Term Effective: Fall 2016

The requirements for this program of study are effective beginning the semester shown above. If you began working on this program before the effective semester, you may not be affected by the changes. Consult with the program contact person or the department chair to determine your eligibility to complete the program under previous requirements.

Description:

The program provides training in vocational nursing. A minimum of 1,530 hours of instruction and clinical experience are required by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT). Clinical sites are arranged at local health care facilities and community agencies for a wide range of clinical hands on experiences. The SRJC vocational nursing program is accredited by the California BVNPT. No wages or stipends are paid to students during their training period.

Upon successful program completion, eligible graduates will be allowed to sit for NCLEX-PN (National Counsel of Licensed Examiners for Practical/Vocational Nurses) examination required by the BVNPT. Successful passing of the NCLEX-PN exam is required to receive the Vocational Nursing license from the California Department of Consumer Affairs.

The vocational nurse (LVN) is an important member of the health team who works under the direct supervision of an RN or physician. The LVN provides direct personal nursing care and is able to perform numerous technical skills such as administering oral and injectable medications; performing cleansing, palliative, and remedial treatments; using specialized equipment and instruments in giving treatments; and documenting facts related to the nursing process and client care in written and electronic medical records.

The employment outlook for vocational nurses is excellent. Vocational nurses are employed in skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, MD offices, clinics, home care, the prison system, developmentally delayed facilities, public health departments, visiting nursing associations, Peace Corps, and other agencies.

Students completing the LVN program and who are interested in becoming Registered Nurses have many options including the SRJC LVN to AD Nursing Career Ladder Program, and many online college programs for LVN to BSN. It is strongly recommended that students interested in pursuing the ADN program take ANAT 1 and PHYSIO 1, not ANAT 58 and PHYSIO 58 to avoid repeat of ADN program prerequisites. See a Health Sciences counselor for more information.

For detailed and updated program information advisories and admission dates, go to the Vocational Nursing Program web site and view the Recommended Course Sequence Licensure Note: The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) may deny licensure for crimes substantially related to the practice of nursing. This includes convictions involving sex crimes, drug crimes (including DUI), and crimes of violence. It is the responsibility of the applicant to present sufficient evidence of rehabilitation to the BVPT prior to licensure.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this certificate, the student will be able to:

1. Satisfy the requirements for application to the take the NCLEX-PN Licensure Exam;
2. transition from student to vocational nurse in a variety of health-care settings;
3. practice competently and safely in a variety of health care settings appropriate to entry level vocational nurse;
4. communicate effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team;
5. maintain high professional and ethical standards of vocational nursing practice;
6. utilize concepts of human growth and development and psycho/socio/cultural needs of clients as they apply to self-care models; and, promote family centered care that is culturally sensitive;
7. assume responsibility for ongoing educational and professional development;
8. provide leadership and effective supervision of unlicensed assistive personnel within the vocational nursing scope of practice;
9. adapt rapidly to new technologies and changing conditions of health care; and
10. grow in the ability to think critically and incorporate new knowledge and skills into the theoretical knowledge base acquired in the VN program.

Course Prerequisites and Advisories:

Courses in a program of study may have prerequisites or advisories; that is, courses that must or should be completed before taking that course. Please check for prerequisites or advisories by clicking on the course numbers in the Program Requirements section.

It is important that students who are completing an Associate Degree and desire to transfer to a four-year institution meet with a counselor to plan their lower division coursework. While many majors at SRJC are intended to align with lower division major preparation required by California public universities, specific lower-division major requirements vary among individual campuses. See a counselor, visit the Transfer Center, and check Guides For Transfer in Specific Majors, and ASSIST to review transfer preparation guides for specific schools and majors.

Notes:

All pre-requisites must be completed with a C or better. All program classes must be completed with a C (75%) or better.