Best LVN Programs in Plano 2026

Explore Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) programs in Plano, Texas with information on schools, classes, tuition, and clinical training. Review licensing requirements and career opportunities for vocational nurses in the Plano 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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Plano Texas LVN programs providing vocational nursing education and hands-on clinical experience for entry-level nursing roles

2026 Best LVN Programs in Plano, TX

If you're looking to start a rewarding career as a Licensed Vocational Nurse in Plano, TX, finding the right program is your first step. practicalnursing.org has carefully reviewed and ranked the best LVN programs in the area to help you make a smart choice. Our rankings consider factors like NCLEX pass rates, program costs, and student support to give you clear, reliable information. We focus on what matters most to future nurses, so you can find a program that fits your goals and budget. Explore our detailed rankings to see which schools stand out and why they earned their spots. 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 ideal for aspiring LVNs in Plano, TX. This campus-based program can be completed in just 12 months full-time or 21 months part-time, with four annual start dates for flexibility. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on clinical coursework and practice-based training, preparing graduates to successfully pass the NCLEX-PN® exam. Students benefit from comprehensive support services including academic advising and tutoring, creating a nurturing learning environment. This accelerated pathway provides a direct route to entering the nursing profession without requiring any entrance exams, making it accessible for career-changers and recent graduates alike.

  • 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 campus-based Vocational Nursing program equips students with essential healthcare skills through 45 semester credit hours focused on critical thinking, communication, and teamwork. Approved by the Texas Board of Nursing, it boasts a 100% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for licensure and roles under supervision in various settings. With total tuition and fees at $3,330, financial aid and VA benefits make it accessible. This selective admission program emphasizes marketable skills, offering career services and transfer opportunities to support a rewarding path in nursing.

  • 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 Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) program offers an intensive, campus-based pathway into healthcare, completed in two 16-week semesters and two five-week summer sessions. It blends classroom instruction, lab work, and clinical rotations at local facilities to build practical patient care skills. Admission is competitive, relying on prerequisite GPA, and the program readies students for the NCLEX-PN exam. With daytime-only courses, it requires a 3.0 GPA minimum, drug testing, and background checks, focusing on hands-on training without a specific concentration.

  • 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's 12-month Level 2 Certificate in Vocational Nursing prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam and LVN licensure. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED, attendance at an information session, and passing the TEAS entrance exam. The program emphasizes hands-on clinical experience in various healthcare settings, with prerequisites including vaccinations, CPR certification, and a clean background check. Financial aid and scholarships are available for eligible students, supporting those pursuing careers as Licensed Vocational Nurses working under supervision.

  • 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 full-time daytime or part-time evening/weekend schedules, ideal for diverse student needs. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on clinical training through 757 hours, covering vital skills like patient care and vital signs, while incorporating NCLEX-PN review to boost licensure success. Financial aid and scholarships are available for eligible students, enhancing accessibility. Focused on foundational nursing, graduates are prepared for roles in hospitals and long-term care facilities, ensuring a smooth transition into the workforce without requiring entrance exams.

  • 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 is Texas Board of Nursing accredited and prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam. It combines classroom instruction, lab work, and clinical practice to develop skills in patient care and medication administration. This fast-track option is ideal for quick entry into nursing, with financial aid available to support accessibility. The program emphasizes hands-on experience in diverse healthcare settings, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for vocational nursing roles without requiring entrance exams.

  • 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
*Source: IPEDS 2023 survey results, NCES, U.S. Department of Education.

Plano LVN Program Overview

Licensed Vocational Nurses play a vital role in Plano’s healthcare system by delivering direct, hands-on patient care under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians. In Plano, LVNs support acute care units, surgical and medical floors, emergency services, primary care clinics, specialty practices, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and home health agencies. Major local hospitals such as Baylor Scott and White Medical Center Plano, Medical City Plano, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano, and Children’s Medical Center Plano, along with numerous long-term care and home health providers across Collin County, create a broad range of clinical settings where LVNs are an integral part of care teams.

