Those living in California who would like to begin a vocational nursing career must first graduate from a state-approved licensed vocational nurse (LVN) training program before moving on to the national licensing examination.
LVN programs – known as licensed practical nurse (LPN) programs in most states – must be accredited and approved by the state in which they are located. In California, the Board of Vocational Nursing & Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) is the governmental body that approves those LVN San Diego nursing schools found in the city.
This article shows nursing students where to find San Diego LVN programs that have been approved by California, and explains the various licensing requirements.
LVN San Diego Nursing Licensure
California residents without any type of official nursing educational or training background must complete the following steps in order to work as a vocational nurse in the state:
- Graduate from a vocational nursing program approved by California
- Pass the national NCLEX-PN licensing examination
- Undergo a criminal history background check
Vocational or practical nurses holding an out-of-state license can apply for endorsement (which is a license transfer process) through BVNPT in California. For information on how to do this, call (916) 263-7800.
San Diego LVN Training Characteristics
Students looking around amongst the various nursing programs offering vocational nurse training will find slight curricular differences. However, it is important for students to know that all state-approved LVN San Diego nursing schools are required to provide:
- At least 1,530 hours of nurse training and instruction
- At least 954 hours of supervised clinical work
- At least 576 hours of classroom-based learning
- A program lasting 12-24 months for full-time enrollment
- A program lasting 18-20 months for part-time enrollment
San Diego nursing students are taught numerous important skill areas in the classroom, including:
- Anatomy
- Psychology
- Physiology
- Pharmacology
- Rehabilitation nursing
- Disease management
- Nutrition
- Medical and surgical nursing
- Gerontological nursing
- Pediatric nursing
In the clinical training component offered by all state-approved San Diego LVN programs, students are supervised as they work with patients in every age group. This clinical work, often performed in state hospitals, gives nursing students the chance to practice for their future careers as well as prepare for the NCLEX-PN exam.
LVN San Diego Nursing Schools
Most vocational nursing schools approved by BVNPT in the San Diego area are located in community colleges and vocational centers.
For a list of those programs in the city that are approved, see the state's list of LVN schools and search for those situated in San Diego.
Benefit of San Diego LVN Programs
Nursing students who graduate from an accredited LVN San Diego nursing program and go on to pass the national licensing examination are allowed to work as a vocational nurse in medical facilities throughout California.
For more nursing opportunities in California and elsewhere, see also:
The Best Nursing Programs Online
David Harris-Gershon - David Harris-Gershon – a blogger for Tikkun magazine and a freelance writer on Israel, the Middle East and America’s role in ...
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