LVN Programs in California

The Santa Barbara City College Vocational Nursing program is approved by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians. The program is a three-semester program intended to qualify students to function as Licensed Vocational Nurses in a variety of clinical settings.  

Students who successfully complete the program will receive a Certificate of Achievement and are eligible to apply to sit for the licensure examination to practice as a licensed vocational nurse.  

Students can go on to earn the Associate in Science Degree in Vocational Nursing by completing the Certificate of Achievement as well as college requirements which include at least 18 units of General Education coursework.

Admission Requirements:

1. High school diploma or GED equivalency certificate
2. A minimum grade of ‘C’ in pre-requisite courses
3. CNA certification or if expired recent CAN experience

Applications are accepted year round.

Accepted applicants will be required to submit a current CPR certification to be maintained throughout the program, pay for the malpractice insurance fee maintained by the  and attend the orientation program meeting.

Successful applicants must complete the SBCC School of Nursing physical examination and proof of immunization within the 19 months of enrollment.

The Long Beach City College Vocational Nursing Program is designed to enable students to transition from Licensed Vocational Nursing to the Associate Degree Nursing Program.

Students who complete the one year full time study program completing all AND pre-requisites will be eligible to apply the AND program to become a Registered Nurse.

Students who are Certified Nursing Assistants or those who have successfully completed VN 215 Fundamentals of Nursing course and have met one of the pre-requisites towards applying for the VN program.

Graduates of the Vocational Nursing program are eligible to apply to take the National Licensing Examination for vocational practical nursing (NCLEX-PN).

Admission Requirements:

• All nursing program applicant will need to have a clear background check, health screen and immunizations, obtain malpractice insurance and CPR certification from the American Heart Association as well as other requirements made by clinical training institutions.
• Open enrollment will end the Saturday before class commences even if there are spaces available in the class. Students desiring to enroll after this date will need to attend the class and request permission from the instructor. It is possible to email the instructor for a permission number for online courses.
• The nursing program is required to maintain health and safety information and records on all students according to standards established by the Orange County/Long Beach Consortium for Nursing and clinical agencies. 

The Rio Hondo College Nursing program is accredited by the California State Board of Registered Nursing. Graduates from the program are eligible to sit for the examination that leads to licensure as licensed practitioner.

The curriculum is intended to provide the appropriate combination of in class theoretical instruction with hands on clinical and laboratory practice in healthcare facilities in the area to allow a command of the skills required at the entry level.

Graduates from the program will work under the supervision of a licensed physician or a Registered Nurse in a range of health care setting including doctor’s offices, clinics, community based health care and assisted living facilities.

The program has the following requirements for admission:

• Official high school diploma or GED equivalency certificate
• Unofficial transcripts from other colleges attended by the applicant including programs in Rio Hondo College
• A copy of transcripts for a degree from another institution if applicable
• Verification on letterhead from any health care facility the applicant has worked in if applicable
• Official copy of the ATI TEAS test if applicable
• Pre-requisites for the course are (Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Microbiology, English 101 and Math for Health Professional)

Successful applicants will be required to submit to a background check, fingerprinting, and physical clearance before registering in the Nursing program. 
 
 
 

The program is offered in four semesters after enrollment in the first nursing course. Students will require a minimum of three more semesters to complete the pre-requisites for admission to the program.

The ADN program allows students the opportunity to sit for the national licensure examinations as well as serving as a bridge to acquire an advanced degree in nursing.

The curriculum at Antelope Valley College is a rigorous program which comprises of theoretical knowledge and clinical practice.

Admission Requirements:

• Official High school transcript or GED
• Physical examination for communicable diseases and other impairments
• Pre-requisite courses completed with a ‘C’ grade or higher 
• Minimum GPA of 2.4 for all college courses taken

Students accepted into the program will be required to purchase personal liability insurance and submit to a drug test and a criminal background check.

The Antelope Valley Associate Degree Nursing program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing.

The Hartnell College Vocational Nursing Program is a newly redesigned 12 month program. The program is a year round course of study consisting of theoretical classroom instruction and clinical experience and laboratory competency.

The Vocational Nursing Program trains students to be licensed as vocational nurses to practice under the supervision of a registered nurse or a physician in a range of setting including medical offices, clinics, hospitals, correctional facilities, home health agencies and long term facilities.

Admission Requirements:

1. Hartnell College Admission for Application (general college application)
2. High School Diploma or GED equivalency certificate (required by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians of the State of California)
3. Complete application to the VN program
4. Complete pre-requisite programs (all pre-requisite courses or equivalents must be completed with a 'C' grade or higher)
5. Official college transcripts

The Vocational Nursing program receives more applications than there are spaces available. Admission will be based on the GPA and or work experience of the applicants.

