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Vocational Nursing Frequently Asked Questions

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 either TEAS scores taken within the last 2 years or 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 TEAS or HESI entrance test. TEAS and 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 TEAS 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 TEAS 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.
Courses taken in Texas should have the same reference number. For additional information, please contact the transcript evaluator at (409) 882-3364 or by e-mail.

Applications for the Vocational Nursing Program starting in Spring opens August 1st through October 15th. These applicants will be notified by email 10 weeks after the application portal closes as to their application status (Accepted or Not Qualified).

Applications for the Vocational Nursing Program starting in the Fall opens from March 1st through May 15th These applicants will be notified by email 10 weeks after the application portal closes as to their application status (Accepted or Not Qualified).

The program admits new applicants each Spring and Falls and three semesters. 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 facilities in the Golden Triangle area. (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 which 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:

Contact Info

Academic Advising

For registration and admission information, please contact:

Academic Advising
Email: Advising@lsco.edu
Phone: (409) 882-3340
Ron E. Lewis Library

Dean of Health Professions

For additional program information, please contact:

Mandee Tucker
Email: Mandee.Tucker@lsco.edu
Phone:(409) 882-3389
Stark Nursing Classroom Building, Rm. 104J

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