Licensed Vocational Nursing

The MiraCosta College Licensed Vocational Nursing program leads to a certificate as a vocational nurse. Those who qualify for enrollment receive intensive training and in-class work as well as clinical practice in direct patient care. The clinical practice is constantly supervised by licensed or registered nurse specialists who guide and teach students.

Upon satisfactory completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the National Licensure Examination for Vocational Nurses to achieve licensure. The licensed vocational nurse may seek employment in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, clinics, physicians' offices, or various government agencies, as well as serve as a private-duty nurse in hospitals or homes.

Students must have a valid California CNA License and complete NURS 100 and NURS 151, which are prerequisites, prior to applying for enrollment in the LVN program. Once prerequisites are completed, students may submit an application packet for admission into the program. For admission requirements, please visit the LVN Program webpage.

Program Student Learning Outcome

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• apply the knowledge, skills and attitudes of a new graduate vocational nurse to successfully pass the National Council Licensure Exam for Vocational/Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) exam;
• consistently implement therapeutic communication with patients, support persons, and members of the interdisciplinary team, using verbal, nonverbal, and written methods;
• use the nursing process and clinical reasoning skills to recognize and report on basic and evolving patient needs, and contribute to the development and implementation of a plan of care under the direction of a registered nurse or other licensed healthcare provider;
• demonstrate competence in using electronic-based resources to support evidence-based learning, assist in informed clinical decision-making, and promote safe and effective patient care;
• apply the nursing process and clinical reasoning skills to recognize and report patient needs, and to contribute to the prioritization, development, and implementation of a plan of care under the supervision of a registered nurse or other licensed healthcare provider;
• provide safe, patient-centered nursing care by applying the nursing process, demonstrating clinical judgment, and utilizing skills competency while assisting in the care of diverse patients and families across the lifespan, under the direction of a registered nurse or other licensed healthcare provider.

Course Requirements

Note: Clinical instruction is conducted in area hospitals.