Vocational Nursing (VN) Program Information
Porterville College
Vocational Nursing
Certificate of Achievement
Health Careers
100 East College Avenue
Porterville, California 93257
(559) 791-2321 | Fax: (559) 784-2417
Mission
The Porterville College Vocational Nursing program endorses the mission of Porterville College: “With students as our focus, Porterville College provides our local and diverse communities quality education that promotes intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and lifelong learning, while preparing students for vocational and academic success.”
The Porterville College Vocational Nursing program adheres to this mission when offering the Vocational Nursing Certificate of Achievement. The mission of the Vocational Nursing program is to provide an innovative, student-centered educational program that prepares diverse students as candidates to become licensed vocational nurses to provide safe, quality, evidence-based nursing care in the current healthcare environment. The program is market conscious as it prepares students to practice nursing in various healthcare environments, with input from the community represented through the program’s Advisory Committee. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).
In alignment with the mission of Porterville College, the Vocational Nursing program provides a solid base for continued lifelong learning as a licensed vocational nurse. Although the Vocational Nursing Certificate of Achievement is not a degree program, Vocational Nursing COA graduates are prepared with the necessary nursing knowledge, skills, and competencies to continue their education.
NOTE: The California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) shall issue a vocational nurse license to each applicant who qualifies and successfully passes the NCLEX-PN. An applicant for a vocational nurse license shall comply with each of the following: (a) Be at least 17 years of age, (b) Have successfully completed at least an approved course of study through the 12th grade or the equivalent thereof as specified by the board, (c) Have successfully completed the prescribed course of study in an approved school of vocational nursing or have graduated from a school which, in the opinion of the board, maintains and gives a course which is equivalent to the minimum requirements for an approved school of vocational nursing in this state. (Business and Professions Code, Division 2, Chapter 6.5 Vocational Nursing Article 2 Section 2866).
NOTE: The law provides for denial of licensure for crimes or acts that are substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of the vocational nurse. (Business and Professions Code 480 and California Code of Regulations Title 16 Sections 2521 and 2522). For clarification, contact the VN Program Director or the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, 2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 205, Sacramento, CA 95833, (916) 263-7800.
Career Opportunities
Employment in the field of vocational nursing is excellent locally and nationally. The licensed vocational nurse enjoys a well-compensated, rewarding, and highly flexible career, which should continue in the future. This field is expanding and growth in the job market is projected.
Program Learning Outcomes
The vocational nursing graduate will be able to:
- Provide safe, therapeutic, patient-centered nursing care to diverse clients across the lifespan utilizing evidence-based practice in a variety of healthcare settings.
- Exercise clinical judgment to make patient-centered care decisions.
- Participate in the quality improvement process to improve patient care outcomes.
- Participate in teamwork and collaboration with members of the interdisciplinary team, the client, and the client’s support persons.
- Use information ethics, professionalism management systems, and patient care technology to communicate and support safe client care.
- Incorporate professionalism, leadership, management, legal, and ethical principles to guide practice as a vocational nurse.
Enrollment Eligibility
To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:
- Be in good academic standing at Porterville College with a GPA of 2.0 or higher
- Graduation from an accredited high school or successful completion of the General Education Development (GED) or California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE). Graduates from outside the United States must have transcripts evaluated by an independent agency approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
- Complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or higher within the five years prior to being accepted into the program:
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HCRSP008 | Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology for Health or BIOLP052 – Survey of Human Anatomy and Physiology |
2 |
| HCRSP009 | Health Careers Fundamental Concepts | 2 |
| NURSP100 | Strategies for Success in Nursing Programs | 2 |
Enrollment Process
Program applications and deadlines for the Vocational Nursing program are available from the Health Careers division and on the program webpage. Eligible students are selected for the program according to the following steps:
- Selection is based on a random selection process from among all qualified applicants and is subject to space availability. Students must reapply each application period; there is no waitlist.
- Only students who meet the educational admission requirements and follow the application procedures will be considered for the program. Meeting all of these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
- Completed applications must be submitted during the appropriate application period
with the following attached:
- Proof of High School completion – Include an official copy (sealed, unopened envelope) of high school transcripts, GED or California High School Proficiency Exam scores. Electronic transcripts must be sent by the school/transcript service to healthcareers@portervillecollege.edu
- Unofficial Porterville College transcripts
- Official transcripts from other colleges (if applicable)
NOTE: As a condition of enrollment into the Vocational Nursing program, students are required to have a physical examination, inoculations, tuberculosis clearance, drug screening, background clearance, and current BLS certification (at the student’s expense). The student is responsible for uniforms, laboratory fees, necessary equipment and transportation to off-campus clinical locations. There are morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend clinical experiences that may change with limited notice.
Program Approval
The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians approves the Porterville College Vocational Nursing program.
Vocational Nursing Certificate of Achievement Curriculum
The following courses are taken after the student has been formally accepted into the program.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | ||
| VNRS P070 | Fundamental Concepts of Vocational Nursing Practice | 7.5 |
| VNRS P071 | Concepts of Vocational Nursing Care of the Adult I | 8.5 |
| Total Units First Semester | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| VNRS P072 | Concepts of Vocational Nursing Care of the Adult II | 16.5 |
| Total Units Second Semester | 16.5 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| VNRS P073 | Concepts of Vocational Nursing Across the Lifespan | 16.5 |
| Total Units Third Semester | 16.5 | |
| Total Units Vocational Nursing Core Courses | 49 | |
Program Progression
A grade of “C” or higher is required in each vocational nursing course for progression toward the Vocational Nursing Certificate of Achievement.
Policy for Granting Credit for Previous Education and Experience
The Porterville College Vocational Nursing Program has established criteria for previous education and experience completed within the last five years. The amount of credit granted will not exceed two-thirds (2/3) of the total program hours. All requests for credit for previous education and/or experience will be initiated by the applicant/student, not by Porterville College or its employees.
Transfer credit shall be given for related previous education completed within the last five years. This includes the following courses:
- Approved vocational or practical nursing courses
- Approved registered nursing courses
- Approved psychiatric technician courses
- Armed Services nursing courses
- Certified nurse assistant courses
- Other courses the school determines are equivalent to courses in the program
Competency-based credit shall be granted for knowledge and/or skills acquired through experience. Credit shall be determined by written and/or practical examination. (CCR Title 16 Article 5 Schools of Vocational Nursing Section 2535)
Request for Credit Granting
- The student shall request credit granting and submit official transcripts or other documents verifying course content and supervised theory and clinical hours.
- All requests for granting credit for education or experience and official documents must be submitted to the Program Director with the program application.
Process for Granting Credit for Previous Education
- Transcripts, other documentation of course content, and evidence of hours satisfactorily completed will be reviewed by the Program Director.
- The number of credit hours granted and the nature of credit granted will be recorded, signed by the Program Director, and maintained in the student file.
Process for Granting Credit for Previous Experience
- Documents will be reviewed for equivalent experience, content, and hours by the Program Director.
- Assessment of knowledge will be conducted by a program instructor who is a content expert in the specific experience area. The assessment may include written and/or practical examinations.
- The number of credit hours granted and the nature of credit granted will be recorded, signed by the Program Director and program instructor, and maintained in the student file.
Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Statement
In accordance with the requirements of the Civil Rights Act, Porterville College provides services and benefits to students regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, age, religion, marital status, medical condition, or disability. The lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to administration and participation in vocational education programs. (Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Section 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990).
Dated 4/15/2025
