Licensed Vocational Nursing Program

General Information:

The Vocational Nurse is a caregiver in acute and extended care facilities.  In addition, Vocational Nurses are employed in home health care, emergency clinics and as reviewers of health care utilization.  The vocational nurse practices under the direction of a licensed physician or a Registered Nurse.

 Vocational nursing education prepares the graduate to provide services to those who need healthcare.  As needs are varied so are educational programs, which may proceed from the simpler to the more complex in accordance with the career ladder concept.  The progression reads: nurse assistant, licensed vocational nurse, registered nurse, and other nurses with Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Doctorate in Nursing and special certifications.  The vocational nurse practices under the direction of a licensed physician or a registered nurse.

 The Vocational Nursing (VN) program is a three-semester program after the prerequisite courses have been completed and begins every 12 months.  Students may also choose to complete the general education requirements of the College and obtain an Associate of Liberal Arts Degree.  The College does not award an AA in Vocational Nursing.  Consult the Bakersfield College Catalog or the Counseling Center for specific requirements.

 Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to apply to take the Bureau of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians licensing examination to practice as a Vocational Nurse.

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Enrollment Period:

The VN Program begins every fall semester.  Enrollment forms must be received by the Allied Health office with all official transcripts, during the month of February for a program scheduled to start in the fall semester. 

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Eligibility for Enrollment:

If an Allied Health Program has more qualified students for enrollment than space available, priority is provided to residents of the Kern Community College District.

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Enrollment Procedures:

It is the student’s responsibility to do the following things prior to the Program’s enrollment period. 

If you are a Bakersfield College Student with no other college courses other than Bakersfield College courses:

Apply to the program during the February application periods as follows:

Provide the program with either an official transcript from Bakersfield College, or you can print your unofficial transcript off the Web and submit it to the program. 

If you have taken courses from any college other than Bakersfield College: 

Apply for Admission to Bakersfield College either in person at the Admissions and Records office or by going on-line www.bakersfieldcollege.edu, click on Admissions and Records and follow the directions under Enrolling. 

Please note – the next step takes anywhere from 10-12 weeks and must be completed prior to the end of the application period:

Have your transcripts evaluated by:

• Ordering an Official copy of your transcripts from your previous college(s);
• Submit the Official copy of your transcripts along with a form “Request for Evaluation”.  You can obtain this form from the Admissions and Records office or from the Admissions and Records web-page (see above) under Other Forms.

Once your transcripts have been evaluated and posted to your Bakersfield College transcripts, either order an official copy to be sent from the Admission and Records office or print your unofficial transcript and submit it to the Allied Health Office. 

All Applicants

• Obtain application form from the Allied Health Division office located in Room 178 of the Math-Science Building on the main campus OR in the counseling center located in the Student Services Building on the main campus OR by telephone at (661) 395-4281 OR download one from our website at www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/alliedhealth/ select the Program Brochures tab, then select the VN Application.
• Provide college transcripts as outlined above.
• Provide proof of 12th grade education by submitting one of the following:

1.      Proof of graduation from high school or equivalent education in the United States (GED) or (CHSPE).

2.      Foreign high school evaluated by an accepted agency in the United States.

3.      Proof of completion of Associate or Baccalaureate Degree in the United States.

• Enrollment forms are valid only for the current available Program.  Students not enrolled must complete an updated enrollment form each enrollment period.

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Prerequisite Requirements:

All prerequisites must be completed prior to the start of the Program with a “C” grade or higher.  Priority is provided to students with all prerequisite courses completed at the time of submitting an enrollment form.

Prerequisite requirements:

• Graduation from high school or an equivalent education. 
• BIOL B18 (Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology) at Bakersfield College or an equivalent course at another accredited college.
• PSYC B1A (General Psychology) at Bakersfield College or an equivalent course at another accredited college.
• MATH BA or B200A (Elementary Algebra) at Bakersfield College or an equivalent course at another accredited college, or two semesters of high school algebra.
• Eligibility for ENGL B1A (Expository Composition) as demonstrated by qualifying scores on the college assessment test or completion of ENGL B1 at Bakersfield College or equivalent course from another accredited college with a “C” or higher.
• Nurse Assistant certification - highly recommended.
• MEDS B60 (Medical Terminology) – highly recommended.

