If you’re ready to take on additional responsibilities beyond your current duties as a certified nursing assistant, it might be time to enroll in a CNA to LPN bridge program. Most LVN programs in Fresno and environs require active CNA certification for admission, which gives you a head start in your quest for career advancement. As a vocational nurse, your new duties will include data collection and assessments, caring for patients who are sick, injured or convalescing, and administering medications. You will be eligible for work in medical, surgical, pediatric, newborn, long-term, and extended care facilities after you pass the state licensure exam.
Fresno Adult School
Fresno Adult School admits only certified nursing assistants to its LVN program. Faculty guides students through theory and clinical experiences needed to become a licensed vocational nurse. Students must complete the prerequisite medical courses before commencing the core program. The clinical externship provides the opportunity to apply the principles learned in the classroom. Course topics medical surgical nursing, fundamentals of nursing, maternal child nursing, mental health, nutrition, pharmacology, and NCLEX review. Graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX for vocational nurses. The duration of the program is 53 weeks. Classes meet Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm and from 6:30 am to 2:45 for clinical sessions.
Admission criteria:
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Complete Computer in the Workplace at FAS
- Obtain a minimum TABE Level A Test Score of 11.0 (all subjects)
- Provide a valid government-issued photo ID and social security card
- Must have valid CNA certification
- Complete prerequisite courses with a minimum grade C – Medical Terminology, Medical Math, Medical Study Skills, Anatomy and Physiology
- Attend a mandatory LVN workshop
- Submit satisfactory P-NAT scores
- Respond to the formal invitation to apply and attend an interview
- Meet the program’s health requirements including immunizations
- Provide official high school transcripts
- Must pass a criminal background check
Program fees total $1,775 and materials cost an additional $1,896.
- Website: http://www.fas.edu/
- Address: 2500 Stanislaus St., Fresno, CA 93721
- Phone: (559) 457-6000
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 86%
Institute of Technology
The Institute of Technology’s vocational nursing program is open to certified nursing assistants seeking advancement in the health care sector. The program includes theory and practical training that build on a nurse aide’s existing skillset. They will learn how to administer prescribed medication, collect patient data, monitor patient health in both long-term and acute care settings, and provide basic nursing care under the direction of a registered nurse. The curriculum covers 1,571 clock hours or 62.5 semester units. Course modules include Introduction to Human Anatomy, Introduction to Client Centered Care, Care of Client with Self Care Deficits, and NCLEX Prep. Graduates will be eligible to apply to sit for the NCLEX for Practical Nurses. Daytime and evening classes are offered on both full-time and part-time schedules. The duration of the program depends on the schedule and varies from 51 to 81 weeks. Job placement assistance is available to all graduates.
Admission criteria:
- Must be at least 18 years of age – applicants who are 17 years may apply with written consent from a parent or guardian
- Must meet with an Admissions Representative
- Must successfully pass a 12-minute assessment test
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Ability to Benefit applications are accepted after passing an approved test
- Take and pass the Wonderlic SLE with a score of 20
- Submit a completed application and registration fee of $75
- Complete prerequisite courses with a passing grade
The program cost of $35,377.50 includes tuition, registration fee, STRF fee, technology fee, books, and supplies.
- Website: https://www.iot.edu/
- Address: 564 West Herndon Avenue, Clovis, CA 93612
- Phone: (559) 297-4500
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 67%
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts
Certified nursing assistants may apply for credit in the Vocational Nurse program at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts. All applicants, including those with a medical background must take and pass the admissions assessment but CNAs may receive credit for some on the coursework and will have a definite advantage in the admissions process. The state-approved curriculum covers 1,570 clock hours of theory and clinical instruction or 92.5 quarter credit hours. The clinical rotations scheduled at local health care facilities account for 954 hours of the total program hours. Course topics include fundamentals of nursing, anatomy and physiology, clinical nutrition, medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology, obstetric nursing, pediatric nursing, psychiatric nursing, and preparation for the NLCEX. Graduates will be eligible to apply to take the exam for licensure as a vocational nurse. The morning class meets Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. The evening class meets Monday through Friday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The duration of the program is 52 weeks.
Admission criteria:
- Complete the Essential Medical Bioscience prerequisite courses with a grade C or above
- Attend an interview with the VN Coordinator or designee
- Complete the Distance Education Questionnaire
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Complete the entrance exam with the minimum score required – 16 for VN students
- Comply with the school’s requirements for immunizations, Health Screening, Background Check and CPR/First Aid
- Must be able to read and write English at the level of a graduate of an American high school
- CNA applicants must have current certification
- Must complete the Distance Education Questionnaire
The total program cost of $38,116 includes tuition for core and prerequisite courses, STRF, registration fee, and books.
