Start your new career as a Vocational Nurse today!
Earn your Certificate in as little as 12 months and 1 week (53 weeks)!
The Vocational Nursing Certificate Program is designed to enable students to acquire the knowledge, skills, and competencies related to enhancing the health and well-being of individuals. The Vocational Nursing student will learn basic nursing care skills to be competent in caring for acutely and chronically ill clients, with predictable health outcomes, in structured settings such as hospitals, skilled-nursing facilities, a clinic, doctor’s offices, long-term care, corrections, home health care or for a nursing registry. Duties within the scope of practice for a vocational nurse typically include, but are not limited to, provision of basic hygienic and nursing care; measurement of vital signs; basic client assessment; documentation; performance of prescribed medical treatments; administration of prescribed medications; and, performance of non-medicated intravenous therapy and blood withdrawal (requires separate Board certification). At SSKI, we provide hands on training from competent experienced and board approved educators.
The program has classroom instruction and required clinical experiences to prepare the student to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) for licensure as a practical or vocational nurse. Those that pass qualify for entry-level employment as Licensed Vocational Nurses.
Vocational Nursing Objective
Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- Use appropriate communication and interpersonal skills.
- Perform procedures using appropriate aseptic and sterile technique.
- Implement appropriate safety measures in client care.
- Utilize basic leadership skills.
- Administer medications utilizing the principles for safe preparation and administration.
- Correlate the relationship between health and nutrition in planning and implementing client care.
- Have knowledge of basic nursing care for the pediatric patient utilizing the nursing process.
- Have knowledge of basic nursing care for the newborn utilizing the nursing process.
- Have knowledge of basic nursing care for the maternity patient utilizing the nursing process.
- Provide basic nursing care for the geriatric patient in a variety of healthcare settings utilizing nursing process.
- Provide basic nursing care for the medical/surgical patient utilizing the nursing process.
- Organize, adapt and implement nursing skills related to mobility, personal care, and comfort.
- Utilize appropriate principles of care and therapeutic effect in patient and family teaching.
- Function with accountability as defined in the statutes of The Vocational Nursing Practice Act.
The method by which these objectives and the mission of the institution are fulfilled is through direct instruction, lecture and practicum. The Instructor provides assistance by integrating technology into instruction and emphasizes student-centered learning and by placing more responsibility on the students to take the initiative for meeting the demands of various learning tasks.
Course Prerequisites
- Applicants must be at least 17 years of age to be considered for admissions.
- Proof of good health: A report which includes a medical history, physical examination and PPD test or CXR signed by a healthcare provider performing the physical examination shall be provided to the institution indicating that the student does not have any health conditions that would create a hazard for him/her and patients or visitors. Due before clinical training begins.
- Must be free from conviction by any court (other than minor traffic convictions) or have clearance from the California Department of Health Services.
- Submit completed Live Scan form before clinical training begins.
- Must be able to exert 20-50 lbs of force occasionally, 10-25 lbs of force frequently, and/or up to 10 lbs of force constantly to move objects.
- Must attend the orientation (1st day of class).
A few interesting statistics about vocational nursing careers:
- Employment of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is projected to grow 25 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. As the baby-boom population ages, the overall need for healthcare services is expected to increase. LPNs and LVNs will be needed in residential care facilities and in home health environments to care for geriatric patients.
- The median annual wage for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses was $41,540 in May 2012.
- For more information visit http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational-nurses.htm