LVN Programs in Texas
The Texas Board of Nursing regulates all vocational nursing programs in the state. The board uses a defined set of guidelines and requirements to approve LVN programs, one of which includes a mandatory minimum of 1398 hours of instruction of which 558 are in the classroom hours and 840 are clinical hours. (source: Texas BON). All of the LVN programs you see below are approved.
Steps to Become an LVN in Texas
The first step to becoming a vocational nurse in Texas is to complete an approved vocational nursing program. You must make sure that the program you choose is approved or you will not be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN exam and apply for licensure in the state of Texas. Upon graduation, you will be eligible to practice as a graduate vocational nurse (GVN) for a period of 75 days. It is important to schedule a time to take the NCLEX-PN exam as soon as possible because you will not be able to extend this 75 day period. Once you have passed the licensing exam, you will be eligible to practice as a vocational nurse in Texas.
Tip: Research NCLEX-PN pass rates for LVN programs in Texas prior to committing to a program.
Texas is one of 24 Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) states, meaning that once the NCLEX-PN exam is passed an LVN in Texas can be issued a multi-state LVN/LPN license allowing that Licensed Vocational Nurse to practice as an LVN/LPN in another NLC state.
What Do LVNs in Texas Make?
According to LVN job postings at indeed.com in April, 2012, LVN salaries in Texas range from $31,000 to $48,000 per year. Earning power is often dependent on factors such as experience, employer, and location. LVN’s with substantial experience working in places such as the ICU or emergency room may have the opportunity to make significantly more money.
Options
Some of the LVN schools in Texas implement a “ladder concept” approach to the LVN curriculum, which means that they have prerequisites set in place for students to first complete a Certified Nursing Assistant(CNA) training prior to beginning the LVN program. CNA programs are actually a great way to “test the waters” and make sure the nursing path is what you are looking for. CNAs see some of the not so clean parts of nursing and care for some of the more challenging patients. These are experiences similar to those an LVN will encounter. Check out the CNA training programs in Texas.
You may also be interested in the Medical Assisting programs in Texas. Medical Assistants in Texas make good salaries, have excellent job growth projections and programs can be completed in as little as 9 months.
Explore the approved vocational nursing programs below. Take the first step to becoming an LVN today by requesting information from the programs that interest you.
Texas Board of Nursing Approved Vocational Nurse Programs
Additional Texas Board of Nursing Approved LVN Programs
There are a number of approved programs throughout the state. Here you will find a PDF file list of approved schools provided by the Texas BON: Click Here