Letters of recommendation and performance ratings from persons familiar with the work experience and education of the applicant in a health related field such as paramedic, nursing assistant, medical assistant or instructors will be considered during the process. Personal references will not be considered.

Admission Deadline is October. It is the responsibility of the applicant to seek answers to questions from the nursing department administrators, counseling faculty, Admission and Records Office and faculty members.

The college will require health screening, a series of immunizations a criminal background check after an applicant has been conditionally accepted into the program.

It is recommended that students in the program work no more than 16 hours a week due to the considerable clinical time commitment and rigorous coursework required.

The Chaffey College Vocational Nurse program is approved by the State of California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT). The program is designed to enable VN’s to function in acute and extended care facilities.

The LVN program is a one and a half year program in length which begins in the fall and spring semesters consisting of in classroom lectures and laboratory instruction in actual clinical settings.

Admission Requirements:

1. Submit Official High School transcripts or GED equivalency certificate
2. Submit all official college transcripts
3. Pre-requisites courses: Anatomy and Physiology, or Human Anatomy and Human Physiology
4. CNA certification (or completion of Nursing Assistant courses)

All applications documents should be submitted between October and the 1st of March.

Successful applicants who met the requirements for the program will receive a letter to attend mandatory orientation session.

The Career Development Institute Vocational Nursing program is intended to help students balance their day to day life with classes offered part time enabling students to keep on working full time.

The program is an entry in the exciting and challenging career of nursing. Vocational nurses will be trained to offer physical and emotional care to patients as well assisting with medical and minor surgical procedures under the supervision of a physician or a Registered Nurse.

The program is a part time 18 month program with classes scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 am to 4:30pm and Mondays 4pm-10pm.

CDI is committed to offering quality training to enable graduates achieve financial success, while caring for others and ensuring happier and healthier lives. Career Development Institute's educational objectives are to equip our students with working knowledge of skills required by companies and agencies within the nursing industry.

CDI supplies each student with uniforms, stethoscope, shoes, blood pressure cuff, gait belt and other essential books and supplies to keep in an effort to equip students with all that is needed to succeed.

The Pasadena City College, Vocational Nursing program is accredited by the California Board of Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technicians.

The 12 month program accepts applications once a year for enrollment begins each fall. The 40 unit certificate program has required courses offered in the summer session.

Admission Requirements:

1. Official High School Transcript or GED equivalency certificate
2. Official transcript from all colleges of universities attended

Application forms are available online from the 15th of February to the 15th of March every year. If the 15th of March falls on a weekend or holiday the deadline will extend to the next business day.

Priority will be given to applicants:

• Who complete all pre-requisite courses: Nutrition 11, Physiology 100, Psychology 24, Mat, pre-algebra or higher course (It is recommended that all basic science courses be completed within the past five years)
• Who withdrew from the LVN program during a previous enrollment and are eligible for readmission
• Transfer students

Students who are selected to enter the LVN program will be required to submit to a health clearance and criminal background check to attend clinical experiences. 

Students who complete the curriculum will receive a Certificate of Achievement and will be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensing Examination for licensed Vocational Nurses.

Completion of the course does not guarantee licensure. 

The Angeles Institute Vocational Nursing Program has been approved to operate from the Bureau of Private Post-secondary Education and has accreditation from the Board of VN and Psychiatric Technicians.  The institute is also a member of the an education agency member with the National League of Nursing.

The program is a full-time, 40 week program designed to train students in the knowledge, skills, and competencies related to enhancing the health and wellbeing of individuals.

The program offers classroom instruction supplemented by required clinical experiences to prepare students to become practitioners at the entry level.

Admission Requirements:

• High school diploma and GED equivalency certificate
• Passing CNET, HESI or TEAS test scores
• Passing Grade of admission examination
• Provide previous coursework for evaluation with a C grade or higher
• Interviews with admissions, advisor, financial advisor and nursing administration
• Successful completion of a criminal background check required for clinical placement

Angeles Institution recognizes up to 32% of credits required for the completion of the program earned at another institution. Students can receive credit for courses taken in the last five years at accredited vocational or practical nursing courses, accredited registered nursing course, accredited psychiatric technician courses, armed services nursing course and certified nurse assistant courses.

Successful applicants who submit all required documents, testing and interviews required for admission will be offered a contract for enrollment.

