The health care sector in the United States employs 657,200 licensed vocational nurses and counting. The median pay in 2021 was $48,070 annually and the job outlook of 6% was faster than the average for all occupations. With such positive statistics, it is no surprise that more Certified Nursing Assistants are taking the necessary steps to prepare for employment as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. By enrolling in a CNA to LPN program, you too can improve your job prospects, broaden your capacity for nursing, and boost your salary by almost 50% in California if you’re successful on the vocational nursing licensing exam. LVN programs may give nursing assistants priority in the competitive admissions process. Some accelerated programs that require certification as a nurse aide may be completed in just 11 months.
Long Beach City College – LAC Campus
The Vocational Nursing Certificate of Achievement program at Long Beach City College is open only to persons holding current certification as a CNA. The curriculum includes 53 units of theory and practical instruction. Prerequisites courses include human biology, pharmacology, and fundamentals of nursing. Required courses are transition to vocational nursing, common health deviations, maternal-infant nursing, nursing care of children, and roles and responsibilities. The school recommends completion of preparation for nursing, medical terminology, basic arrhythmia recognition, intravenous therapy and blood withdrawal. Students will learn in the state-of-the-art classroom that includes a simulation hospital with patient care rooms linked to a control room, closed circuit cameras to monitor real-time procedures, lifelike mannequin “patients,” new computer labs, and modern data, telecommunications, and electrical systems. An Associate of Science Vocational Nursing program is also available. Graduates will be eligible to sit the NCLEX for licensure as a practical nurse. They will be eligible for admission to the 3rd semester of the ADN program is they decide to complete the requirements to become a registered nurse.
Admission criteria:
- Apply for general admission to Long Beach City College
- A valid CNA certificate in California is a prerequisite for admission
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better – pharmacology, mental health, human biology
- Demonstrate reading and writing proficiency by passing the admissions assessment
- Submit official high school transcript or GED certificate and any college transcript
- Attend a nursing information session before applying to the program
- Submit a completed application for admission to the nursing program
- Obtain criminal background clearance and pass a drug screen
Tuition costs $46 per unit for California residents. Students will also need to budget for textbooks, uniforms, assessment, and other admission costs.
- Website: https://www.lbcc.edu/
- Address: 4901 East Carson St., Long Beach, CA 90808
- Phone: (562) 938-4111
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%
North-West College – Long Beach Campus
CNAs who enroll in the Licensed Vocational Nursing program at NWC will develop additional knowledge and skills to function in the role of a Vocational Nurse. They will receive classroom, laboratory, and clinical instruction in the fundamentals of nursing, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, medical surgical nursing, mental health nursing, maternity nursing, pediatric nursing, and leadership nursing. The curriculum covers a total of 1692 clock hours which exceeds the state’s training requirements for vocational nurses. Some of the coursework may be delivered online. Upon successful completion of the program requirements, students will become eligible to take the NCLEX for licensure as a vocational nurse. The duration of the program is 64 weeks.
Admission criteria:
- Submit official high school transcripts of GED
- Take and pass a standardized basic skills assessment designed to measure aptitude for successful completion of the LVN program
- Complete an admissions interview and tour of the College
- Submit a completed application for admission and sign the Enrollment Agreement
- Pay the $100 registration fee
- Pass a background check
- Submit to a 10-panel drug screen
- Complete the health requirements
- CNA applicants must have current nurse aide certification
The program cost of $37,991 includes tuition, books and supplies and registration. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
- Website: https://www.nw.edu/
- Address: 3799 E Burnett St., Long Beach, CA 90815
- Phone: 562-546-5171
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 86%
Angeles Institute, LLC
The accelerated vocational nursing program at Angeles Institute is designed for adults who may have already been introduced to the health care industry or have already completed the Nursing Assistant program. The program covers 1610 hours of instruction: 576 hours in the classroom, 314 hours of skills practice in the simulated lab, and 720 hours of supervised patient care in various clinical settings. Course modules include fundamentals of nursing, geriatric nursing, medical/surgical nursing, client-centered care, anatomy and physiology, the nursing process, patient assessment, and NCLEX review. The program also includes additional training in the techniques required for skin punctures, Participants will receive an IV/BW certification after receiving their LVN license. Graduates will be eligible to apply for the NCLEX for licensure as a Vocational Nurse. The duration of the program is 44 weeks.
