Looking for a quick and easy route to a career in nursing? Becoming a licensed vocational nurse might be the solution. Like registered nurses, the vocational nurse practitioner’s role revolves around the restoration of health. The duties involve detection of illness and rehabilitation to restore health and wellness. Key responsibilities include measuring and recording vital signs, monitoring patients’ responses to treatment, administering medications, and counseling patients and their families. Vocational nursing programs provide the education and hands-on training that students need to perform their duties competently under the direction of a registered nurse or physician. At the end of the program, you’ll have the skills and confidence to pass the licensure exam and the critical thinking skills to provide quality care to culturally diverse patients.
Tarrant County College – Trinity River Campus
The Vocational Nursing program at Tarrant County College leads to a Certificate Level II which prepares students for entry-level employment in the healthcare industry. The curriculum covers 1408 contact hours of 45 credit hours. Students will receive college credit for courses successfully completed. Course modules include anatomy and physiology, general psychology, foundations of nursing, basic nursing skills, vocational nurse training clinical, medical surgical nursing, pharmacology, mental health and mental illness, pediatrics, maternal neonatal nursing, and leadership and professional development. Students must obtain a grade of C or better on all courses to graduate from the program. Graduates are eligible to sit the NCLEX-PN for licensure as a Vocational Nurse. Classes meet Monday through Thursday between 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm. The clinical hours vary but generally commence at 6:00 am – evening and afternoon shifts may also be required. The duration of the program is three semesters – 12 months.
Admission criteria:
- Complete BIOL 2401 and general psychology with a grade C or higher within five years prior to the application
- Complete TOEFL with a passing score of 83 of IELTS with a core of 6.5 and a minimum score of 6 in all areas if first language is not English
- Must meet the TSI requirement and be compliant to register for VNSG classes
- Complete HESI A2 with a score of 75% or better on Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar, Math, Anatomy, and Physiology
- Apply for admission to the Tarrant County College nursing program and provide supporting documentation
- Obtain a negative drug screen
- Complete a satisfactory background check
- Complete an approved CNA/PCT/CMA program and have a current CNA/PCT/CMA state certificate
- Must have at least six months of employment in an acute/chronic care setting
- Obtain a grade C or better in Skills performance check-off (CNA/PCT/CMA to transition option only)
- Provide proof of medical insurance
- Have current healthcare provider CPR certification
- A valid social security card
- Participate in the LVN program orientation
- Maintain current immunization for the program’s duration
Tuition costs $5,500 and includes books, immunizations, and prerequisites.
- Website: https://www.tccd.edu/
- Address: 245 East Belknap, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Phone: 817-515-8223 - NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 93.75%
Concorde Career College
The vocational nursing program at Concorde Career College equips students with the skills and competencies to care for patients in hospitals and residents in long-term care facilities. The curriculum delivers 1319 hours of instruction: 677 hours of theory, 152 hours in the lab, and 490 hours of clinical practice. Students will gain 52 credit hours that may be transferred to a registered nursing program. Course topics include fundamentals of anatomy and physiology, college mathematics, medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology, clinical practice, family health nursing, and transition to practice. Graduates will receive a Diploma in Vocational Nursing and will be eligible to sit the NCLEX for licensure as a Vocational Nurse. Full-time and part-time schedules are available. The full-time schedule may be completed in 50 weeks. The part-time schedule is designed to be completed in 80 weeks.
Admission criteria:
- Review the course catalog before signing the enrollment agreement
- Attend a personal interview and campus tour
- Take and pass an entrance exam – Wonderlic SLE (17) or HESI (70)
- Provide acceptable documentation of graduating from high school or equivalent
- Meet be a citizen, permanent resident, or eligible non-citizen of the United States
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Provide a completed health certificate including immunization records
- Must be able to speak, read, and write in English
- Complete a satisfactory criminal background check
The program cost of $33,192.36 includes tuition and textbooks.
- Website: https://www.concorde.edu/
- Address: 3015 West Interstate 20, Grand Prairie, TX 75052
- Phone: 469-348-2500
- Fax: 469-348-2580
- Toll-free: 1-800-693-7010
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 81.35%
Arlington Career Institute
The Vocational Nursing Program at Arlington Career Institute is accredited by the Texas Board of Nursing. In addition to activities in the classroom and lab, students will participate in clinical rotations at hospitals, long-term facilities, and rehabilitation centers. Subjects include vocational adjustment, anatomy and physiology, foundations of nursing and clinical, essentials of mediation administration, pharmacology, geriatric nursing, medical surgical nursing, mental health nursing, maternal-child nursing, vocational nursing leadership, and vocational nursing capstone. Students who successfully complete all the program requirements will receive a Certificate of Completion and will be eligible to apply for licensure as a Licensed Vocational Nurse and to take the NCLEX-PN.
Admission criteria:
- View the Virtual Information Session
- Complete and submit the pre-admission form
- Take and pass the TEAS exam with a minimum total score of 58.7. The cos tof the assessment is $115
- Submit proof of GED, high school diploma or transcript or college transcript
- Submit a completed physical and proof of immunity to titers – MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Tdap, Meningitis, Influenza
- Must have current American Heart Association CPR Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers card
- Complete a background check after the start of class – the cost of $39.75
Financial aid is available for eligible students.
