LVN Programs in Houston

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 Level 2 Certificate Vocational Nursing program prepares students for the degree program and an entry-level career as a vocational nurse. 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 45 credit hours. It includes a combination of 480 hours of class lectures, 416 hours of lab, and 448 hours of nursing skills training and clinical experience in a variety of healthcare settings. Course topics include 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 earn a C or better in all Vocational Nursing  science courses and maintain an overall cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 to graduate from the program. Graduates will be eligible to apply to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam. 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

Tuition costs $88 per semester credit hour for in-district students and $144 per semester credit for those out of district. Other expenses include liability insurance, miscellaneous fees, textbooks, uniforms, supplies, and nurse pack.

• Website: https://www.sanjac.edu/index.php
• Address: 9999 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77042
• Phone: (713) 779-1110
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 99.72%

Lonestar College

The vocational nursing program at Lonestar College is designed for adults interested in becoming licensed vocational nurses.  Students will learn how to provide nursing care in a variety of health care settings. Students completing the Vocational Nursing, Level 2 Certificate and want to pursue the RN should consider the Nursing – Associate Degree Program – Transition to Professional Nursing Path . The 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. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN exam for Texas licensure. The duration of the program is 3 semesters.

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 $1236 for in-district students and $2,272 for out-of-district students (based on completion of 12 credits). Other costs for uniforms, books, fees, supplies, and materials are not included in the tuition.

• Website: http://www.lonestar.edu/
• Address: 17200 Red Oak Drive, Suite 200X, Houston, TX 77090
• Phone: 936-273-7030
• Fax: 936.273.7050
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 90.91%

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 HESI 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
• Provide proof of health and liability insurance
• Obtain criminal background clearance
• Valid CPR for Healthcare Providers
• Complete the mandatory Program and Student Services OrientationPro

The estimated program cost of $5,062 is based on in-district student rates. It includes the cost of tuition, books, uniforms, and parking.

• Website: https://www.hccs.edu/
• Address: 1900 Pressler St, #312, Houston, TX 77030
• Phone: 713-718-7331
• Fax: 713-718-7606
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 83.05%

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: 70%

Texas Health School

Texas Health School prepares students to provide competent, safe, and responsible care as a Vocational Nurse. The program covers 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. Areas of study include vocational nursing concepts, 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. 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. They will also be prepared to implement the nursing process to provide quality patient care, plan and provide safe and effective patient care, communicate effectively with the patient care team, and promote community well-being. The duration of the day program is 48 weeks. A 74-week evening program is also available.

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

The total estimated cost of the program is $31,580 inclusive of tuition, licensing fees, tech fees, uniform, health assessment, CPR, and background check.

• Website: https://www.ths.edu/
• Address: 11211 Katy FWY suite 170, Houston, TX 77079
• Phone: 713-932-9333
• Fax: 713-932-0313
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 94.12%

The Vocational Nursing Institute, Inc

The Vocational Nursing Program at the Vocational Nursing Institute includes instruction in the classroom, skills lab, and clinical site.  Students must complete prerequisite courses before applying to the program.  The curriculum covers 1398 clock hours – 558 in the classroom and 840 for clinical and lab, 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. Day and evening schedules are available.  Day classes meet Monday through Thursday from 9:30 to 4:30 pm. Evening classes meet Monday through Thursday from 5:45 pm to 9:00 pm and on Saturdays for 8 hours each week. The duration of the program is 18 months.

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 $25,500 and includes textbooks. Other costs not included are shoes, uniforms, watch with a second hand, blood pressure cuff, and stethoscope.

• Website: https://www.vocationalnursinginstitute.com/
• Address: 11201 Steeple Park Drive, Houston, TX 77065
• Phone: 832-237-2525
• Fax: 832-237-2505
• Email: info@compliancereviewservices.com
• NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 60%

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 $30,400. Books and supplies are included in the cost.

• Website: https://www.chcp.edu/
• Address: 12230 Northwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77092
• Phone: 800-487-6728
• Email: info@chcp.edu
• NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 90%

Galen College of Nursing

Galen College prepares students to get working and earning in nursing as soon as possible. The program is designed for those who are passionate about patient care. There are no prerequisites or waiting lists. The hands-on education prepares students to make valuable contributions from their first day at work. The curriculum cvoers 1140 contact hours of instruction – 600 hours in the classroom, 192 hours of lab, and 648 hours of clinical internship. Course topics include integrated human sciences, fundamentals of nursing, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, mental health concepts, maternal-child nursing, geriatric nursing, and nursing and healthcare. Graduates will receive a Vocational Nursing Diploma and be eligible to apply to the Board of Nursing to take the NCLEX-PN to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse. The daytime program may be completed in 12 months.

Admission criteria:

• Must be a high school graduate or possess a GED diploma
• Must be able to communicate effectively in English
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must take and pass the entrance exam – fee required
• Submit official transcripts for all transferable courses
• Submit a completed medical packet that includes physical examination and immunization record
• Must take and pass a criminal background check
• Must complete a satisfactory urine drug screen

Tuition for the program is $22,900. There is a registration fee of $100. Books and supplies will cost an estimated $1,000. Other costs include uniform, white leather shoes, wristwatch, and background check.

