Vocational Nursing
The School of Nursing (SON) is a vital component of ¶«¾©ÈÈ (¶«¾©ÈÈ) and
embraces the mission, values, and traditions of both the College and the District.
The SON prepares quality nursing healthcare providers using a student-centered approach
through teaching excellence in an environment conducive to learning. The Vocational
Nursing (VN) program prepares individuals to provide general nursing care under the
direction of a registered nurse, physician or dentist, including the collaboration
with other professionals and consumers in the delivery of holistic healthcare.
Vocational Nursing Program Outcome Data
The program outcomes for the VN program include on-time program completion, NCLEX-PN
pass rates, and job placement rates.
On-Time Completion
Program Outcome 1: The written systematic plan for evaluation describes the process for annual assessment
of the nursing program completion rate.
Expected Level of Achievement: 80% of all students who begin in the first nursing course in the VN program (NVN-42)
will complete the program (NVN-45) on-time in two semesters and two intersessions.
| YEAR |
% OF STUDENTS |
| 2023-2024 |
81% (n= 57/70) |
| 2024-2025 |
77% (n= 54/70) |
| 2025-2026 |
59% (n= 41/69) |
NCLEX-PN Pass Rates
Program Outcome 2: The written systematic plan for evaluation describes the process for annual assessment
of the licensure and/or certification examination pass rate.
Expected Level of Achievement: NCLEX-PN pass rates will be at least 80% or greater for all first-time test takers
during the same 12-month period.
| YEAR |
¶«¾©ÈÈ |
| 2023 |
100% (n= 53) |
| 2024 |
97% (n= 64) |
| 2025 |
98% (n= 64) |
*Information taken from the California Board of Vocational and Psychiatric Technician
Job Placement Rates
Program Outcome 3: The written systematic plan for evaluation describes the process for annual assessment
of the job placement rate.
Expected Level of Achievement: 50% of VN graduates will be employed as a Licensed Vocational Nurse within twelve
months of graduation.
| YEAR |
Response Rate |
Placement Rate |
| 2023 |
77% (n = 40/52) |
100% (n=40/40) |
| 2024 |
73% (n=49/67) |
100% (n=49/49) |
| 2025 |
77% (n=48/62) |
100% (n=48/48) |
Students interested in the Vocational Nursing program have two different pathway options
(CERTIFICATE or ASSOCIATE DEGREE) available depending on the eligibility of the applicant.
For questions regarding program requirements, enrollment, and application processes,
please visit the Health-Related Sciences Engagement Center to find a listing of Pre-Nursing Workshops and to connect with our Educational Resource
Advisor and Program Specialists-Nursing.
APPLY FOR VOCATIONAL NURSING PROGRAM
End-of-Program Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Licensed Vocational Nursing Program, the graduate will:
- Provide quality, safe, patient-centered basic nursing care using evidence-based practices,
as a competent, entry-level vocational nurse, under the direct supervision of a licensed
physician or registered nurse.
- Function as a competent entry-level, vocational nurse accepting accountability and
responsibility for the ethical and legal principles defined in the vocational nursing
code of ethics and practice act.
- Function as a leader, assimilating leadership principles in a variety of healthcare
settings for diverse patient populations as a competent, entry-level vocational nurse.
- Exemplify caring through behaviors that support relationship-centered care and demonstrate
respect and sensitivity to others as a competent, entry-level vocational nurse.
- Assimilate collaborative relationships through communication with the interprofessional
healthcare team for the purpose of providing and improving patient outcomes as a competent,
entry-level vocational nurse.
- Assimilate critical thinking principles using clinical reasoning to make sound clinical
judgments necessary for providing safe patient care and contributing to quality improvement
as a competent, entry-level vocational nurse.
- Integrate nursing informatics and technology to effectively communicate, enhance knowledge,
manage and analyze data, prevent errors, and support decision-making as a competent,
entry-level vocational nurse.
VN Certificate Pathway
| Winter (Intersession 1) |
Units |
| BIO-45: Survey of Human Anatomy and Physiology |
3 |
| PSYC-9: Developmental Psych |
3 |
| Spring (Semester 1) |
Units |
| NVN-55A: Vocational Nursing Practice/Nutrition |
3 |
| NVN-55B: Principles of Pathophysiology |
2 |
| Fall (Semester 2) |
Units |
| NVN-42: Introductory Concepts of Vocational Nursing-Nursing Fundamentals & Mental
Health |
13 |
| NVN-42A: Nursing Learning Laboratory |
0.5 |
| Winter (Intersession 2) |
Units |
| NVN-43: Intermediate Concepts of Vocational Nursing-Care of the Family |
5.5 |
| Spring (Semester 3) |
Units |
| NVN-44: Intermediate Concepts of Vocational Nursing-Medical/Surgical |
13 |
| NVN-44A: Nursing Learning Laboratory |
0.5 |
| Summer (Intersession 3) |
Units |
| NVN-45: Advanced Concepts of Vocational Nursing – Medical/Surgical |
6 |
VN Associate Degree Pathway
The Associate of Science Degree in Vocational Nursing will be awarded upon completion
of the degree requirements, including general education and other graduation requirements
as described in the ¶«¾©ÈÈ College Catalog.
| Summer (Intersession 1) |
Units |
| BIO-45: Survey of Anatomy and Physiology |
3 |
| Fall (Semester 1) |
Units |
| NVN-55A: Vocational Nursing Practice/Nutrition |
3 |
| NVN-55B: Principles of Pathophysiology |
2 |
| ENGL-C1000/C1000H: Academic Reading & Writing |
4 |
| ETS-1: Introduction to Ethnic Studies or POLS-23: Race, Ethnicity, & Politics in America |
3 |
| Winter (Intersession 2) |
Units |
| PSYC-9: Developmental Psychology |
3 |
| Spring (Semester 2) |
Units |
| HUM-10/10H: World Religions or PHI-10/10H: Introduction to Philosophy or THE-3: Introduction
to the Theater |
3 |
| STAT-C1000/C1000H: Statistics or PSYC/SOC 48: Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences |
4 |
| Summer (Intersession 3) |
Units |
| COMM-C1000/1000H: Introduction to Public Speaking or 9/9H: Interpersonal Communication |
3 |
| Fall (Semester 3) |
Units |
| NVN-42: Introductory Concepts of Vocational Nursing-Nursing Fundamentals & Mental
Health |
13 |
| NVN-42A: Nursing Learning Laboratory |
0.5 |
| Winter (Intersession 4) |
Units |
| NVN-43: Intermediate Concepts of Vocational Nursing-Care of the Family |
5.5 |
| Spring (Semester 4) |
Units |
| NVN-44: Intermediate Concepts of Vocational Nursing-Medical/Surgical |
13 |
| NVN-44A: Nursing Learning Laboratory |
0.5 |
| Summer (Intersession 5) |
Units |
| NVN-45: Advanced Concepts of Vocational Nursing – Medical/Surgical |
6 |
Potential Careers in
- Acute Care Facilities
- Ambulatory Care Clinics
- Long-term Care/Skilled Nursing Facilities
- Hospice Care
- Home Health
- Private Medical Practices