Vocational Nursing (LVN) Port Arthur Location
Vocational Nursing (LVN)
Your nursing career starts close to home. LSCPA's Vocational Nursing (LVN) program prepares you to step into patient care with confidence — building the clinical skills, bedside know-how, and hands-on experience that healthcare employers across the Golden Triangle count on every day. You'll learn patient assessment, medication administration, and the care standards that guide work in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. You'll graduate ready to take the NCLEX-PN and move into meaningful, in-demand work right here in your community, on a schedule that respects your life.
Top Careers in Nursing
Build the skills that open doors in patient care — from taking vital signs and administering medications to charting and supporting patients through recovery every step of the way. LSCPA's Vocational Nursing (LVN) program covers patient assessment, basic nursing care, and the safety practices that hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities across the Golden Triangle depend on every day. The curriculum blends classroom instruction with practical clinical experience, so you graduate ready to pass the NCLEX-PN and contribute from day one.
Salaries for licensed vocational nurses in Southeast Texas are competitive: LVNs in the Beaumont–Port Arthur area earn a range of $49,254 - $57,007, with the field projected to grow steadily across the region. Entry-level positions offer a solid foundation, while experienced nurses and those with advanced credentials or specialized clinical skills command significantly higher pay. Actual earnings vary by employer, role, and level of responsibility — but the trajectory is clear. Build your credentials at LSCPA and position yourself for steady advancement in one of the region's most meaningful and in-demand career fields.
Schedule a Meeting
Laura Baker, ADN: Instructor
Christina Chargois, ADN: Instructor
Jo Anna Gott, BSN, RNC-OB, CBC: Program Coordinator
Lois Holmes, ADN: Instructor
Mary Perry, ADN: Instructor
Andrea Reyes, MSN: Simulations Specialist
Melissa Smith, ADN: Instructor
Carlos Quintero, ADN: Instructor
Jeannine Hanson, ADN: Instructor
Program Information
Applicants must:
In addition to the college's admission requirements, students must also apply for admission to the Vocational Nursing Program and attend a Pre-Program Orientation session.
To register for any VNSG course a student must submit an application to the Vocational Nursing program and be accepted into the Vocational Nursing Program.
- Complete the application process for general admission to Lamar State College Port Arthur.
- Review the application process for the Vocational Nursing Program in the Application Packet.
- Schedule and take the HESI Admission Assessment (A2) exam on the LSCPA Port Arthur
campus and score the minimum scores of:
- Reading Comprehension 75% or higher
- Human Anatomy & Physiology (A&P) 70% or higher
- Cumulative Score 70% or higher.
- Complete the Vocational Nursing Program application packet and submit a legible application, with supporting documents, on or before the Monday June 1, 2026 deadline.
NCLEX-VN Pass Rates
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # of Students Passing | 56 | 63 | 57 | 41 | 67 | 47 |
| # of Students Testing | 57 | 71 | 61 | 46 | 77 | 48 |
| Passing % | 98.25% | 88.73% | 93.44% | 89.13% | 87.01% | 97.92% |
The Vocational Nursing Program is approved by the
Texas Board of Nursing
1801 Congress Avenue
Suite 10-200
Austin, TX 78701
512-305-7400
www.bon.texas.gov
Resources
- HESI Admissions Assessment exam review book may be available in the Gates Memorial Library or purchased using this link: https://evolve.elsevier.com/cs/product/9780323582261?role=student
- Evolve Student Account Settings Information
The Program Admission Rating Scale was developed to aid in the objective selection of the class. Applicants are ranked according to their score on the Program Admission Rating Scale. The goal of the Upward Mobility Nursing admission process is the selection of the best qualified applicants.
Lamar State College-Port Arthur is an open access institution.
Successful completion of the Lamar State College – Port Arthur Upward Mobility Nursing Program does NOT guarantee that a graduate may take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The Texas Board of Nursing, 1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 10-200 Austin, TX 78701, (512) 305-7400, has identified certain circumstances that may render a potential candidate ineligible for licensure as a registered nurse in the State of Texas. The Board provides individuals the opportunity to petition the Board for a Declaratory Order as to their eligibility in accordance with Article 301.257 of the Nursing Practice Act.
