LVN Programs Long Beach, CA

As more people require health care services, especially among the Baby Boomer population, the overall need for health care professionals will heighten. Greater access to health care coverage will also increase the volume of patients in health care facilities, creating more career opportunities for those desirous of working within the industry.

Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) care for patients under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or physician. They provide patient-centered care to individuals and families, assessing and meeting their physical, mental, and emotional needs. Vocational nursing programs include theory and practical work that will equip students with the skills to monitor vital signs, administer medication and injections, dress wounds, insert catheters, update patient histories, monitor patients and report concerns to nurses and doctors, and perform other tasks as needed. LVNs work in various healthcare settings such as hospitals, physicians’ offices, skilled nursing facilities, home health care, long-term care, correctional facilities, and clinics. 

Long Beach City College – LAC Campus

Long Beach City College hosts a Licensed Vocational Nursing program that leads to a Certificate of Achievement or an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing – Vocational. The program is designed for adults to develop the skills and knowledge to perform patient care duties under the supervision of a registered nurse. The program requires completion of 612 theory hours and 1026 lab hours, which results in 47 to 53 college credits. In addition, students will also be required to complete 63 theory hours and 135 hours of prerequisite courses, resulting in 11 to 17 credit hours. Course modules include mental health nursing, common health deviations, maternal/infant nursing, nursing care of children, roles and responsibilities, pharmacology, and fundamentals of nursing. Graduates will be eligible to sit the NCLEX for licensure as a practical nurse. They will also have the foundational knowledge to continue their education to become registered nurses. Credit may be given for advanced placement in RN programs. The Certificate of Achievement option is offered on a full-time schedule only and must be completed in one year.

Admission criteria:

  • Submit an application to Long Beach City College
  • Have a valid certificate to practice as a CNA in California
  • Take an assessment to demonstrate reading and writing proficiency
  • Take the LBCC assessment test for placement in Math 110
  • Official high school transcript or GED certificate
  • Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better – pharmacology, mental health, human biology
  • Attend an information session
  • Submit a completed application for admission to the nursing program
  • Obtain criminal background clearance for participation in the clinical practicum

Tuition costs $46 per unit for California residents. The cost of books, course guides, uniforms and accessories, health fee, clinical requirements, and graduation expenses must be added to the cost.

  • Website: https://www.lbcc.edu/
  • Address: 4901 East Carson St., Long Beach, CA 90808
  • Phone: (562) 938-4111
  • NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 91%

North-West College – Long Beach Campus

The Licensed Vocational Nursing program at NWC provides students with the knowledge and training to begin a career as a Vocational Nurse. The curriculum includes 1635 theory and clinical hours that must be completed in 64 weeks. It will include theory and practical work in the areas of nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, mental health nursing, pediatric nursing, medical/surgical nursing, maternity nursing, leadership nursing, and pharmacology. Program goals include comprehension of body systems as they relate to structure and function, the role of nutrition in human health, understanding the nursing process, the principles of pharmacology and safe medication administration, and the nursing care for various populations. Students who successfully complete the requirements will be eligible to take the NCLEX for licensure as a vocational nurse.

Admission criteria:

  • Have a high school diploma or GED
  • Complete the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) and achieve the required minimum
  • Submit a completed application for admission
  • Submit documentation of up-to-date immunization
  • Complete an admissions interview
  • Pay the $100 registration fee
  • Pass a background check
  • Submit to a 10-panel drug screen
  • Complete the health requirements

Tuition for the program costs $34,578 and includes books and supplies and registration. Financial arrangements must be made by the first day of class.

  • Website: https://www.nw.edu/
  • Address: 3799 E Burnett St., Long Beach, CA 90815
  • Phone: 562-546-5171
  • NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 76%

Angeles Institute, LLC

Angeles Institute’s Vocational Nursing program prepares adults with the knowledge and competency to practice nursing and improve the lives of patients, families, and communities. Competencies include measuring vital signs, basic nursing skills, administration of medication, patient assessment, performing medical treatments, and other practices that fall within the state’s scope of practice. The program includes 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. Graduates will be eligible to apply for the NCLEX for licensure as a Vocational Nurse. The duration of the program is 44 weeks.

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Admission criteria:

  • Be 17 years or older – provide ID as proof of age
  • Schedule and attend an admissions interview
  • Attend another interview with a representative from the Nursing Department
  • Complete the application and submit with the respective fee
  • Submit official high school transcript or GED certificate
  • Take and pass the Wonderlic exam
  • Obtain criminal background check
  • Complete a drug screen and physical exam
  • Provide titers or proof of immunization for MMR, Hepatitis B, Varicella

The cost of tuition is $31,040. Additional expenses for books and supplies will cost approximately $2,851.

  • 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: 87%

American Career College

The role of the Vocational Nurse in the confines of California’s Nurse Practice Act is the focus of the Vocational Nursing Program at American Career College. The training leads adults, with no experience in healthcare, through basic to complex topics to prepare them for the provision of safe and competent nursing care. Instructors will cover 1570 hours of theory and practical instruction: 615 hours of lectures and interactive work in the classroom, 152 hours of hands-on work in a simulated lab, and 803 hours of direct patient care in a clinical setting. Instruction will include anatomy and physiology, fundamentals of nursing, psychology, strategies for success, mental health nursing, medical surgical nursing, gerontology, pediatric nursing, and obstetrical nursing. Students must achieve a minimum score of 78% in the theory and pass the clinical practicum to successfully complete the program. Graduates will have the skills to use critical thinking in the nursing proves, administer pharmacological therapies with an emphasis on safety and efficiency, demonstrate leadership in the provision of care, and collaboration with members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team. The program will be covered in 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:

  • Be 18 years or older
  • Meet with a college advisor
  • Complete the college application and submit with the registration fee
  • Take an entrance exam and obtain acceptable scores
  • Provide proof of high school completion or equivalency
  • Complete the health, background check, and drug screen requirements
  • Provide proof of immunization
  • Obtain a minimum score of 70% on the HESI entrance exam

The estimated cost of attendance is $38,094 and includes tuition, books, fees, and supplies.

Healthcare Career College

Healthcare Career College provides adult students enrolled in the Vocational Nursing Certificate program with the skills and aptitude to care for patients under the supervision of a registered nurse. The state-approved program includes 1840 hours of didactic and practical instruction in the school’s skills lab and nursing facility. 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 the Board for the licensure exam to become Licensed Vocational Nurses. HCC limits enrollment to offer personalized instruction. Students also have access to private tutoring, affordable tuition, and test prep. The duration of the program Is 14 months.

Admission criteria:

  • Be 16 years or older. Applicants below 18 years must have parent or guardian co-sign the Enrollment Agreement
  • A 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

The approximate program cost of $34,995 will cover tuition, books, lab supplies, uniforms, and equipment.

 

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.