The city of Dallas has a total of 34 educational institutions, ranging from technical/trade colleges to public universities and private colleges. There are several schools in the area offering the clinical and classroom training necessary for an LVN (licensed vocational nurse). The LVN works directly under a registered nurse (RN) or physician and has various duties to perform, such as taking vital signs, gathering medical history, administering medications, collecting laboratory samples, teaching health education to patients and family and supervising nursing assistants.

Dallas Nursing Institute

The Dallas Nursing Institute offers a 52-week program of study preparing students to take the Board of Nurse Examiners test for the State of Texas. The school offers day or evening classes to accommodate different scheduling needs. The day course is a 13-month program with classes occurring Monday through Friday and clinical days varying to include the weekends. The evening program, which lasts for 17 months, offers class hours two evenings a week, plus weekend classes. Clinical coursework occurs on the weekends and is scheduled to coincide with the classroom requirements.

Dallas Nursing Institute 1210 N. Abrams Rd., Ste. 200 Dallas, TX 75243 214-351-0223 dni.edu/lvn.aspx

El Centro College

El Centro College's Vocational Nursing program is accredited by the National League of Nursing. The institute offers a 51-credit hour program which prepares the student for the NCLEX-PN exam administered by the Texas Board of Nursing. The curriculum offered for this program is only available during the daytime hours in two 16-week semesters and two five-week semesters during the summer. Admission to the LVN program at El Centro is competitive and requires a full-time commitment.

El Centro College 801 Main S. Dallas, TX 75202 214-860-2000 elcentrocollege.edu/program/health/vocnursing

Platt Health Careers Training

Platt Health Careers Training was originally opened in Oklahoma in 1979 as Platt College. Currently, Platt College has six campuses, including its Dallas location which offers the LVN program. The program lasts for 13.5 months and is 1,582 clock hours, or 100 quarter credit hours. The vocational nursing program prepares students for a career in nursing as well as testing for the NCLEX-PN for the Texas Board of Nursing.

Platt Health Careers Training 2974 LBJ Freeway Dallas, TX 75234 972-243-0900 plattcolleges.edu/programs/nursing/vocational-nursing