Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) - Certificate
Begin Your Career as a Licensed Vocational Nurse
The Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) is an important frontline member of the health
care team. LVNs are also referred to as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) in many states.
The LVN provides basic patient care. LVNs are supervised by Registered Nurses, Physicians,
Physician’s Assistants, Dentists and Podiatrists. There are employment opportunities
for LVNs in acute care hospitals, long term care facilities, the home-health care
setting, schools, clinics, physician’s offices, and the criminal justice system. Alvin
Community College (ACC) has educated individuals to enter the nursing profession for
over 40 years and has the reputation of an outstanding LVN program.
The mission of the ACC LVN program is to provide the community an accessible, affordable, and quality education that will prepare safe, professional, competent, and caring VN graduates.
Career Opportunities
LVNs are in demand! According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of licensed vocational nurses is projected to grow 12 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports that the mean annual wage for LVNs in the Woodlands/Houston/Sugar Land area is $48,950.
For more information on career opportunities as a LVN, please visit Career Coach where you can explore the local job market, take a career assessment, and build a resumé.
What Will I Study?
The 44-credit-hour ACC LVN certificate program is one year in length and begins every year in June. This cost-effective program can help pave the way for your entry into a growing and rewarding health care profession. It is an intensive study of vocational nursing, including classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN licensure exam to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). Courses include medication administration, pharmacology, surgical nursing, maternal-neonatal nursing, pediatrics and more. View the Curriculum Guide for a detailed program outline. LVN training includes attending clinical where you obtain nursing experience working directly with patients in hospitals and other health care facilities under supervision of a Registered Nurse. The ACC LVN program has affiliation agreements with the following health care facilities (the following list is subject to change):
- Memorial Hermann Hospital Southeast
- Memorial Hermann Hospital Southeast, Pearland campus
- UTMB clinics and hospital
- The Courtyard at Pasadena
- Nursing homes: Tuscany Village, The Oasis at Pearland, Country Village Care, Laurel Court, Baywind Village Care, and Cypress Woods
LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSING (LVN) |
|
FIRST SEMESTER (SUMMER) |
CREDITS |
VNSG 1122 - Vocational Nursing Concepts |
1 |
VNSG 1160 - Clinical I - Vocational Nurse |
1 |
VNSG 1227 - Essentials of Medication Administration |
2 |
VNSG 1420 - Anatomy & Physiology for Allied Health |
4 |
VNSG 1423 - Basic Nursing Skills |
4 |
SECOND SEMESTER (FALL) | |
VNSG 1329 - Medical - Surgical Nursing I |
3 |
VNSG 1331 - Pharmacology |
3 |
VNSG 1332 - Medical - Surgical Nursing II |
3 |
VNSG 1660 - Clinical II - Vocational Nurse |
6 |
THIRD SEMESTER | |
VNSG 1219 - Leadership & Professional Development |
2 |
VNSG 1226 - Gerontology |
2 |
VNSG 1230 - Maternal - Neonatal Nursing |
2 |
VNSG 1234 - Pediatrics |
2 |
VNSG 1301 - Mental Health & Mental Illness |
3 |
*VNSG 1661 - Clinical III - Vocational Nurse |
6 |
VOCATIONAL NURSING CERTIFICATE – CREDIT HOURS | 44 |
*Capstone Course
The ACC VN Program is fully approved by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). The ACC VN program upholds the stated mission of the Texas BON which is to “protect and promote the welfare and safety of the people of Texas by ensuring that each person holding a license as a nurse in the State of Texas is competent to practice safely”.
Costs, including tuition and fees, for the LVN certificate are approximately $7,100 if you live in district and approximately $9,300 if you live out of district. This includes the HESI-A2 test fee, CPR certification, all tuition, fees, books, supplies, uniforms, malpractice insurance, and costs related to graduation and licensure. Personal health insurance, transportation, parking fees, physical exam, TB test, and immunizations are extra. To find out whether you live in or out of district, call the Admissions Office 281-756-3531.
For a detailed breakdown of costs, visit the Program Costs page.
For more information on education costs, payment options, payment plans, deadlines and more, visit our Tuition and Fees section.
Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. For more information, visit our Financial Aid section.
*Alvin Community College may change tuition rates and other fees without notice or when so directed by the Board of Regents.
COLLEGE & CAREER PATHWAYS
Licensed Vocational Nursing is part of our Health Career Pathway. Click the box below to see other Health programs that may interest you.