
Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) care for the sick, convalescent, disabled, and injured under the direction and guidance of physicians and registered nurses. Their job description includes basic bedside care, measuring and recording vital signs, administering medications, monitoring catheters, and tending to bedsores. Some LVNs assist in the delivery and care for infants in the maternity/neonatal units. Apart from CNAs, LVNs spend a great deal of time with patients and are often in the best position to make patient assessments and contribute to the patient care plan. Individuals desirous of starting a career as a vocational nurse must complete a vocational nursing program and take the NCLEX-PN in preparation for state licensure.
El Centro College
Graduates of El Centro College’s Vocational Nursing program receive a Certificate of Completion and are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN for Texas licensure. The 12-month program comprises of two academic semesters (16 weeks for each) and two summer semesters (5 weeks for each). The blended classroom, lab, and clinical curriculum calls for students’ full commitment in the form of attendance, preparation, and time for study. Therefore, the school discourages full-time employees from pursuing the daytime-only course. The supervised clinical training is a critical aspect of the program that requires 100 percent attendance. Students must be physically capable of caring for patients, which includes lifting, moving, and transferring patients in and out of bed. Clinical sessions are scheduled during daytime hours on weekdays. 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, Clincial. Admission to the program is competitive and will be based on a GPA of prerequisite courses. 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 a Dallas County Community 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
The estimated cost of attendance is $7,023.20 for Dallas County residents, $9,249.20 for out-of-county residents, and $11,968.20 for out-of-state residents. The costs include uniforms, tuition, textbooks, name tag, shoes, admission fees, clinical qualification procedures, and medical supplies.
- Website: https://www.elcentrocollege.edu/cd/credit/nursing/pages/default.aspx
- Address: 801 Main St, Dallas, TX 75202, United States
- Phone: (214) 860-2000
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%
Dallas Nursing Institute
Dallas Nursing Institute’s program graduates find employment in long-term care facilities, specialty hospitals, home health care agencies, rehabilitation centers, and correctional facilities. Flexible schedules let students pursue training to become a vocational nurse without interrupting their prior commitments. Students complete the program in 51 weeks or 68 weeks, depending on the schedule. Instructors facilitate practical, rigorous training and provide personal guidance to all students. The curriculum covers 1,408 contact hours include 568 hours sin the classroom, 208 hours in a simulated environment, and 632 hours in a medical facility. Outside work will require an additional 352 hours. Students will earn 51 semester credits at the end of the program. Course topics include Medical Surgical Nursing I, Medical Surgical Nursing II, Medical Surgical Nursing III, Anatomy and Physiology for Nurses, Fundamentals of Nursing, Obstetrical Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, Pharmacology, State Board of Exam Review, and Professional Development.
Admission criteria:
- Obtain a passing score on the ACT or SAT – a composite score of 19 or above on the ACT or a composite score of 1350 or above on SAT
- Achieve a minimum score of 80 on the Reading Comprehension and 75 on Math on the VN Admission Assessment HESI A2 exam
- Have a high school diploma from an accredited high school or GED
- Submit a completed application and application fee of $100
- Submit a written essay to be scored
- Must pass a drug screen
- Must meet the Texas Board of Nursing criteria on the background check
- Complete a consultation with an admission representative
- Submit official transcripts from all post-secondary schools
- Must be at least 17 years old
- Must present a valid Blue Card or Outcomes letter from the Board of Nursing
- Provide records of immunization including a negative TB test, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Tdap, MMR, and seasonal flu shot
- Must have current Healthcare Provider BLS card
The tuition of $7,166 per semester include scrubs, HESI entrance exam, nursing kit, textbooks, health screening, immunization, POE verification, and tutoring sessions. The application fee of $100 is not included in the tuition.
- Website: https://www.dni.edu/vocational-nursing/
- Address: 12170 N. Abrams Rd., Suite 125, Dallas TX 75243
- Phone: 888-201-8806
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 96.36%
Concorde Career College
Concorde’s practical and clinical training prepares students to transition into a vocational nursing position in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and patients’ homes. The program emphasizes real-world practices that help equip students to function effectively in numerous health care settings. Course instructors highlight therapeutic nursing, rehabilitative nursing, preventative care, restorative care, and nursing interventions. The curriculum covers 1,600 contact hours (72-semester credits) in 50 instructional weeks for full-time students. Course modules are Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology, Human Growth and Development, Leadership, College Mathematics, Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing, Pharmacology, Nutrition, Personal and Practical/Vocational Concepts, Foundations of Nursing, Mental Health Nursing Care, Integumentary Nursing Care, Community Health Nursing Care, Maternal and Child Health Nursing Care, Clinical Practice, and NCLEX Review. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN for a state license. Candidates who pass the exam and meet the Board of Nursing’s requirements can use the LVN credential.
