A Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) provides direct care under the supervision of physicians or registered nurses.  Patient care can include bedside care, monitoring equipment, recording vital signs, wound care, and providing comfort.  LVN’s are employed in healthcare settings including long-term care, skilled nursing, home healthcare, outpatient clinics, health offices, dialysis centers, blood banks, psychiatric hospitals, and correctional facilities.

This program will provide students with theory and clinical learning experiences meeting the educational requirements to apply for Vocational Nurse Licensure in the State of California.  Upon satisfactory completion of all Vocational Nursing courses and the specified general education requirements, the student will have earned an Associate of Science in Vocational Nursing.

The VN graduate of Pacific College must be equipped with knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to continuously improve the quality and safety of the health care systems where they work.

1. Graduates will display competency of knowledge, skills and attitude necessary to pass the NCLEX-PN and work as an LVN;

2. Graduates will develop critical thinking skills and provide quality and safe nursing care where they work;

3. Graduates will be able to utilize psycho-social and physiological integrity, and promote evidence-based nursing practice.

4. Graduates will demonstrate good communication skills and respect diversity and culture where they work.

Career OUTLOOK
LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE (soc cODE: 29-2061.00)

The primary focus for a Vocational Nurse is the restoration of health. The scope of this care ranges from detection of illness to rehabilitation and patient teaching during recovery. Duties and responsibilities include direct patient care, the administration of medication, and the application of procedures and treatments. Vocational Nurses work with a wide variety of people ranging from children to the elderly in a wide variety of medical setting such as the medical office, acute care hospitals and medical centers, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient centers, and private and government health care agencies. Upon successful completion of the program and upon successfully passing the State of California Vocational Nursing Licensure Exam, the student will be eligible to work in an entry-level position as a Licensed Vocational Nurse.

Vocational Nursing students are provided with the education and training that will enable them to successfully perform the duties required by a Vocational Nurse (VN). Under the supervision of a physician or Registered Nurse, Vocational Nurses provide direct patient care for children, adults and the elderly in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies. Graduates of the program are prepared to sit for the state Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Vocational Nursing (VN).

What type of work do Vocational Nurses do?

A Vocational Nurse is an essential member of the healthcare team. Vocational Nurses provide care for people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled under the direct supervision of physicians and registered nurses. Patient care includes basic bedside care, prepare and give injections, monitor equipment, record vital signs, dress wounds and provide patient comfort.

California Employment Trends for Licensed vocational nurses

California employment of LVN was 72,400 employees in 2020 the need is projected to grow to 83,500 employees by 2030. It’s projected there will be 6,980 job openings each year from 2020 until 2030.

Source: O*NET California Employment Trends for Licensed Vocational Nurses

MEDIAN PAY for Licensed Vocational Nurses

Source: O*NET Local Wages for Licensed Vocational Nurses, 2022

ADMISSION Requirements
Vocational Nursing

In addition to fulfilling the undergraduate admission requirements for Pacific College, a program applicant must have the following to enroll:

1. Complete and pass a background and drug screen

2. Interview with the Director of Nursing or designee

Associate of Science in Vocational Nursing

The Associate of Science in Vocational Nursing program is comprised of 74 semester credit hours.

Required Courses

VN 112

Fundamentals of Nursing
This course introduces students to the foundational principles and practices of nursing. Emphasizing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills procedures, it provides a comprehensive overview of the nursing process, patient care techniques, and professional standards. Topics include Introduction to Vocational Nursing, Watson’s Theory of Caring, health care delivery system, hygiene and infection control, safety and emergency response, legal, ethical aspects of care, therapeutic communication, cultural humility, care of the older adult and basic nutrition.

14 Credits

368 Clock Hours

VN 122

Medical – Surgical Nursing 1

This course introduces the principles and practices of medical-surgical nursing, focusing on the care of adult patients with acute and chronic health conditions. Emphasizing the nursing process, students will learn to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care for patients across diverse settings.

11 Credits

312 Clock Hours

VN 132

Medical – Surgical Nursing 2

This course builds upon foundational concepts of medical-surgical nursing, focusing on the care of adult patients with more complex health conditions. Students will deepen their knowledge of pathophysiology, more advanced assessment techniques, and evidence-based interventions for managing acute and chronic illnesses.

14 Credits

384 Clock Hours

VN 142

Maternal, Child, and Pediatrics Nursing

This course provides an exploration of nursing care for pediatric patients, childbearing families, and women across the lifespan. Emphasizing holistic, family-centered care, students will study the unique physiological, developmental, and psychosocial needs of these populations.

11.5 Credits

276 Clock Hours

General Education for Associate of Science

COM 100

Human Communication

This course provides an introduction to the fundamentals and principles which underlie effective speech communication.  Practical experience, emphasizing content, organization and delivery, will be required in speaking situations, specifically including persuasive and informative speaking.

3 Credits

45 Clock Hours

ENG 100

College Writing

This course stresses the principles and practice of written communication, with an emphasis on reading and writing expository essays and on research skills.  It is designed to develop reading, critical thinking, and writing strategies necessary for academic success.

3 Credits

45 Clock Hours

MATH 125

Intermediate Algebra

This course introduces algebraic concepts, such as set operations, factoring, linear equations, quadratic equations, exponents, radicals, polynomials, rational expressions, rectangular coordinates, ratios and proportions.

3 Credits

45 Clock Hours