collageGet more information What Are The Prerequisites For LVN In California, how long does it take to become an lvn, lvn certification california, lvn programs, vocational nursing program & accredited lvn programs
Details on California LVN Schools & Classes
To become an LVN in California, you’ll need to enroll in and graduate from an accredited school. Once complete, students must take and pass the NCLEX-PN exam in order to gain licensure. LVN programs can be round at a variety of colleges and technical/vocational schools across the state, making it easy for students to find one that suits their needs. LVN programs consist of a mix of nursing-specific courses and labs, with titles such as:
- Anatomy and Physiology for Vocational Nurses
- Nursing of the Mature Adult Theory
- Pediatric Nursing Theory
Accreditation
The first thing students can do when researching LVN programs is to search for accredited schools. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing is a widely-known national accrediting body to keep an eye out for, and regional accreditations exist as well. You can also look for programs endorsed by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians.
Admission Requirements
California LVN schools typically require the following in order to be eligible for admission, though it’s important to keep in mind that these requirements may vary from school to school:
- High school diploma or GED
- Transcripts of any previous college work
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- CPR certification for healthcare providers
Tuition and Costs
Many students are scared off by the thought of LVN school tuition, but there are programs in the state that fit many budgets. Students must consider the cost of tuition, mandatory school/program fees, and extras like textbooks and uniforms. The LVN program at southern California’s Pasadena City College, for example, runs roughly $4,463 in its entirety.
California LVN Licensing Requirements
To become an LVN in the state of California, the applicant must complete 1,530 education hours at a vocational, trade, or private LVN school approved by the California Nursing Board—576 of these hours are in theory and 54 in pharmacology. Training includes coursework in: anatomy and physiology, psychology, communications, patient education, nutrition, growth and development, rehabilitation, maternity, and much more. The program can take anywhere from 12 to 20 months, depending on the level of commitment—part-time or full-time coursework. Other requirements to become an LVN may include physical strength requirements, including the ability to life patients, pulling and pushing patients and machinery, and extended periods of standing, squatting, walking, and running. There are no continued education requirements for those holding an LVN license, but licenses must be renewed biennially. If the license holder fails to renew for 2 or more years, he or she will be required to complete an additional 30 hours of continued education over the next 2 years.
NCLEX Exam Information
Once students graduate from an LVN program and complete their training, they must register for and pass the required test, known as the NCLEX-PN. This test consists of roughly 100 nursing-related questions, and students are required to pass this in order to be eligible for licensure as a vocational nurse. More about the NCLEX-PN can be found here, and students can also take advantage of our NCLEX-PN practice test in order to prep for the exam.
LVN Reciprocity and NLC
California is currently pending legislation for participation as a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. Under the NLC, nurses can practice in other NLC states, without having to obtain additional licenses. An individual can also become an LVN in the state of California by endorsement (transferring with a license from another state), in which he or she must have completed one of the following:
- Graduated from an approved LVN program
- Graduated from another state’s approved LVN/LPN program
- Completed and education and experience equivalent
- Completed the education and experience equivalent in the US military
And:
- The applicant applying for endorsement must have received a passing score on either the NCLEX or SBTPE and submit verification of current licensure.