Employment demand for LVNs in the Dallas-Fort Worth region that includes Plano remains steady, driven by population growth, aging demographics, and ongoing needs in long-term and post-acute care. State workforce reports from the Texas Department of State Health Services’ Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies indicate continued hiring needs for LVNs, particularly in long-term care and home health. Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses to grow over the 2022 to 2032 decade, reflecting sustained demand for entry-level nursing professionals.

LVN programs serving Plano typically offer multiple scheduling options. Full-time vocational nursing pathways commonly span about 12 months, while part-time or evening/weekend formats may extend to roughly 18 to 24 months. Programs blend classroom instruction with skills labs and supervised clinical rotations in local hospitals, nursing facilities, and clinics to build competence in fundamentals such as medication administration, wound care, gerontology, medical-surgical nursing, and care coordination. These programs are designed to prepare graduates to sit for the NCLEX-PN.

In Texas, LVN education and licensure are overseen by the Texas Board of Nursing, which approves vocational nursing programs, sets education standards, and regulates licensure. Graduates seeking LVN licensure in Texas must pass the NCLEX-PN examination, complete required background checks, and meet other state requirements, including the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam. Prospective students should verify that any Plano-area program is currently approved by the state regulator and aligns with eligibility requirements for testing and licensure.

Employment Opportunities for LVNs in Plano

The healthcare landscape in Plano, Texas, presents a robust demand for Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), also known as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in other states. The broader Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area, which includes Plano, reported approximately 14,020 LPNs/LVNs as of May 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This demand is projected to increase significantly across Texas, with the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies forecasting a need for approximately 22,500 additional LVNs statewide between 2018 and 2028, driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare facilities. In the broader Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area, which includes Plano, LVNs earned an average annual salary of $58,350, or $28.05 per hour, as of May 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is comparable to the statewide average for LVNs in Texas, which was $59,100 annually or $28.41 per hour in May 2023.

LVNs in Plano find diverse employment opportunities across various healthcare settings. These roles often involve providing essential patient care, monitoring vital signs, administering medications, and assisting with daily tasks, all under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. Common facilities hiring LVNs include:

  • Hospitals:Major hospitals in Plano frequently seek LVNs for units such as medical-surgical and inpatient rehabilitation, offering dynamic environments for basic bedside care.
  • Nursing Homes and Skilled Nursing Facilities:These facilities are significant employers, providing long-term care and rehabilitative services crucial for patient recovery and ongoing health management.
  • Senior Living Facilities:Assisted living and memory care communities, like those within Sunrise Senior Living or Atria Senior Living, hire LVNs as Wellness Nurses or Charge Nurses to oversee resident health and medication administration.
  • Home Health Agencies:This rapidly growing sector, including agencies like Aveanna Healthcare and Amedisys, offers one-on-one patient care in their homes, focusing on verifying care plans, teaching self-care, and medication reconciliation.
  • Rehabilitation Centers:LVNs play a vital role in both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation settings, caring for patients recovering from illness, injury, or surgery.
  • Private Practices/Clinics:Specialized clinics, such as pediatric offices like Connect Pediatrics, eating disorder residential facilities, and dialysis centers such as those operated by DaVita, also employ LVNs for their specific patient needs.

Several prominent healthcare systems and facilities are known for employing LVNs in the Plano area, offering a range of specialties and career growth opportunities:

  • Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano, a 386-bed full-service hospital, is a major healthcare provider.
  • Medical City Plano, part of HCA Healthcare, is a Level I Trauma Center that frequently lists openings for LVN Med Surg and Inpatient Rehab LVNs.
  • Baylor Scott & White Health, the largest not-for-profit healthcare system in Texas, has a significant presence in Plano and employs LVNs in various roles.
  • Specific local facilities like The Park in Plano, a senior living community, recruit Charge Nurses (RN or LVN) and promote staff development.

The demand for LVNs in Plano remains strong, with abundant opportunities across diverse settings that cater to various patient needs and offer dynamic work environments.