Ready to Be a Nurse? Here Are the Best LVN Programs in Texas
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In Texas, licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) deliver basic patient care under the direction of a more senior member of the healthcare team, such as a registered nurse (RN) or doctor.
These professionals are known as LVNs in Texas and California but licensed practical nurses (LPN) in all other states. In addition to expert patient care, essential qualities for LVNs include empathy, organizational skills, patience, and resilience.
This guide highlights the top LVN schools in Texas. It also shows you how to get your license after graduation and provides a career and salary outlook.
How Do LVN Programs in Texas Work?
LVNs in Texas work within a scope of practice defined by the state. LVNs provide safe care to patients and serve as advocates for patients and their loved ones.
LVNs cannot make independent nursing judgments and must work under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Accredited, board-approved universities, community colleges, and vocational schools in Texas offer LVN certificate programs. Traditional on-site and hybrid online options are often available. These educational tracks often include clinical experience in a healthcare setting.
Admission criteria vary by institution but often include:
- Completed application
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Successful criminal background check
- Immunization records
- TEAS or HESI passing test scores
- GPA of 2.0 or higher
Upon completing the program with a “C” grade average or higher, you will receive a certificate of completion. To put your training into practice, the next step is to pass the NCLEX-PN exam and obtain your license.
Did You Know?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in May 2023 that the highest-earning 10% of LVNs/LPNs earn an average salary of $78,000 annually.- The national LVN job outlook is modest but promising — the BLS projects 5% annual employment growth for LVNs/LPNs between 2022-2032, a few points above the national average.
- California offers the most lucrative mean annual salary for LVNs at about $77,000.
- Independent nursing regulations in Texas dating back to the turn of the 20th century are why Texas nurses are called LVNs instead of LPNs.
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Top LVN Programs in Texas
Lee College
Baytown, TX- 2 year
- Campus
- In-State$3,012
- Out-of-state$3,552
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate0%
- Students Enrolled7,516
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment25%
- AccreditationYes
College of the Mainland
- Texas City, TX
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$2,550
- Out-of-state$3,450
- Retention Rate66%
- Acceptance Rate0%
- Students Enrolled4,687
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment33%
- AccreditationYes
San Jacinto Community College
- Pasadena, TX
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,240
- Out-of-state$5,040
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance Rate0%
- Students Enrolled32,452
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment41%
- AccreditationYes
Amarillo College
- Amarillo, TX
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$1,128
- Out-of-state$2,664
- Retention Rate67%
- Acceptance Rate0%
- Students Enrolled9,739
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment51%
- AccreditationYes
Why Accreditation Matters for LVN Programs in Texas
Accredited schools have been thoroughly assessed and approved to provide high-quality LVN training. This helps set you up for success in your future career.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accredits schools in Texas and other states. All the top LVN programs in Texas appear on their list.
Additionally, programmatic accreditation certifies select programs within an institution. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education offer this type of accreditation to the nursing discipline, including for LVN programs.
What Courses Do You Take in an LVN Program?
LVN programs vary according to school and other factors but typically include nursing theory courses, hands-on clinical activities, and simulation-based practice.
The most common topics in an LVN training program include:
- Essentials of medication administration
- Fundamentals of nursing practice
- Geriatrics
- Human anatomy and physiology
- Maternal-neonatal
- Medical-surgical nursing
- Medical terminology
- Nutrition
- Pediatrics
- Pharmacology
- Psychology and mental health
Supervised clinical rotations offer the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained in lectures to a real-world setting. SIM labs replicate such scenarios and allow you to develop field-specific skills in a safe environment.
What Is the Current LVN Salary in Texas?
The BLS reports a median annual salary of $56,490 for LVNs in Texas as of May 2023. This figure falls slightly short of the national median income for LPN/LVNs, which is $59,730 per year.
Most LVNs work full time, with 35% of the workforce in nursing and residential care facilities. Other settings include hospitals, home health, physician offices, and government sites.
The LVN program is a great entry point for anyone looking to enter the healthcare workforce. After you become an LVN, you can advance your career even further with an LPN-to-RN bridge program or an LPN-to-BSN program. Both offer affordable, fast-track pathways to more advanced (and lucrative) nursing roles.
Popular Optional LVN Certifications
Postgraduate certifications are not required to practice as an LVN. However, gaining certification in specialized areas may open the door to additional opportunities and higher compensation.
Most certifications require experience working as an LVN, fulfilling clinical hours in a nursing specialty, or both before you take the course.
Popular LVN certificate options include:
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- Basic Life Support
- Certified Clinical Research Associate
- Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse
- Certified Lactation Counselor
- IV Therapy
- Long-Term Care
- Nephrology
- Pediatric Advance Life Support
- Pharmacology
- Urology
- Wound Care
Frequently Asked Questions About LVN Programs and Jobs in Texas
It typically takes about two years to become an LVN in Texas. This includes 1-2 years of coursework in an accredited LVN program and time to prepare for and take the NCLEX-PN. You may be able to become an LVN in less time if you opt for an accelerated program.
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