Licensed Vocational Nurses work on the frontline of the health care team. They provide basic patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. Working in acute care hospitals, home health care, long-term care facilities, physicians’ offices, clinics, and other health care facilities, LVNs treat common and well-defined diseases. They assess patients and develop and implement individualized patient care plans on their own or with the help of a registered nurse. They measure and record vital signs, monitor patients’ responses to medication and treatments, change catheters, clean wounds, supervise nursing assistants, attend to patients’ physical and emotional needs.
There is a considerable demand for LVNs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that vocational nursing jobs will grow 12 percent through the year 2026 – a rate that is faster than the average for all occupations. The median pay for LVNs in Texas is $46,240 annually. LVNs can improve their employment prospects and salaries by transitioning to a registered nurse after completing a 12-month LVN to RN bridge program.
Galveston College
Galveston College prepares vocational nursing students to provide primary care in acute and long-term care settings under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. The program operates with full approval from the Texas Board of Nursing so graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. The curriculum covers 45-credit hours of science and nursing courses delivered in sequence. The student must earn a grade C or better to proceed to the next course in the sequence. Applicants must complete the prerequisite courses – Essentials of Medical Terminology, Essentials of Medical Administration, and Anatomy and Physiology for Allied Health. Course topics include Nutrition, Vocational Nursing Concepts, Nursing in Health and Illness, Applied Nursing Skills, Pharmacology, Mental Health, Pediatrics, Maternal/Neonatal Nursing, Clinical, and NCLEX Preparation. Students must complete the prescribed program, obtain a passing score on the NCLEX-PN readiness exam, and meet any prescribed remediation requirements to receive the Vocational Nursing Certificate.
Admission criteria:
- Meet the requirements for admission to Galveston College
- Take and pass the Texas Success Initiative requirements
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a minimum grade C and an overall GPA of 2.5 or better
- Complete VNSG 1320 within five years of the program start date
- Complete Intermediate Algebra or Foundations of Statistics with a grade C or better
- Submit a completed Nursing Program Application to the Nursing Department
- Obtain background clearance – applicants with convictions other than minor traffic violations may not be eligible to take the NCLEX
- Have current Hepatitis B vaccination and any other required immunizations
- Complete Pharmacology before entering the class but not more than 24 months prior to the commencement of the program
- Take and pass an entrance exam – scores are valid for one year
- Submit a completed personal health history
- Have Basic Life Support Health Care Provider (CPR) certification
- Provide a clear drug screen test
In-state tuition and fees cost $4,814. Books and supplies will cost an additional $3,283.
- Website: https://gc.edu/programs-and-courses/workforce-programs/nursing/vocational-nursing/
- Address: 4015 Avenue Q, Galveston, TX 77550
- Phone: 409-944-4242
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 87.93%
College of the Mainland
The COM Vocational Nursing Program includes theory and hands-on training to prepare students to work competently as part of the interdisciplinary health care team. The school maintains small class sizes for personalized instruction, and professors are available to students who need extra help. Tutors conduct individual and group sessions at no extra cost. Applicants must complete Anatomy and Physiology I before applying to the program. Course modules include Anatomy and Physiology II, Vocational Nursing Concepts, Essential of Medication Administration, Basic Nursing Skills, Pharmacology, Mental Health, Medical Surgical Nursing Advanced Nursing Skills, Professional Development, Maternal Neonatal Nursing, Pediatrics, and Clinical Rotations. Students must participate in a mandatory clinical rotation at various health care facilities to build clinical skills and reinforce the concepts learned in the classroom. The Vocational Nursing Certificate will be issued to students who complete the program’s 42 credits and meet the other standards for graduation. Graduates will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX to become a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Admission criteria:
- Complete the requirements for admission to COM
- Complete Human Anatomy and Physiology I with a grade C or better
- Take and pass the HESI A2 Math, Reading, Grammar and Basic Vocabulary with a score of 75% or greater
- Complete TSI College readiness
- Have a prerequisite GPA of 2.0 or above
- Provide proof of Hepatitis B series
- Complete seasonal flu vaccination
- Provide proof MMR, Varicella, and Tdap vaccination
- Complete a negative TB screen – PPD, Chest x-ray, or Quantiferon
- Have Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
- Complete the Nursing Physical Assessment Form with Immunization Documentation
- Have a valid Texas driver’s license
- Must have current health insurance
The estimated cost of tuition, college fees, and program fees for in-district students is $4,926. Additional out-of-pocket costs include textbooks, background check, Jurisprudence fee, uniforms, lab coat, drug screening, simulated electronic health records, shoes, nursing pin, immunizations, health insurance, physical exam, CPR, and miscellaneous supplies.
- Website: https://www.com.edu/
- Address: 1200 Amburn Rd., Texas City, TX 77591
- Phone: (409) 938-1211
- Toll-free: (888) 258-8859
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 88.16%
Alvin Community College
The mission of the Licensed Vocational Nursing program at Alvin Community College is to provide an affordable and accessible option for adults to prepare for a career in nursing. The certificate program covers 44 credit hours in one year. Graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX to practice a licensed practical nurse and also have a foundational preparation for continued study in nursing. Courses include Vocational Nursing Concepts, Vocational Nurse Clinical, Essential of Medication Administration, Anatomy and Physiology for Allied Health, Basic Nursing Skills, Medical Surgical Nursing, Pharmacology, Leadership and Professional Development, Gerontology, Maternal Neonatal Nursing, Pediatrics, and Mental Health and Mental Illness. The training includes clinical rotations that give students the opportunity to gain nursing experience as they work with classmates, instructors, and members of the health care team to care for patients in hospitals and other health care facilities. ACC has affiliate agreements with leading health care institutions including Cornerstone Hospital, Memorial Hermann Hospital Southeast, Kindred Hospitals, A. Anderson Hospital, UTMB pediatric and antepartum clinics, Country Village, Tuscany Village, and Regent Care nursing homes. New classes begin in June each year. The application period begins in October and ends in November each year. Candidates must attend an on-campus meeting before applying to the program.
