
The U.S. Department of Labor reports a sharp increase in LVN jobs, especially in large cities and metropolitan areas, such as Houston TX. Graduates of practical/vocational nursing programs find employment in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities after meeting the state’s requirements for licensure. They are an integral part of the healthcare team, working under the direct supervision of registered nurses and physicians. Their duties include taking vital signs, assisting patients with the activities of daily living, administering medication, wound care, patient assessments, and collecting routine samples for lab testing. Ideally, individuals interested in this career should have a genuine interest in caring for others and display sound judgment and professionalism at all times. Licensed Vocational Nurses in Houston Texas can expect to earn an annual salary of approximately $44,000.
San Jacinto College
San Jacinto College’s Technical Certificate Vocational Nursing program qualifies graduates to take the NCLEX-PN for state licensure. The program is approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Board of Nursing. The program requires a full year’s commitment and covers 1,456 hours of instruction: 576 hours in the classroom and 880 hours in the lab and nursing facility. Students who complete each of the courses specified in the curriculum with a grade C or above will receive a certificate of technology. Course topics include human anatomy and physiology, essentials of medication administration, basic nursing skills, advanced nursing skills, medical surgical nursing, pharmacology, nutrition and diet therapy, mental health and mental illness. Other topics include gerontology, maternal-neonatal nursing, medical-surgical nursing, and leadership and professional development. Students must complete 45 credit to receive the Vocational Nursing Certificate. Applicants must complete the requirements for general admission.
Admission criteria:
- Attend an information session
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Pass the HESI A2 Exam with acceptable scores
- Complete college preparatory courses if applicable
- Pass a physical exam
- Have up-to-date immunizations – MMR, Varicella, TB (PPD) skin test, Tdap, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C
- Clear a criminal background check
- Pass a drug screen
- Pass a physical exam
- Valid CPR certification
- Maintain a minimum of 2.25 GPA on college-level coursework
- Have current CPR for Healthcare Providers
The cost of attendance is approximately $6,378 for in-district students. The cost includes tuition, liability insurance, miscellaneous fees, textbooks, uniforms, supplies, and nurse pack.
- Website: http://www.sanjac.edu/lvn
- Address: 9999 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77042
- Phone: (713) 779-1110
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 96.49%
Lonestar College
Students applying for the Vocational Nursing program at Lonestar College must attend a Nursing Information Session to learn more about nursing as a career and the school’s requirements and procedures for enrollment. The one-hour sessions are available online and at the North Harris Campus and Health Professions Building. The 3-semester program includes classroom, lab, and clinical instruction to prepare students for a career as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN). Students must complete the prerequisite Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology. Course modules include Nutrition, Mental Illness, Basic Nursing Skills, Foundations of Nursing, Gerontology, Nursing in Health and Illness, Maternal-Neonatal Nursing, and Leadership Professional Development. Students must complete 48 credits to receive the Vocational Nursing Certificate.
Admission criteria:
- Meet the general admission requirements for admission LoneStar College
- Submit official transcripts of all non-LSCS colleges attended
- Complete college-level reading, writing, and math prerequisites. An alternative is to complete the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements
- Complete BIOL 2404 with a grade C or higher
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher on all college-level courses
- Take and pass the HESI Exam
- Have valid CPR certification
- Provide proof of completing high school or GED equivalency
- Documentation of Positive Quantitative Hepatitis B Titer
- Complete drug screen
- Provide a physical exam report
- Demonstrate English proficiency
- Complete a TB skin test
- Proof of immunization – MMR, Varicella, Tdap, and Hepatitis C
- Complete a BON background check
- Have health insurance and malpractice/liability insurance.
The average cost per semester is $800 (based on completion of 12 credits). Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN exam for Texas licensure.
- Website: http://www.lonestar.edu/vocational-nursing-certificates.htm
- Address: 17200 Red Oak Drive, Suite 200X, Houston, TX 77090
- Phone: 936-273-7030
- Fax: 936.273.7050
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 90.48%
Houston Community College
The Vocational Nursing curriculum at Houston Community College prepares graduates to work under the direction of Registered Nurses and physicians in long-term care facilities, hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare institutions. The 39-credit course covers 3 semesters or 44 weeks for full-time students. Course content includes Nursing in Health and Illness, Vocational Nursing Concepts, Essentials of Medication Administration, Basic Nursing Skills, Maternal-Neonatal Nursing, Advanced Nursing Skills, and Mental Illness. Other topics include Leadership and Professional Development, Pediatrics, and Clinical Experiences.
Admission criteria:
- Attend a mandatory information session
- Take and pass the TEAS exam
- Submit official high school or GED transcript and any college transcript to HCC
- Obtain a minimum grade C on the prerequisite courses
- Pass a drug screen
- Proof of immunization – MMR, Varicella, Tdap, TB, Hepatitis B, Meningitis, and Influenza
- Health and liability insurance
- Obtain criminal background clearance
- Valid CPR for Healthcare Providers
- Complete the mandatory Program and Student Services Orientation
Tuition and supplies will cost $5,069.
