El Paso residents without a formal nursing background who are thinking about beginning a practical nursing career should know that they must complete a state-approved licensed vocational nurse (LVN) training program as a prerequisite to licensure.
LVN programs in Texas – called licensed practical nurse (LPN) programs in every other state save California – are approved by various state agencies. The Texas Board of Nursing regulates and approves those LVN El Paso nursing schools located in the city.
This article shows students how to locate El Paso LVN programs that have been approved by the state and reviews the Texas licensing requirements.
LVN El Paso Nursing License Guidelines
First-time nursing students in Texas who have never before been licensed as a nurse in the United States must complete the following steps before being allowed to work as an El Paso LVN:
- complete a state-approved LVN program
- pass the NCLEX-PN examination, which is the national licensing exam for all LPN and LVN candidates
- pass a criminal history background check
Nurses who are licensed in another state can apply to have their license transferred to the State of Texas through the Board of Nursing. Individuals who are interested in learning more about the endorsement process can call the board at (512) 305-7400.
El Paso LVN Training Classes and Curricula
The top post-secondary schools in Texas offering LVN training are required to offer students the following minimum elements:
- 1398 total hours of instruction and training
- 558 hours of academic learning
- 840 hours of clinical training
El Paso nursing students taking classes in an accredited LVN program are taught numerous subjects across several disciplines, including:
- Nursing care for the elderly
- Pharmacology
- Body structure and function
- Microbiology
- Nursing care of adults
- Nutrition
- Human growth and development
- Nursing skills
- Maternity nursing
- Pediatric nursing
- Mental health nursing care
- Signs of emotional health
In the clinical training portion of Texas-approved El Paso LVN programs, students work with a range of patients in medical facilities. This work, which is supervised by a professional nurse, provides students an experiential background that helps them begin successful careers after passing the NCLEX-PN exam.
LVN El Paso Nursing Schools
The Texas Board of Nursing approves a range of educational institutions offering LVN training, including local community colleges and technical schools.
To find the best programs in El Paso, see the Texas LVN programs list and search for El Paso institutions.
Benefit of El Paso LVN Programs
Nursing students who graduate from a top, state-approved LVN El Paso nursing program and go on to pass the NCLEX-PN exam are eligible to be employed in the State of Texas as an licensed vocational nurse.
For more nursing options 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 ...
Join the Conversation