Vocational Nursing Certificate of Achievement
The Vocational Nursing (VN) Program prepares graduates to qualify to take the national licensing examination (NCLEX-PN) to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse. Licensed vocational nurses assist in data collection, plan and implement nursing care, administer medications and treatments, and maintain a safe environment for patients and families.
Approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT), the 12-month, full-time program provides student-centered instruction and meets all State regulations. Classroom instruction is offered concurrent with clinical practice, supporting application of nursing theory to direct patient care. Students participate in approximately 34 hours per week of combined class and clinical instruction.
This Certificate of Achievement is awarded to students who complete the VN program requirements prior to completing the general education pattern and other associate degree requirements. Students who later complete the College of the Desert general education pattern and associate degree requirements may be eligible to earn the Vocational Nursing Associate of Science degree.
Program Acceptance Requirements: See School of Health Sciences & Education web page.
Graduates will be eligible for Vocational Nurse Licensing Examination in California. All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
Learning Outcomes
Upon satisfactory completion of this program students will be able to:
- Display attributes required for safe, ethical, and effective entry level vocational nursing practice.
Program Requirements
| Course Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | Units | |
| PSYC C1000 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| NVN 010 | Fundamentals for the Vocational Nurse | 16 |
| NVN 020 | Care of the Client Experiencing Medical- Surgical Alterations | 16 |
| NVN 030 | Vocational Nursing Care of Clients in Special Populations | 7.5 |
| HS 013 | General Nutrition | 3 |
| HS 067 | Introduction to Med/Dosage Calculations | 1 |
| HS 062 | Your Living Body (or) | 3 |
| or | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I | ||
and | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology II | ||
| CERTIFICATE TOTAL | 49.5-55.5 | |
