LVN Program at Kern River Valley

Unitek College, boasting seven campuses across California, offers two LVN programs at its Bakersfield location: a comprehensive full-time course lasting a year, and a flexible part-time evening program extending over 17 months.

Interested candidates are not obligated to complete any preliminary courses prior to beginning the program. However, they are expected to attend a "career development and admissions interview" session before registration.

Unitek College is dedicated to providing ongoing support to its students, furnishing job search assistance during the course of study and even after its completion.

The LVN program prides itself on offering multiple start dates throughout the year, thereby eliminating the necessity to wait for a new semester.

Furthermore, Unitek College offers a fast-paced 3-year BSN program. Just like the LVN program, it doesn't require any preliminary courses. Operating year-round, the program allows students to earn 120 units towards their degree. Upon completion, graduates are eligible to take the California nursing boards.

Bakersfield College's LVN program holds the record for being the longest-running program of its kind in Kern County. The program has served as a launchpad for countless nurses in the area, with a significant number of graduates progressing to BC's LVN to RN program.

Seeking admission to BC's vocational nursing program has its share of pros and cons. The bright side is its highly regarded reputation, but conversely, the admission process can be protracted. Due to the abundance of qualified applicants versus the limited availability of seats, many aspirants typically find themselves on the waiting list.

Before applying, it is essential to complete four prerequisite courses:

• BIOL B32 (Human Anatomy & Physiology I)
• BIOL B33 (Human Anatomy & Physiology II)
• General Psychology
• MATH B60 (College Algebra)

Candidates must also present proof of a high school diploma or GED.

High Desert Medical College, with its campuses strategically located in Bakersfield, Lancaster, and Temecula, provides two separate LVN programs. The first one is a vocational nursing certification program that completes in 56 weeks.

Apart from this, HDMC also offers an in-depth 101-week Vocational Nursing Associate of Applied Science degree.

Each program comes with its own unique advantages. The certification program is fast-paced, wrapping up in just 56 weeks, while the Associate of Applied Science LVN degree program comprises additional science and general education courses. These general education modules can be facilitated in a blended, online environment.

High Desert Medical College's LVN program boasts full accreditation from the Accrediting Council on Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) as well as the California Board of Vocational Nursing.

Besides the LVN program, HDMC offers a variety of other courses such as Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, medical billing & coding, Ultrasound Technology, Phlebotomy, Pharmacy Technician, among others.

The LVN program at Bakersfield Adult School blends supervised clinical experience with classroom lectures and practical lab activities. The LVN program, extending over a duration of 22 months, necessitates that all aspirants be at least 18 years old and possess either a high school diploma or GED.

Before applying, BAS mandates the fulfillment of four prerequisite courses:

• Medical Terminology
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Psychology
• Medical Math

Many students who graduate from the Licensed Vocational Nurse program at BAS frequently go on to enroll in the LVN to RN 'bridge' program at Bakersfield College.

The caliber of a program is typically gauged by the passage rate for the PN-NCLEX, also known as the state boards exam. The 2018, 2019, and 2020 classes of BAS achieved a 100% success rate in the PN-NCLEX, highlighting the superior quality of Bakersfield Adult School's LVN program in California.

The total cost for Bakersfield Adult School's LVN program is $6,500, not including the NCLEX fee. This cost covers all necessary textbooks, a laptop, uniforms, and other essential materials.

Located on College Heights Blvd in Ridgecrest, Cerro Coso Community College (CCCC) presents a three-semester LVN program. Owing to the abundance of qualified applicants and the limited slots available, the institution maintains a waiting list.

Entry into the program requires the fulfillment of four prerequisite courses:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Medical Terminology for Health
• Electronic Health Record (Compulsory from Fall 2023)
• General Psychology

The Bakersfield campus of San Joaquin Valley College offers a 15-month vocational nursing Associate Degree. Upon completion, graduates are qualified to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

SJVC also provides other healthcare programs at its Bakersfield campus:

• Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• Medical Office Administration
• Medical Assisting
• Pharmacy Technician
• Surgical Technology
• Respiratory Therapy

With the nursing shortage growing progressively acute, the pay scale for vocational nurses and registered nurses continues to ascend. The average base hourly wage for Licensed Vocational Nurses in Bakersfield is now $30.93, as reported by indeed.com.