If you live in Texas, want to be a nurse but can't afford to wait several years to earn your RN license, you should consider becoming a licensed vocational nurse first. Numerous successful RNs start out as LVNs, and LVNs in Texas have it good. In addition to enjoying almost competitive pay and benefits, they have access to thousands of jobs in regions across the state. Training usually takes only 12 to 18 months, so you can get your license quickly.
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The first and most important step in becoming an LVN in Texas is completing a training program. This program must be approved by the Texas Board of Nursing; if it isn't, even if you pass, you will not be eligible to sit for the licensing exam. Below, you will find recommendations for trusted LVN programs in Texas.
Top LVN Programs in Texas
Given the importance of selecting a high-quality LVN training program, it pays to give careful consideration to as many options as you can. Remember, only consider LVN training programs that you can confirm are approved by the Board of Nursing. Similarly, stick with programs with pass rates for the NCLEX-PN of at least 95 percent.
Zeroing in on the right LVN program in Texas can be pretty daunting. Here are some recommendations for reputable options across the state:
Alvin Community College
3110 Mustang Rd, Alvin, TX 77511 (281) 756-3500Amarillo College
1314 S Polk St, Amarillo, TX 79101 (806) 371-5000Angelina College
3500 S 1st St, Lufkin, TX 75901 (936) 639-1301Angelina College
1505 S 4th St, Crockett, TX 75835 (936) 544-0055Austin Community College
2818 US-290, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 (830) 997-6363Baptist Health System School of Health Professions
3703 Fredericksburg Rd, San Antonio, TX 78201 (210) 785-4924Blinn College
902 College Ave, Brenham, TX 77833 (979) 830-4000Blinn College
2423 Blinn Blvd, Bryan, TX 77802 (979) 209-7200Brazosport College
500 College Blvd, Lake Jackson, TX 77566 (979) 230-3000Central Texas College
6200 W Central Texas Expy, Killeen, TX 76549 (254) 526-7161Cisco College
101 College Heights, Cisco, TX 76437 (254) 442-5000Clarendon College
1122 College Dr, Clarendon, TX 79226 (806) 874-3571Coastal Bend College
3800 Charco Rd, Beeville, TX 78102 (361) 358-2838College of the Mainland
1200 N Amburn Rd, Texas City, TX 77591 (409) 938-1211Concorde Career Institute
600 E Lamar Blvd #200, Arlington, TX 76011 (817) 261-1594CyberTex Institute of Technology
6300 La Calma Dr #350, Austin, TX 78752 (512) 454-6116Dallas Nursing Institute
12170 Abrams Rd #200, Dallas, TX 75243 (214) 351-0223Del Mar College
101 Baldwin Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78404 (361) 698-1200El Centro College
801 Main St, Dallas, TX 75202 (214) 860-2000El Paso Community College
100 W Rio Grande Ave, El Paso, TX 79902 (915) 831-4034Frank Phillips College
1301 Roosevelt St, Borger, TX 79007 (806) 457-4200Galen College of Nursing
7411 John Smith Dr #300, San Antonio, TX 78229 (210) 733-3056Galveston College
4015 Avenue Q, Galveston, TX 77550 (409) 944-4242Grayson College
6101 Grayson Dr, Denison, TX 75020 (903) 465-6030Hill College
112 Lamar Dr, Hillsboro, TX 76645 (254) 659-7500Houston Community College
555 Community College Dr, Houston, TX 77013 (713) 718-8200Howard College
3501 US-67, San Angelo, TX 76905 (325) 481-8300Howard College
1001 Birdwell Ln, Big Spring, TX 79720 (432) 264-5000Kilgore College
300 S High St, Longview, TX 75601 (903) 753-2642Lamar State College
1500 Procter St, Port Arthur, TX 77640 (409) 983-4921Lamar State College
410 W Front Ave, Orange, TX 77630 (409) 883-7750Laredo Community College
