Term Effective: Spring 2010

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 Vocational Nursing Certificate of Achievement prepares students to apply to the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians to take the NCLEX PN examination in order to receive the Vocational Nursing license from the California Department of Consumer Affairs. The program is accredited by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians. The program provides a minimum of 1,530 hours of instruction and clinical experience. Clinical sites are arranged at local health care facilities for a wide range of experiences. No wages or stipends are paid to students during their training period.

The Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) is an important member of the health team who, under the supervision of a doctor or a registered nurse, provides personal nursing care such as: administering oral and injectable medications; performing cleansing, palliative, and remedial treatments; using specialized equipment and instruments in giving treatments; and recording facts relative to the care of patients.

Prospects for employment are very favorable as LVN's are needed in hospitals, doctors' offices, private homes, health agencies, medical clinics, skilled nursing, and corrections facilities. LVN's are also employed by public health departments, visiting nursing associations, Armed Forces Peace Corps, and other agencies.

Students completing the LVN program and who are interested in becoming Registered Nurses may wish to pursue LVN-ADN Career Ladder option. 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. Students interested in the order for taking classes in this program, can view the required 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:

It is strongly recommended that students interested in pursuing the ADN program take ANAT 1 and PHYSIO 1, not ANAT 58 and PHYSIO 58.
All classes must be completed with a C or better.