- Website: http://www.hccs.edu/programs/areas-of-study/health-sciences/licensed-vocational-nursing-lvn/
- Address: 1900 Pressler St, #312, Houston, TX 77030
- Phone: 713-718-7331
- Fax: 713-718-7606
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
Bell Tech Career Institute, Inc
The Vocational Nursing program at Bell Tech Career Institute is designed to be completed in one year. The Certificate program includes classroom theory and clinical experiences to prepare students for success on the NCLEX for licensure as Vocational Nurse. Course topics include basic nursing skills, advanced nursing skills, vocational nursing concepts, maternal neonatal nursing, medical surgical nursing, mental illness, pediatrics, and medication administration. Classes meet Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Admission criteria:
- Be 18 years or older
- Have a valid Texas Driver’s license or ID
- Copy social security card
- Have completed high school or GED equivalent
- Submit a completed application and non-refundable application fee of $50
- Take and pass the HESI A2 exam Math & English and score 75% in each criterion – the test is offered at Bell Tech for $65
- Three letters of recommendation
- An essay outlining goals, including goals for professional practice and volunteer work
Use the contact information below to find out more about the program’s tuition and schedule.
- Website: http://belltechcareerinstitute.com/
- Address: 12000 Richmond Ave – Suite 130, Houston, TX, USA 77082
- Phone: 281-679-0541
- Toll-Free: 877-723-BELL
- Fax: 281-679-0524
- Email: info@belltechenterprises.com
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
Texas Health School
Texas Health School prepares students to provide competent, safe, and responsible care as a Vocational Nurse. The program covers a total of 1440 clock hours: 600 theory hours, 360 skill lab simulation hours, and 480 clinical hours. Students will complete the requirements in three semester – each semester comprising of 16 weeks. Students who complete the 55 semester credit hours will receive a Vocational Nursing Diploma. Graduates will be eligible to apply for licensure by the Texas BON to practice as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. Areas of study include vocational nursing concept, anatomy and physiology for allied health, basic nursing skills, growth and development, essentials of medication administration, pharmacology, nutrition, medical surgical nursing, gerontology, maternal neonatal nursing, mental health and mental illness, and leadership and professional development. The program is offered on a day schedule only.
Admission criteria:
- Complete the application form
- Pass the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) with a minimum score of 17
- Provide proof of official high school transcript or GED equivalency
- Be able to read, write, and speak English
- Complete an initial criminal background check through TDPS
- Submit an application for the VN program
- Attend a mandatory information session
- Pass the TEAS V test with an overall minimum score of 58%
- Submit two Student Recommendation Forms completed by an employer or teacher
- A current resume
- An essay entitled “Why I Want to be a Nurse.”
- Immunization records – MMR, Tdap, TB, Varicella, Meningitis, Influenza, and Hepatitis B
- Sign the Enrollment Agreement
- Attend an interview with nurse faculty
- Have current CPR certification
Use the contact information below to inquire of the tuition and current schedule for the vocational nursing program.
- Website: https://www.ths.edu/licensed-vocational-nursing/
- Address: 11211 Katy FWY suite 170, Houston, TX 77079
- Phone: 713-932-9333
- Fax: 713-932-0313
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
The Vocational Nursing Institute, Inc
The Vocational Nursing Program at the Vocational Nursing Institute includes instruction in the classroom, skills lab, and clinical site. The duration of the program is 18 months. Course topics include pharmacology, medication administration, pediatrics, mental health nursing, basic nursing skills, growth and development, vocational nursing concepts, medical surgical nursing, disease control and prevention, geriatrics, mental health nursing, leadership and professional development, and clinical practice. The program is available on an evening-only basis. Classes meet Monday through Thursday from 5:45 pm to 9:00 pm and on Saturdays for 8 hours each week.
Admission criteria:
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better – Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Terminology
- Complete HESI testing including Reading Comprehension, Anatomy and Physiology, Basic Math, Grammar, Vocabulary, and General Knowledge. Obtain an overall score of 80% or better
- Be at least 17 years old
- Be in good health – be able to bend, twist, lift at least 50 pounds
- Provide a basic physical signed by a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant
- Provide a copy of immunization records
- Complete a background check according to school and TBON procedures
Tuition for the program is $28,500 and includes textbooks.
- Website: https://www.vocationalnursinginstitute.com/EveningVocationalNursingProgram.php
- Address: 11201 Steeple Park Drive, Houston, TX 77065
- Phone: 832-237-2525
- Fax: 832-237-2505
- Email: info@compliancereviewservices.com
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 42.86%
The College of Health Care Professions
The vocational nursing certificate program at The College of Health Care Professions helps students attain the knowledge and skills needed to meet the Texas Board of Nursing competencies for practice as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. Instruction will include theory, laboratory, and clinical experiences to prepare students for success on the NCLEX-PN exam. Course topics include Basic Nursing Skills, Vocational Nursing Concepts, Medication Administration for LVN Practice, Essentials of Medical Terminology, Pharmacology for Health Professions, Anatomy and Physiology for Allied Health, Mental Health Nursing, Advanced Nursing Skills, Medical Surgical Nursing, Nutrition, Growth and Development, and Nursing Care of the Older Adult. Final semester courses include, Nursing Care of Children, Nursing Care of Women and Newborns, Issues and Leadership for the LVN, VN Senior Capstone, and NCLEX Preparation. The total program covers 1,422 hours or 55 semester credits. Each semester is 16 weeks.
Admission criteria:
- Provide documentation of completing high school or GED
- Provide documentation of immunization/vaccinations
- Must have current American Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR certification
- Obtain a negative drug screen
- Must possess a Texas Board of Nursing Blue Card, Operations Outcome Letter, Enforcement Outcome Letter, or Eligibility Order
- Take and pass the ATI TEAS entrance exam with a score of 61.7% or greater
- Attend an interview with a Nursing Admissions Committee
- Consent to a criminal background check
Tuition and registration cost $30,000. Books and supplies are included in the cost.
- Website: https://www.chcp.edu/degrees-certificates/on-campus/vocational-nursing
- Address: 12230 Northwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77092
- Phone: 800-487-6728
- Email: info@chcp.edu
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Kari Martin