If you are required to answer "YES" to any of the following questions, you may be required to complete a Petition for Declaratory Order. If your criminal background check shows any type of offense you may be required to submit a statement explaining the events of the incident(s) along with official court documentation showing the disposition of the incident(s). If the incident(s) requires further investigation by the Texas Board of Nursing you will be required to submit a review fee along with a Petition for Declaratory Order. This petition to the Texas Board of Nursing may take 4 to 12 months, or longer, for processing.
For any criminal offense, including those pending appeal, have you:
- been convicted of a misdemeanor?
- been convicted of a felony?
- pled nolo contendere, no contest, or guilty?
- received deferred adjudication?
- been placed on community supervision or court-ordered probation, whether or not adjudicated guilty?
- been sentenced to serve jail or prison time or court-ordered confinement?
- been granted pre-trial diversion?
- been arrested or have any pending criminal charges?
- been cited or charged with any violation of the law?
- been subject of a court-martial; Article 15 violation; or received any form of military judgment/punishment/action?
NOTE: You may only exclude Class C misdemeanor traffic violations.
To obtain a copy of the Petition for Declaratory Order, go to the Texas Board of Nursing
(TBON) website at: https://www.bon.texas.gov/. On the TBON home page, click on "Forms" then under "Initial Licensure & Recognition
Forms" click on "Declaratory Order". Read the information carefully, download the
"Petition for Declaratory Order" form and follow the directions provided.
In order to graduate a student must:
- Earn a "C" or better in ALL pre-requisite, co-requisite, and *nursing courses.
- Maintain an overall 2.0 Grade Point Average.
- Submit an online application to complete the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®) and pay associated fees.
- Pay NCLEX-RN® fees to Pearson Vue.
- Submit LSCPA graduation application and pay associated fees.
- Attend and Complete an approved NCLEX-RN® Board Review course in order to graduate fully prepared to take NCLEX-RN®. Review course will be given in the final semester of the program.
*Please note that all nursing courses (RNSG) require a minimum score of 75% for a grade of “C.”
For inquiries or additional information complete our Request Additional Information form, call (409) 984-6356, or visit our offices in the Health & Science Building.
| Course | Title | SCH |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | ||
| NURA 1301 | Nurse Aid for Health Care | 3 |
| NURA 1160 | Clinical-Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide | 1 |
| HECO 1322 | Nutrition & Diet Therapy | 3 |
| BIOL 2301 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I (lecture) | 3 |
| BIOL 2101 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I (lab) | 1 |
| BIOL 2302 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II (lecture) | 3 |
| BIOL 2102 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II (lab) | 1 |
| Second Semester | ||
| VNSG 1400 | Nursing in Health and Illness I | 4 |
| VNSG 1227 | Essentials of Medication Administration | 2 |
| VNSG 1204 | Foundations of Nursing | 2 |
| VNSG 1231 | Pharmacology | 2 |
| VNSG 1261 | Clinical-Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training | 2 |
| Third Semester | ||
| VNSG 1409 | Nursing in Health and Illness II | 4 |
| VNSG 1234 | Pediatrics | 2 |
| VNSG 1462 | Clinical-Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training | 4 |
| PSYC 2314 | Lifespan Growth and Development | 3 |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| VNSG 2410 | Nursing in Health and Illness III | 4 |
| VNSG 1230 | Maternal-Neonatal Nursing | 2 |
| VNSG 1463 | Clinical-Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training | 4 |
| Total | 50 | |
Completing LSCPA's Vocational Nursing (LVN) program can open the door to a lasting career in patient care — and to a clear path toward registered nursing if that's your goal. Once you pass the NCLEX-PN and earn your license, you're ready for in-demand LVN work across the Golden Triangle, with room to keep growing. Graduates who finish the program have several clear options for what comes next:
- Step into licensed practice right away. Once you pass the NCLEX-PN, you're ready for in-demand LVN roles in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, physician offices, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies across Southeast Texas.
- Build on a credential that holds its value. Your LSCPA Vocational Nursing certificate gives you a strong professional foundation, and the courses you complete prepare you to keep advancing through LSCPA's Upward Mobility LVN to ADN program when you're ready.
