Vocational Nursing

The VN program graduate possesses the knowledge, skills, and attitudes for entry-level licensed vocational nursing practice - AS588/AS588C/CE588
Nursing

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
Total Units Units
  49.5

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
Total Units Units
  66.5

 

Potential Careers in

  • Acute Care Facilities
  • Ambulatory Care Clinics
  • Long-term Care/Skilled Nursing Facilities
  • Hospice Care
  • Home Health
  • Private Medical Practices