Vocational Nursing

The program of study for the Certificate of Achievement in Vocational Nursing is designed to prepare students for employment in acute care facilities, clinics, long-term care facilities, physician offices, home care, and health centers.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Use effective communication skills as appropriate while delivering care to patients and families in various nursing practice settings, and in collaboration with the health care team.
• Demonstrate safe and competent nursing care based on scientific principles to patients of any age and cultural background in a variety of work settings under the direction of the registered nurse or physician.
• Apply the Nursing Process to individualize patient care in any health care setting.
• Demonstrate professionalism in the practice of Vocational Nursing.

Enrollment is open to all interested students who are in good physical and mental health, and over 17 years of age. To be admitted to the program applicants must:

1. Be a graduate of the 12th grade in high school or its equivalent (i.e., GED, High School Proficiency Examination).
   
2. Attend mandatory program orientation at John Adams site. Application to the program will be handed out during the orientation. Program orientation is valid for one year.
   
3. File with the Vocational Nursing Department a completed application for admission to City College (for dates, see “Calendar of Instruction”).
   
4. Apply for admission to the program for the Fall semester between February 15 and May 1, and for the Spring semester, between September 15 to November 1. Completion of English 1A and MATH 40 or higher.
5. Have an overall GPA of 2.5 in Science and 2.0 in English 1A.
6. Submit official transcripts.
   
   1. High school transcripts must show proof of completion of the 12th grade. Transcripts must be submitted in keeping with the application deadline.
      
   2. Applicants who are accepted in Vocational Nursing and who wish to receive credit for prior nursing education courses completed must submit official transcript within application deadline.
      
7. Admission of Certified Nurse Assistant, Board Challenge transfer students.
   
   1. State of California CNA certificate and completion of a CNA program from a credit-granting college within the previous 5 years qualifies a student for at least 4 units.
      
   2. Transfer students from other accredited L.V.N. or R.N. programs are accepted in the CCSF Vocational Nursing Program. Acceptance is based on equivalent nursing education and availability of space.
      
   3. Board challenge applicants who need required courses for state boards should contact the vocational nursing office.
      
   4. Credit may not be given toward satisfying the Vocational Nursing course requirement, for courses completed 5 or more years prior to application for admission.
      
8. Complete the following prerequisites within 5 years prior to enrollment with a C or higher in each class starting with Fall Semester 2019:  Anatomy and Physiology course 4 units (e.g. BIO 106, or BIO 108 and 112). VOCN 41D Pharmacology, and VOCN 42E Nutrition (or BIO 134), and VOCN 43F Child Growth and Development (or CDEV 53D).
   

Credit by Examination. Applicants who qualify for admission into the Vocational Program and who have had health training courses in the military, psychiatric technician and certified nurse assistants graduates from noncredit programs who wish to receive credit, or advanced placement should contact the vocational nursing office for additional information. Admission is based on space availability only.

The minimum time for completion of this certificate is 3 semesters. Completion time will vary based on student preparation and number of classes completed per semester.

Enrollment 50 per year,  34-44 completions

Employment - to prepare students for employment in acute care facilities, clinics, long-term care facilities, physician offices, home care, and health centers.

As provided in the table above, students begin with fundamentals of nursing, progress through basic adult medical/surgical nursing and mental health nursing, and into specialties for community health, pediatric, maternity, and advanced medical/surgical nursing to achieve skills qualifying for employment as a licensed vocational nurse.

Semester 1 = 12.5 units

Semester 2 = 13.5 units

Semester 3 = 14.5 units