
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 delivers an intensive 12-month pathway into professional nursing, strategically designed for aspiring healthcare professionals in San Antonio. Students immerse themselves in comprehensive clinical training across diverse healthcare environments, leveraging small class sizes for personalized learning. With Texas Board of Nursing approval and ACEN accreditation candidacy, the program emphasizes hands-on skill development, covering critical areas like medical-surgical nursing, maternal-newborn care, and pharmacology fundamentals. Prospective students must complete TEAS testing, background checks, and maintain current immunizations. The curriculum meticulously prepares graduates for the NCLEX-PN examination, positioning them for immediate entry into the nursing profession with robust practical experience.
Denison, TX - Public 4-Year - grayson.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Grayson College's Vocational Nursing Program provides a comprehensive pathway into professional nursing, strategically located at the South Campus in Van Alstyne. Students receive rigorous training that seamlessly integrates theoretical knowledge with practical clinical skills. The program's distinctive curriculum emphasizes holistic patient care, preparing graduates to confidently navigate complex healthcare environments. Designed for aspiring nurses seeking a structured and supportive educational experience, students learn to excel in patient advocacy, critical decision-making, and collaborative healthcare delivery. With a strong focus on NCLEX-PN exam preparation, the program equips students with the competencies needed to launch successful nursing careers in diverse medical settings.
Laredo, TX - Public 4-Year - laredo.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Laredo College's Vocational Nursing Program delivers a rigorous 12-month educational journey designed to transform aspiring healthcare professionals into skilled licensed practical nurses. Through an immersive curriculum spanning medical-surgical, maternity, pediatric, and psychiatric care domains, students develop comprehensive clinical competencies. The program distinguishes itself with an exceptional 97.40% NCLEX-PN licensure exam pass rate, positioning graduates for immediate workforce entry. With an affordable total program cost of $5,300, students can efficiently launch a promising nursing career, especially considering Texas vocational nurses' competitive average annual salary of $52,850. Hands-on campus-based clinical training ensures practical skill development across multiple nursing practice areas.
San Antonio, TX - Private 4-year - galencollege.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Galen College of Nursing-San Antonio offers a comprehensive Practical Nursing program that equips aspiring nurses with essential skills for immediate healthcare entry. Students can complete the program in 12 months full-time or 21 months part-time, with strategically scheduled quarterly starts. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on clinical training and comprehensive preparation for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam. Campus-based learning provides immersive educational experiences, complemented by practice-based methodologies that develop critical nursing competencies. Prospective students must submit proof of graduation and successfully complete an entrance assessment, with flexible financial aid options supporting diverse learner backgrounds. The program's robust structure ensures graduates are well-prepared for licensed practical nursing roles.
Mount Pleasant, TX - Public 2-Year - ntcc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Northeast Texas Community College's Vocational Nursing Certificate is a rigorous 48-credit hour program designed to equip aspiring nurses with comprehensive healthcare skills. Students navigate a three-semester curriculum covering critical nursing domains including medical-surgical, maternal-neonatal, pediatric, and mental health nursing. The program strategically prepares students for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam with a strong emphasis on patient safety and professional development. Requiring a TEAS test score of 58.7%, the program leverages clinical experiences to develop compassionate, competent healthcare professionals. With projected 9% growth in LVN employment, graduates are positioned for diverse and rewarding healthcare career opportunities across multiple clinical 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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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