Vocational Nurse

The Vocational Nurse (VN) program utilizes a plan in which nursing courses progress along a simple-to-complex continuum. The organizing principle is homeostasis as it relates to the study of representative client problems by addressing the various anatomical systems and specialty areas in nursing. The program includes both didactic and laboratory training, as well as a clinical component that reinforces theoretical knowledge. As a result of preparation, students can work as Vocational Nurses in hospitals or medical clinics.

Program goals and objectives.

• Incorporate principles from nursing, behavioral, and physical sciences to provide competent care to clients of different ages with different bio-psychosocial needs.
• Apply knowledge of specific disease conditions to prevent, treat, provide nursing care, and facilitate rehabilitation for clients.
• Differentiate the role of the Vocational Nurse within the healthcare team.
• Adhere to professional standards, incorporating legal and ethical responsibilities of a Vocational Nurse.
• Utilize clinical judgment in assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation of client care within the scope of Vocational Nurse practice.
• Organize, prioritize, and delegate care, communicating effectively with members of the healthcare team.
• Demonstrate preparedness to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) and complete the NCLEX-PN within 60 or 90 days upon graduation.

• Prerequisite Starts Weekly!
• Hands-On Skills Lab Training
• Clinical Hours Provided
• NCLEX-PN Exam Prep
• Job Placement Assistance

All applicants to Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts must meet the General Admission Requirements for all Programs, including the entrance exam where required, and the additional admission requirements for this program.

• Be at least 17 to be admitted to the Essential Medical Bioscience prerequisites course with a parent’s or guardian’s consent; applicants must be at least 18 at the beginning of the core program.
• Complete the Essential Medical Bioscience prerequisites course with a passing grade as identified in the syllabus. The course may be waived for applicants who completed Cell Biology, Human Biology Basics, Basic Math and Medical Terminology within the last five years with a grade of at least “C”; a prerequisite challenge exam is also available.
• Applicants who have completed the Essential Medical Bioscience (EMB) course will be given a seat in the CORE VN program and will not be ranked using the VN Admission Point System.
• Some campuses (such as those with a larger applicant pool than available seats) may require an interview with the applicable VN Program Coordinator or their designee.

The program information, length, and schedule are subject to change. Read the accompanying Addendum for changes and updates, and connect with an Admission Advisor for details.

The Vocational Nurse (VN) program is a diploma program that provides a library and classrooms equipped with audiovisual teaching aids, textbooks, journals, anatomical charts, and models. The Instructor-to-Student ratio is 1:10 in the laboratory and clinical externships, 1:30-50 during residential lectures, and 1:25 during online lectures.

Module One – Monday through Friday Morning Group students must be available from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM for the lectures/internal clinical experience – four (4) days a week, and 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM, or 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM for the clinical skill lab – one (1) day a week, depending on the campus.

Evening Group students must be available from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM for the lectures/internal clinical experience – four (4) days a week and from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM, 2:30 PM to 10:30 PM, or from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM for the clinical lab – one (1) day a week. (Modesto campus is from 2:30 PM to 10:30 PM). The listed times are approximate.

Module Two, Three, and Four – Monday through Friday Morning Group students must be available from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM for the lectures/internal clinical experience – three (3) days a week. Evening Group students must be available from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM for the lectures/internal clinical experience – three (3) days a week.

Morning and Evening Groups students must be available two to five days per week for the clinical rotations. Regular clinical rotations are scheduled from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM and from 2:30 PM to 11:30 PM. Particular clinical rotations (e.g., OB, Peds) may require an alternative schedule (e.g., 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturdays). Students must complete the specified rotations according to the provided schedule.

The curriculum equips students with the technical, clinical, and interpersonal skills required to excel in this demanding field. The expected completion time for this program is 48 weeks, excluding holidays and vacation times. Preparation for the NCLEX is provided during the final module of the program. Students are permitted up to two (2) attempts to pass the exit exam for graduation based on the guidelines in VN 450.

The first attempt is given after the program is completed. The second attempt is given two (2) weeks after program completion. Under extraordinary circumstances, applicable Students may be eligible for one (1) additional attempt. See the Student Grievance and Appeals Policy for more information.

Class times can and may be rescheduled on an alternate day of the week (Sunday through Saturday) to ensure on-time program completion and fulfillment of required program hours.

Dates may vary by campus location. Please refer to the Academic Calendar for more details.

Upcoming start date for this program: January 4, 2027.

Tuition and fees. Registration Fee (non-refundable) $100.00; Student Tuition Recovery Fund $0.00; Essential Medical Bioscience (EMB) prerequisite tuition $1,700.00; Textbooks $375.00; Core tuition $38,250.00. Total program cost $40,425.00. Total program cost excludes transportation, room and board, and personal expenses.

Total fees per period of enrollment. Period 1: $11,500.00; Period 2: $11,300.00; Period 3: $7,950.00; Period 4: $7,875.00.

Cost of Attendance, 2026–2027 (one academic year). Tuition & Fees $22,240.00; Books $300.00; Transportation $6,307.50; Food & Housing $18,280.00; Personal Expenses $660.00; Loan Fees $98.00; Laptop Fees $450.00; Total Cost of Attendance (One Academic Year) $48,335.50. Individual student costs will vary.

Financial aid. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts participates in various federal and state student financial assistance programs, including the Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, Direct and Direct PLUS Loans, Cal Grant, Sallie Mae® and Campus Door loans, and veteran benefits, for those who qualify. Each campus has a Financial Aid Advisor. Gurnick's FAFSA school code is 041698.

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Other fees, as applicable. ATI TEAS $120; background check $33–$75; drug testing $74–$148; CPR $55–$80; fingerprinting $81 and up; licensing board fees $200–$500 depending on the exam and license; campus parking permit $25; graduation ceremony fee $20–$50. Some of these fees may be paid by Gurnick Academy for some programs.

Career paths. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse.

Certification and licensure. NCLEX-PN (California Vocational Nurse license).

School Performance Fact Sheet, calendar year 2024. Vocational Nurse – 1530 Clock Hours at the Sacramento campus reported an on-time completion rate of 74% (97 of 131 students available for graduation); a job placement rate of 73% (70 of 96 graduates available for employment employed in the field); a license examination passage rate of 89% (79 of 89 graduates who took the exam passed on the first attempt) (published March 17, 2026).