Best LVN Programs in Dallas 2026

Find Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) programs in Dallas, Texas with information on schools, curriculum, tuition, and clinical training. Review licensing requirements and career opportunities for vocational nurses in the Dallas 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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Dallas Texas LVN programs offering vocational nursing education and hands-on clinical experience for entry-level nursing careers

2026 Best LVN Programs in Dallas, TX

If you're looking for the best LVN programs in Dallas, TX, you've come to the right place. At PracticalNursing.org, we've carefully reviewed and ranked the top options to help you make a smart choice. Our rankings consider factors like program quality, student success, and affordability. We aim to give you clear, reliable information so you can start your nursing career with confidence. Check out our detailed methodology to see how we put together these rankings. https://www.practicalnursing.org/rankings-methodology/
#1

Galen Health Institutes-Dallas

Richardson, TX - Private 4-year - galencollege.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical/Vocational Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Galen Health Institutes-Dallas offers a Practical/Vocational Nursing program that can be completed in just 12 months full-time or 21 months part-time, providing a fast-track to becoming an LPN/LVN. The program features four annual start times for flexibility and includes clinical coursework and practice-based training to thoroughly prepare students for the NCLEX-PN® exam. With on-campus classes, academic advisors, and tutoring support, Galen ensures students have the resources needed for success in their nursing careers.

  • 12 months full-time
  • 21 months part-time
  • On-campus classes
  • Four start times yearly
  • NCLEX-PN® exam preparation
  • Clinical coursework included
  • Practice-based training
  • Academic advisors available
  • Tutoring support
  • Fast-track nursing career
#2

Tarrant County College District

Fort Worth, TX - Public 2-Year - tccd.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Tarrant County College District's Vocational Nursing program equips students with essential healthcare skills through its 45-credit curriculum focused on critical thinking and teamwork. Approved by the Texas Board of Nursing, this campus-based program at Trinity River Campus East boasts a 100% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for licensure. With tuition at $3,330 and options for financial aid and VA benefits, it offers an affordable path to a rewarding career. The selective admission process emphasizes marketable skills for supervised patient care, supported by academic advising and career services.

  • Approved by Texas Board of Nursing.
  • Eligible for NCLEX-PN licensure.
  • Focus on critical thinking, communication.
  • VA educational benefits accepted.
  • Selective admission program.
  • 45 semester credit hours.
  • Total tuition & fees: $3,330.
  • 100% NCLEX first-time pass rate.
  • Prepares for occupational license.
  • Marketable skills in healthcare.
#3

Dallas College

Dallas, TX - Public 4-Year - dallascollege.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) Program

Campus Based - Visit Website

Dallas College's LVN program offers an intensive, fast-track pathway to nursing licensure, completed over two 16-week semesters and two five-week summer sessions. The curriculum blends classroom instruction with hands-on laboratory work and clinical rotations at local healthcare facilities, ensuring practical skill development. Admission is competitive, requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA in prerequisite courses, and the program prepares students thoroughly for the NCLEX-PN exam. Mandatory background checks and drug testing are part of the enrollment process, with courses available only during daytime hours to focus on comprehensive patient care training.

  • Two 16-week academic semesters
  • Competitive admission process
  • Clinical rotations at healthcare facilities
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam
  • Certificate upon program completion
  • Daytime courses only
  • Physical patient care skills required
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA prerequisite
  • Drug testing required
  • Background check mandatory
#4

Collin County Community College District

McKinney, TX - Public 4-Year - collin.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing, Level 2 Certificate

Campus Based - Visit Website

Collin County Community College District provides a 12-month Level 2 Certificate in Vocational Nursing, designed to equip students for the NCLEX-PN exam and subsequent LVN licensure. Admission mandates a high school diploma or GED, plus passing the TEAS entrance exam and attending an information session. The program integrates substantial clinical experience, requiring vaccinations, CPR certification, and a clear background check. Financial aid and scholarships support eligible candidates, focusing on practical skills for supervised roles in diverse healthcare environments.