2021 CA NCLEX-PN Pass Rates and Statistics
- Total Number of State Approved LVN Schools: 122
- Total Number of Test Takers in 2020: 5,462
- 2020 Average Statewide California NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 81.8%
Top Ranked California LVN Programs
Get information on nursing programs by entering your zip code and requesting enrollment information.Sponsored Search1
Gavilan College
5055 Santa Teresa Blvd, Gilroy, CA 95020 – (408) 848-4800 –
Gavilan College is located in Gilroy, California, with additional locations in Hollister and Morgan Hill. Gavilan College believes in using both traditional and emerging learning practices to cultivate curriculum comprehension and personal growth in its LVN program offering, which can be completed in just 1.5 academic years (3 semesters).Overall Score: 100.00 – Compare Program to Nearby Schools2
Copper Mountain College
6162 Rotary Way, Joshua Tree, CA 92252 – (760) 366-3791 –
Copper Mountain College (CMC) is located in Joshua Tree, California, and offers a wide range of programs for degree transfers, associate’s degrees, and certificates. CMC’s Vocational Nursing program can be completed in just 3 semesters, starting each June and finishing the following May. Grads of the program learn through nursing theory and labs to provide competent patient care.Overall Score: 100.00 – Compare Program to Nearby Schools3
Annenberg School of Nursing
19300 Sherman Way, Reseda, CA 91335 – (818) 757-4431 –
The Annenberg School of Nursing (ASN) is located in Reseda, California – part of the San Fernando Valley. ASN boasts an intimate learning environment where men and women are trained to become qualified healthcare practitioners. ASN prepares vocational nursing (VN) students for the NCLEX-PN licensing exam.Overall Score: 100.00 – Compare Program to Nearby Schools4
College of the Redwoods
7351 Tompkins Hill Rd, Eureka, CA 95501 – (707) 476-4100 –
College of the Redwoods puts student success first by providing outstanding developmental, career technical, and transfer education. The College partners with the community to contribute to the economic vitality and lifelong learning needs of its service area. Its 3-semester LVN program helps students develop the interpersonal and clinical skills needed to find gainful employment in healthcare facilities.Overall Score: 100.00 – Compare Program to Nearby Schools5
Mira Costa College
1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside, CA 92056 – (760) 757-2121 –
MiraCosta College is a two-year community college located in Oceanside, California, with an additional campus in Cardiff. MiraCosta College seeks to provide quality vocational nursing education to the northern San Diego area to foster student success, as well as pursue institutional excellence.Overall Score: 99.20 – Compare Program to Nearby Schools6
Allan Hancock College
800 S College Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93454 – (805) 922-6966 –
Allan Hancock College (AHC) is a public community college located in Santa Maria, California, with additional locations in Lompoc, Solvang, and Vanderberg AFB. AHC provides quality LVN education that can be completed in 12 months, enhancing student learning through excellence in teaching and by finding innovative ways to enhance achievement.Overall Score: 98.80 – Compare Program to Nearby Schools7
North Orange County ROP
385 N Muller St, Anaheim, CA 92801 – (714) 502-5800 –
North Orange County ROP has been providing high-quality career and technical education for decades. The Vocational Nursing Program at North Orange County ROP is constructed to prepare adult students with the necessary knowledge and skills needed to become LVNs in California. The year-long program offers courses on weekdays, with possible afternoon/evening clinicals.Overall Score: 98.60 – Compare Program to Nearby Schools8
Antelope Valley College
3041 West Avenue K, Lancaster, CA 93536 – (661) 722-6300 –
Antelope Valley College of Lancaster offers a 12-month LVN program for ambitious students. Those enrolled in the 51-unit program take courses in Nutrition, General Psychology, Fundamentals of Patient Care for Vocational Nurses, and much more. Graduates are well-prepared to sit for the NCLEX-PN examination.Overall Score: 98.00 – Compare Program to Nearby Schools9
Bakersfield Adult School
2727 F Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301 – (661) 861-1151 –
Bakersfield Adult School has two campuses located in Bakersfield, California, offering vocational career training and workforce development, as well as GED coursework, continuing education, and more. BAS’s vocational nursing program can be completed in 22 months and consists of nursing theory courses and clinical hours.Overall Score: 97.80 – Compare Program to Nearby Schools10
Mission College
3000 Mission College Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95054 – (408) 988-2200 –
Mission College is a public community college located in Santa Clara, California, offering transfer options to a four-year university as well as career options, associate degree options, and workforce development options. Mission College encourages nursing student success by offering both a certificate and an AS degree in Vocational Nursing.Overall Score: 97.60 – Compare Program to Nearby Schools
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