Vocational Nursing - COA
Certificate of Achievement Degrees and Certificates A-Z · College of the Siskiyous · 2026-2027 Catalog
Credits: 38.0 credits
Nursing is an art and applied science based upon the principles taken from natural, biological, physical, and behavioral sciences, as well as from the liberal arts. The Vocational Nursing program is based on the precept that nursing supports an individual or family in a movement toward health and that the whole person, including the psychological, social and physical aspects of the person’s being, should be considered in the planning and implementing nursing care. The Licensed VN program at College of the Siskiyous is a full-time, three-semester course. There is a three-month summer break. Classroom instruction is offered concurrently with clinical experiences. It is strongly suggested that students meet with their College of the Siskiyous counselor if they wish to apply to the LVN to RN Step-Up Program.
Program Requirements
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Vocational Nursing - COA: Certificate Requirements: Complete all of the following | 38 | |
| Prerequisites | ||
| Prerequisite Courses for Admission to Vocational Nursing Program | ||
| All Prerequisites must be completed prior to submitting an application for the Vocational Nursing Program. | ||
| BIO 2700 | Human Anatomy with Lab | 4 |
| ENGL C1000 | Academic Reading and Writing | 4 |
| KINE 1011 | Nutrition | 3 |
| STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 |
| NURS 1045 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| Must be 17 years of age by the time of Licensure exam | ||
| Must submit with program application: Official College Transcripts showing completion of Prerequisite courses (unofficial transcripts are accepted IF all coursework was taken at College of the Siskiyous) | ||
| Must submit with program application: Copy of high school transcripts, diploma, GED, or High School Equivalency Certificate | ||
| After acceptance into the program, students will be required to: Pass a physical exam (forms available in the Nursing Office) and verification of required immunizations: Chicken Pox, annual influenza, MMR, Tdap, Hep. B series of 3, and two-step TB skin test (within 2 months of program start date) Provide a American Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR card valid for the duration of the program Pass a criminal background clearance and drug screening clearance prior to the start of the program Provide own transportation to and from clinical facilities. | ||
| Current CNA certificate OR must have worked in a health care facility and/or employed with DIRECT patient care of 200+ hours within the last 3 years. If verifying by hours, you must have a signed letter from an employer to verify direct patient care hours. (Receptionist, Registration, Scribe etc., do not meet criteria) | ||
| Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the National Board Examination. A passing score entitles you to become an LVN. In order to take the NCLEX exam, students must possess a U.S. Social Security Card. | ||
| Vocational Nursing - Certificate Requirements: Complete all of the following | 38 | |
| IMPORTANT: To obtain the Certificate of Achievement in Vocational Nursing, students must complete the following Certificate requirements with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0. *Please note that the prerequisite classes must have a 2.5 GPA or higher. | ||
| The Vocational Nursing Program Prerequisites above. | ||
| The Vocational Nursing Certificate requirements below. | ||
| All certificate courses must be completed with a C or better. | ||
| NURS 0951 | Vocational Nursing-1st Semester | 9 |
| NURS 0952 | Vocational Nursing-2nd Semester | 15 |
| NURS 0953 | Vocational Nursing-3rd Semester | 14 |
| Optional Support Courses | ||
| NURS 0851 | Clinical Skills Practice I | 0.5-1 |
| NURS 0852 | Clinical Skills Practice II | 0.5-1 |
| NURS 0853 | Clinical Skills Practice III | 0.5-1 |
| NURS 0966 | Intravenous Therapy & Blood Withdrawal | 1.5 |
| NURS 2929 | Special Studies | 1 |
Recommended Sequence
Vocational Nursing -- COA
Term 1 (8 units)
- ENGLC1000 - Academic Reading and Writing (4)
- STATC1000 - Introduction to Statistics (4)
Term 2 (7 units)
- BIO2700 - Human Anatomy with Lab (4)
- NURS1045 - Medical Terminology (3)
Term 3 (9.5-10 units)
- NURS0951 - Vocational Nursing-1st Semester (9)
- NURS0851 - Clinical Skills Practice I (0.5-1)
Term 4 (15.5-16 units)
- NURS0952 - Vocational Nursing-2nd Semester (15)
- NURS0852 - Clinical Skills Practice II (0.5-1)
Term 5 (14.5-15 units)
- NURS0953 - Vocational Nursing-3rd Semester (14)
- NURS0853 - Clinical Skills Practice III (0.5-1)