LVN Programs in California

California LVN Training

Many business experts are saying that now is one of the best times to think about going back to school, but many people think going back to school means that they will have to be in school for years. This is why so many people are enrolling in California LVN training, which allows them to start working within a year. This also gives individuals a foundation to start from if they later want to become an RN.

California LVN training consists of specialized courses designed to help an individual become a licensed vocational nurse. LVN is the first and most basic level of nursing degree, and it allows an individual to provide care for sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients while working under the supervision of doctors and registered nurses.

Becoming an LVN in California

In California, LVNs are referred to as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs). Individuals can become licensed either by examination or endorsement. The first step in becoming licensed is to complete the education requirement.

To become an LVN in California, an individual must have completed 1,530 education hours, including 576 hours of theory, 954 of clinical, and 54 hours of pharmacology. A full-time LVN program takes 12-14 months, and a part-time program takes 18-20 months.

The LVN training includes:

Anatomy & Physiology
Psychology
Pharmacology
Nursing Process
Communication
Patient Education
Nutrition
Normal Growth and Development
Rehabilitation Nursing
Maternity Nursing
Nursing Fundamentals
Pediatric Nursing
Medical/Surgical Nursing
Gerontological Nursing
Supervision
Leadership
Communicable Disease including Human Immunodeficiency Virus

After Completing the Training

Once the education requirement is met, an applicant must register for an pass the NCLEX-PN.LVNs in California typically make $14-$24 per hour ($26,880-$46,080 per year). To become an LVN in California by endorsement, an individual must have done one of the following:

Graduated from a state-approved LVN program
Graduated from another state's approved LVN/LVN program
Completed equivalent education and experience
Completed education an experience as a corpsman in the United States military

Those who wish to become licensed by endorsement must also submit verification of current licensure. Such applicants must have received a passing score on either the NCLEX or SBTPE prior to original licensure.

Renewing an LVN License

In California, licenses are renewed biennially. There is not continuing education requirement the first time a license is renewed, unless it has been delinquent for over 2 years. After the first renewal, 30 continuing education requirements must be met in year 2 year renewal period.

Additional Resources

California Board of Vocational Nursing & Psychiatric Technichians

On-Campus & Online LVN Schools

Like in other parts of the country, LVNs in California work directly with patients, clients, and facility residents.

LVN duties include performing basic diagnostic tests, administering medication to patients, giving shots and injections, obtaining patients' vital signs, as well as many other important responsibilities.

As a California LVN, you might specialize in obstetrics, pediatrics, surgery or psychiatry or another nursing specialty that interests you.

The Best LVN Schools in California

By providing the most compehensive list of nursing schools, NurseGroups.com helps you find the best LVN programs in California, including the best online LVN schools accepting students in California.

Why Online LVN Classes?

Being a licensed vocational nurse is a great career. But many working adults who want to become an LVN have an extremely busy schedule - balancing a full-time job, family commitments and other personal responsibilities. The traditional classroom setting offered by most local LVN schools doesn't offer the same flexibility as taking their LVN classes online.

Online programs allow students to fit their education into their already busy schedule - studying and taking exams when it's convenient for them. LVN students can access their online classroom 24 hours per day / seven days per week.

Also, taking LVN nursing courses online saves students even more time, as online students don't need to commute to school. Online schools enable busy people to get LVN training, without interfering with their current job or personal life.