Rn Licensing Information And Requirements In Texas
Before beginning any nursing degree or diploma program leading to a Texas RN licensure, be sure you clearly understand exactly what will be required of you to obtain your license. Initial RN licensing and licensing renewals in Texas are administered through the Texas Board of Nursing . Heres a quick look at the major requirements for obtaining a Texas RN license:
Criminal Background Check
A criminal background check is required of all Texas RN licensure applicants and must be completed prior to sitting for the NCLEX-RN in Texas. The background check is conducted through the Texas Department of Public Safety and the FBI based on the applicants fingerprints. Applicants must submit their fingerprints via MorphoTrust, an electronic fingerprinting service that operates over 80 IdentoGo centers throughout the state. Detailed information on the CBC and links to fingerprinting instructions can be found on the BON Licensure-Examination Information webpage.
Professional Nursing Examinations
Renewal Timeline and Requirements
Texas Lvn Licensing Requirements
To become an LVN in Texas, educational requirements must be met by attending a program approved by the Texas Board of Nursing. Students must carry a âCâ or above on all nursing courses. Once coursework is complete, the applicant must pass the NCLEX-PN. Only graduates of Board approved programs are eligible for testing. Along with the application for licensure, applicants living in the state of Texas must submit Livescan Fingerprinting, while applicants from out-of-state must submit a criminal background check. Texas LVN licenses must be renewed every 2 years, and the license holder is responsible for 20 hours of continued education each renewal period.
Courses In A Lvn Program
An LVN program typically consists of a combination of theory classes, lab simulations, and hands-on clinical experience. In these courses, students gain ethically informed problem-solving skills and explore the foundations of specialized medical care. Through clinical rounds, students apply classroom knowledge often under the supervision of RNs and physicians.
The final round of clinicals often serve as a capstone for the program. Supervisors assess enrollees’ mastery of nursing philosophy in practice. Some programs may focus on medical practice, while others specialize in an age group or type of assistive care. The list below includes common courses found in an LVN program.
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Online Nursing Schools In Texas Tx
The requirements to become an RN in Texas are:
- Graduate from an approved school of professional nursing
- Pay a non-refundable fee of $186
- Achieve a satisfactory score on one of the following exams: SBTPE with a minimum score of 350, or the NCLEX-RN exam
The requirements to become a nurse practitioner in Texas are:
- Earn an undergraduate degree in nursing
- Pass the NCLEX-RN exam
- Complete a graduate degree in nursing
- Obtain advanced practice nursing licensing
- Depending on one’s specialty, specialize through certification
You can take classes at one of the many online nursing schools in Texas while you are raising a family or working outside of the home. But studying for an online nursing degree may still require that you spend time on campus meeting with your professors to discuss coursework.
The Texas Board of Nursing approves and regulates nursing education programs throughout the state. You should fully investigate the credentials of nursing programs to make certain that the program you choose is fully licensed and approved by the state board of nursing. A list of Texas Board-approved nursing programs is provided on the Texas Board of Nursing’s website.
Best Lvn Programs In Texas 2021
A public community college in Baytown, Lee College offers a 12-month vocational nursing program. The 47-credit program includes class lectures, laboratory work, and hands-on clinicals at local facilities. Courses cover gerontology, pediatrics, adult, and neonatal and maternity care.
The final clinical serves as the program capstone to measure students’ competency and mastery of nursing techniques outlined in the Differentiated Essential Competencies of Graduates of Texas Nursing Programs. Applicants need at least a 2.0 GPA and a composite score of 78 on the HESI-PN entrance exam for consideration.
After completion, students receive a Level 1 Certificate of Completion from the college and qualification to take the NCLEX-PN. The nursing program meets the standards outlined by the Texas Board of Nursing and educational requirements for licensure in 46 states.
College of the Mainland, a public community college in Texas City, has offered a clinical training intensive vocational nursing program since 2005. The program centers on employer-valued skills and provides students with the ability to offer ethical and evidence-based care.
Enrollees must attend two weeks of full-time clinical orientation. Along with the general vocational nursing curriculum, COM requires specific training in surgical nursing for all graduates. The school also offers an LVN-to-RN program that graduates of the vocational nursing program can enter after obtaining an LVN license.
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Standout Accelerated Online Bsn Programs In Texas
The following schools offer high-quality online BSN programs in accelerated formats. These programs are being highlighted because of their affordability, flexibility in delivery, accreditation, approval by the Texas Board of Nursing, NCLEX-RN pass rates, and robust student support systems. Find out which schools rise to the top in 2020.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Texas Techs School of Nursing offers anaccelerated second-degree in nursing program designed for completion in as few as 12 months. The fully-accredited course of study leads to a BSN degree that prepares students to meet the unique challenges nurses face in the healthcare field. It requires completion of 61 credit hours spread across three semesters. Potential course topics include basic nursing skills, clinical foundations, evidence-based practice, and pharmacology. The program boasts an NCLEX-RN pass rate of 96.72%.
