Licensed Vocational Nursing

About the Program

Program Goal: Career

GE Pattern(s): Butte Local

Program Code: 01340.00AS

The Licensed Vocational Nursing program is a state-approved vocational program which provides the curriculum necessary for an individual to qualify for the state board examination for Licensure as a vocational nurse. The curriculum includes prerequisite courses and the equivalent of three academic semesters of nursing theory and supervised clinical experience.

The primary role of the licensed vocational nurse is to provide bedside nursing in a variety of clinical settings. The student will study common medical-surgical conditions, their origin, prevention and treatment, emphasizing the related nursing care. To help the student provide “individualized” nursing care, other courses provide basic psychology and sociology concepts relevant to the development, motivation and reactions of people both healthy and ill.

The rapidly growing need for skilled health personnel provides good employment opportunities for the Licensed Vocational Nurse. Positions are found in acute care hospitals, skilled nursing and long-term care facilities, physicians’ offices, private homes, community health agencies and in industry.

Admission to the Program:

Students are admitted by application only. In the event there are more qualified candidates than vacancies in the class, a computer lottery will select the individuals to be enrolled. Applicants that are not selected for enrollment must reapply if they wish to be considered for admission to a future program.

Contact the Nursing Department or https://www.butte.edu/academic-programs/coi-hps/dept-nursing/index.html for application dates and materials.

Requirements for Application:

• Age 17 or older with a 12th grade education or equivalent.
• Prerequisites: Must be completed with a C grade or better prior to application
  • BIOL 20
  • BIOL 21
  • ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000E
  • FN 2
  • Applicants that have failed more than once from any nursing program (LVN and/or RN) are ineligible to apply.
• Advanced Placement exam credit will only be accepted for AP English Composition and/or AP Psychology. Official test scores must be submitted to Admissions & Records.
• Remaining general education courses may be in progress at the time of application but must be completed before program begins.

Persons with substance abuse issues or with conviction of crimes substantially related to the practice of nursing may not be granted a license by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians. Fingerprints are a required part of the application for licensure. Records that are expunged or sealed, and juvenile records will be accessed and reviewed. For more information, please visit the following website: http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/enforcement/enforcement\_faq.shtml

Program Learning Outcome(s): Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to:

1. Use the nursing process to provide nursing care to individual patients/clients and families throughout the life span.
2. Demonstrate competency in the performance of technical nursing skills based on knowledge of nursing principles.
3. Provide educational information for individual patients/clients, families, and groups to promote, achieve, or maintain a state of health.
4. Initiate and maintain therapeutic communication with individual patients/clients and families.
5. Demonstrate caring behaviors based on recognition of individual needs and cultural differences.
6. Collaborate with other healthcare team members to provide optimum care.
7. Demonstrate professional behaviors in the role of a Licensed Vocational Nurse.