In order to attain the credentials necessary to work as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) – referred to in other states as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) – individuals must first graduate from a state-approved educational program.
All states are required to regulate their own official, accredited licensed vocational nurse (LVN) education programs. The Texas Board of Nursing is the governmental organization charged with approving those LVN Houston nursing schools located in and around the city.
This article explains where to find state-approved Houston LVN programs and details the steps that must be taken to attain licensure.
LVN Houston Nursing Licensure
Individuals who have never finished an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree from an approved nursing school must complete the following requirements before working as a licensed vocational nurse:
- Finish an approved, year-long LVN program
- Pass the national NCLEX-PN licensing examination
- Complete a criminal history review
The State of Texas is a member of the Nursing Licensure Compact, a group of states that allows license transfers between member states. Individuals who hold an out-of-state LPN or LVN license can apply for endorsement through the Board of Nursing, and can learn more information about the process by calling (512) 305-7400.
Houston LVN Program Elements
While each accredited Houston nursing school is allowed to build its own curricular and educational offerings, all state-approved licensed vocational nurse programs must provide students with:
- 1398 total hours of learning
- 558 hours of classroom-based instruction
- 840 hours of hands-on, supervised clinical work
In the classroom portion of LVN Houston nursing programs, students learn several essential academic and medical areas of study, including:
- Body structure and function
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Signs of emotional health
- Nursing skills
- Nutrition
- Human growth and development
- General nursing care
- Maternity nursing
- Pediatric nursing
- Mental health nursing
- Nursing care for the elderly
In the clinical component that is a part of all state-approved Houston LVN programs, students work directly with patients in local hospitals and medical facilities. This work, which is supervised, gives students the opportunity to practically work on those areas learned in the classroom.
LVN Houston Nursing Schools
The Texas Board of Nursing has granted approval to tens of licensed vocational nurse training programs throughout Texas, most of which are located in community and vocational colleges.
For a list of approved schools, see the state's list of LVN programs and search for those in the Houston area.
Houston LVN Training Benefits
Students who complete a state-approved LVN Houston nursing program are eligible to sit for the national NCLEX-PN exam, and those who subsequently pass the exam are legally allowed to work in hospitals and medical facilities throughout the state.
For more nursing opportunities in Texas and elsewhere, see also:
The Best Nursing Programs Online
David Harris-Gershon - David Harris-Gershon – a blogger for Tikkun magazine and a freelance writer on Israel, the Middle East and America’s role in ...
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