LVN to RN Online Programs in Texas: Top Schools & Key Details
Online LVN to RN bridge programs in Texas offer a flexible and streamlined path to leveling up your healthcare career. Explore top-ranking programs and take a deep dive into three key schools. You’ll gain insights about not only degree levels, admissions requirements, and completion times but also key benefits of going from an LVN to RN role.
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From the Experts: Finding an LVN-to-RN Program in Texas that Works for You
Texas is one of the best markets in the country for RN employment, and the LVN-to-RN bridge programs listed in this guide are all strong options for nurses ready to advance. The right one, though, depends on your schedule, your location within the state, and whether your employer will support your education. Our nurses share what they’d weigh in this decision.
Ask How Experience Is Credited
LVN-to-RN programs in Texas don’t all treat your LVN work experience equally. Some give you a major head start while others award credit on paper that doesn’t help you graduate any faster. As you get serious about a program, ask what semester you’d enter in and how many clinical hours you’ll still need to complete.
Confirm Prerequisites Transfer Before Enrolling
Not all LVN-to-RN programs in Texas accept prerequisite courses taken elsewhere, and if the school you plan to attend doesn’t, you may have to retake your prerequisites before starting the program, which can add time and money, so look into this as you decide.
Profiling Three of Texas’ Top LVN to RN Programs
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), also known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), possess the experience and training to make them excellent candidates for becoming RNs. Given the extensive skills and knowledge required to become an RN, the role typically leads to better job prospects, higher salaries, and more responsibilities.
When searching for the right school, it’s important to note that “online” LVN to RN programs in Texas are never 100% online. Instead, the state offers hybrid models (partially online) that feature:
- Flexible scheduling: Classes are often scheduled with working LVNs in mind—that is, in the evenings or on the weekends
- Remote learning: Some coursework may be completed online through the school’s learning management software
- Skills training: Opportunities to practice hands-on skills are often provided on campus under the supervision of instructors—includes interactive labs and practice simulations
- Clinical rotations: Face-to-face, live interactions with patients are arranged at nearby healthcare facilities
When choosing an RN bridge program, you’ll want to compare costs, scheduling, program focus, degree options, and completion times to identify the program that best meets your needs. To transition out of your LVN role and into RN licensure, explore the three quality schools with hybrid learning options below.
Panola College
Panola College’s 60-credit LVN-RN Transition program can be completed in 12 months over three semesters, starting with a 10-week summer flex semester. This program includes online classes, on-campus simulations and labs, and in-person clinicals located within a 70-mile radius of Carthage, TX.
Clinicals are scheduled by instructors both on weekdays and weeknights. This transition program is for students who are self-directed and highly self-motivated. Before being considered for the LVN-RN Transition program, applicants must:
- Be admitted to the college
- Pass prerequisite courses
- Complete standardized testing
Duration: 12 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $7,500 in-county, $11,820 out-of-county, $23,100 out-of-state
Admissions Requirements:
- Panola College admittance
- Completion of prerequisites
- HESI testing and minimum scores
- Transcripts
- Background check
- Drug screen
- Immunizations
- Unencumbered LVN license
Core Curriculum:
- Transition to Professional Nursing Competencies
- Health Care Concepts
- Clinicals
- Transition to Professional Nursing Practice
- Professional Nursing Concepts
- Professional Nursing Review and Licensure Preparation
- Prerequisites (e.g., anatomy and physiology, microbiology, composition, etc.)
Howard College
The Big Spring Transition LVN to RN Program at Howard College starts every spring and summer. Lectures are online, and clinical rotations take place through many hospitals and clinics in the Big Spring and San Angelo areas.
Students in this program are LVNs who have been practicing nurses for at least a year and now want to become RNs. LVNs begin the program with a transition course before merging with second-year generic Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) students.
An articulation agreement with Texas Universities allows ADNs to go on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Duration: 12 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $2,460 in-district, $4,320 out-of-district, $5,770 out-of-state
Admissions Requirements:
- Howard College admission
- Nursing college admission
- Prerequisite courses
- TEAS exam
- Immunizations
- Background clearance
- TX BON Licensure Eligibility review
- Unencumbered LVN license
Core Curriculum:
- Adaptation to Role of Professional Nurse
- Clinicals – Nursing (RN Training) (4)
- Maternal/Newborn Nursing and Women’s Health
- Care of Children and Families
- Elementary Statical Methods
- Mental Health Nursing
- Composition
- General Psychology
- Enhanced Concepts of Adult Health
Coastal Bend College
The LVN to RN Bridge Program at Coastal Bend College builds on your previous LVN education to earn an Applied Science Degree. Using online and in-person lectures along with in-person labs and external clinical experiences, this program qualifies graduates to take the NCLEX-RN.
