Vocational nursing includes an introduction to the basic principles and theories of nursing, personal and community health; normal growth and development; normal aging processes and geriatric nursing; ethics and interpersonal relationships. Integration of these principles, including anatomy and physiology, provides a foundation in nursing upon which the student can build skills, knowledge and understanding in identifying nursing needs of patients with common disorders and disturbances of the body systems.

This is a three-semester certificate program. The program includes classes on the college campus with clinical training at approved hospitals within the area. Upon successful completion of the program, the student is eligible to take the examination for licensure as a Vocational Nurse.

Only students who have met all admission requirements will be considered for the program.

To be considered for the Vocational Nursing Program you must:

1. Return completed application.
2. Porterville College assessment tests. (recommended)
3. English P050, Math P065 with a grade of ?C? or higher or have equivalent scores on the assessment tests. (recommended)
4. Complete program prerequisites with a grade of ?C? or higher. (These classes must be taken within five years of starting the VN Program.) They are:
   a.  PTVN P009, Nursing Fundamental Concepts
   b.  Anatomy P052
   c.  Psychology P101A
   d.  Plus four to six general education courses are required.
5. Hold a CPR card which is good through the first year of the Vocational Nursing Program. (Furnish Health Careers Office with copy.) Provide this after being accepted into the program.
6. Submit with application
   a.  One copy of high school transcript to Health Careers.
   b.  If you have not completed the 12th grade in high school but have a high school proficiency or GED instead, submit a copy of it to Health Careers.
   c.  One copy of transcripts from any college attended to Health Careers.
   d.  One copy of transcripts from any other college attended to the Registrar.
   e.  If you have any paid or volunteer experience in the health field, include a letter of verification of length of time.
7. It is the applicants? responsibility to see that all the above are on file in the Health Careers Office.

First Semester
PTVN P010A – Fundamentals / Nursing	4 credits
PTVN P010B – Intro. to Medical/Surgical Nursing	5 credits
PTVN P010C – Life Span Development	2 credits
PTVN P010D – Clinical Practice	6 credits
Second Semester
VNRS P025A – Endocrine System	2 credits
VNRS P025B – Gastro Intestinal System	1.5 credits
VNRS P025C – Musculoskeletal System	1 credit
VNRS P025D – Genito-Urinary System	1 credit
VNRS P025E – Diseases and Disorders of the Eye and Ear	1 credit
VNRS P025F – Integumentary System	1 credit
VNRS P025G – Pediatrics	1.5 credits
VNRS P025H – Clinical Practice	6 credits
Third Semester
VNRS P035A - Leadership	2 credit
VNRS P035B - Maternity Nursing	2 credits
VNRS P035C - Cardiovascular System	2 credits
VNRS P035D - Respiratory System	2 credits
VNRS P035E - Neurological System	2 credits
VNRS P035F - Clinical Practice	6 credits

All courses in each semester must be completed satisfactorily with a grade of ?C? or higher before student may be enrolled in the next semester.