursing curriculum includes pharmacology, pediatrics, medical-surgical nursing, gerontology, scientific principles, and psychiatric nursing courses.
A vocational nursing program typically takes one year to complete, including classroom instruction and clinical experiences. Over 50 Texas schools, including community colleges, technical schools, and private nursing schools, offer a vocational nursing program approved by the Texas State Board. Graduates in a VN program are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam, a mandatory exam for vocational nurses.
Licensed Vocational Nurse Programs in Texas
There are various levels of LVN programs in Texas, each designed for aspiring nurses’ diverse needs and career goals. These include traditional LVN programs, online LVN programs, CNA to LVN bridge programs, LVN to RN programs, and LVN to BSN programs.
Traditional LVN programs are campus-based and offer a combination of classroom instruction and clinical training. These programs are ideal for students who thrive in a structured learning environment with direct interaction with instructors and peers. On the other hand, online LVN programs offer flexibility for those who need to balance their studies with work or family commitments. These programs deliver theoretical instruction online, while clinical experiences are arranged at local healthcare facilities.
CNA to LVN Bridge Programs
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) looking to advance their careers can opt for the CNA to LVN bridge programs. Admission requirements for bridge programs typically recognize the knowledge and skills CNAs possess from prior courses and experience gained in the field, allowing them to complete the LVN program in less time.
This certificate program typically includes coursework in advanced nursing skills, anatomy and physiology, patient safety, and pharmacology courses. Upon successful completion, graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN exam. CNA to LVN bridge programs are an excellent option for CNAs aiming to enhance their career prospects and income potential.
LVN to RN Programs
LVNs seeking career advancement can consider the LVN to RN programs in Texas. These programs equip LVNs with advanced nursing skills and a deeper understanding of healthcare. LVNs can choose between an associate degree in nursing (ADN) program, which takes about two years to complete, or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program, which takes about four years. Upon completing these programs and passing the NCLEX-RN exam, graduates become registered nurses, eligible for positions with higher responsibilities and pay.
LVN to BSN Programs
LVN to BSN programs in Texas are for LVNs who want to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. These programs provide a broad-based nursing education, preparing graduates for various nursing roles. They also serve as a stepping stone to advanced nursing degrees and specialties.
These programs typically take about two to three years to complete, depending on the student’s previous education and experience. Coursework includes advanced nursing concepts, community health nursing, nursing research, and nursing leadership and management.
Online Vocational Nursing Programs in Texas
For those with family or work commitments, online LVN programs in Texas offer a flexible learning option. These programs provide the theoretical part of nursing education online, allowing students to learn independently. While online nursing programs may provide convenience, it’s important to note that practical training is still a crucial part of LVN education. This is usually arranged in local healthcare facilities, ensuring students gain the hands-on experience necessary for their roles as LVNs.
Tips for Navigating LVN Programs in Texas
Finding the right LVN program can be challenging. However, with careful research and planning, you can find a nursing program that fits your career goals and personal circumstances. Individuals interested in an LVN program should start by mapping out their career goals and committing time to research the various LVN programs available.
Consider factors like program duration, cost, availability of financial aid, academic assistance, location, and schedule. Request program information, including details about application deadlines, the admission process, admission requirements, program requirements, and the program’s NCLEX-PN pass rate, indicating the quality of education it provides. Attend an information session with the program director and research reviews from current students or graduates of the program to get a first-hand perspective.
Approved Vocational Nursing Courses in Texas
When selecting an LVN program, it’s essential to ensure the Texas Board of Nursing approves it. Approved vocational nursing programs meet the Texas Board of Nursing standards for nursing education, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to provide safe and effective nursing care. Approval of nursing courses by the board also signifies that graduates of these programs are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam, a crucial step toward earning a vocational nursing license.