  • 12-month program
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam
  • High school diploma or GED required
  • TEAS exam for admission
  • Clinical experience included
  • Vaccinations required
  • CPR certification needed
  • Clean background check mandatory
  • Financial aid available
  • Scholarships for eligible students
#5

Concorde Career College-Dallas

Dallas, TX - Private 2-year - concorde.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing Diploma Program

Campus Based - Visit Website

Concorde Career College-Dallas offers a 13-month Vocational Nursing Diploma Program with flexible scheduling options, including full-time daytime and part-time evening/weekend classes. Students complete 757 clinical hours, gaining hands-on experience in vital signs and patient care. The curriculum includes NCLEX-PN review to prepare for licensure, and financial aid and scholarships are available for qualifying students. This program focuses on foundational nursing skills, preparing graduates for roles in hospitals and long-term care facilities.

  • 13-month program
  • 757 clinical hours
  • NCLEX-PN review included
  • Daytime and evening options
  • Hands-on patient care skills
  • Financial aid available
  • Scholarships for qualifying students
  • Prepares for licensure exam
  • Foundational nursing curriculum
  • Real-world clinical experience
#6

Arlington Career Institute

Grand Prairie, TX - Private 2-year - arlingtoncareerinstitute.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Licensed Vocational Nursing Certificate

Campus Based - Visit Website

Arlington Career Institute's 12-month Licensed Vocational Nursing Certificate program provides a fast-track path to nursing licensure, fully accredited by the Texas Board of Nursing. Students prepare for the NCLEX-PN through comprehensive classroom instruction, hands-on lab work, and diverse clinical rotations in healthcare settings. The curriculum emphasizes practical skills in patient care and medication administration, offering financial aid to support accessibility. This intensive program is ideal for those seeking quick entry into the vocational nursing field with robust practical experience.

  • 12-month program
  • Texas Board of Nursing accredited
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam
  • Blend of classroom and clinical
  • Hands-on healthcare experience
  • Financial aid available
*IPEDS 2023 statistics, sourced from NCES. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Dallas LVN Program Overview

Licensed Vocational Nurses are an essential part of Dallas’s healthcare workforce, providing bedside care, administering medications under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians, and supporting patient recovery across hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, and home health agencies. In a major metropolitan hub like Dallas, LVNs play a crucial role in bridging access to care for a diverse population that includes urban residents, older adults, underserved communities, and patients requiring long-term or specialty treatment.

Dallas’s healthcare system is anchored by nationally recognized hospital networks, academic medical centers, and a large network of rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and home health providers. LVNs in the area are employed across medical-surgical units, pediatrics, behavioral health, dialysis, rehabilitation, hospice, and primary care settings. With Dallas being part of one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the country, demand for vocational nurses is consistently strong.

Key healthcare settings and employers in Dallas include:

  • Hospitals and medical centers:Baylor University Medical Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Parkland Health, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Methodist Dallas Medical Center
  • Government and safety-net care:Dallas VA Medical Center (VA North Texas Health Care System), Parkland Health facilities
  • Post-acute and long-term care:skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation centers, and assisted living communities across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex
  • Community-based services:extensive networks of home health agencies, hospice providers, urgent care centers, dialysis clinics, and federally qualified health centers

The employment outlook for LVNs in Dallas reflects both national and statewide trends. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses to grow about 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, with especially strong opportunities in long-term care, rehabilitation, and home health. Workforce reports for Texas also highlight the steady need for LVNs in nursing homes and community-based care—patterns that are amplified in the Dallas metro given its size and aging population.

Program timelines and training in Dallas:
 Most board-approved vocational nursing certificate programs in Dallas can be completed in about 12 months of full-time study. Some colleges also offer part-time, evening, or weekend options, which may take 18 to 24 months to finish. Training typically includes classroom instruction, lab simulation, and clinical rotations at Dallas-area hospitals, long-term care facilities, and outpatient clinics.

Licensure requirements in Texas:
 Graduates of Dallas LVN programs must apply for licensure through the Texas Board of Nursing. Requirements include passing the NCLEX-PN exam, completing a criminal background check, and taking the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Exam. Only graduates of board-approved programs are eligible to sit for the licensure exam, ensuring that LVNs entering the workforce meet state and national standards for safe practice.

 

Employment Opportunities for LVNs in Dallas

The employment landscape for Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) in Dallas, Texas, offers a diverse range of opportunities across various healthcare settings. As of December 3, 2023, the average weekly pay for an LVN in Dallas, Texas, is $1,196, with salaries typically ranging from $962 to $1,346 per week. The job market in Dallas and its surrounding areas is characterized by high activity, and the demand for LVNs is projected to increase nationally, driven by an aging “baby-boom” population and a rise in chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity.