- Advance toward registered nursing. Earning your LVN license opens the door to the Upward Mobility LVN to ADN program — a clear, local pathway that builds on your experience and prepares you to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
- Grow into higher roles over time. Your ADN can lead to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or an RN-to-Master of Science in Nursing degree, opening doors to roles like Charge Nurse, Nurse Educator, or Nurse Practitioner — positions that offer long-term stability and strong earning potential.
Your LVN license is the first step — earning it lets you enter patient care now, advance through the LVN to ADN pathway, and keep growing your nursing career in Southeast Texas when the time is right.
What is the Vocational Nursing (LVN) program at LSCPA?
The Vocational Nursing (LVN) program at LSCPA is a competency-based, one-year program that prepares you to take the NCLEX-PN and become a Licensed Vocational Nurse. The program meets three semesters, with Summer I and Summer II combined so you attend the entire summer. Coursework covers patient assessment, medication administration, pharmacology, and the care standards that guide work in hospitals and clinics — giving you a well-rounded foundation. Classroom instruction blends with hands-on clinical practice at area facilities, so by the time you graduate, you're ready to step confidently into the entry-level nursing roles Golden Triangle healthcare employers need to fill.
What are the admission requirements for the Vocational Nursing (LVN) program?
You'll apply for general admission to LSCPA and submit a separate application to the Vocational Nursing Program. You must also take the HESI Admission Assessment (A2) exam and meet the minimum scores: 75% or higher in Reading Comprehension, 70% or higher in Anatomy & Physiology, and a 70% or higher Cumulative Score. All prerequisites and TSI requirements in Reading, Writing, and Math must be completed before the program begins. LSCPA admits two classes each year — one in Spring (January) and one in Fall (August) — and selects the most qualified applicants through a Program Admission Rating Form.
What kind of nursing jobs can I get after completing the program?
Hospitals, rehabilitation centers, physician offices, outpatient community clinics, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies across the Golden Triangle regularly hire LSCPA graduates for vocational nursing roles. LVNs work in non-complex patient care areas under the guidance of RNs and licensed physicians or dentists — attending to personal hygiene needs, administering medications, charting, and helping meet everyday patient care needs that keep local healthcare running.
Is the Vocational Nursing (LVN) program flexible for working students?
The program is a full-time, one-year commitment with classroom hours typically running 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and clinical hours from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., though these may vary by semester. Because of this schedule, the LVN program asks for a focused commitment — but you're encouraged to complete non-nursing co-requisite courses on the degree plan while waiting to be accepted, which can ease your overall course load. Talk to an advisor about building a plan that fits your goals and the responsibilities you're already juggling close to home.
How long does it take to complete the Vocational Nursing (LVN) program?
The Vocational Nursing program is a one-year program that meets across three semesters, including a full summer of combined Summer I and Summer II coursework. Each semester includes a clinical component completed at facilities in the Golden Triangle area. An LSCPA advisor can help you map out prerequisites and a plan that fits your goals, your pace, and your life close to home.
What is the salary potential after the Vocational Nursing (LVN) program?
Salaries in this field vary by role, experience, and employer — but the numbers tell a promising story. New graduate vocational nurses currently start at $15 - $20 per hour base pay in the Golden Triangle, and statewide, licensed vocational nurses earn a median of $57,007 per year, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. Entry-level positions typically start lower, while experienced nurses and those who advance through LSCPA's Upward Mobility LVN to ADN program to become registered nurses can earn significantly more — opening the door to higher pay and steady advancement in one of the Golden Triangle's most in-demand fields.
The LSCPA Advantage
LSCPA is where Golden Triangle nurses begin careers that last. Small class sizes mean you get real attention from experienced nursing faculty who know your name and your goals. The Vocational Nursing (LVN) program is competency-based and grounded in hands-on clinical practice, patient assessment, and bedside care rather than theory alone — with clinical hours completed right in your community. Affordable tuition, a strong NCLEX-PN pass rate, and close ties to area hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities make LSCPA the practical choice for anyone ready to step into a stable, meaningful nursing role close to home.