Baylor University
Working professionals with a relevant bachelors degree can earnan accelerated BSN online at Baylor Universitys Louise Herrington School of Nursing. The 62-credit program offers intensive, full-time training that uses a blend of online instruction, clinical experiences, and interactive hybrid learning modules. Most classes vary in length from three to 10 weeks and cover vital subjects like healthcare policy and contemporary issues, foundations for nursing practice, and therapeutic communication.
University of Texas at Arlington
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Lvn Licensing Information And Requirements In Houston
As with every other state in the nation, practicing as a vocational nurse in Texas requires first obtaining state LVN licensure. In Texas, the licensing process is administered by the Texas Board of Nursing . The requirements for state LVN licensure for most Texas-based applicants include:
- Possessing a high school diploma or GED certificate
- Completing a BON-approved LVN program with a minimum C grade in all nursing courses. The program must include a minimum of 558 theory and 840 clinical contact hours.
- Paying the $189 license registration fee
Additional and alternative licensure requirements apply to applicants who received their LVN education in another state or internationally or hold LPN/LVN licensure in another jurisdiction. For detailed information on all Texas LVN licensing requirements, visit the BONs Online Endorsement Application Eligibility Information webpage.
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Is There Room For Advancement After A Vocational Nurse Certificate From Chcp
After obtaining your certificate in vocational nursing, you will be able to further your nursing career by becoming a registered nurse . If you ever decide to become an RN, we can help. We have a program specifically designed for LVNs moving to RNs. Click here to learn more about our Nursing AAS Program.
What Can I Do With A Lvn Degree
With an LVN degree, students qualify to take the National Council Licensure Exam for Practical Nursing. After passing the exam, degree-holders can pursue various healthcare positions within the state of their licensure. This includes hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, schools, and private practices. Typical duties of an LVN include administering medication, taking vitals, providing patient comfort, and reporting on a patient’s condition to a physician or RN.
An LVN degree can also serve as the foundation for advancing a nursing career. Often the courses in an LVN program provide basic knowledge for pursuing an associate degree or a bachelor of science in nursing. This shortens the time and cost of a four-year degree.
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What Is The Vocational Nursing Program
The LVN scope of practice is a directed scope of practice and requires the appropriate supervision of a registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, physician, dentist, or podiatrist. The LVN, with a focus on patient safety, is required to function within the parameters of the legal scope of practice and in accordance with the federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and policies, procedures, and guidelines of the employing health care institution or practice setting. The LVN is responsible for providing safe, compassionate, and focused nursing care to assigned patients with predictable health care needs. Program is 12 months in length, full-time, Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week. All students must be able to meet admission requirements as well as clinical and classroom schedules. Upon completion of this program, students are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing through the Texas Board of Nursing. Passing this exam certifies the graduate to practice as a Licensed Vocational Nurse.
How To Get Certified Nursing Assistant Certification In Texas
There are a few steps individuals must complete to be registered as a certified nurse aide in Texas. First, applicants must complete a state-approved nurse aide training program and a competency evaluation program. The Texas Health and Human Services department provides a complete listing of eligible programs for the CNA career path on their website.
Next, candidates must complete the competency evaluation program examination. For those who don’t pass the exam the first time, they may retake the exam up to two times. However, if they don’t pass it after three attempts, they must complete the coursework again. Alternatively, aspiring CNAs may qualify to be placed on the Texas Nurse Aide Registry either by waiver or reciprocity.
Unlike other Texas nursing licenses, CNAs don’t have specific expiration dates on their certificates. However, they are required to contact the Nurse Aide Registry every two years to verify employment. This ensures CNAs keep an active license in the state.
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University Of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
The University of Texas health science center is the best nursing school in South Texas. It has strategically collaborated with all major San Antonio area hospitals and clinics. Its accelerated nursing course is a 15-month program that has been divided into four semesters. The program prepares its students to be competent professionals in the nursing field with its affordable programs. Students are required to meet some criteria like completing 51 out of the 60 hours of the prerequisite courses, particularly in math and science courses.
- The tuition fee is $6,808 for the whole program
- The acceptance rate is 100%
- The graduation rate is 92%
Spotlighting Online Nursing Schools In Texas
To give you a better idea of what you might expect when pursuing your nursing degree online, weve spotlighted three Texas universities with exemplary online nursing programs. These programs were selected based on a number of factors, including accreditation, affordability, curriculum comprehensiveness, and study flexibility. These online nursing schools in Texas offer a range of accredited undergraduate and graduate nursing degree options, with curriculums featuring substantial online and hybrid course components. They offer strong and have high NCLEX exam pass rates for their graduates.