Students are required to be on campus two days per week. Program selection is competitive and based on a scoring system combining GPA, TEAS, and completed coursework.
The 60 total semester hours for this program include core nursing classes, licensure prep, and a capstone course. Prerequisite courses must be completed before applying to this LVN to RN bridge program.
Duration: 3 semesters
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $4,440 in-district, $8,160 out-of-district, $9,060 out-of-state)
Admissions Requirements:
- Satisfactory TEAS scores
- TSI for reading and math
- Prerequisites with minimum C grade
- Background check
- Immunizations
- CPR certification
- College admission
- Unencumbered LVN license
Core Curriculum:
- Professional Nursing Competencies
- Health Care Concepts
- Dosage Calculations for Nursing
- Concept-Based Transition to Professional Nursing Practice
- Clinicals
- Life Span Growth & Development
- Ethics
- Professional Nursing Review and Licensure Preparation
- Professional Nursing Concepts
Get Answers: LVN to RN Student FAQs
Most students considering an LVN to RN online program in Texas have the same questions as you. Below are answers to many of those questions, including details on the benefits and process of becoming an RN, how to maintain your RN license, the various course-duration options, and the education levels available for LVNs.
What are the benefits of moving from LVN to RN?
LVNs and RNs are both on the front lines of patient care, but there are significant differences between the roles, many of which make the RN role a bit more attractive. As such, transitioning from an LVN to an RN role offers significant advantages:
- You will benefit from expanded career options, higher salaries, and greater autonomy in patient care.
- You will have enhanced job security, opportunities for further specialization, and the ability to pursue advanced certifications and degrees with ease.
With broader responsibilities and increased earning potential, the LVN to RN transition represents a valuable step forward in nursing career development.
Expert Insight
Another benefit of becoming an RN is you’re more likely to have career advancement opportunities early on in your career than an RN who didn’t have LVN experience beforehand. Having a higher degree AND years of nursing experience is what sets you apart from the competition. You’ll already have the experience part under your belt.
How do I go from an LVN to an RN in Texas?
The transition from LVN to RN in Texas involves completing the right formal education and other credentialing requirements as determined by the Texas State Board of Nursing (BON). Follow these steps to becoming an RN in Texas:
- Complete an accredited RN education program
- Pass a criminal background check
- Take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam
- Pass the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence exam—required by all prospective RNs
After meeting the above requirements and submitting an application and supporting documents using BON’s paperless nursing portal, you will receive your RN license.
How do I maintain my RN license in Texas?
Renewal involves using BON’s paperless nursing portal to pay a fee and renew your RN license every two years. Applications for renewal must be submitted within 60 days of active licensure expiration.
The Texas BON normally sends out reminders to licensees well in advance of the deadline. However, RNs are responsible for maintaining their licensure. You must participate in 20 hours of continuing education and additional competency experiences within your licensing period.
Are there accelerated LVN to RN programs in Texas?
There are some accelerated LVN to RN programs in Texas that potentially take less time to complete than the typical 12 to 18 months required by most programs. Texas County Technical College, for example, offers an accelerated program that can be completed in one year.
Some accelerated programs even have online options but not all. Completing an LVN to RN accelerated program faster than a typical program requires having all prerequisites completed.
Whatever school you choose, ensure that it adequately prepares you for all RN licensure requirements.
What are the online nursing bridge program levels for LVNs?
Two levels of online nursing bridge programs exist to help you grow your nursing credentials and career:
- LVN to RN programs: result in an associate degree in nursing; take about two years to finish; there are even some programs without prerequisites
- LVN to BSN programs: for vocational nurses seeking a bachelor’s degree; typically take four years to complete
LVN to RN Careers: Texas Salary Insights
| Area | Occupation | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | LPNs/LVNs | $48,910 | $62,240 | $76,140 |
| RNs | $67,120 | $95,970 | $127,950 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
| Area | Occupation | Curr.Jobs | Proj.Jobs | NewJobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann.Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | RNs | 3,172,500 | 3,349,900 | 177,400 | 5.60% | 193,100 |
| LPNs/LVNs | 655,000 | 689,900 | 34,900 | 5.30% | 54,400 | |
| Texas | RNs | 233,850 | 267,980 | 34,130 | 14.60% | 16,900 |
| LPNs/LVNs | 62,840 | 70,660 | 7,820 | 12.40% | 5,830 |
Source: Projections Central
Texas’ Leading Online LVN to RN Schools
Texas is home to several online LVN to RN programs that can help you advance your nursing career. The schools below were ranked based on their quality, affordability, accreditation, flexibility in instruction, and access to important student support services. Each also has at least one online component.
Find out more about the ranking system through the “About the rankings” popup just above the listing; otherwise, continue reading for the best online LVN to RN Bridge Programs in Texas.