| NURSING PROGRAM | LOCATION | APPROVAL STATUS |
|---|---|---|
| Alvin Community College | 3110 Mustang Rd Alvin, TX 77511 | Full |
| Amarillo College | 6222 W. 9th Street Amarillo, TX 79106 | Full |
| Angelina College at Lufkin | 3500 South First Street Lufkin, TX 75902 | Full |
| Arlington Career Institute | 901 East Avenue K Grand Prairie, TX 75050 | Initial |
| Army Practical Nurse Program | JBSA Fort Sam Houston 3490 Forage Ave, Suite 225 San Antonio, TX 78234-7585 | Full |
| Austin Community College | 3401 Webberville Road Austin, TX 78702 | Full |
| Baptist Health System School of Health Professions | 8400 Datapoint Drive San Antonio, TX 78229-3234 | Full |
| Bell Tech Career Institute | 12000 Richmond Ave, Suite 130 Houston, TX 77082 | Full |
| Blinn College | 902 College Avenue Brenham, TX 77833 | Full |
| Blinn College | 1366 Bryan Rd Bryan, TX 77807 | Full |
| Brazosport College | 500 College Drive Lake Jackson, TX 77566-6146 | Full |
| Central Texas College at Killeen | 6200 West Central Texas Expressway, Bldg 155 Killeen, TX 76549 | Full |
| Cisco College | 717 East Industrial Blvd Abilene, TX 79602 | Full |
| Clarendon College | 1601 W. Kentucky Ave Pampa, TX 79065 | Full |
| Coastal Bend College | 3800 Charco Road Beeville, TX 78102 | Full |
| College of Nursing and Advanced Health Professions | 2101 Waterview Parkway Richardson, TX 75080 | Full |
| College of the Mainland | 1200 Amburn Road Texas City, TX 77591-2499 | Full |
| Collin College | 2200 West University Drive McKinney, Texas 75071 | Initial |
| Concorde Career College | 3015 West Interstate 20 Grand Prairie, TX 75052 | Full |
| Cybertex Institute of Technology | 6300 La Calma Drive, Suite 410 Austin, TX 78752 | Conditional |
| Dallas College at El Centro | 301 N. Market St Suite 701 Dallas, TX 75202 | Full |
| Del Mar College – MEEP | Department of Nurse Education 4101 Old Brownsville Road Corpus Christi, TX 78404 | Full |
| El Paso Community College at Mission Del Paso | 10700 Gateway East Blvd El Paso, TX 79927 | Full |
| Frank Phillips College | 1301 W. Roosevelt St Borger, TX 79008 | Full |
| Galen College Of Nursing | 7411 John Smith Drive, Suite 1400 San Antonio, TX 78229 | Full |
| Galveston College | 4015 Avenue Q Galveston, TX 77550 | Full |
| Grayson College | 1455 W. Van Alstyne Parkway Van Alstyne, TX 75495 | Full |
| Hill College | 1800 Corsicana Highway Hillsboro, TX 76645 | Full |
| Houston Community College | 1900 Pressler Street, Suite 344 Houston, TX 77030 | Full |
| Howard College at Big Spring | 1001 Birdwell Lane Big Spring, TX 79720 | Full |
| Howard College at San Angelo | St. John’s Campus of Shannon Medical Center 3501 N. US Hwy 67 San Angelo, TX 76905 | Full |
| Kilgore College at Longview | 300 South High Street Longview, TX 75601 | Full |
| Lamar State College – Orange | 410 Front Street Orange, TX 77630 | Full |
| Lamar State College – Port Arthur | 1701 Procter Street Port Arthur, TX 77641 | Full |
| Lamson Institute | 5819 Northwest Loop 410 #160 San Antonio, TX 78238 | Initial |
| Laredo College | 5500 South Zapata Hwy Laredo, TX 78046 | Full |
| Lee College | 200 Lee Drive Baytown, TX 77520 | Full |
| Lone Star College – Cyfair | 9191 Barker Cypress Road Cypress, TX 77433-1383 | Full |
| Lone Star College – Kingwood | 20000 Kingwood Drive, SIB 100D Kingwood, TX 77339 | Full |
| Lone Star College – Montgomery | 3200 College Park Drive Conroe, TX 77384-4500 | Full |
| Lone Star College – North Harris Meep | Health Professions Building 17200 Red Oak Drive, Suite 200X Houston, TX 77090 | Full |
| Lone Star College – Tomball | Health Science Building 700 Graham Drive, Suite 201-L Tomball, TX 77375 | Full |
| Mclennan Community College – Meep | 1400 College Drive Waco, TX 76708 | Full |
| Mclennan Community College – Traditional | 1400 College Drive Waco, TX 76708 | Full |
| Midland College | 3600 North Garfield Midland, TX 79705-6397 | Full |
| Navarro College at Corsicana | 3200 West 7th Ave Corsicana, TX 75110 | Full |
| Navarro College at Mexia | 901 North M.L.K. Jr. Street Mexia, TX 76667 | Full |
| Navarro College at Waxahachie | 1900 John Arden Drive Waxahachie, TX 75165 | Full |
| North Central Texas College | 1525 West California Street Gainesville, TX 76240 | Full |
| Northeast Texas Community College | 2886 FM RD 1735 (Chapel Hill Rd) Mount Pleasant, TX 75455 | Full |
| Odessa College at Andrews | 201 NW Avenue D Andrews, TX 79714 | Full |
| Odessa College at Monahans | 806 South Dwight Monahans, TX 79756 | Full |
| Oxford Academy | 2727 NW Loop 410 San Antonio, TX 78230 | Initial |
| Panola College | 1109 W. Panola St Carthage, TX 75633 | Full |
| Paris Junior College | 2400 Clarksville Street Paris, TX 75460-6298 | Full |
| Ranger College | 300 Early Blvd, Suite 105 Early, TX 76802 | Full |
