Licensed Vocational NurseJob Certificate Program Detail Page

Licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) provide basic nursing care to ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities and work under the direction of registered nurses and doctors. LVNs work in many settings, including nursing homes and extended care facilities, outpatient clinics, hospitals, physicians’ offices, correctional facilities, and home health. LVN must be licensed to practice.

There are several different types of LVN education programs offered that are described below. Each one can meet a student's need depending on their employment goal within the nursing profession.

1) Licensed Vocational Nurse: three (3) semesters in length; qualifies graduates qualified to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN). Note: this certificate program is offered at Sacramento City College.

2) Licensed Vocational Nurse 30-Unit Option: This certificate option provides an existing LVN the opportunity to advance to become licensed as a Registered Nurse. The program prepares the LVN to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.

Note: This program is offered at American River College.

3) LVN to RN Career Mobility Degree: This degree program is designed for the California LVN who is admitted for advanced placement into the second year of the Registered Nurse Associate Degree program. Successful completion of the program qualifies students to take the NCLEX-RN to become registered as a nurse and eligible for employment. Note: This program is offered at American River College.

Refer to the Class Schedule for each school term to obtain information about specific dates and times for courses and other satellite locations where courses may be offered. Class Schedules for each of the four colleges can be found at: http://www.losrios.edu...