Antelope Valley College LVN Program

Antelope Valley College is Located in the Heart of Lancaster

Antelope Valley College(AVC) provides quality, comprehensive, and innovative education for students who aim to be a licensed vocational nurse. With a strong commitment to the success of students, AVC offers learning opportunities for every qualified member of the community and provide one of the best LVN programs in California. Many graduates of AVC's LVN program then "Bridge" over into the highly rated Registered Nurse program.

AVC has been turning out some of the best LVNs in California for decades. The administration and instructors are known for being consumate professionals, and take the success of their students seriously. One way this dedication shows is the high pass rate for students when they take the NCLEX-PN at the end of the program.

California's BVNPT constantly tracks the pass rate for every vocational nursing program in the state. In 2020, the pass rate was 90%. That's well above the state average. In 2019, the pass rate was 100%! These results help show how seriously AVC takes their students' education.

Specifics of the AVC Vocational Nursing Program

A vocational nurse works under the direct supervision of registered nurses and/or physicians in convalescent homes and clinics. Antelope Valley College offers an 18-month vocational nursing program to all qualified students. After completing the program, students will be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN and become a licensed vocational nurse. The college ensures that every student obtains the necessary knowledge and skills to pass the certification exam set by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians.

Once the student has passed the NCLEX-PN, she/he is then able to begin working as an LVN in California. As new medical advancements keep the aging population alive longer, the need for skilled LVNs has never been stronger. LVNs, anong with CNAs, form the backbone of most skilled nursing facilities in the state.

Acute care hospitals also routinely hire licensed vocational nurses. Kaiser Permanente has a constant need for LVNs, as seen on their job boards. Outpatient dialysis centers and private practice physicians also hire vocational nurses to assist in giving quality patient care.

Fundamentals of patient care – This module includes the teaching of basic nursing skills needed to care for the hospitalized or long-term care patients. Safety principles are emphasized. Students receive “credit” or “no credit” as a form of their grade.

Fundamentals of nursing principles – This section involves learning of the principles of taking care of adult patients. The course also includes self-care theory, pharmacology, geriatrics, adult growth and development, and nutrition.

Maternal and pediatric care – These classes are directed to learning the different concepts of taking care of mothers during pregnancy and pediatric patients with an emphasis on child growth and development.

Principles of medical-surgical nursing of adult and the child – Students are taught about the disease processes that occur within the endocrine, reproductive, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, respiratory, integumentary, and renal systems. Other nursing and medical concepts are included such as understanding diseases that affect the cardiovascular and neurological systems. Mental health disorders are also discussed.

Antelope Valley College's program is fully accredited by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT). No matter which of the 165+ LVN programs you decide to enroll in, ALWAYS check to ensure the program is approved by BVNPT.

After completing the course at AVC, graduates receive a certificate of achievement and are now qualified to take the national licensure examination.

What are the minimum requirements for entrance into the LVN Program?

There are certain requirements for you to be eligible in joining the LVN program. The following requirements must be met:

Physically fit (should be free from communicable diseases)
US High school graduate or completion of GED for graduates of foreign high schools
Valid social security number

Aspiring students who have been convicted of a felony may be denied licensing by the BVNPT. An individual who wishes to be part of the LVN program should seek advice about their situation from the BVNPT before enrolling.

What is the grade point average requirement to pass the LVN Program?

Students must not have an overall grade point average below 2.0 (“C” average) to obtain a certification in vocational nursing. A minimum grade of “C” is required in theory and clinical classes. Moreover, students are required to complete 1530 hours of classes and clinical exposure as the state law stipulates.

What is it like to be part of the LVN program at AVC?

Being part of the LVN program of Antelope Valley College is exciting and productive at the same time. Students participate in supervised day and evening clinical experienced in local health care facilities and accredited hospitals. Aspiring to be a vocational nurse can be demanding both physically and mentally. It is a must that you assess your personal status and situation before enrolling.

Since the program includes many hours of class, homework, and clinical exposure, you need to consider your finances, leisure, health, work, and family as the program may impact most areas of your life. As this might be the case, being part of the medical field is a rewarding and fulfilling experience for everyone. Aside from the altruistic feeling you might get from helping other people, new grads from AVC also enjoy a competitive LVN salary.

What things should I keep in mind while in the AVC LVN Program?

Some things can easily disqualify you from the program even if you are already enrolled in it. For one, a drug and alcohol abuse screening is required. Students who attend their class under the influence of alcohol or illegal drug intake violates college policy and compromises the quality of service provided to patients. Substance abuse is a reason for immediate dismissal from the nursing program.

Students are also required to have background screening for felonies, fraud, abuse, sexual crimes, and misdemeanors. Attendance is mandatory. If a student could not meet the minimum number of class hours and clinical experience due to tardiness or absence, the faculty has the option to request students to be dismissed from the program.

Foundation Scholarships & Financial Aid

Students may seek financial support from the AVC Foundation. With over 200 scholarships available to students each year, you may find enough funding for your tuition and education expenses. Also, Antelope Valley College students are encouraged to fill out the FAFSA form to find out what other financial aid may be available. Most students receive some type of financial aid. A Board of Governors Waiver assists students from low income households to pay for tuition.

Many students also receive Pell grants. Pell grants aren't loans; they don't need to be paid back. Over the years, the cost of attendance at one of California's Community Colleges has continued to rise. The cost per unit for 2017 is $46.00. So, for students taking an average 15 unit per semester course load, that adds up to $690.00 per semester. Add to that the cost of books, and it's clear that student today need as much help as possible in paying for a college education.

Is their program an "online program"?

No, the LVN program at Annenberg does NOT fall under the classification of an online program. Often, the concept of an "online program" is linked to a degree that can be obtained from home, whether it's related to nursing or other fields. Despite the existence of "online LVN programs" in California, the mandate for in-person clinical rotations still stands.

Indeed, some schools do allow a fraction of the coursework to be completed online, but a significant portion still calls for the physical presence of nursing students. These in-person clinical rotations are the junctures where students initiate their learning process of patient interaction. The experiential dimension of nursing education is not something that can be fully addressed in an online environment.

LVN Program at Antelope Valley College

Antelope Valley College is Located in the Heart of Lancaster