Admission criteria:
- Attend a personal interview and campus tour
- Complete the admission documentation, including the Enrollment Agreement
- Complete the Online Readiness Assessment
- Provide proof of graduating from an accredited high school or GED
- Applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of the clinical externship
- Provide a health certificate, including immunization records
- Must be able to speak, read, and write English
- Obtain a score of 17 or above on the Wonderlic SLE or 70 on the HESI A2
- Complete a criminal background check
The cost of attendance is $32,987 including application fee, books, and tuition.
- Website: https://www.concorde.edu/nursing-programs/vocational-nurse
- Address: 12606 Greenville Ave., Suite 130, Dallas, TX 75243
- Phone: 469-221-3400
- Fax: 469-221-3480
- Toll-free: 1-800-693-7010
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 64.29%
Platt College
The Practical Nursing program at Platt College offers a fast-track solution for entry into the field of nursing. Instructors provide the foundational knowledge and skills students need to enhance their understanding of this evolving field. By combining classroom instruction with hands-on skills in the lab and supervised clinical experiences in a real-world setting, the program produces graduates who are ready to launch their careers by offering their services at hospitals and nursing homes. The curriculum will deliver 1750 contact hours of theory and practical instruction. Students will have earned 96.0 quarter credits by the conclusion of the program. Course topics include Foundations of Nursing I, Pharmacology, Nutrition, Anatomy and Physiology, Foundations of Nursing II, Foundations of Nursing III, Clinical Practice I, Integumentary Nursing Care, Human Growth and Development, Medical Surgical Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Immunology Nursing Care, Mental Health Nursing Care, Maternal/Child Nursing Care, Leadership in Nursing, and NCLEX Review. Graduates are able to provide personal patient care, provide preoperative and postoperative nursing care, demonstrate compassionate and show respect for patients’ rights, provide emergency care when needed, and administer medications safely under the guidance of a registered nurse. Graduates will receive a Vocational Nursing Diploma and will be eligible to take the NCLEX for licensure as a Vocational Nurse.
Admission criteria:
- Visit the campus and attend a personal interview with the Admissions Department
- Provide proof of a valid high school diploma or GED
- Take and pass a standardized entrance exam of language and numerical skills
- Pass a criminal background check and drug screen
- Provide proof of immunization – TB test, MMR, Varicella, Tdap, Hepatitis B, and seasonal flu shot
Tuition for the 14-month program is $29,950 including expenses for textbooks, uniform, and supplies.
- Website: https://plattcollege.edu/areas-of-study/school-of-medical-sciences/vocational-nursing/
- Address: 2974 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy, Dallas, TX 75234, United States
- Phone: (972) 243-0900
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 76.54%
North Central Texas College
The vocational nursing program at North Central Texas College is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and leads to a Vocational Nursing Certificate. Students will learn who to care for patients of all age groups under the supervision of a registered nurse. The training includes classroom and inline instruction to cover the theoretical based coursework and clinical experiences in a variety of healthcare settings including hospitals, physicians’ offices, and long-term care facilities. Areas of study include Nursing in Health and Illness II, Pharmacology, Anatomy and Physiology for Allied Health, Basic Nursing Skills, Nursing in Health and Illness I, Essentials of Medication Administration, Nursing in Health and Illness III, Professional Development, Maternal-Neonatal Nursing, and Pediatrics. The duration of the program is 12 months.
Admission criteria:
- Must first obtain admission to NCTC
- Attend an information session
- Submit a completed application to the Vocational Nursing Program
- Submit an official high school transcript or proof of GED certification
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better
- Show proof of Major Medical Insurance or Accidental Injury Medical Insurance
- Provide proof of immunizations – Tdap, MMR, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Influenza, negative TB test
Tuition for the program is $5,544. Books and supplies cost an additional $2,100.
- Website: https://www.nctc.edu/catalog/curricula-health-sciences/nursing/vocational-nursing-LVN-program.html
- Address: 1525 West California Street, Gainesville, TX 76240
- Phone: (940) 668-7731
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 94.34%
Navarro College
The Vocational Nursing Certificate program at Navarro College prepares students for state licensure. The curriculum delivers 1416 contact hours of theory and clinical instruction including 576 in the classroom and 840 hours in a clinical setting. 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 and pass the TEAS test with a satisfactory score
- Attend a mandatory program orientation
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better
- Provide documentation of previous health care experience
- 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
- Two letters of recommendation
The total estimated program cost is $12,190. It includes tuition, health professions fee, textbook, software, liability insurance, mock trial, uniforms, shoes, supplies, drug screen, background check, CPR certification, and lab kit.
- Website: https://www.navarrocollege.edu/academics/licensed-vocational-nursing/
- Address: 3200 West 7th Avenue, Corsicana, TX 75110
- Toll-Free: 1-800-NAVARRO
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 80.43%