Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)

What will this program do for me?
This program will prepare students to sit for the State Board Examinations. Passing this examination provides program graduates with a license to practice as a Licensed Vocational Nurse.

What kind of job can I get once I complete the program?
Licensed Vocational/Practical Nurses work for acute care hospitals, convalescent hospitals, outpatient clinics, physician's offices, home care and community health facilities.

How much can I earn in this career?
An average of $13.00 to $15.00 an hour can be earned as a LVN, depending on the area of employment selected. Generally, the pay is less in convalescent facilities, but job opportunities are more plentiful. Please refer to Occupational Outlook Handbook for current information on salary and job prospects.

How long will the program take?
City College of San Francisco offers an 18-month LVN training program which includes a break for ten weeks during the summer and approximately one month during the Christmas holidays. Instruction is held Monday through Friday or Saturday.

Where will classes be held?
Instruction is held at the John Adams Campus at 1860 Hayes Street, with clinical sessions offered at local Bay Area Hospitals.

Where do I get more information?
Call (415) 561-1912. Or visit the department Web page: Department of Licensed Vocational Nursing.

What time of day are classes offered?
Classroom instruction is held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., two days per week. Clinical sessions are also held two days per week, from 6:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. or 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

When do classes start?
Classes begin each Fall Semester in August and each Spring Semester in January.

How do I enroll?
Contact the Office of Vocational Nursing for enrollment instructions.

What are the requirements for certification?
For Program Certification, graduates must complete 85% of the objectives for each course and must demonstrate safe practice. For State License, see the following excerpt from the California Vocational Nurse Practice Act (#2866):

Qualifications of Applicants:
An applicant for a licensed vocational nurse license shall comply with each of the following:
(a) Be at least 17 years of age.
(b) Have successfully completed at least an approved course of study through the 12th grade or the equivalent thereof as specified by the Board.
(c) Have successfully completed the prescribed course of study in an accredited school of vocational nursing or have graduated from a school which, in the opinion of the Board, maintains and gives a course which is equivalent to the minimum requirements for an accredited school of vocational nursing in the state.
(d) Not be subject to denial of licensure under Section 480. (Amended by Stats. 1990, Ch. 520, Sec. 1.)

How much money can I expect to spend?
Please refer to Tuition Information for specifics on costs. Financial Aid is available for those who qualify. You may also call the Financial Aid Office at (415) 239-3576. The program requires completion of 50 units. Additionally, students are required to pay a $10 fee each semester for Student Health Services. Textbooks, uniforms, physical examinations and CPR card will cost approximately $1,000.

About the Perlita Perocho Mendoza Becker Award
Students who will graduate from the City College of San Francisco's Vocational Nursing Program and meet the requirements below are eligible to apply for the About the Perlita Perocho Mendoza Becker Award sponsored by Theresa Mostasia. This award was first established in December 2002 and has since been distributed to graduates. This award is in honor of Perlita Mendoza Becker, a mother , a nurse and instructor who had been battling cancer. Perlita has unselfishly contributed her life to caring for her family and others. As a nurse and instructor, she exuded courage and perseverance that students can appreciate. The recipient of the award will be announced and presented a certificate of recognition on graduation night and receive one hundred dollars.

Requirements for eligibility
Students must: