Best LVN Programs in Austin 2026

Discover Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) programs in Austin, Texas with information on schools, coursework, tuition, and clinical training. Review licensing requirements and career opportunities for vocational nurses in the Austin area.

Written by Jane Dewy and Edited by The PracticalNursing.org Editorial Team.
Expert Guide Verified updated on May 29th, 2025.
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Austin Texas LVN programs offering vocational nursing education and hands-on clinical experience for entry-level nursing roles

2026 Best LVN Programs in Austin, TX

Looking for the best LVN programs in Austin, TX? You are in the right place. PracticalNursing.org has put together a list of top Licensed Vocational Nursing programs in the Austin area to help you find a great fit. Our rankings are based on important factors that matter to students, like program quality, cost, and student success. We want to make your search easier and help you start your nursing career with confidence. Check out our detailed list to see which schools made the cut. https://www.practicalnursing.org/rankings-methodology/
#1

Galen Health Institutes-Austin Campus

Round Rock, TX - Private 4-year - galencollege.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical/Vocational Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Galen Health Institutes-Austin Campus offers a Practical/Vocational Nursing program ideal for those new to the field, with flexible full-time (12 months) or part-time (21 months) on-campus options and four annual start dates. The curriculum prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam, requiring high school transcripts or GED and an entrance assessment for admission. Financial aid is available, and the application process is free with no essays. This program provides a quick pathway into nursing careers in Austin.

  • 12 months full-time
  • 21 months part-time
  • On-campus learning
  • Four start times yearly
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam
  • High school transcripts or GED required
  • Entrance assessment needed
  • Financial aid available
  • No essays for application
  • Free application process
#2

Austin Community College District

Austin, TX - Public 4-Year - austincc.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing Program

Campus Based - Visit Website

Austin Community College District's Vocational Nursing Program provides comprehensive training for aspiring LVNs/LPNs through flexible campus-based options, including traditional daytime and evening/weekend tracks. With an impressive 98% NCLEX-PN pass rate and 100% job placement for Summer 2023 graduates, this ACEN-accredited program emphasizes hands-on patient care skills applicable in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care settings. Admission requires application to ACC, with financial aid available for eligible students. The program maintains rigorous standards including immunization requirements, criminal background checks, and drug screening while offering robust student support services.

  • Campus-based program.
  • Offers evening & weekend tracks.
  • 98% NCLEX-PN pass rate.
  • 100% job placement rate.
  • Prepares for LVN/LPN licensure.
  • Financial aid available.
  • High demand for graduates.
  • Accredited by ACEN.
  • Located in Austin, TX.
  • Hands-on patient care training.
#3

The College of Health Care Professions-Austin

Austin, TX - Private 2-year - chcp.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing Certificate Program

Campus Based - Visit Website

The College of Health Care Professions-Austin offers a 48-week Vocational Nursing Certificate Program that prepares students for LVN licensure through comprehensive clinical training and theoretical coursework. This campus-based program emphasizes hands-on experience in patient care, pharmacology, mental health nursing, and medical terminology, ensuring graduates are equipped for diverse healthcare settings. With no specific concentration, the curriculum covers growth, development, and nutrition, while career services and financial aid support student success. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED, and the program focuses on preparing students for the NCLEX-PN exam without requiring entrance exams like ACT or SAT.

  • 48-week program duration.
  • Hands-on clinical training.
  • Comprehensive nursing curriculum.
  • Preparation for NCLEX-PN exam.
  • Campus-based learning in Austin, TX.
  • Focus on patient care skills.
  • Includes pharmacology training.
  • Teaches medical terminology.
  • Covers mental health nursing.
  • Includes growth and development.
*Analysis based on: NCES IPEDS 2023 survey data.

Austin LVN Program Overview

Austin’s growing population and diverse healthcare network make Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) a vital part of care teams across the city. LVNs deliver hands-on nursing care under the direction of registered nurses and physicians, supporting patients with monitoring, medication administration, wound care, and health education in settings that range from large hospitals to community clinics.

The local healthcare landscape includes major hospital systems and teaching facilities, rehabilitation and long-term care centers, home health agencies, and numerous primary and specialty clinics. Austin’s mix of acute care, pediatrics, behavioral health, and senior services creates steady demand for practical nursing skills. National labor data indicate continued need for LVNs, with employment projected to grow about 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, and Texas remains one of the largest employers of LVNs in the country. State workforce reports also consistently note strong demand in long-term care and home health across Texas.

  • Hospitals and medical centers offering inpatient, surgical, and specialty services
  • Skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities serving post-acute and long-term care patients
  • Home health and hospice organizations providing in-home clinical support
  • Primary care and specialty clinics, urgent care, and public health programs

LVN programs in Austin are typically designed to be completed in about 12 months for full-time students, combining classroom instruction, skills lab, simulation, and supervised clinical rotations at area facilities. Some colleges may offer extended or evening/weekend options that take approximately 18 months, which can be helpful for working adults. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam.

Program approval, student eligibility for the NCLEX-PN, and licensure are overseen by the Texas Board of Nursing. In Texas, LVN candidates must graduate from a state-approved vocational nursing program, complete fingerprinting and a criminal background check, pass the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam, and pass the NCLEX-PN. The Board also monitors program outcomes such as NCLEX pass rates to ensure quality and public safety.

