Vocational Nursing Program
The Vocational Nursing Program at Feather River College is designed for students interested in a career in the field of nursing. Considering a three-step career ladder from the first step as a certified nursing assistant the student enters the vocational nursing program as the second step on the ladder. Students are prepared for immediate careers within the healthcare system upon certification or graduation. Students continue up the career ladder to registered nursing, take prerequisites for a registered nursing program and transfer to an appropriate school upon graduation. Students are provided with knowledge and clinical experience in all facets of basic nursing– patient care, administration of medication, and performance of nursing skills. Coursework includes pharmacology, medical and surgical nursing obstetrics and pediatric nursing – in order to assist them in making informed career and future educational decisions that will fulfill their goals. Students interact with physicians, nursing staff and other healthcare providers at local and regional hospitals where, under the supervision of the instructor, the students are provided with diverse hands-on educational and clinical experiences. The Vocational Nursing Program offers a Certificate of Achievement or an Associate of Science Degree in Vocational Nursing. Following completion of the coursework the student is qualified to take the California State Board of Vocational Nursing License Examination (NCLEX-PN). Upon passing the examination the student applies of California licensure as a Licensed Vocational Nurse.
Career Opportunities
The Vocational Nursing Program offers a Certificate of Achievement or an Associate of Science Degree in Vocational Nursing. Following completion of the coursework the student is qualified to take the California State Board of Vocational Nursing License Examination (NCLEX-PN). Upon passing the examination the student applies of California licensure as a Licensed Vocational Nurse.
With the License in Vocational Nursing and completion of prerequisites the student is qualified to transfer to a registered nursing program at a community college for an Associate degree or a university for a bachelor’s degree program. Ask about Program Guides in the Career and Transfer Center for more information
Licensed Vocational Nurses
Licensed Vocational Nurses practice under the direction of a licensed Physician or Registered Nurse and are trained to perform services requiring technical and manual nursing skills to provide basic nursing services which include the following:
- Uses and practices basic assessment (data collection), participates in planning, executes interventions in accordance with the care plan or treatment plan, and contributes to evaluation of individualized interventions related to the care plan or treatment plan.
- Provides direct patient/client care
- Performs basic nursing services
- Administers medications
- Applies communication skills in patient care and education
- Participates in patient education to promote self-care skills
Licensed Vocational Nurses are employed in a variety of health care settings that include:
- Long-term care/skilled nursing facilities
- Acute care hospitals
- Home health agencies
- Physician’s offices
- Medical clinics
- Public Health Department
- Education institutions
The following are required by hospitals and clinics prior to beginning clinical courses, and must be submitted by October 15 of the first semester, or the student will not be able to attend the clinical setting in January. There are NO exceptions.
- TB
- Completed Annual TB assessment and 1 of the following
- 2 step TB test or a 1 step if a record of TB/QUANTiferon with in the last year. A 2-step is one neg test followed by another within 1-3 weeks.
- CXR, if Hx of positive TB test
- Completed Annual TB assessment and 1 of the following
- MMR
- Born before 1957 (assumed immunity)
- A Record of 2 vaccines
- A Titer showing immunity
- Begin vaccine series
- VARICELLA 1 of the following
- A documented history of chickenpox
- A Record of 2 vaccines
- A Titer showing immunity
- Begin vaccine series
- TDAP 1 of the following
- Record of vaccine in last 10 years
- Vaccine given
- HEPATITIS B 1 one of the following
- A record of series of 3 vaccines
- A Titer showing immunity
- Begin vaccine series
- INFLUENZA 1 of the following during flu season (Nov 1-Mar 31)
- Proof of receiving this season's vaccine ( a record or attestation)
- A signed declination (informed masking required in patient common areas for flu season
- Vaccine given
These vaccines are required for all health care workers, so the time to begin the series, receive titers from a clinic, or locate proof are essential prior the starting the course.
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