Bakersfield College Allied Health Deparment

Mission

The mission of the Bakersfield College Vocational Nursing Program is to prepare entry-level vocational nurses as providers of care across the health/illness continuum and as members within the profession.

Purpose

The purpose of the Bakersfield College Vocational Nursing Program is to provide the foundation for students to become competent vocational nurses. The VN Program respects the individuality of students and recognizes that each student has different educational, experiential, cultural, spiritual, economic and social backgrounds and a unique support system. The aim of the Program is to provide a positive, innovative learning model that fosters the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills so that the student completing the program is equipped to deliver care to a culturally diverse population in a variety of healthcare settings.

Enrollment Period

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

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 period as follows:

Submit completed application form
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

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:

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.

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

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

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.

· 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.

· Eligibility for ENGL B1A (Expository Composition) as demonstrated by qualifying scores on the college assessment test or completion of ENGL B1 or ENGL B50 at Bakersfield College or equivalent course from another accredited college with a “C” or higher.

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.

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 $2500.00. 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 Bureau of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technician application and NCLEX-PN Licensure fees.

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

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.

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

Physical Examination

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 Nursing/Allied Health Program with a clinical laboratory component, students are required to submit to and pass a designated drug and alcohol screening.

Background Screening

Every student offered space in the program will be required to submit to a background screening (at the student’s expense) as part of his or her clinical requirements for admission. Please note the following:

· A history of felony conviction(s) or any bar, exclusion or other ineligibility for federal program participation could render a student ineligible for clinical placement, as determined by the clinical agencies.

· If a student cannot obtain background clearance from the clinical agencies, it will not be possible to place the student in the clinical areas, which is a required component of the program.

· In the event that a student cannot obtain a background clearance, the space will be forfeited.

· Students who are found to be ineligible for clinical placement by the clinical agency after admission to the nursing program shall be subject to dismissal from the program, as they will be unable to complete mandatory clinical rotations.

Basic Life Support – BLS (formerly CPR)

Prior to the beginning of the nursing program, and then throughout the program, students are required to show proof of a valid American Heart Association BLS – Healthcare Provider. This BLS card must be valid until the end of the 18-mos Program. It is your responsibility to provide a copy of the current BLS card to the nursing department and to carry a copy of this card while attending clinical in the healthcare facilities, preferably in your portfolio.

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.

· Utilizing eyesight to observe clients and manipulate equipment under various illumination levels.

· 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.

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.

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.

Licensed Vocational Nursing Program

Quick Links

Program Supply Information

Physical Examination

Background Screening

Basic Life Support – BLS (formerly CPR)