Employment Opportunities for LVNs in Austin

The healthcare sector in the Austin metropolitan area is experiencing robust and sustained growth, significantly outpacing the region’s overall job expansion. This industry is expanding at an impressive rate, adding thousands of new positions annually. This growth contributes to a strong job market for Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) in Austin, especially given the ongoing demand for nursing professionals across Texas and the nation. LVNs in Austin can expect competitive compensation, with average hourly rates and annual salaries reflecting the high demand for their skills. Opportunities range from part-time and per diem roles to full-time positions across diverse healthcare settings.

LVNs are integral to providing primary healthcare throughout Austin, Texas, and are actively sought across a variety of facility types:

  • Hospitals and Medical Centers:Major hospital systems in Austin are undergoing significant expansion, driving a high demand for LVNs. Prominent employers include Ascension Seton, St. David’s HealthCare, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas, and the recently opened Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin, which expands pediatric and women’s health services in the area.
  • Nursing Homes and Skilled Nursing Facilities:These facilities are consistent employers for LVNs, providing crucial long-term and rehabilitative care. Examples include Brush Country Nursing and Rehabilitation, Onion Creek Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and Legend Oaks Healthcare and Rehabilitation of North Austin.
  • Private Practices and Clinics:LVNs are sought in a variety of specialized clinics, from oncology centers like Texas Oncology to multi-specialty groups such as Austin Regional Clinic, for outpatient roles and patient care coordination. The Centre for Neuro Skills also hires LVNs for clinic and residential care.
  • Rehabilitation Centers:Facilities dedicated to recovery and therapy, such as Central Texas Rehabilitation Hospital and Nova Recovery Center (specializing in detox and rehabilitation), offer opportunities for LVNs to support patients through their recovery journeys.
  • Senior Living Facilities:This sector actively employs LVNs for assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and home care within communities. Employers include Brookdale Senior Living (e.g., Brookdale Westlake Hills, Brookdale Northwest Hills), Solera Senior Living, Longhorn Village, and Vitality Senior Living.
  • Home Health Agencies:Numerous agencies provide home health opportunities for LVNs, offering care directly in patients’ homes. These include Maxim Healthcare Services, HCA Healthcare (through David’s Healthcare at Home), AccentCare, Halcyon Home, and Children’s Home Healthcare.
  • Other Healthcare Settings:LVNs can also find employment in diverse environments such as plasma donation centers like BioLife Plasma Services for medical support roles, and correctional facilities. The Veterans Health Administration also lists LPN/LVN positions, including those supporting Patient Aligned Care Teams.

Several major healthcare employers are particularly known for hiring LVNs in the Austin area:

  • Ascension Seton:A leading non-profit Catholic health system with an extensive network of clinical locations across Central Texas, including significant teaching hospitals.
  • Baylor Scott & White Health:Operates a range of facilities in the greater Austin area, from medical centers to specialized clinics.
  • David’s HealthCare:A prominent healthcare provider with multiple hospitals and a strong presence in home health services.
  • Texas Children’s:With its new hospital in North Austin, it significantly expands its capacity for pediatric and women’s health services, creating new opportunities for LVNs.

Beyond these large systems, numerous smaller facilities and specialized networks also contribute significantly to LVN employment opportunities in Austin:

  • Austin Regional Clinic (ARC): A major outpatient clinic network in Central Texas, frequently hiring LVNs for float and clinic-based roles.
  • Texas Oncology: Employs LVNs to support various clinic locations in Austin and surrounding areas.
  • Brookdale Senior Living: Operates multiple senior living communities, such as Brookdale Westlake Hills, hiring LVNs for direct care and supervisory positions.
  • AccentCare: An active home health provider in the Austin area, offering competitive salaries and benefits for LVNs.
  • Maxim Healthcare Services: Provides diverse home healthcare opportunities for LVNs.
  • Nova Recovery Center: Offers LPN/LVN positions with a focus on detox and rehabilitation services.
  • Arden Courts ProMedica Memory Care Austin: Hires LVNs for memory care, involving direct care and supervisory responsibilities.

List of LVN Programs in Austin, TX

If you're looking to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) in Austin, TX, you have several great options. The schools listed below offer programs to help you start your nursing career. Each program has its own highlights and is located right here in Austin. Click on the links to learn more about each school's specific LVN program details and how to apply.
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Austin, TX

Austin Community College District

  • Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing Program

    Campus Based - Website

    • Campus-based program.
    • Offers evening & weekend tracks.
    • 98% NCLEX-PN pass rate.
    • 100% job placement rate.
    • Prepares for LVN/LPN licensure.
    • Financial aid available.
    • High demand for graduates.
    • Accredited by ACEN.

The College of Health Care Professions-Austin

  • Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing Certificate Program

    Campus Based - Website

    • 48-week program duration.
    • Hands-on clinical training.
    • Comprehensive nursing curriculum.
    • Preparation for NCLEX-PN exam.
    • Campus-based learning in Austin, TX.
    • Focus on patient care skills.
    • Includes pharmacology training.
    • Teaches medical terminology.
*Institutional data extracted from: IPEDS 2023, NCES.