West End Washington St, Laredo, TX 78040 (956) 722-0521Lone Star College
9191 Barker Cypress Rd, Cypress, TX 77433 (281) 290-3200Lone Star College
30555 Tomball Pkwy, Tomball, TX 77375 (281) 351-3300McLennan Community College
1400 College Dr, Waco, TX 76708 (254) 299-8000Midland College
104 S Everts St, Fort Stockton, TX 79735 (432) 336-3330Navarro College
1900 John Arden Dr, Waxahachie, TX 75165 (972) 937-7612Navarro College
901 N Dr M.L.K. Jr. Hwy, Mexia, TX 76667 (254) 562-3848Navarro College
3200 W 7th Ave, Corsicana, TX 75110 (903) 874-6501North Central Texas College
1525 W California St, Gainesville, TX 76240 (940) 668-7731Northeast Texas Community College
2886 FM1735, Mt Pleasant, TX 75455 (903) 434-8100Odessa College
201 NW Ave D, Andrews, TX 79714 (432) 524-4022Odessa College
806 S Dwight Ave, Monahans, TX 79756 (432) 335-6390Panola College
1109 W Panola St, Carthage, TX 75633 (903) 693-2000Paris Junior College
2400 Clarksville St, Paris, TX 75460 (903) 785-7661Ranger College
1100 College Cir, Ranger, TX 76470 (254) 647-3234Rio Grande Valley College
5419 N Cage Blvd, Pharr, TX 78577 (956) 781-6800San Jacinto College
5800 Uvalde Rd, Houston, TX 77049 (281) 998-6150San Jacinto College
13735 Beamer Rd, Houston, TX 77089 (281) 998-6150Schreiner University
2100 Memorial Blvd, Kerrville, TX 78028 (800) 343-4919South Plains College
819 Gilbert Dr, Lubbock, TX 79416 (806) 885-3048South Plains College
1920 W 24th St, Plainview, TX 79072 (806) 296-9611South Plains College
1401 College Ave, Levelland, TX 79336 (806) 894-9611South Texas College
3700 W Military Hwy, McAllen, TX 78503 (956) 872-6100Southwest Texas Junior College
2401 Garner Field Rd, Uvalde, TX 78801 (830) 591-7256St. Philip's College
2189 FM758, New Braunfels, TX 78130 (210) 486-7402St. Philip's College
1801 Martin Luther King Dr, San Antonio, TX 78203 (210) 486-2055Temple College
2600 S 1st St, Temple, TX 76504 (254) 298-8282Temple College
516 N Main St, Taylor, TX 76574 (512) 365-7242Texarkana College
2500 N Robison Rd, Texarkana, TX 75501 (903) 823-3456Texas Health School
11211 Katy Fwy # 170, Houston, TX 77079 (713) 932-9333Texas Southmost College
80 Fort Brown St, Brownsville, TX 78520 (956) 295-3600Texas State Technical College
1902 N Loop 499, Harlingen, TX 78550 (800) 852-8784Texas State Technical College
300 Homer K. Taylor Dr, Sweetwater, TX 79556 (254) 559-7746The College of Health Care Professions
240 NW Mall, Houston, TX 77092 (800) 487-6728Trinity Valley Community College
800 Ed Hall Dr, Kaufman, TX 75142 (972) 932-4309Trinity Valley Community College
2970 TX-19, Palestine, TX 75803 (903) 723-6743Tyler Junior College
1327 S Baxter Ave, Tyler, TX 75701 (903) 510-2200Valley Grande Institute
345 S Texas Blvd, Weslaco, TX 78596 (956) 973-1945Vernon College
4400 College Dr, Vernon, TX 76384 (940) 552-6291Victoria College
2200 E Red River St, Victoria, TX 77901 (877) 843-4369Vista College
6101 Montana Ave, El Paso, TX 79925 (915) 779-8031Weatherford College
225 College Park Dr, Weatherford, TX 76086 (817) 594-5471Wharton County Junior College
911 E Boling Hwy, Wharton, TX 77488 (979) 532-4560
LPN Programs in Neighboring States:
LVN Licensing Requirements in Texas
Arm yourself with as much information about becoming an LVN in Texas as possible. This includes learning what you need to do to obtain an LVN license. The Texas Board of Nursing establishes and enforces requirements for LVN licensing in the state. These include:
- Completing an LVN training program that is officially approved by the Texas Board of Nursing. Note that in most cases, such programs take 12 to 18 months to complete.