Texas A& M Corpus Christi
The College of Nursing & Health Sciences at Texas A& M Corpus Christi offers seven nursing degree programs that feature online study. The colleges e-Line BSN and e-Line BSN Military programs are pre-licensure tracks for students without a previously earned nursing diploma or associate degree who are seeking to become RNs while earning their BSN. All coursework in these tracks is accessed and completed online, with clinical components attended in-person in the students local area or at regional program-affiliated clinical facilities throughout the state. Some clinical components are completed online via virtual clinical experiences. Both tracks require at least 42 credits of prerequisite requirements prior to admission and five semesters of full-time study once in the program.
Texas Womans University
University of Texas at Arlington
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How Much You Can Earn As An Lvn In Houston
The chart below offers current U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for LVNs employed in the Houston area, along with figures for other Texas metropolitan areas, the entire state, and the entire U.S. As you can see, earnings for Houston-based LVNs are in line with those throughout Texas and the nation as a whole. The one exception is the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area, where LVN salaries run substantially higher. Keep in mind, though, that these are average salary figures. What you make as an LVN will depend on your particular employer and the extent of your previous LVN practice experience.
Annual Earnings for Licensed Vocational Nurses in Houston
| 10th Percentile |
Adn Programs Approved By The Texas Board Of Nursing
NCLEX-RN exam pass rates and national accreditation are an important way to objectively view the quality of your prospective ADN program. In the following table, youll find a complete list of ADN programs approved by the Texas Board of Nursing alongside accompanying NCLEX-RN pass rates and accreditation status.
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How Do I Know If An Accelerated Online Texas Bsn Program Is Of High Quality
Proper accreditation and state approval are the best indicators of a solid, high-quality online BSN program in Texas. Interested students should first make sure that the school administering the program maintains accreditation from an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Well-regarded nursing programs in Texas typically hold programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education . Verify that your program is approved by the Texas State Board of Nursing . The board is responsible for nurse licensure in the state. The BON publishes a list of formal education requirements and a directory of approved programs.
What Are The Requirements For An Lvn Degree
All LVN programs require a high school or GED diploma. LVN programs in Texas additionally require that all applicants take the Texas Success Initiative Assessment.
Two nursing school entrance exams exist: the Test of Essential Academic Skills and the Health Education Systems, Inc. While some programs accept either test, many require a specific one and offer the test onsite.
LVN programs also require a full health screening at the time of acceptance, proof of immunizations and health insurance, and CPR certification. Programs sometimes offer CPR courses as part of the curriculum. Every program focuses on clinical rotations that serve as the student’s capstone.
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Accreditation For An Lvn Degree
When choosing an LVN program, check the school’s accreditation. Accredited schools pass quality reviews conducted by third-party organizations. Regionally accredited schools pass review by regional institutions, such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Schools with regional accreditation are often nonprofit, academically oriented colleges. Credits from these schools typically transfer smoothly to both regionally and nationally accredited schools.
National accreditation often goes to vocational schools or specific programs. Students should research the accreditation status of their desired school and give preference to regionally accredited schools. Learners can check a school’s accreditation using the Department of Education’s searchable database.
LVN programs also seek approval from their state board. Approval from the state board means the program meets the educational requirements to pass the state license exam.
AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Texas Technical University Health Sciences Centre Lubbock & El Paso
Texas Tech University health science center is a public university that has grown over the years to become one of the best nursing schools that offer accelerated nursing programs. Students undertake a 12-month having 61 semester credit hours of fast-paced learning in a challenging environment that helps them to be the best in their various careers. The program span includes three semesters, and some of the courses taught include concepts of chronic care nursing, basic nursing skills, and mental health nursing. The program is also available online, guided by a clinical nursing faculty.
- The tuition fee is$5,837 for the year
- The acceptance rate is N/A
- The graduation rate is 93%
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Vocational Nursing At Nc
Name of Department: Licensed Vocational Nursing
Name of Department Chair/Program Director: Debbie Carter, BSN RN
The 12-month curriculum in Vocational Nursing leads to a Certificate of Completion and prepares graduates to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses. Successful completion of the examination will allow graduates to practice as a licensed vocational nurse in the State of Texas. The curriculum is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Online Nursing Programs In Texas
Many schools in Texas offer online nursing programs. The University of Texas – Arlington offers online degrees at both the graduate and undergraduate level for an affordable tuition rate. West Texas A & M University, another public school in the state, offers an online RN to BSN and an online RN to MSN with an NCLEX pass rate of 95.59%. Texas nurses must complete 20 continuing education hours during each two-year renewal period. Texas is a compact state, which allows nurses licensed in Texas to work in all of the other compact states.
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