Admission criteria:
- Secure admission to Alvin College
- Attend a mandatory information session
- Apply to the Vocational Nursing program during the application period
- Submit official transcripts of all educational achievements including high school or GED
- Meet the Texas Success Initiative standards
- Submit a record of Hepatitis B immunization
- Take and pass the HESI-A2 exam with a minimum score of 70 on the reading comprehension and a cumulative score of 65
- Attend a VN class orientation
- Pass a drug screen
- Pass two background checks – one for the Board of Nursing and other private background check
- Submit a copy of a Physical Exam report
- Provide documentation of tests and titers – TB test, Varicella, MMR, Tdap, and seasonal influenza
- Provide a copy of Texas driver’s license or official picture ID and social security card
- Submit a copy of current CPR card
The cost of tuition and fees for the LVN certificate is $6,000 for students who live in-district. Additional expenses include uniform, criminal background check, nurse pack, drug screen, CPR card, physical exam, TB test, immunizations, CPR card, HESI A2 test, health insurance, and transport to the clinical site.
- Website: http://www.alvincollege.edu/vocational-nursing/
- Address: 3110 Mustang Rd. | Alvin, TX 77511
- Phone: 281-756-3500
- Email: info@alvincollege.edu
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 92.41%
Lee College
Students enrolled in the Vocational Nursing Program at Lee College will learn to use a systemic problem-solving approach to nursing practice. They will learn how to provide safe, quality, and patient-centered care within the legal and ethical scope of practice. Students must complete 47 semester credit hours to obtain a Vocational Nursing Certificate. Courses include Basic Nursing Skills, Foundation of Nursing, Pharmacology, Essentials of Medication Administration, The Human Body, Medical Terminology, Gerontology, Medical Surgical Nursing, Pediatrics, Maternal Neonatal Nursing, Leadership and Professional Development, Advanced Nursing Skills, and Clinical. Graduates of the Texas Board of Nursing accredited program will be eligible to take the NCLEX for Practical Nurses.
Admission criteria:
- Gain admission to Lee College before applying to the nursing program
- Submit official transcripts of all educational achievements to the Admissions and Records Office
- Submit documentation of Hepatitis B immunization and immune titer
- Submit a copy of high school diploma or transcript indicating date of graduation or GED certificate
- Meet with a Lee College counselor to arrange placement testing
- Complete development courses if required
- Attach a completed VN Program Degree form indicting reading level and signature of the counselor with the completed application
- Attend a mandatory information session with a member of VN faculty
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better – the Human Body, Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Terminology
- Have personal health insurance – must be submitted to the Nursing Office
- Submit a legible set of fingerprints for the purpose of criminal history check from the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigations
- Pass a drug test – positive results will result in dismissal from the program
Tuition for the program is $3,649 for in-state residents. Books and supplies will cost an additional $2,250.
- Website: http://www.lee.edu/programs/nursing-vn/
- Address: 200 Lee Drive, Baytown, TX 77520
- Phone: 281-427-5611
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 96.67%
Lone Star College
The Vocational Nursing program at Lone Star College is designed to get adults into the workforce in the shortest time possible. The program is offered full-time at several campuses and can be completed in one year (3 semesters). A blend of theory and practical coursework will equip students with the skills to care for patients in a variety of health care settings. Students must complete 48 credits to obtain a Vocational Nursing Certificate. Courses include Clinical Basics, Nutrition, Basic Nursing Skills, Foundations of Nursing, Nursing in Health and Illness, Mental Illness, Pediatrics, Pharmacology, Leadership Professional Development, Gerontology, Maternal Neonatal Nursing, Maternal Newborn Clinical, and Clinical – LVN Training. Applicants must complete Anatomy and Physiology before admission to the program. Supportive faculty will guide students through the program to ensure their success in the field. Hands-on experiences in the school’s state of the art simulated lab will prepare students for direct patient care during the clinical facility rotations. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX for licensure a practical nurse. They can also transition to become a registered nurse through the Transition to Professional Nursing Program. Admission to the program is competitive.
Admission criteria:
- Apply for admission to Lone Star College
- Attend an information session
- Obtain a minimum score of 70 on each section of the HESI exam – scores are valid for one year
- Obtain a clear criminal history check
- Meet the Texas Success Initiative standards
- Provide documentation of Hepatitis B series vaccinations
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better
- Have Bacterial Meningitis immunization
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on college-level courses
- Submit a completed application to the nursing program
- Complete the immunizations required by the Department of State Health Services plus any required by the clinical agency
- Obtain a clear criminal history
- Provide a valid certificate of American Heart Association Basic Life Support for health care Providers
- Have a high school diploma or transcript or GED certificate
- Demonstrate English proficiency
- Obtain a negative drug screen
- Complete the physical exam including TB clearance and required immunizations
- Have current health insurance and malpractice/liability insurance
- A valid photo ID and social security card
The average cost of tuition for full-time students is $862 per semester.
- Website: http://www.lonestar.edu/vocational-nursing-certificates.htm
- Address: 5000 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77381
- Phone: 832-813-6500
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 97.50%