Vocational Nurse
Train at Summit College — El Cajon Campus — BVNPT-approved Vocational Nurse program, 1,586 instructional clock hours.
A BVNPT-approved Vocational Nurse training program that prepares graduates to apply for the California Vocational Nurse License examination (NCLEX-PN). Four consecutive quarters of residential instruction covering fundamentals of nursing, medical/surgical nursing, maternal/child health, leadership, and a capstone.
What Is a Vocational Nurse?
The Vocational Nurse program at Summit College is designed to provide students with the basic knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of a Licensed Vocational Nurse (DOT 079.347-014) in a health care environment.
The program is approved by the BVNPT as an accredited training program, the completion of which meets the minimum requirements set forth as necessary for application to take the Vocational Nurse License examination.
The program includes four consecutive quarters of 13 weeks (day program) or 21 weeks (evening program). The curriculum progresses from basic to more complex nursing concepts, then into specialty nursing — introducing courses in anatomy & physiology, nutrition, psychology, normal growth and development, nursing fundamentals, nursing process, communication, patient education, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, communicable diseases and community nursing, gerontological nursing, rehabilitation nursing, maternity nursing, pediatric nursing, and leadership and supervision.
Courses are taught by lecture, lab, and clinical. Lecture hours include faculty instruction, classroom activities, and assessments. Lab hours strengthen industry-related skills through exercises that broaden a student's understanding of the job duties required in the field. Clinical hours are exercises that prepare students to assist patients upon completion of the program. Nursing programs are calculated by clock hours — all hours must be completed to graduate.
Course Curriculum
Curriculum at a Glance — 4 Quarters / 1,586 Total Clock Hours
Total Instructional Hours: 1,586 (Theory 632 · Laboratory 307 · Clinical 647 · Minimum Work Outside of Classroom 208). Method of delivery: Residential. Teacher/Student Ratio: Clinical 1:10 · Theory as approved by the BVNPT. Scheduled hours of attendance at clinical and theory may vary with each term based upon clinical patient census.
Term 1 (VN-1701) — Fundamentals of Nursing / Skills / Clinical — 384 hours
- Theory: 186 hours
- Laboratory: 155 hours
- Clinical: 43 hours
- Minimum work outside classroom: 52 hours
Term 2 (VN-1702) — Medical / Surgical 1 / Skills / Clinical — 389 hours
- Theory: 173 hours
- Laboratory: 48 hours
- Clinical: 168 hours
- Minimum work outside classroom: 52 hours
Term 3 (VN-1703) — Medical / Surgical 2 / Skills / Clinical — 420 hours
- Theory: 144 hours
- Laboratory: 48 hours
- Clinical: 228 hours
- Minimum work outside classroom: 52 hours
Term 4 (VN-1704) — Medical / Surgical 3, Maternal / Child Health, Leadership, Capstone / Skills / Clinical — 393 hours
- Theory: 129 hours
- Laboratory: 56 hours
- Clinical: 208 hours
- Minimum work outside classroom: 52 hours
Prepares students for an industry-related entry-level Vocational Nurse position (license required upon completion of all state tests and protocols).
Job Growth Outlook
1,586 instructional clock hours · 4 consecutive quarters · Day: 52 weeks (13 weeks
Training Duration
How Vocational Nurse Training Is Delivered
Format
Residential — taught by lecture, lab, and clinical. Teacher/Student Ratio: Clinical 1:10. Theory ratio as approved by the BVNPT.
Typical Timeline
Day program: 52 weeks (four 13-week quarters). Day class schedule: 8:30am – 3:30pm.
Evening program: 84 weeks (four 21-week quarters).
Flexibility
Nursing programs are calculated by clock hours — ALL hours must be completed to graduate. Scheduled hours of attendance at clinical and theory may vary with each term based upon clinical patient census.
Learning Flow
NCLEX-PN preparation begins at the start of the program. Summit College recommends all students spend quality time each week reviewing and practicing NCLEX questions.
