LVNs work in non-complex patient care areas under the guidance of RNs and/or licensed
physicians or dentists. LVNs attend to personal hygiene needs, administer medications,
chart, and assist with meeting patient care needs.
LVNs are assigned like other health care workers to work 8 to 12 hours shifts, periodic
weekends, and some holidays. New graduate vocational nurses are currently starting
at $15 - $20 per hour base pay in the Golden Triangle.
To be considered for admission into the VN Program, submit HESI scores taken within
the last year, complete all prerequisites before the start of the program and submit
the completed application by the due date. LSCO nursing programs do not accept the remote proctored HESI entrance test. HESI
entrance exam must be taken in a testing center with a in-person proctor.
The VN Program is a selective admissions program. The goal is to select the most qualified
applicants. Criteria that are considered in the admission process include academic
achievement and consecutive applications. Click on this link to view the Admission
Rating Scale (VN Rating Scale).
Only complete applications submitted by the due date will be considered for admission.
If two or more applicants have the same Admission Rating Scale, the HESI Reading score
will be used to break the tie.
There is no waiting list. Applicants who are not selected for admission may reapply
when the application process opens again.
The nursing department will keep your application for one year. However, to be considered
for the next class, you must submit a new application with current (less than one
year) contact information, work history, updated transcripts and HESI score. All documents
must be current, meaning less than one year since submission. Applications with no
activity for 12 months will be destroyed.
The decision to repeat courses is up to the individual candidate.
The total number of students that can be admitted to a class is determined by rules
and regulations mandated by the Texas Board of Nursing. The rule governing class sizes
states: "The number of students admitted to the program shall be determined by the
number of qualified faculty, adequate educational facilities and resources, and the
availability of appropriate clinical learning experience for students." (Rules & Regulations
214.8a)
Students are encouraged to complete all non-nursing co-requisite courses on the degree
plan while waiting to be accepted into the VN program. Only courses on the degree
plan which are completed by the application deadline are considered in the admission
rating scale.
Applications for the LSCO Vocational Nursing Program on the Orange campus starting in Spring opens August 1st through October 15th.
Applications for the LSCO Vocational Nursing Program on the Orange campus starting
in the Fall opens from March 1st through May 15th.
Applications for the LSCO Vocational Nursing Program at the TSUS Polk County Center
in Livingston starting in the Fall opens from June 1st to July 15th.
The Vocational Nursing Program on the Orange campus admits new applicants each Spring
and Fall and is three semesters. The program is a mixture of face to face, online,
and hybrid courses. Classroom hours are 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, and clinical hours are
from 6:30 am to 3:30 pm.
The Vocational Nursing Program at the TSUS Polk Countly Center in Livingston admits
new applicants each Fall and is 3 semesters. The program is a mixture of face to face,
online, and hybrid courses. Classroom hours are 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, and clinical
hours are from 6:30 am to 3:30 pm.
The number of days students must devote to the program varies each semester. Each
semester has a clinical component that is completed at healthcare facilities
. (Degree Plan)
The cost of the program is available on our website. For information regarding financial
aid, contact the Office of Financial Aid at (409) 882-3317 or by financial aid office e-mail. Scholarships for health care professionals are available throughout the program.
The nursing department shares scholarship information with the eligible students as
it becomes available.
Lamar State College Orange offers an RN Transition Program at the Orange campus and the TSUS Polk County Center in Livingston and is designed
for LVNs who wish to further their education and obtain their RN license.
Our goal is for you to be comfortable with and succeed in hybrid/online courses. To
help you, here are some resources available: