Nursing Programs in Texas

National American University Campus

Master
Master of Science Nursing
Austin

Computer Career Center

Diploma
Nurse Assistant/Home Health Aid
El Paso

South Texas Vocational Technical Institute

Certificate
Nurse Assistant
McAllen, Brownsville, Weslaco, Corpus Christi

Kaplan College

Certificate
Certificate: Nurse Aide
San Antonio

Career Point College

Diploma
Nurse Aide
San Antonio

Texas Careers

Certificate
Certificate: Nurse Aide
San Antonio

What does a Vocational Nurse do?

Licensed vocational nurses, also called licensed practical nurses, perform a wide variety of patient care tasks under the supervision of a registered nurse or doctor. They provide basic bedside care for people who are sick, injured, or disabled.

Vocational nurses are employed in many different settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and physician's offices. Many vocational nurses offer basic patient care to elderly or disabled people who require home health care. In all of these settings, vocational nurses offer sympathy, compassion, and support to the patient and his family.

Vocational nurses gather some basic information from the patient to assist in assessing the patient's current condition. They determine the patient's height and weight, and measure vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, respirations, and temperature. The nurse obtains each patient's medical history and family history, and records this information for other caregivers.

Different settings require vocational nurses to be responsible for different duties. A vocational nurse that works in a hospital may be responsible for explaining procedures and preparing patients for any examinations or treatments. They will chart and report any changes in the patient's condition to other staff members by recording fluid intake and output, and monitoring patients for any adverse reactions to medications or other forms of treatment. They may clean and sterilize instruments and monitor medical equipment.

A vocational nurse that works in private homes often bathes and feeds the patient. The nurse is responsible for educating the patient and their family on how to take care of the patient at home. The aging population and the preference of many patients to obtain health care at home are factors that result in growing opportunities for vocational nurses who wish to provide home health care.

In a nursing home, a vocational nurse may assist with bathing, dressing, and feeding patients. Some patients may require assistance with standing and walking. Immobilized patients may need to be moved in bed to prevent bedsores. In some states, vocational nurses can administer prescribed medications and start intravenous fluids. They may give injections, watch catheters, and dress wounds.

As the vocational nurse grows in experience, she may attain the status of charge nurse and be responsible for supervising other vocational nurses or nursing aides. Some choose to advance their education and become registered nurses.

Since many patients need around-the-clock care, working hours may include evenings, weekends, and holidays. Vocational nurses spend long hours on their feet, and need to be physically fit enough to lift disabled patients. The job can be stressful emotionally when working with dying patients, or with patients who are angry and combative. Other dangers of the job include exposure to contagious diseases and chemicals.

The job of a vocational nurse can be tiring and challenging, but it can also be very rewarding. There are plenty of opportunities for vocational nurses in many different settings. This is a great career choice for someone who enjoys helping others and truly making a difference as part of a medical team.

Other cities in Texas

Online Schools

The following is a list of schools that offer online Nursing Programs programs.

Independence University

  • MS - Nursing Wellness
  • MS - Nursing
  • BS - Nursing
  • Hide Programs
  • MS - Nursing Administration
  • MS - Nursing Community Health

OTHER COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES IN TEXAS

Angelo State University

2601 W Avenue N, San Angelo, Texas 76909
Telephone:(325) 942-2555
http://www.angelo.edu

Houston Baptist University

7502 Fondren Rd, Houston, Texas 77074
Telephone:(281) 649-3000
http://www.hbu.edu

Lamar University

4400 MLK, Beaumont, Texas 77705
Telephone:(409) 880-7011
http://www.lamar.edu

North Central Texas College

1525 W California Street, Gainesville, Texas 76240
Telephone:(940) 668-7731
http://www.nctc.edu

Prairie View A & M University

5th Street Ave. A, Prairie View, Texas 77446
Telephone:(936) 261-3311
http://www.pvamu.edu

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

3601 4th Street, Lubbock, Texas 79430
Telephone:(806) 743-2484 x254
http://www.ttuhsc.edu

Texas Woman's University

304 Administration Dr, Denton, Texas 76201
Telephone:(940) 898-2000
http://www.twu.edu

The University of Texas at Arlington

701 S. Nedderman Dr., Arlington, Texas 76013
Telephone:(817) 272-2011
http://www.uta.edu

The University of Texas at Brownsville

80 Fort Brown, Brownsville, Texas 78520
Telephone:(956) 882-8200
http://www.utb.edu

The University of Texas at Tyler

3900 University Blvd, Tyler, Texas 75799
Telephone:(903) 566-7000
http://www.uttyler.edu/

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

7000 Fannin, Houston, Texas 77030
Telephone:(713) 500-4472
http://www.uthouston.edu/

The University of Texas Medical Branch

301 University Blvd, Galveston, Texas 77555
Telephone:(409) 772-1011
http://www.utmb.edu

West Texas A & M University

2501 4th Ave, Canyon, Texas 79016
Telephone:(806) 651-4636
http://www.wtamu.edu