Coaching Support
What You'll Learn in Vocational Nurse Training
Core Skills
The foundational skills you'll build in this program.
- Anatomy & physiology
- Nutrition
- Psychology
- Normal growth and development
- Nursing fundamentals
- Nursing process
- Communication
- Patient education
- Pharmacology
- Medical-surgical nursing (Terms 2, 3, 4)
- Maternity nursing
- Pediatric nursing
- Gerontological nursing
- Rehabilitation nursing
- Communicable diseases and community nursing
- Leadership and supervision
- Capstone (Term 4)
Tools & Technology
Practical tools and frameworks used in the field.
- Instructional materials and equipment per program orientation packet
- Nursing skills lab equipment
- Clinical site equipment provided through Summit College's affiliated clinical rotations
Safety & Compliance
Safety protocols and compliance requirements.
- Clinical patient-census-driven scheduling
- BVNPT-approved instructional ratios
- California Vocational Nurse licensure-eligibility standards
Is Vocational Nurse Training Right For You?
This program is designed for motivated learners who want a structured path into a career in summit college — el cajon campus.
This Program Is For You If...
- You want to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse in California
- You can commit to a full residential program with required clinical hours
- You want a BVNPT-approved program that meets the minimum requirements to apply for the NCLEX-PN
- You prefer a structured quarter-based schedule with day or evening options
Consider Other Options If...
- You want a fully online, self-paced program
- You cannot meet the clock-hour completion requirement
- You're seeking a Registered Nurse (RN) program (this is a Vocational Nurse program)
- You can't commit to either the day (52 weeks) or evening (84 weeks) schedule
Certifications for Vocational Nurse
This program prepares you for nationally recognized certifications that employers value.
Diploma — Vocational Nurse
Summit College
Awarded upon completion of all 1,586 clock hours, theory, lab, and clinical requirements of the program.
Focus: Completion of all four terms (VN-1701 through VN-1704) covering fundamentals, medical/surgical nursing, maternal/child health, leadership, and capstone.
NCLEX-PN Licensure Eligibility
California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT)
Program completion meets the minimum requirements set forth as necessary for application to take the Vocational Nurse License examination (NCLEX-PN). See https://www.bvnpt.ca.gov for Licensure Eligibility Requirements.
Focus: NCLEX-PN preparation begins at the start of the program with emphasis on passing the NCLEX-PN as the core goal for each student.
BVNPT-approved program — graduates are eligible to apply for the California Vocational Nurse License examination (NCLEX-PN).
* Per the curriculum: the current average time between passing the NCLEX-PN and receiving a California license may take upwards of 2 to 3 months. In order to be employed as a VN, individuals must have their license recognized on the BVNPT website.
Career Outlook
Entry-Level Roles
- Charge Nurse
- Clinic Licensed Practical Nurse (Clinic LPN)
- Clinic Nurse
- Home Health Licensed Practical Nurse (Home Health LPN)
- Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
- Office Nurse
- Pediatric LPN (Pediatric Licensed Practical Nurse)
- Private Duty Nurse
- Radiation Oncology Nurse
- Triage LPN (Triage Licensed Practical Nurse)
Advancement Path
Not specified in curriculum
Career Progression
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC): 29-2061. CIP Code: 51.3901 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse. DOT Code: 079.347-014.
Tuition & Investment
What's Included
Vocational Nurse Training
- Total instructional hours: 1,586 (Theory 632 / Lab 307 / Clinical 647 / Outside-classroom 208)
- Four consecutive quarters: VN-1701, VN-1702, VN-1703, VN-1704
- Day program: 13 weeks per quarter (52 weeks total)
- Evening program: 21 weeks per quarter (84 weeks total)
- Method of delivery: Residential (on-ground)
- Teacher/Student Ratio: Clinical 1:10
- Approximate cost of required Physical Examination: $85–$150 (per curriculum)
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