- Website: https://www.arlingtoncareerinstitute.edu/
- Address: 901 E. Avenue K, Grand Prairie, Texas 75050
- Phone: 972-284-0881
- Fax: 972-647-4044
- Email: admissions@arlingtoncareerinstitute.edu
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: N/A
El Centro College
The vocational nursing program at El Centro College leads to a Vocational Nursing Certificate. The curriculum meets the requirements of the Texas Board of Nursing and includes training in the classroom, lab, and offsite at local healthcare facilities. Students must commit to attending all clinical sessions, which are scheduled on the weekends, to graduate from the program. Courses covered in the classroom and clinical sessions include Basic Nursing Skills, Nursing in Health and Illness II, Foundations of Nursing, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Pharmacology for Health Professions, Maternal/Neonatal Nursing, Pediatric, Clinical. Students who complete the requirements are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN for Texas licensure. The duration of the program is 12 months and includes two academic semesters (16 weeks for each) and two summer semesters (5 weeks each). Applicants must complete the prerequisite courses before applying to the program. The class size is limited to 30 persons with each cycle.
Admission criteria:
- Attend an information session – online or in-person
- Take and pass the HESI with a minimum score of 80 on the five sections. Test scores are valid for two years
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a minimum GPA of 3.0 before the application deadline – Human Anatomy and Physiology, Composition I, and General Psychology
- Secure admission to El Centro College
- Complete the Texas Success Initiative requirements
- Submit a completed application for admission by May 31 for the Fall semester
- Provide documentation of graduating from high school or GED
- Submit documentation of a current physical exam, negative TB test, and immunization
- Must have current CPR certification
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges previously attended
- Record of any health care experience – points may be awarded
- Proof of current personal healthcare insurance coverage
- Pass a criminal background check and drug screen
Tuition costs $948 annually for in-district students or $1,620 annually based on half-time enrollment. Other costs includes books, supplies, uniforms, and fees.
- Website: https://www.dallascollege.edu/pages/default.aspx
- Address: 801 Main St, Dallas, TX 75202, United States
- Phone: (214) 860-2000
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 88.24%
Navarro College
The Vocational Nursing Certificate program at Navarro College prepares students to become a part of the nursing team in acute and chronic care facilities. The curriculum delivers 1416 contact hours of theory and clinical instruction including 576 in the classroom and 840 hours in a clinical setting. Students will earn 50 credits at the program conclusion. Course topics include Health Science, Basic Nursing Skills, Pharmacology, Essentials of Medication Administration, Vocational Nursing Concepts, Growth and Development, Medical Surgical Nursing, Pediatrics, Maternal Neonatal Nursing, Advanced Nursing Skills, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Professional Development, Special Topics in Practical Nursing, and Clinical. The duration of the program is 12 months.
Admission criteria:
- Secure admission to Navarro College. Admission to Navarro College does not guarantee admission to the LVN program
- Take the TSI exam
- View the Virtual Information Session
- Take and pass the TEAS test with a minimum score of 59.9 to be eligible for admission
- Provide proof of GED, high school diploma, or college transcript
- Complete an application to the nursing program after viewing the video presentation
- Provide documentation of any healthcare certifications – must indicate the expiration date
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better
- Submit immunization documents including TB, Hepatitis B, Influenza, Varicella
- Must have current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR (BLS)
- Complete a mandatory urine drug screen
- Sign a release giving permission to disclose criminal history check to the clinical sites
- Must have current health insurance
- Provide letters of recommendation
In-state tuition and fees cost $8,005. Other costs not covered in the tuition include textbook, uniforms, liability insurance, shoes, drug screen, CPR certification, background check, and lab kit.
- Website: https://www.navarrocollege.edu/
- Address: 3200 West 7th Avenue, Corsicana, TX 75110
- Toll-Free: 1-800-NAVARRO
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 70.00%
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Dallas
The Vocational Nursing program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Dallas prepares adults for a career providing general nursing care in rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, home health care agencies, specialty hospitals, and other health care settings. The hands-on training is guided by experienced faculty and emphasizes the three components of care – biology, psychology, and sociology. Course topics include proper patient care, medical terminology, body systems, body growth and development, patient care assessment, nursing procedures, and medication administration. Graduates will be prepared for success on the NCLEX for Practical Nurses and be positioned to make a difference in their communities.
Admission criteria:
- Must have a high school diploma, official GED or recognized equivalent
- Must be at least 17 years of age
- Complete the Standardized Test Requirements for Admission – ACT score with a composite score of 19 or above or SAT score of 990 or above
- Pass the Nursing School Admissions Test
- Submit a written essay to be scored by the Vice President, Nursing Program Development and Chief Nursing Officer or designee
- Pass a drug screen
- Complete the required background check according to the Texas Board of Nursing guidelines for Licensure of Person with Criminal Offenses
- Must be a US citizen or a permanent resident
- Submit a completed application and application fee of $100
- Submit official transcripts of any college coursework completed
Tuition costs $582 per credit hour for the vocational nursing program.
- Website: https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/
- Address: 2101 Waterview Pkwy, Richardson, TX 75080
- Phone: (469) 941-8380
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 88.89%
Crystal is a certified Registered Nurse (RN) with a passion for writing about nursing education. Through her articles, Crystal shares insights and tips to help fellow nurses enhance their skills and stay updated with the latest developments in the field. With a focus on practical advice and relevant topics, Crystal's writing is a valuable resource for nursing professionals seeking to advance their careers.