# Nursing, Vocational (NVN) courses

College of the Desert · 2026-2027 Catalog · 3 courses

Source: https://catalog.collegeofthedesert.edu/courses/nvn/

"Offered" lists sections in this catalog year's class schedules: Fall 2026.

### NVN 010 — Fundamentals for the Vocational Nurse

- **Units:** 16
- **Hours:** Lecture Hours: 162, Lab Hours: 378
- **Prerequisite:** HS-013 HS-062 HS-067 PSYC-C1000.
- **Advisory:** ENGL-C1000 or ENGL-C1000E or college-level,composition or equivalent.
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 5 sections (/c/college-of-the-desert/schedule/fall-2026/nvn.md)
- Repeatable: No
- Grading: Letter
- Limitation on enrollment: Acceptance into the registered nursing program
- Degree Applicable: AA/AS

This foundational course introduces students to the core principles of vocational nursing, including basic nursing care, communication skills, and clinical reasoning. Emphasis is placed on holistic client-centered care, communication, professionalism, safety, and evidence-based practice. Students will learn fundamental nursing skills and apply theoretical knowledge in laboratory and clinical settings, developing essential psychomotor skills and beginning clinical reasoning. A materials fee of $125.00-$150.00 is required for this course. Limitation on Enrollment: Acceptance to the Vocational Nursing Program.

### NVN 020 — Care of the Client Experiencing Medical- Surgical Alterations

- **Units:** 16
- **Hours:** Lecture Hours: 162, Lab Hours: 378
- **Prerequisite:** NVN 010.
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026 schedule
- Repeatable: No
- Grading: Letter
- Limitation on enrollment: Acceptance into the registered nursing program
- Degree Applicable: AA/AS

This course builds on foundational nursing skills, focusing on medical-surgical nursing care for adult patients. Students will also explore leadership, supervision of the vocational nurse, and role transition. Emphasis is placed on holistic client-centered care, communication, professionalism, safety, and evidence-based practice. Students will apply theoretical knowledge through hands-on practice in clinical settings, refining their nursing skills and gaining confidence in providing client-centered care. Prerequisite: NVN-010. Limitation on Enrollment: Acceptance into the Vocational Nursing Program.

### NVN 030 — Vocational Nursing Care of Clients in Special Populations

- **Units:** 7.5
- **Hours:** Lecture Hours: 72, Lab Hours: 198
- **Prerequisite:** NVN-020.
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026 schedule
- Repeatable: No
- Grading: Letter
- Limitation on enrollment: Acceptance into the registered nursing program
- Degree Applicable: AA/AS

This course focuses on nursing care for specialized populations, including obstetric, pediatric, and mental health patients. Students will learn essential skills to provide safe, patient-centered care across these diverse groups, with an emphasis on health promotion, developmental milestones, and managing mental health conditions. Emphasis is placed on holistic client-centered care, communication, professionalism, safety, and evidence-based practice. Clinical practice will reinforce theoretical knowledge, preparing students to address the unique needs of these populations and support holistic care throughout the lifespan. Prerequisite: NVN-020. Limitation on Enrollment: Acceptance to the Vocational Nursing Program