- Submitting an application for licensure by examination to the Texas Board of Nursing. With it, include the necessary licensing fees; transcripts from your LVN training program; and a Livescan fingerprint to perform a background check.
- Registering for, taking and pass the licensing exam for LVNs, the NCLEX-PN. This exam is administered on dates throughout the year at testing locations around the state. Note that in lieu of the NCLEX, you may take the State Board Test Pool Examination, or SBTPE, to fulfill this requirement.
Texas belongs to the Nurse Licensure Compact, or NLC, which means that if you possess a valid multistate LPN or LVN license from another participating state, you can just start practicing here as an LVN. If you possess a valid license from a non-NLC state, you may use the endorsement process to transfer it, but it is a bit more involved.
Texas LVN licenses expire every two years. At the time of renewal, you must show proof of having completed at least 20 hours of continuing education.
Texas Board of Nursing
When you apply for your LVN license, you will submit your application to the Texas Board of Nursing. This agency handles all matters pertaining to nursing licensing in Texas, so be sure to keep its contact information on hand:
Texas Board of Nursing
333 Guadalupe St #3-460, Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 305-7400
Fax: (512) 305-7401
Website: bon.texas.gov
LVN Salary & Employment Outlook in Texas
Although training to become an LVN is easier and more affordable than training to become an RN, it still means having to invest decent amounts of time, effort and cash into the endeavor. It is wise to find out how much you can expect to earn as an LVN in Texas — and whether you really will be able to find employment.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, LVNs in the state of Texas earn a mean wage of $57,010 per year, which is equal to $27.41 per hour. This is slightly lower than the national average pay for LVNs, which is $59,730, or $28.72 per hour. It is nice to know that by training to become an LVN in Texas, you'll come away with credentials that allow you to earn a good living.
As for job outlook for LVNs in Texas, it is exceptional as well. Per the BLs, the LVN field in Texas is projected to grow by a rate of 27 percent between 2014 and 2024. Incredibly, this means that around 3,810 new LVN jobs will become available in the Lone Star State every year during that 10-year period.
LVN Salaries in Texas by Area
As you probably already know, average pay for LVNs varies depending on many factors, including education level and experience level. Likewise, where you are located in the state dramatically impacts how much you can expect to be compensated and how many jobs you have access to:
| Area | Total Employments | Avg. Hourly Wage | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 14,020 | $28.64 | $59,580 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land | 11,220 | $28.37 | $59,010 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 5,630 | $27.40 | $57,000 |
| Austin-Round Rock | 3,280 | $29.22 | $60,790 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | 1,940 | $23.68 | $49,250 |
| El Paso | 1,590 | $25.21 | $52,430 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | 1,210 | $24.38 | $50,710 |
| Killeen-Temple | 1,170 | $27.94 | $58,110 |
| Corpus Christi | 1,080 | $25.32 | $52,660 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | 1,020 | $25.06 | $52,120 |
| Tyler | 980 | $25.70 | $53,450 |
| Lubbock | 860 | $25.79 | $53,650 |
| Amarillo | 790 | $25.63 | $53,320 |
| College Station-Bryan | 660 | $25.14 | $52,300 |
| Waco | 640 | $26.92 | $55,990 |
| Wichita Falls | 610 | $25.16 | $52,320 |
| Longview | 610 | $25.39 | $52,800 |
| Abilene | 530 | $24.27 | $50,470 |
| Laredo | 520 | $24.93 | $51,850 |
| Texarkana | 480 | $24.06 | $50,040 |
| Sherman-Denison | 420 | $26.09 | $54,260 |
| Midland | 350 | $28.36 | $58,990 |
| San Angelo | 340 | $25.41 | $52,860 |
| Victoria | 340 | $25.70 | $53,450 |
| Odessa | 270 | $26.87 | $55,890 |
What are you waiting for? If you aspire to be a nurse and live in Texas, enroll in LVN training today. Before you know it, you will have earned your license and will be eligible to look for jobs.
