An LVN is a Licensed Vocational Nurse who has completed a program approved by the Texas State Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners and has passed the National Licensure Examination for vocational nurses. The LVN may be employed in a variety of health care settings, but works primarily in acute care hospitals and long term care facilities, providing direct nursing care.

As of February 1, 2004 the passage of the HB 1483 consolidated all licensed nurses under one regulatory board, the Board of Nurse examiners for the State of Texas, and under the authority of the Nursing Practice Act. The main rule applicable to nursing practice is Rule 217.11, effective 9/28/2004, which provides the frame work for the minimum acceptable standards of nursing practice, and serves for determining a nurse's scope of practice. The guideline also provides additional information through definitions, clarification for scope of practice parameters, and a table differentiating the scope pf practice for LVNs and Registered Nurses (RNs).

To learn more about Rule 217.11 and related links visit the Texas Board of Nursing web site at:
www.bon.state.tx.us/practice/lvn-guide.html