| Rio Grande Valley College | 5419 N. Cage Boulevard Pharr, TX 78577 | Full |
| San Jacinto College North | 5800 Uvalde Houston, TX 77049-4599 | Full |
| San Jacinto College South | 13735 Beamer Rd Houston, TX 77089 | Full |
| Schreiner University | 2100 Memorial Blvd CMB 6226 Kerrville, TX 78028-5697 | Full |
| South Plains College – Levelland | 202 Clubview Drive Levelland, TX 79336 | Full |
| South Plains College – Plainview | 1920 W. 24th Street Plainview, TX 79072 | Full |
| South Plains College at Reese Center | 819 Gilbert Drive Lubbock, TX 79416 | Full |
| South Texas College | 1101 East Vermont Avenue McAllen, TX 78503 | Full |
| Southwest Texas Junior College | 2401 Garner Field Road Uvalde, TX 78801-6297 | Full |
| St. Philip’s College – New Braunfels | 2189 FM 758 New Braunfels, TX 78130 | Full |
| St. Philip’s College – San Antonio | 1801 Martin Luther King Drive San Antonio, TX 78203 | Full |
| Tarrant County College | Trinity River East Campus 245 E. Belknap Street Fort Worth, TX 76102 | Full |
| Temple College at Taylor | 516 North Main Taylor, TX 76574-3645 | Full |
| Temple College at Temple | 2600 South First Street Temple, TX 76504 | Full |
| Texarkana College | 2500 North Robison Road Texarkana, TX 75599 | Full |
| Texas Health School | 11511 Katy Freeway, Suite 200 Houston, TX 77079 | Full |
| Texas Southmost College | 80 Fort Brown Brownsville, TX 78520-4993 | Full |
| Texas State Technical College West Texas | Texas State Technical College West Texas | Full |
| Texas State Technical College at Harlingen | 1902 North Loop 499 Harlingen, TX 78550 | Full |
| The College of Health Care Professions | 240 Northwest Mall Blvd Houston, TX 77092 | Full |
| Trinity Valley Community College – Terrell | Health Science Center 1551 SH 34 South Terrell, TX 75160 | Full |
| Trinity Valley Community College – Palestine | 2100 S. Loop 256 Palestine, TX 75801 | Full |
| Tyler County Hospital | 1100 W. Bluff Street Woodville, TX 75979 | Full |
| Tyler Junior College | 1327 South Baxter Ave Tyler, TX 75701 | Full |
| Valley Baptist Medical Center | 2110 Benwood St Harlingen, TX 78550 | Full |
| Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies | 414 South Missouri Ave Weslaco, TX 78596 | Full |
| Vernon College | 4400 College Drive Vernon, TX 76384 | Full |
| Victoria College | 2200 East Red River Street Victoria, TX 77901 | Full |
| Vista College | 5919 Brook Hollow El Paso, TX 79925 | Full |
| Vocational Nursing Institute, Inc. | 11201 Steeple Park Drive Houston, TX 77065 | Full |
| Weatherford College | 225 College Park Drive Weatherford, TX 76086 | Full |
Career Prospects After Completing LVN Programs
Graduates of a vocational nursing program have bright career prospects. They can work in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and home health care providers. With the aging population and increasing healthcare needs, the demand for vocational nursing professionals is expected to grow.
Furthermore, LVNs can upgrade their skills and qualifications through bridge programs, opening doors to higher nursing roles and increased earning potential. Indeed, an LVN career offers opportunities for continual learning, professional development, and growth, making it a rewarding choice for those passionate about healthcare and patient safety.
Vocational Nursing Program FAQ
How long is an LVN program in Texas?
The curriculum for a student in a full time program must include a minimum of 558 theory and 840 clinical hours, per the Texas Board of Nursing rules. Courses are typically completed in one year of full-time study.
How much do LVNs make per hour in Texas?
According to the BLS, licensed vocational nurses earn a mean annual wage of $52,850 in Texas, equivalent to $25.41 per hour. This wage is the second highest of licensed practical and vocational nurses in any state nationwide. By contrast, a registered nurse in Texas earns an annual mean salary of $84,320, or $40.54 per hour.
What are the prerequisites for an LVN in Texas?
Candidates for a vocational nursing license in Texas must demonstrate their ability to practice safely and comply with Texas Board of Nursing rules. This includes graduating from a Texas board-approved vocational nursing program and passing the NCLEX-PN and State Nursing Jurisprudence Exam. It’s also the student’s responsibility to submit required documents, such as drug testing results and fingerprints, for a criminal background check.
Can I earn an LVN online?
You can not earn an LVN 100% online. Licensed vocational nursing programs in Texas must include a minimum number of clinical hours that cannot be completed online. This training component requires students to practice real-world skills under the supervision of a registered nurse with live patients under the supervision of experienced nurses and doctors at clinical sites.