- Website: https://www.gurnick.edu/
- Address: 7335 North Palm Bluffs Avenue, Fresno, CA 93711
- Phone: (559) 222-1903
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 56%
Madera Community College
Madera Community College’s vocational nursing program is open to certified nursing assistants as well as those who are new to healthcare. CNAs may apply for advanced placement in the program. The curriculum provides a theoretical foundation in medicine and nursing combined with clinical skills that can be applied in the clinical process of caring for clients. Students will learn how to administer safe and caring nursing care in structured healthcare settings. Course modules include medical terminology, nutrition, anatomy and physiology, foundations of nursing, principles and practice of nursing, nursing guidance, and introduction to pharmacology. Graduates are prepared to take the NCLEX exam for practical nurses. The duration of the program is three semesters. New students are admitted every 18 months. Admission is limited to 30 students for each cycle.
Admission criteria:
- Submit a completed application packet for consideration
- Provide one set of unofficial transcripts from the last attended high school or a copy of GED proficiency test score report – must indicate the date of graduation or date and scores of GED or transcript
- Provide two sets of official transcripts from all colleges attended include Madera Center
- Must have completed prerequisite courses within 5 years with a minimum grade C – Medical Terminology, Nutrition, Anatomy and Physiology
- Must have current CPR card – American Heart Association, Health Care Provider
- Must be physical and mentally able to perform the duties a vocational nursing
- Must be at least 17 years of age
- Submit proof of immunization – Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, MMR, Varicella, Tdap
- Submit PPD test or x-ray results to the Nursing Department for TB clearance
- Attend a mandatory pre-registration orientation
- Submit the physical exam form completed by a physician or nurse practitioner no more than three months before the class starts
- Complete a satisfactory background check and drug screen
The total program cost of $4,756 includes tuition, registration, books, background check, drug screen, books, and supplies.
- Website: https://www.maderacollege.edu/index.html
- Address: 30277 Avenue 12, Madera, CA 93638
- Phone: 559-675-4800
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 68%
Clovis Adult Education
The Vocational Nurse program at Clovis Adult Education is open only to persons who have completed and hold current, active certification to practice as a Certified Nursing Assistant. The curriculum covers 1,530 hours of theory and hands-on training. Coursework is delivered in three segments over a period three semesters. Course topics include fundamentals of nursing, pharmacology, health and illness, growth and development, introduction to medical surgical nursing, maternity nursing, geriatrics, principles of mental health, cardiac clinical lab, respiratory clinical lab, and advanced medical surgical nursing. The program accredited by the BVNPTE. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX at the conclusion of the program. They may also articulate to the RN program at Fresno City College. Classes meet three days a week for 18 months. Classroom sessions meet from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm and clinical hours are from 6:00 am to 2:30 pm.
Admission criteria:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Pass a Level A TABE at 11.0 or higher
- Submit a vocational nurse application by the application deadline
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must have current CNA certification and proof of employment as a CNA for a minimum of 350 hours
- Submit two letters of recommendation – accepted from anyone other than family members
- Complete the VN prerequisite courses – NAC (must be active), Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology, Nutrition, Medical Math, VN Prep
- Submit copy of government issued photo ID and social security card
- Provide proof of required immunizations – Hepatitis B, Varicella, Tdap, MMR, Flu
- Proof current Basic Life Support American Heart CPR
- Submit the Student Health Requirement Form
Tuition and fees cost $12,000. Additional expenses (up to $4,000) includes textbooks, supplies, uniforms, background check, drug screening, immunization tracker, CAE health requirements, state exam application fee, NCLEX Pearson VUE testing fee, and state licensure fee.
- Website: https://clovisadult.cusd.com/Default.aspx
- Address: 1452 David E. Cook Way, Clovis, CA 93611
- Phone: (559)-327-2800
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 78%
SJVC
Certified nurse aides may apply for admission to the vocational nursing program at SJVC and build on their existing knowledge and skills to prepare for licensure as a licensed vocational nurse. The program covers a total of 1,900 clock hours or 82 credit units. It includes an externship that allows students for build technical abilities in a real-world healthcare environment. The hands-on activities are designed to enhance the learning experience and let students develop a work history as they complete their studies. Course topics include fundamentals of nursing theory, pharmacology for nurses, anatomy and physiology, medical surgical nursing, maternal and pediatric nursing, nursing leadership, pharmacology dosages and calculations, and comprehensive licensure exam review. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX exam for vocational nurses. An option to earn an associate of science degree is available for students who opt to complete the general education courses.
Admission criteria:
- Must have high school diploma or GED equivalent
- Must be in good health and physically fit
- Must be at least 18 years of age by the expected start date
- Must provide current CPR certification from the American Heart Association
- Must submit transcripts for review
- Participate in an interview with an admissions advisor
- Take and pass the TEAS entrance exam
- Sign the Enrollment Agreement
- Attend a New Student Orientation
- Complete a background check and drug screen
Tuition for the program is $40,036. Books and supplies are additional.
- Website: https://www.sjvc.edu/
- Address: 8344 West Mineral King Ave., Visalia, CA 93291
- Phone: (559) 651-2500
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 81%
Crystal G
Crystal is a certified Registered Nurse (RN) with a passion for writing about nursing education. Through her articles, Crystal shares insights and tips to help fellow nurses enhance their skills and stay updated with the latest developments in the field. With a focus on practical advice and relevant topics, Crystal's writing is a valuable resource for nursing professionals seeking to advance their careers.