Admission criteria:
- Be 17 years or older – provide ID as proof of age
- Schedule and attend an admissions interview
- Attend another interview with the Nursing Program Director or designee
- Complete the application and submit with the registration fee
- Submit official high school transcript or GED certificate
- Take and pass the Wonderlic exam
- Submit documentation of a current CNA certificate
- Obtain criminal background check
- Complete a drug screen and physical exam
- Provide titers or proof of immunization for MMR, Hepatitis B, Varicella
The program cost of $33,891 includes tuition, books, uniforms, supplies, first NCLEX exam, clinical fees, IV Blood Withdrawal Certification, and fingerprinting fees.
- Website: https://www.angelesinstitute.edu/
- Address: 17100 Pioneer Blvd, Suite 170, Artesia, CA 90701
- Phone: (562) 531-4100
- Email: info@angelesinstitute.edu
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 90%
American Career College
Certified nursing assistants as well as adults with no experience in health care may apply for entry to the vocational nursing program at American Career College. Certified nursing assistants may have a competitive edge in the selective admissions program. The curriculum, comprising of 1630 clock hours of theory and practical instruction, will build on the nurse aide’s existing skills and knowledge of patient care. Course topics include vocational nursing student success, vocational nursing student readiness, anatomy and physiology, fundamentals of nursing, psychology, strategies for success, mental health nursing, medical surgical nursing, and concept mastery. Students must achieve a minimum score of 78% in the theory and pass the clinical practicum to successfully complete the program. Graduates will have earned 100 quarter credit hours and be eligible to apply to sit for the NCLEX for Vocational Nurses. The duration of the program is 4 terms. Each term comprises of 13 weeks. Students have the option to enroll in the day (54 weeks) or evening program (84 weeks).
Admission criteria:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Meet with an admissions representative
- Complete the college application and submit with the registration fee
- Take and pass the school’s entrance exam
- Provide proof of high school completion or equivalency
- Complete the health, background check, and drug screen requirements
- Provide proof of immunization
- Must have current CNA to apply as a nurse aide candidate
- Obtain a minimum score of 70% on the HESI entrance exam
The estimated cost of attendance is $39,007.50 and includes tuition, books, fees, and supplies.
- Website: https://americancareercollege.edu/
- Address: 1200 North Magnolia Ave., Anaheim, CA 92801
- Phone: (714) 763-9066
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 90%
Healthcare Career College
Nursing assistant education and experience provide an excellent foundation for the vocational nursing curriculum covered at Healthcare Career College. Students will complete 1840 hours of training in the classroom, lab, and clinical environment. Clinical rotations will be conducted at local health care facilities where students will have the opportunity to apply the skills acquired in the classroom and lab. Areas of study include ethics, introduction to nursing, anatomy and physiology, mental health nursing, rehabilitation nursing, pharmacology, leadership in nursing, maternity nursing, pediatric nursing, and law and ethics. Graduates will be eligible to apply to sit for the vocational nursing licensure exam. Only a select number of applicants are admitted with each cycle. Private tutoring and test prep is available for all students. The duration of the program is 14 months.
Admission criteria:
- Must be 16 years or older. Applicants under 18 years must have a parent or guardian co-sign the Enrollment Agreement
- Submit documentation of completing high school diploma or GED equivalent
- Obtain a minimum score of 20 on the Scholastic Level Exam (SLE)
- Obtain a minimum score of 265 on each section of the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test
- Submit a completed Healthcare Career College application form
- Complete and sign the enrollment documents provided by Healthcare Career College
- Complete a satisfactory background check and drug screen before participating in the clinical rotation
The program cost of $38,777 includes tuition, books, lab supplies, uniforms, and equipment.
- Website: https://healthcarecareercollege.edu/
- Address: 8527 Alondra Blvd, Suite #174, Paramount, CA 90723
- Phone: (562) 804-1239
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 73%
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.