Licensed Vocational Nurses

LVNs are IN! Be Well-Paid While Working Your Way Up

Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), referred to as licensed practical nurses in some other states, are in high demand. LVNs care for the sick, injured, convalescent, and disabled under the direction of physicians and registered nurses.

LVNs account for 1 in every 6 nursing-related jobs in the Gulf Coast region. Health care providers in the Gulf Coast region are growing at a fast pace in response to a population growth rate that is three times faster than that of the nation since 2010.
 

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Why LVN over RN?

One benefit of becoming an LVN is the ability to gain LVN certification much more quickly and then have the opportunity to work in a relatively well-paid occupation while continuing your education for RN licensure.

As an alternative to an initial two or three years to complete an associate's degree in nursing or four or five years to complete a bachelor degree program, you spend one year in LVN training, gain some work experience at the LVN level and then return to school for either an LVN to RN program in a community college or an LVN to BSN program at a university campus or online program.

While many LVNs go on to become RNs, that's not a requirement and many continue to work happily and effectively as LVNs. 

  

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The number of LVN jobs are expected to increase by 24 percent from 2018 to 2028 with an annual job opening of 1,647 in the Gulf Coast region!

 

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Licensed Vocational Nurses are found in a wide range of healthcare-related industries and even educational institutions!

 

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Earning Your Degree: Where LVNs Begin

High School Endorsement: Public Service | STEM

You can start in high school, taking advanced science courses dealing with biology or physiology along with math, English, and psychology to prepare for the LVN program. Gaining admission into nursing programs is very competitive. More students are turned away each year than are accepted, so students should strive for the highest GPA possible to provide them with the edge needed for acceptance into a nursing program. 

An LVN career can start in less than one year. The path to obtaining a license generally begins through the completion of a vocational nursing program approved by the Board of Nursing offered at:

• Community colleges
• Vocational schools

 

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Texas licensure must meet the following requirements:

• Graduation from high school or hold G.E.D. certificate.
• Completion of an approved school of vocational/practical nursing with a minimum grade of "C" in all nursing courses.
• Satisfactory score in one of the following examinations:
  • State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE)- with a minimum score of 350
  • National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN®)

• Must complete mandatory criminal background check requirements.

Additional information can be found at:

• Texas Board of Nursing
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing

 

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Is being an LVN right for you?*

These skills, interests, and knowledge areas are recommended for a career as an LVN. The following data describes the relative importance of each knowledge/skill area from the opinion of those in the industry.

92%

Medicine

Everything surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of human injuries and ailments, including symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

86.4%

Customer & Personal Service

Meeting the expected quality of customer satisfaction when interacting with customer and potential customers.

82%

Psychology

Human behavior and performance ability, including perceiving differences in ability, personality, and interests that guide motivations.

74.8%

Therapy & Counseling

Knowing the principles, methods, and procedures for aiding emotional dysfunctions, and for counseling and guidance.

  

*Source: Texas Career Check.

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Helpful Tech to Get Ahead

• Medical Software: Medical procedure coding software, MEDITECH software, or Telephone triage software
• Scheduling Software
• Microsoft Office Suite: Microsfot Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel

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Gulf Coast Region Licensed Vocational Nurse Programs

Community Colleges

• Alvin Community College
• College of the Mainland
• Galveston College
• Houston Community College System
• Lee College
• Lone Star College System
• San Jacinto College District
• Wharton County Junior College

  

  

Major Employers  Nursing homes hire large numbers of LVN's. Most community hospitals hire LVN's. However, fewer LVN positions are available in very specialized hospitals like those in the Texas Medical Center. Long term care hospitals such as Triumph, Kindred, Select and Cornerstone hire many LVN's. Physicians' offices hire LVN's Psychiatric facilities and services for developmentally disabled persons, such as MHMRA and IntraCare, hire LVNs. Community clinics such as Good Neighbor, San Jose, El Centro de Corazon, and Legacy hire LVNs. City and county health departments hire LVNs.

In the Gulf Coast Region Angels of Care Pediatric Home Health Memorial Herman Ben Taub Houston Methodist M.D. Anderson Cancer Center United Health group Texas Children's Hospital Cornerstone Healthcare Group Legacy Community Health El Centro de Corazon Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care Kelsey-Seybold Clinic

  

If you have questions about our Industry/Occupation Profiles or are an organization in the Gulf Coast Region, please contact webmaster@wrksolutions.com.

*Includes the following counties: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, and Wharton.

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