If you are having trouble finding LPN programs in California you need to remember that in California LPNs are referred to as LVNs, or Licensed Vocational Nurses (instead of Licensed Practical Nurses). So what you should really be searching for is “LVN programs in California”. California is probably the state with the most programs for nurses who want to enter the industry at this level. It is one of the best states for qualifying as an LPN or LVN and if you are lucky enough to be living there you have a variety of educational and employment opportunities to benefit from.
Statistics For LPN Programs In California
There are a lot of opportunities for nurses who want to be LPNs or LVNs in California, but this is not considered to be one of the more comfortable states to work as a nurse in. for example, according to http://www.lpn.com/state/california-lpn/, this state only comes 29th out of the 51 states in terms of the level of comfort nurses who work there report. This is not the worst score possible, but it means that there are 28 other states that are more comfortable to work in. The average salary that an LPN can earn in this state is $49,940, and California employs 62,300 LPNs. The most popular cities to work in are Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, San Jose, Stockton, Ventural, Sacramento, Fresno, Riverside, and Bakersfield. The areas in California that offer the best educational and employment opportunities are Modesto, Bakersfield, Stockton, Fresno, Sacramento, Oxnard, San Francisco, Riverside, San Jose, San Diego, and Los Angeles.
There are a number of LPN programs in California offered by a variety of schools. The best schools are:
- California College San Diego
- Career Colleges of America
- Carrington College California
- Charter College
- Everest College
- Institute of Technology
- Intercoast Colleges
- Kaplan College
- Santa Barbara Business College
- Summit Career College
- West Coast University
Becoming An LPN In California: Steps And Tips
Becoming an LPN, or rather, and LVN in California is very similar to reaching the same goal in just about any other state. The basic steps are the same:
To be an LPN in California and enter one of the programs that will allow you to obtain your qualification you will need to have either a high school diploma or a GED. You will need to submit proof of one or the other before you can enroll.
You will then have to choose one of the many programs that are on offer. When doing this, keep the following in mind:
- The program needs to be approved by the California state board of nursing
- You need to be prepared to study the various subjects that the program offers
In California you will be expected to take the Career Program Assessment Test exam, consisting of basic math and English. This is a requirement that is not present in all states and is one of the things that makes becoming an LPN in California a little different. It is a very basic test, however, and should present you with no difficulties at all.
Once you have passed the test you will need to apply to a nursing school. Submit your application along with all of the necessary documentation. Complete the LPN training program. This should take you about 18 months to complete, although some programs last only one year.
Next you will need to apply for an LPN license so that you can start your career. To apply contact the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians. You will need to submit the following in order to get your license:
- Proof of graduation from an accredited training program
- A copy of your fingerprints
You will also have to pass the NCLEX-PN examination in order to become an LPN. You will have to register with Pearson Vue to take the examination yourself. Important things you need to know about the exam include:
- Visit Pearsonvue.com to register for the exam
- Pay a fee of $200
- Choose a testing center based on your location
- Enter your city or ZIP code during registration to locate a testing center in your area
- You will be allowed up to five hours to complete the exam with two breaks included
Once you have written the test you will simply have to be patient and wait for your results. This could take up to four weeks. It is advised that you do not attempt to contact the board or the examining body in order to get your results. They will be sent to you. Allow for four weeks to pass before you assume that they have been lost in the mail. When you receive your results you will be able to receive a license from the California state board of nursing if you passed. If you fail you will have another opportunity to write the examination.
California Board Of Nursing
The state of California has two boards of nursing:
- One for registered nurses (RNs), and
- One for licensed practical/vocational nurses (LP/VNs).
This is important information to keep in mind. There are only a few states that have separate boards like this, so you need to make sure that you through the correct one when you begin the process.
Here is the contact information for both boards:
California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians
2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 205
Sacramento, CA 95833
Phone: 916.263.7800
Fax: 916.263.7859
Website: www.bvnpt.ca.gov
Contact Person: Teresa Bello-Jones, JD, MSN, RN, Executive Officer
California Board of Registered Nursing
1747 North Market Boulevard, Suite 150
Sacramento, CA 95834
Phone: 916.322.3350
Fax: 916.574.8637
Website: www.rn.ca.gov
Contact Person: Louise Bailey, MEd, RN, Executive Officer
Other institutes and boards that you may deal with in California are:
- California Nurses Association
- California Department of Health Services
- City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services
- Los Angeles County Department of Health Services
- City of Pasadena Public Health Department
- Public Health Week – Kern County
- San Diego County Health Department
- San Francisco Department of Public Health
List Of Programs In California
There are dozens of LPN programs in California to choose from offered by a variety of different schools. Here are just some of your options:
- Concorde Career College
201 East Airport Drive
San Bernardino, CA 92408 - San Bernardino Adult School
1200 N E St
San Bernardino, CA 92405 - Concorde Career College – San Diego
4393 Imperial Avenue, Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92113 - All American Career College
1530 E 1st St # 247
Santa Ana, CA 92701 - Santa Barbara City College
721 Cliff Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93109 - Mission College
3000 Mission College Boulevard
Santa Clara, CA 95054 - Soledad Adult School/Mission Trails Regional Occupational Program
690 Main Street
Soledad, CA 93960 - Advanced College
13180 Paramount Blvd.
Southgate, CA 90280 - CSI Career College
611 Orange Dr.
Vacaville, CA 95687 - Vacaville Adult School
100 McClellan St., Suite A
Vacaville, CA 95688 - Prime Career College
539 Tennessee St.
Vallejo, CA 94590 - North West College – West Covina
2101 W. Garvey Ave. N.
West Covina, CA 91790 - Center of Education and Technology
13601 Whittier Blvd # 209
Whittier, CA 90605 - Rio Hondo College
3600 Workman Mill Road
Whittier, CA 90601 - California Career College
6324 Variel Ave
Woodland Hills, CA 91367 - LAUSD – West Valley Occupational Center
6200 Winnetka Ave.
Woodland Hills, CA 91367 - Tri-county Rop
970 Klamath Lane
Yuba City, CA 95993 - Medical Allied Career Center
12631 E. Imperial Hwy.
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 - Allan Hancock College
800 S. College Dr.
Santa Maria, CA 93454 - Santa Barbara Business College – Santa Maria
303 Plaza Drive
Santa Maria, CA 93454
A more comprehensive list of your options can be found by visiting this website.
When looking into the various LPN programs in California you may start to wonder how to make the best choice. There are a number of tips that you should keep in mind when considering this issue. For one thing, you need to be sure of the location of the school. Obviously you will want to attend an LPN program which is close to your residence, which you will not have much difficulty getting to. The second issue is that of tuition fees. Clearly you will only want to consider programs that you can afford, however, do not discount the more expensive options as there are a number of financial aid options available in California which can aid you in paying for your studies.
The most important aspects to look out for are accreditation and reputation. There are a number of schools that are not properly accredited, and this means that you will most likely end up wasting your time and your money. The California state board of nursing can help you to ascertain whether or not a school is properly accredited. You also need to make sure that the school has a good reputation in terms of its teachers as well as its pass rate.