Olivia Chen, NP
June 4, 2025
Texas relies on Licensed Practical Nurses and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) to deliver essential healthcare services to the population. The professionals establish an important connection between nursing patients and their medical providers. The large and varied population of Texas enables LVNs to deliver care throughout different communities including both rural clinics in the Panhandle and large urban hospitals in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. The increasing population combined with constant healthcare service requirements makes LVNs absolutely necessary for long-term care, outpatient clinics, and home health settings.
San Antonio, TX - Private 4-year - hallmarkuniversity.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Hallmark University's Vocational Nursing Program in San Antonio, TX, prepares students for a rewarding career in nursing in just 12 months. This campus-based program focuses on essential patient care skills across diverse healthcare settings. With small class sizes and clinical experiences at top San Antonio hospitals, students gain hands-on training. The program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and is a candidate for ACEN accreditation. Financial aid options are available, making this an affordable path to a nursing career. Admissions require TEAS scores, official transcripts, and a background check, among other prerequisites.
Denison, TX - Public 4-Year - grayson.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Grayson College's Vocational Nursing Program in Texas prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam and a rewarding career in nursing. Located at the South Campus in Van Alstyne, this program blends science and art to foster compassionate care. Students learn to meet diverse patient needs, advocate for safety, and collaborate with healthcare teams. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, clinical skills, and lifelong learning. Ideal for those seeking a hands-on nursing education in a supportive community college setting.
Laredo, TX - Public 4-Year - laredo.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Laredo College's Vocational Nursing Program offers an intensive 12-month certificate pathway to becoming a licensed practical nurse. Students gain comprehensive clinical skills across fundamental nursing domains, including medical-surgical, maternity, pediatric, and psychiatric care. The program prepares graduates to take the NCLEX-PN licensure exam, with an impressive 97.40% pass rate in 2023. With a total program cost of approximately $5,300, students can launch a healthcare career with strong job prospects, where Texas vocational nurses earn an average annual salary of $52,850.
San Antonio, TX - Private 4-year - galencollege.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Galen College of Nursing in San Antonio, TX, offers a Practical Nursing program designed for those new to nursing, aiming to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs). This program can be completed in as little as 12 months full-time or 21 months part-time, with classes held on campus. It prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam through engaging clinical coursework and practice-based training. The program starts four times a year, allowing students to begin their nursing careers quickly. Admissions requirements include proof of graduation and an entrance assessment, with financial aid options available.
Mount Pleasant, TX - Public 2-Year - ntcc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Vocational Nursing Certificate at Northeast Texas Community College prepares students for a rewarding career in nursing. This 48-credit hour program spans three semesters, offering a comprehensive curriculum that includes foundational nursing skills, medical-surgical nursing, maternal-neonatal nursing, pediatric nursing, and mental illness care. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN for licensure. The program emphasizes patient safety, compassionate care, and professional development. Admission requires a TEAS test score of 58.7% or higher. With a projected 9% growth in LVN employment by 2030, this program opens doors to numerous career opportunities in healthcare settings.
The majority of LVN education programs in Texas operate traditionally because supervised clinical experience stands as a necessity to obtain licensure. Some educational institutions provide hybrid programs that let students complete their theoretical courses through online study while attending both laboratory sessions and clinical rotations in person. The flexibility of these hybrid educational options enables working adults and people with family responsibilities to pursue their education. The Texas regulations prevent online-only LVNprograms from operating because they require direct clinical experience under supervision.
School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
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Galen College of Nursing-San Antonio |
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Dallas College |
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McLennan Community College |
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Certifying Board | Texas Board of Nursing |
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Certification | NCLEX-PN via Pearson VUE |
Educational Prerequisite | Graduation from a Board-approved vocational nursing program with official transcript and Program Affidavit |
Application & Fees | $75 application fee, $200 NCLEX-PN exam fee, $41.50 fingerprint/background check fee |
Processing Time | Authorization to Test issued in 1–2 weeks, permanent license typically issued within 4–6 weeks after passing NCLEX and clearance |
License Renewal | Biennial renewal every two years in your birth month, $45 renewal fee |
Continuing Education | 20 contact hours of Board-approved continuing nursing education per renewal cycle (first renewal exempt) |
Licensure by Endorsement | $150 endorsement fee, verification of a current unrestricted license, fingerprint/background check, proof of recent practice or completion of a board-approved refresher. |
Texas faces an expanding need for LVNs because of its growing elderly population while healthcare providers expand services throughout the state. The typical LVN salary in Texas stands as one of the highest in southern states and metropolitan areas including Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston provide higher earning potential. Rural regions provide employment opportunities which sometimes include recruiting bonuses because of staffing shortages. The leading employers that hire LVNs include long-term care facilities together with outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, and home health services.
Salary & Career Outlook | Texas | USA |
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Avg Annual LVN Salary | $54,318 | $62,340 |
Avg Hourly Wage | $26.00 | $29.97 |
90th Percentile Salary | >$65,785 | $80,510 |
Median Salary | $54,318 | $62,340 |
10th Percentile Salary | <$44,621 | $47,960 |
Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~5% | 3% |
Annual Job Openings | ~5800 | ~54,000 |
Data Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Salary.com.
School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
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Texas Southmost College |
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El Paso Community College |
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College of the Mainland |
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LVNs in Texas have different options to advance their professional careers. A wide range of community colleges and universities throughout Texas operates LVN-to-RN bridge programs that develop existing nursing skills from vocational nursing education. Students can finish these transition programs within 1 to 2 years through their selected pathway and existing academic credit accumulation. LVNs can achieve specialized certifications for IV therapy, wound care, and geriatric nursing to enhance their skills and access specific nursing roles. Experienced LVNs often transition to supervisory or charge nurse positions when they work in long-term care facilities. The state of Texas offers numerous continuing education opportunities through both online and evening classes that enable workers to grow their careers.
Additional Nursing Programs in Texas
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