An orientation program will be held for new students prior to the beginning of each class period.

The program is a sixteen month program that comprises of 24-36 hours of instruction a week. This generally breaks down to 2 days of theoretical instruction a week and 2-3 days of clinical practice.

Admission Requirements:

• Applicants must be 17 years or older
• Official high school diploma or GED equivalency certificate
• Applicants can sign up for the pre-entrance test at the Career Training Center
• Pass the pre-entrance test (for reading comprehension, language skills and math)

Applicants with medical experience such as Medical Assistants Certified Nursing Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician, are recommended to the program.

Students will be required to fulfill all health assessment requirements and attend student orientation before registration. All requirements give at new student admission need to be completed and returned to the college before a student receives an acceptance letter to the program.

The program equips students with the technical and manual skills acquired from  the theoretical and clinical  components of each course of study.

Graduates will be able to offer a range of services in health care setting including administering medications, drawing blood, administering IV fluids, administrating skin tests and immunizations and providing patient care under the supervision of a licensed physician or a registered nurse.

The California Career College Vocational Nursing program is a program designed to equip students with the basic concepts and principles for performing the task of nursing and provision of patient care.

The program is offered in 12 month and 18 month tracks offering extensive practical experience in a range of healthcare settings.

The curriculum is current, sensitive to multi-cultural diversity and reality based equipping students with communication techniques, physiology, anatomy, nutrition, terminology, gerontology, pharmacology, maternal & child health as well as nursing skills.

Admission Requirements:

• Must be over 18 years of age
• Pass the entrance exam (There is a fee charged for the exam)
• Official High School Diploma/Transcript or GED
• Pass the physical exam

Admission at the College is open to all applicants.

Graduates from the program will work under the supervision of a licensed physician or a Registered Nurse in a range of health care setting including doctor’s offices, clinics, community based health care and assisted living facilities.

The California Nurses Educational Institute Licensed Vocational Nursing program trains students to assist in patient care in a range of medical settings.

The LVN can administer medication, change dressing, prepare food trays, monitor equipment, maintain patient’s charts, take vital signs amongst other duties to be performed in a healthcare environment including prep patients for surgery and assisting a surgeon in the operating room.

Previous graduates from the CNEI Vocational Nursing Program have found employment at Desert Regional Medical Center, Indio Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and the California Nursing and Rehab Center.

Graduates will be eligible to apply to sit for licensing to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse.

Admission Requirements

• All applicants must be 18 years of age or more
• High School Diploma (or transcripts) or GED equivalency certificate

The program takes 16 months to complete. 

The Casa Loma Vocational Nurisng program is designed to train nurses which make an important part of the health care team responsible for diagnosing illnesses, medical treatment and rehabilitation, as well as patient education.

This program offers the skills and knowledge to offer professional care to the sick, injured and disabled by offering students hands-on nursing experience during clinical practice in clinical setting. Clinical rotations are provided by affiliate health care facilities around the college.

Graduates of the LVN program can find employment in a range of health care setting including, hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics, nursing facilities, etc.

The program consists of 577 hours of theoretical in class instruction, 954 hours of clinical and laboratory practice. The program is offered on a full time and part time basis. After the program is completed, the college offers NCLEX prep.

Basic Admission Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED equivalency
• Documented pass on State Proficiency Test
• College transcripts if applicable
• Pass admission evaluation (math and reading) for the program
• Personal interview with Program Director

The Institute of Medical Education Vocational Nursing program is a state approved practical nursing program preparing students to serve the community as competent Licensed Vocational Nurses.

The mission of the program at IME is to provide the health care community with well trained and diversified care givers that can contribute positively to any health care team.

The LVN program is a combination of both in class theoretical instruction and practical clinical training. This combination is intended to prepare students to meet, and surpass, the demands of a real life health care setting.

The program last for 15 months. After completing the program graduates are offered a two weeks long NCLEX-PN review to prepare students for the licensure examination.

Admissions Requirements:

1. Seventeen years of age or older
2. High School Diploma, GED, or Equivalent
3. Pass  the IME entrance exam
4. Healthcare CPR certification
5. Current immunization documents
6. Complete pre-requisite courses (Anatomy and Physiology. Psychology, Nutrition, Growth and Development, Pharmacology) pre-requisites can be taken at IME or can be transferred from a credit granting institution with submission of official transcripts for coursework taken in the last 5 years
7. Interview with the director of the LVN program

VN’s will be trained to care for patients in a range of medical settings by offering bedside care and assisting with physicians and Registered Nurses.