 Note:  Students desiring to continue their education and become a registered nurse need to refer to the prerequisites required for the Associate Degree Nursing Program.

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Program Supply Information:

Students will be required to purchase uniforms, textbooks and selected equipment, provide transportation to off-campus clinical education sites and pay current college fees.  An estimated cost for books, uniforms, fees and required equipment for the first term of the Program is approximately $1200.00.  Second semester usually only requires registration fees and books.  In addition to registration fees and books, the VN third semester’s expenses will include program completion activities, Program nursing pin, and State Licensure application fees.

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Vocational Nursing Program Curriculum:

The following courses are taken after the student enters the Vocational Nursing Program. 

 The clinical laboratory components of all nursing courses are graded on a Credit / No Credit basis only.

 VN students are exempt from the maximum of three (3) Credit / No Credit units that may be taken in a semester and from the maximum of twelve (12) Credit / No Credit units which may be applied toward the AA and AS degrees at Bakersfield College.

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Enrollment Selection Process:

In the event the number of qualified students for the VN Program exceeds space available, the following selection process will be utilized.  Students who are qualified for enrollment will enter in the order in which their names appear on the Program Waiting List.  An applicant’s position on this list will be determined by a random drawing of names by the Director, Assistant Director and one assistant.  

Note: To remain current on the waiting list, enrollment forms must be submitted prior to each enrollment semester until Program is entered. 

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Physical Examination/ Drug & Alcohol Screening/ Background Check:

A physical examination completed by a physician of the student's choice is required when entering the Program to demonstrate that a student meets the following technical standards necessary to meet the Program objectives.  Appropriate immunizations and/or vaccinations are also required and are performed at the student's expense.

 As a condition of application in any Allied Health Program with a clinical laboratory component, students are required to submit to and pass a designated drug and alcohol screening and a comprehensive background check.  These screenings are performed at the student's expense.

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Essential Technical Standards:

Nursing students must meet the following essential technical standards to ensure the safety and welfare of the patients, the healthcare team, and themselves.  A physical examination performed by a medical doctor determines whether a student meets the technical standards or what accommodations may be necessary. 

Technical Standards 

• Standing and/or walking most of a shift.
• Bending or crouching several times per hour.
• Lifting and carrying a minimum of 30 pounds several times an hour.
• Lifting and moving up to 300 lbs. with the assistance of 2-3 persons.
• Reaching overhead above the shoulder 90 degrees.
• Utilizing eyesight to observe clients and manipulate equipment under various illumination levels.
• Hearing to communicate with the patient and healthcare team.
•  Manipulating medical equipment and accessories, including but not limited to switches, knobs, buttons, keyboards, patient lines, and tubes, utilizing fine and gross motor skills.
• Performing the assigned job responsibilities with the intellectual and emotional functions necessary to ensure patient safety and exercise independent judgment and discretion.
• Utilizing sufficient verbal and written skills to efficiently communicate in English with the patient and healthcare team.
• Utilizing the above standards/functions to respond promptly to the patient’s needs and/or emergency situations. 

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Admission to the College:

For further information concerning enrollment procedures at Bakersfield College, please contact the Counseling Center (661) 395-4421 or Office of Admissions and Records (661) 395-4301.  For information regarding assessment tests and services, contact the Assessment Center at (661) 395-4479.  Catalogs and Class Schedules may be purchased in the College Bookstore.  For information regarding Financial Aid and Scholarships contact (661) 395-4427. 

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Program Accreditation:

The California Bureau of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians accredits the BC Vocational Nursing Program.  The Western Association of Schools and Colleges accredits Bakersfield College. 

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Licensure/Certification Eligibility:

Conviction of any offenses other than minor traffic violations must be reported to the Bureau of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians at the time of application for licensure.  For clarification contact the VN Program Director or the Bureau of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, 2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 205, Sacramento, California, 95833, (916) 263-7800.

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