Vocational Nursing

The Vocational Nursing (VN) Program is designed to prepare students for nursing for employment in the healthcare field. Unitek College focuses on providing students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to become competent and compassionate licensed nurses to provide safe patient care. This comprehensive program combines theoretical classroom instruction with hands-on clinical training, practice tests, and test-taking strategies which prepare graduates to take the NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing) which leads to a rewarding career in nursing. This pre-licensure Vocational Nursing (VN) program is approved by California's Board of Vocational Nursing & Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT).

Graduates are prepared to gain employment as entry-level Licensed Vocational Nurse (CIP code 51.3901, SOC code 29-2061.00). The credential awarded is a Diploma. Offered at all campuses.

The program's goal is to prepare students to pass the NCLEX-PN license exam and gain entry-level employment as Licensed Vocational Nurses. Graduates will be able to collaborate effectively with clients, families, health care team, and community resources to provide holistic care; assist in the formulation of a systematic problem-solving approach to deliver basic nursing care within ethical-legal limitations; assist in the coordination of patient care as a member of the health care team; and assume responsibility as a member of the nursing profession by demonstrating accountability for practice. The curriculum has been designed to meet the educational licensure requirements in California and prepare students to apply to the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians to sit for the NCLEX licensure exam.

At Unitek College of Nursing, our admissions process is structured to be straightforward, responsive, and centered around your individual goals. From your first conversation with an Admissions Representative through enrollment, you will receive clear guidance on program options, required documentation, and next steps. Because each program has specific admissions criteria, requirements may vary, and our team will ensure you fully understand what is needed for your chosen pathway.

Program Length: 12 Months (Day); 17 Months (Evening); 20 Months (Part Time Evening). Instructional Method: Residential. Instructional Hours: 1620. Admission requires successful completion of the Vocational Nursing Prerequisite Course (VN PRQ), an 80-hour blended course, within 12 months prior to the scheduled VN program start date. Certain courses are paired as co-requisites and both must be passed to progress.

The Financial Aid (FA) Department strives to provide excellent service to deliver financial aid information to prospective, current & former students and their families. Information includes federal, state, institutional and private aid options to cover educational cost. FA Staff assist in the completion of required documents and processes all financial aid awards. The focus of the FA Office is helping students attend the college by alleviating or eliminating financial barriers and maximizing all available resources to help meet each student's financial needs.

Financial Aid is money that can be used to cover the costs associated with attending the college. This money can be in the form of grants, scholarships & federal loans. All loans & some grants must be repaid. All financial aid at the college is administered in accordance with the policies & procedures of the U.S. Department of Education. Unitek College is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to offer students the option of applying for federal financial aid through the Title IV program.

Cal Grant

Cal Grant (A, B & C) is a state-funded educational opportunity grant program administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to assist students in paying for a college education. All Cal Grant payments are credited to student accounts to cover outstanding tuition, fees, books & supplies. Cal Grants may be renewed if the recipient continues to meet the income, asset, unmet need eligibility requirements based on the results of a current Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Private Lending Options

Private loans are available to students through various lending institutions to help pay educational expenses. Private loans, which are not insured by the federal government, have repayment terms that vary depending on the lender. The college encourages students to explore federal & state grants & loans, & to consider the anticipated monthly loan payments along with expected future earnings before considering a private education loan.

Scholarships & Grants

All institutional scholarships and grants are offered with the expectation that students will enroll on a full-time basis and remain enrolled for the semester, term or payment period for which they were intended. Institutional offerings include Alumni Grants (MA to VN or BSN, PN/VN to BSN, ASVN to BSN, and NATP), the Cellan Education Resources Opportunity Grant, the Ontario Healthcare Workforce Inaugural Grant, the VN Prerequisite Course Scholarship for Veterans, and the Yellow Ribbon Program for qualifying Post-9/11 GI Bill funded students. Unitek College is also approved by the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education (CSAAVE) to accept students using GI Bill® funding.

Total program tuition is $36,945 (tuition only; any fees billed separately).

A Career Services team member assists students and/or graduates with enhancing their professional skills and career-readiness to successfully obtain employment in their chosen field. Students' success in this relationship depends largely on:

• Attendance at all one-on-one sessions, meetings, seminars or workshops to which a student is invited by Career Services staff
• Submitting a resume as requested by the Career Services staff
• Demonstration of professional conduct and appearance

Students and graduates may receive employment assistance tailored to their individual circumstances and needs, which may consist of any of the following:

• Career development planning, career coaching and interviewing skills
• Preparation of resumes, cover letters and thank-you letters
• Establishing references
• Career Development seminars and workshops
• Communication and Public Speaking skills
• Job search techniques and networking skills
• Professional development in a business setting
• Reviewing “dress for success” strategies
• Volunteer opportunities
• Electronic and “Hot” Job leads

The Career Services staff is here to assist students and/or graduates but cannot and do not guarantee employment. To qualify for employment assistance after leaving school, students must have successfully completed their education program and satisfied all financial obligations with the College.

Methods of Delivery

Residential: Residential courses meet on campus in a traditional classroom and/or laboratory setting. Online: Online courses are offered through an online learning management system; students have access to their online courses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Hybrid: In hybrid or blended programs students meet with faculty face-to-face onsite each week while enrolled in campus-based courses; other courses required in the program, such as general education courses, are delivered online and supported by both the online instructor and campus-based tutors as needed.

Library / Learning Resource Center

Learning Resource Centers (LRCs) provide a wide range of core reference materials such as online databases and search engines, instructional and resource CDs, books, and pertinent trade, professional and academic periodicals. In addition, LRCs are equipped with computers featuring a variety of software and a high-speed Internet connection, giving students access to a multitude of tools and information to assist them in all aspects of their education. Each LRC is staffed with a professionally trained librarian who maintains the LRC inventory, assists students, and conducts orientations designed to train them to effectively find, retrieve and integrate the information they need to solidify their learning.