LVNs in Dallas find employment in a variety of healthcare facilities, contributing essential patient care:

  • Hospitals:LVNs in hospital settings provide fundamental patient care, which includes administering medications, taking vital signs, collecting samples for testing, inserting catheters, and performing wound care. These duties are typically carried out under the supervision of registered nurses. Major hospital systems in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that frequently hire LVNs include Parkland Health and Hospital System, Medical City Healthcare (encompassing facilities like Medical City Dallas, Las Colinas, Lewisville, and Arlington), Baylor Scott & White Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and Texas Health Resources.
  • Nursing Homes and Residential Care Facilities:These facilities represent a significant employer for LVNs, accounting for a substantial portion of positions nationally. LVNs here focus on daily patient care, assisting with activities of daily living, and managing medication schedules. Notable employers include Cantex Continuing Care Network (such as The Villa at Mountain View), Bear Creek Nursing & Rehabilitation, Richardson Nursing & Rehabilitation, The Colony Healthcare Center, and Dallas Retirement Village Health Center. State-supported living centers also engage nurses to care for residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
  • Private Practices and Clinics:LVNs in outpatient care centers and clinics often assist in the triage process, assist with basic medical equipment, and administer medications. Employers in this category include Texas Health Physicians Group for clinic support, Optum (WellMed at Live Oak), and plasma centers like BioLife Plasma Services and CSL Plasma. Discovery MSO LLC (an Addiction Treatment Center) also seeks LVNs for their teams.
  • Rehabilitation Centers:In rehabilitation facilities, LVNs assist patients recovering from illness, injury, or surgery. Their responsibilities include medication administration, wound care, and support for mobility, working collaboratively with RNs and therapists to help patients regain independence. Examples of such centers include Bear Creek Nursing & Rehabilitation, Richardson Nursing & Rehabilitation, and ClearSky Rehabilitation.
  • Senior Living Facilities (Assisted Living/Memory Care):These facilities employ LVNs to provide essential nursing support and care for older adults. Key employers include Brookdale Senior Living, Sunrise Senior Living, Presbyterian Village North, The Waterford at Plano, The Tradition, Belmont Village Senior, and Atria Carrollton.
  • Home Health Agencies:Many LVN roles are available in home health, where nurses travel to patients’ residences to deliver care, encompassing wound care, medication administration, and general support. Prominent home health employers include Aveanna Healthcare, AccentCare, At Home Healthcare, Connect Pediatrics, Medical City Healthcare at Home, KidsCare Home Health, Klarus Home Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center Home Health, Elara Caring, Maxim Healthcare, and BrightStar Care. These roles frequently offer flexible scheduling, including PRN (as needed) opportunities.

Beyond these categories, numerous smaller facilities and networks also significantly contribute to LVN employment in Dallas. These include Integrated Real Estate Group, Amazing Care Home Health Services, GLC On-The-Go LPN Division, J-Vers, VIVO Infusion, LLC, and Dallas County. Additionally, Dallas County employs LVNs for critical public health initiatives, such as the Tuberculosis program.

List of LVN Programs in Dallas, TX

If you are looking for LVN programs in Dallas, TX, this list can help you find the right fit. It shows schools in the Dallas area with their city and state, highlights of each program, and links to learn more. You can easily compare options and visit school websites to get details on courses, schedules, and how to apply. Start exploring below to take the next step in your nursing career.
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Dallas, TX

Concorde Career College-Dallas

  • Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing Diploma Program

    Campus Based - Website

    • 13-month program
    • 757 clinical hours
    • NCLEX-PN review included
    • Daytime and evening options
    • Hands-on patient care skills
    • Financial aid available
    • Scholarships for qualifying students
    • Prepares for licensure exam

Dallas College

  • Certificate/Diploma - Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) Program

    Campus Based - Website

    • Two 16-week academic semesters
    • Competitive admission process
    • Clinical rotations at healthcare facilities
    • Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam
    • Certificate upon program completion
    • Daytime courses only
    • Physical patient care skills required
    • Minimum 3.0 GPA prerequisite
*Source: U.S. DOE, IPEDS 2023.