Overview
Career outlook
Employers hire licensed practical nurses to provide basic patient care such as monitoring vital signs, administering medications, and assisting with daily needs under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians.
Getting in
What Austin Community College District asks for, taken from its own admissions page.
What you'll need
- Immunizations
- Transcripts
- Background check
- Drug screen
- CPR certification
- Health insurance
Vocational Nursing Level 2 Certificate, traditional daytime track (evening/weekend track admits each fall); competitive point ranking. Requires ACC enrollment, TSI met, age 18+, ATI TEAS (Nursing) composite of at least 58.7% (valid 2 years, two attempts), program required immunizations, online information session post test, transcripts from other colleges; application packet emailed as one PDF. No prerequisite courses required but A&P, HPRS 2300 and other courses earn ranking points. Deadlines: Oct 1, 2026 for Spring 2027 (passed), May 1, 2027 for Fall 2027. Background check, drug screen, TB, CPR, health insurance and flu vaccine after provisional admission.
Checked Oct 2026 on the school's site. Requirements change each cycle, so confirm before you apply.
Paths
Routes into LPN. The first step is where you enroll today.
Medication Aide to LPN
Your medication administration experience counts. Bridge from certified medication aide into practical nursing and full LPN licensure.
CNA to LPN
Step up from nursing assistant to licensed practical nurse. The fastest license upgrade in nursing, and the standard bridge toward RN.
Find your next step.
Getting in starts with a path. Pick one, then follow the people who already did it.