Vocational Nursing (Day)

Successful completion of the Vocational Nursing program qualifies graduates to take the state licensing examination, the NCLEX-PN; the state license allows graduates to practice as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). The curriculum is based on Dorothea Orem’s Theory of Self Care. Students who successfully complete the program receive a diploma.

The catalog notes that many procedures once performed only in hospitals are now performed in physicians’ offices and outpatient care centers, and that employment of LVNs is projected to grow faster than average in most settings outside of hospitals.

Students prepare for the NCLEX-PN licensing exam, and IOT pays the exam fees. Hands-on learning takes place in real-world lab and clinical settings with experienced instructors and dedicated support staff, and there is never a waiting list for IOT programs.

IOT is approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT). Open Lab time, supervised by instructors, lets students practice computer, lab and nursing skills and NCLEX review.

Applicants must provide proof of high school graduation or its equivalent: a high school diploma, official high school transcripts, a GED certificate, proof of the California high school equivalency exam, or official college transcripts showing at least an associate degree from an accredited U.S. institution; foreign transcripts must be officially evaluated.

Entrance examination: the Wonderlic SLE with a minimum score of 20, plus a campus-specific second exam (Redding: Flexi Quiz, minimum 62; Clovis: HESI A2 at the 70th percentile cumulative score / Critical Thinking exam, minimum 750). No one is guaranteed admission; possible evaluation measures include an interview by the VN Admissions Committee, a written personal goal assessment and a computer competency assessment. Students need a physical exam, a negative TB test and immunity to Hepatitis B, influenza, MMR, Tdap and varicella, and undergo a pre-enrollment drug screen.

The program is 1,530 clock hours / 60.5 semester credit hours. The full-time day program (Clovis, Modesto and Redding) runs 3 semesters over 51 weeks, with classes Monday through Friday and occasional weekends possible; various shift schedules may be required for clinical rotations. The prerequisite BIO 100 is offered on campus.

Redding full-time starts include July 13, 2026 (ending August 13, 2027) and November 9, 2026 (ending December 10, 2027).

Vocational Nurses work under the direction of a physician or registered nurse, providing basic nursing care, patient data collection and health-related patient teaching, performing medical treatments as prescribed, administering prescribed medications, and continuously monitoring patient health in long-term care and acute care settings.

Once a graduate passes the NCLEX-PN and is licensed, the license is typically transferable into an LVN-to-RN bridge program, subject to that program’s prerequisites.

Uniforms and supplies are required and are available for purchase; textbooks are provided as classroom resources or purchased by the student. Most clinical facilities require a clear background check before clinical rotation, and random drug screening takes place throughout the program.

Attendance at all theory, skills lab and clinical classes is required. Absences greater than 10% of theory or 5% of skills/clinical hours may result in program termination, and all missed hours must be made up in Open Lab or during the make-up week.