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.dallascollege.edu/about/ecc/pages/default.aspx
- Address: 801 Main St, Dallas, TX 75202, United States
- Phone: (214) 860-2000
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%
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 $35,927 including application fee, books, and tuition.
- Website: https://www.concorde.edu/
- 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 $38,105 including expenses for textbooks, uniform, and supplies.
- Website: https://plattcollege.edu/
- 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 $7,081. Books and supplies cost an additional $2,100.
- Website: https://www.nctc.edu/
- 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 $11,404 for in-district students. It includes tuition and program fees. The cost for textbooks, software, liability insurance, mock trial, uniforms, shoes, supplies, drug screen, background check, CPR certification, and lab kit are additional.
- Website: https://www.navarrocollege.edu/
- Address: 3200 West 7th Avenue, Corsicana, TX 75110
- Toll-Free: 1-800-NAVARRO
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 80.43%
How Long is the LVN Program in Dallas?
Vocational nursing programs in Dallas requires a time commitment of 12 months if you attend full-time. Part-time training options are available. The evening schedule takes approximately 18 months to complete. The completion times for the vocational nursing program published by each school does not include time for completing prerequisite coursework or any supplemental courses.
How Do I become an LVN in Texas?
A license issued by the Texas Board of Nursing is required before you begin practice as a licensed vocational nurse. Submit an application to the Board of Nursing only after enrolling and completing a board-approved vocational nursing program. The nursing program director will submit an affidavit of completion to the Board of Nursing only after you have successfully completed the program. Following are some steps to licensure as a vocational nurse in Texas.
- Ensure you meet one of the eligibility requirements before submitting your application = full details on the eligibility requirements are available on the Board’s website.
- Submit an online application if you qualify or a paper application if you must submit a “yes” response to any of the eligibility questions
- Submit a paper application if you graduated outside of the United States
- Submit a paper application if you do not have a United States social security number
- 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.
- At least 30 days before graduating from the vocational nursing program you should submit your registration with Pearson Vue to take the NCLEX-PN exam
- 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 graduation 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 with the Board’s approval
- 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 Dallas?
Dallas residents can benefit from affordable tuition offered at a multitude of public colleges offering the vocational nursing programs. El Centro College, Navarro College, and North Central Texas College have an average tuition rate of $7,000. The average cost of the program at private institutes such as Concorde College and Platt College is $32,000.
How Much Does a Licensed Vocational Nurse Earn in Dallas?
An entry-level vocational nursing working in a long-term care facility earns an average annual wage of $47,845. Experienced LVNs in Dallas working in clinics and hospitals earn a median annual wage of $52,450. Wages depend on the nurse’s experience and place of work.
Free LVN Programs In Dallas
There are no free LPN programs in Dallas. The cost of attendance at public colleges is an affordable rate of $7,000 for Dallas residents. Financial aid is available for eligible persons.