• Website: http://www.galencollege.edu/
• Address: 11210 Equity Drive, Houston, TX 77041
• Phone: (877) 223-7040
• NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 84.62%

Galveston College

The level 2 vocational nursing certificate offered by Galveston College is designed for adults seeking entry-level employment as a vocational nurse. Students will acquire the skills and knowledge to care for patients in structured health care settings. The curriculum is based on sequential learning so students must obtain a grade of C or better before progressing to the next course in the sequence. Prerequisite courses are anatomy and physiology and essentials of medication administration. Students will then need to complete 45 credit hours to earn the Vocational Nursing Certificate. Course topics incluide nursing in health and illness, basic nursing skills, gerontology, pharmacology, maternal/neonatal nursing, clinical pediatrics, advanced nursing skills clinical, NCLEX-PN review, and clinical medical surgical nursing. Students must obtain a passing score in the NCLEX-PN readiness exam to graduate from the program. The duration of the program is 12 months.

Admission criteria:

• Must secure admission to Galveston College before applying to the program
• Take and pass the Texas Success Initiative requirements
• Must complete the prerequisite courses with a minimum grade C and an overall GPA of 2.5 – BIOL 2401, Intermediate Algebra or Foundations of Statistic
• 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
• Must have and maintain Basic Life Support Health Care Provider (CPR) certification throughout the program
• Must obtain a clear drug screen test

Tuition and fees cost $1,039 per semester for in-district students and $1,327 for those out of district.. Students must cover the cost for books, supplies, fees, background clearance, admissions testing, and uniforms.

• Website: https://gc.edu/index.php
• Address: 4015 Avenue Q, Galveston, TX 77550
• Phone: 409-944-4242
• NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 53.85%

Lee College

Lee College prepares vocational nursing students to sue the problem-solving process to function within the ethical and legal scope of practice for vocational nurses. The curriculum covers a total of 43 semester credit hours. Course topics include foundation of nursing, basic nursing skills, advanced nursing skills, clinical vocational nursing, pharmacology, medical surgical nurisng, maternal neonatal nursing, pediatrics, and leadership and professional development. Graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX for Practical Nurses.

Admission criteria:

• Must be a student of Lee College before applying to the nursing program
• Submit official transcripts of from all post-secondary institutions
• 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
• Must schedule, take and pass placement tests and complete any required developmental courses
• Must submit a completed application to the program
• Attend a mandatory information session
• Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better – the Human Body, Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Terminology
• Must have personal health insurance – must be submitted to the Nursing Office
• Must 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
• Must pass a drug test

Tuition and fees cost $1,193 per semester based on full-time attendance (12 credit hours).

• Website: https://www.lee.edu/
• Address: 200 Lee Drive, Baytown, TX 77520
• Phone: 281-427-5611
• NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100.00%

How Long is the LVN Program in Houston?

The vocational nursing course of study that leads to a certificate or diploma takes 12 months to complete based on full-time attendance. Part-time evening options are available at institutions such as the Texas Health School and The Vocational Nursing Institute. These can be completed in 74 weeks and 18 months respectively.

How Do I become an LVN in Texas?

You must obtain a license from the Texas Board of Nursing before practicing as a licensed vocational nurse. You may submit your application for licensure to the Board of Nursing after you have completed a state-approved vocational nursing programs. Below is an outline of the steps you’ll need to take.

• Review the Licensure Eligibility section in the Board’s website.
• If you need to answer “yes” to any of the eligibility questions, you cannot submit your application online. You must submit a paper application.
• If you graduated outside of the United States, you cannot submit your application online.
• If you do not have a United States social security number, you cannot submit an application online,
• Submit an online examination application if you meet the eligibility criteria
• Complete a criminal background check through the Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation based on a set of fingerprints provided to MorphoTrust . Note that the procedures vary based on your Texas residency.
• Register with Pearson Vue to take the NCLEX-PN exam 30 days prior to graduation from the vocational nursing program
• Take and pass the Texas nursing jurisprudence exam before the issue of the ATT for the NCLEX exam
• The Texas nursing school will submit an online affidavit of graduation. If you graduated outside the state of Texas, you must print the affidavit of graduate and request the school of nursing dean/directory to complete and mail directly to the Texas Board of Nursing
• Pay the initial registration fee of $75
• Take and pass the ATT exam after the Board approves
• Print your license from the Board of Nursing website after you pass the NCLEX exam.

Full details on obtaining an LVN license in Texas are available here: Texas LVN Licensure Requirements.

How Much Does The LVN Program Cost in Houston?

Vocational nursing programs at public colleges are more affordable than private institutions. Your cost for in-state tuition is an affordable $4,300 for the three-semester program. The average cost at private schools is $31,450.

Can You Become An LVN Online in Houston?

The LVN program is delivered in-person at most schools in Houston. Apart from being present for the classroom theory, the hands-on lab and clinical internship requires your presence for the development of essential patient care skills. Therefore, it is not possible to complete the LVN online in Houston.

Free LVN Programs In Houston

There are no free LPN programs in Houston. However, you can choose from one of many low-cost programs and apply for financial aid to further reduce the cost of training.