The Top Vocational Nursing Schools In Southern California
Prospective vocational nurses can choose from a variety of accredited LVN programs in Southern California. From Santa Barbara all the way south to San Diego, the Golden State’s lower half offers a multitude of high quality schools that can prepare you in two years or less for an exciting, lucrative career in vocational nursing.
This article takes a look at 10 of the most highly-regarded LVN programs in California‘s southern half. All of these schools are accredited by the state’s BVNPT (Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians) and are regarded as being of the highest quality both in terms of education offered and professionalism.
A Word About the Criteria Used for the List
The following list ranks LVN schools in Southern California based on the size of the program (i.e. total number of graduates per year) and, more importantly, the 2010 NCLEX-PN pass rate for their first-time graduates.
As a result of the second qualifier, the list is obviously biased against smaller programs. This actually reflects the reality one is likely to discover in the job market, however, where graduates from larger, better-known programs are often given preference in hiring.
The 10 Leading LVN Programs in Southern California
No. 10 – CNI (Orange)
With its 52-week program producing a 75% pass rate on the NCLEX-PN among its graduates since 2007, CNI offers one of the leading LVN programs in Orange County. Given an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau in 2011, the institute seems to have tightened its admissions requirements over the past two years which has resulted in a reduction in class sizes from 134 in 2007 to 79 in 2010, but a dramatic increase in pass rates from 55% to an impressive 92% last year.
No. 9 – Marian College (Los Angeles)
Despite being the larger, and more highly-regarded of Marian College’s two Southern California LVN programs, the Los Angeles campus operates one of the smaller vocational nursing schools on our list. Marian reduced its class sizes even further in the last year to the apparent benefit of its graduates, who saw their NCLEX-PN pass rate improve to 89% in 2010 from the 80% the program had averaged over the previous three years.
No. 8 – American Career College (Orange County)
One of the largest vocational nursing educators in California, American Career College offers LVN programs in Anaheim, Ontario and L.A. Its Orange County-based program has been particularly successful in recent years, sending over 80% of its 1,000-plus graduates into licensure three years in a row.
No. 7 – Casa Loma College (Van Nuys)
The Van Nuys location of Casa Loma College offers one of Los Angeles’ best vocational nursing programs. Despite comparatively high enrollment (more than 100 aspiring vocational nurses have gone through the program every year since 2007), the school routinely sends close to 84% of its graduates on to a successful NCLEX-PN result including a solid 88% in 2010.
No. 6 – Citrus Community College (Glendora)
Glendora’s Citrus Community College has sent an average of 80 prospective LVNs through its nursing program over the last four years to rave reviews in the job market. Over the last five years, 85% of Citrus graduates have become licensed LVNs on their first attempt at passing the NCLEX-PN.
No. 5 – Long Beach CC (Long Beach)
With a proven track record that boasts an 86% pass rate among its LVN graduates (highlighted by a record 92% in 2010) on the licensing exam, Long Beach City College offers one of the state’s finest public vocational nursing programs. Class sizes tend to be smaller (e.g. there were only 62 graduates last year), which leads to more one-on-one learning opportunity with instructors.
No. 4 – Concord Career Colleges (San Bernardino, Garden Grove, San Diego, North Hollywood)
The family of Concord Career Colleges represents one of the best collections of LVN programs in Southern California. Each of its four campuses routinely sees well over 80% of graduates pass the NCLEX-PN. Concord’s combined locations annually send almost 300 newly-licensed vocational nurses into the local health care industry, one of the highest total of any school in the state.
No. 3 – North Orange County ROP (Anaheim)
The Regional Occupation Program offered in Anaheim is every bit as excellent as it is affordable. With a total tuition cost of less than $2,000 for local high school students (and under $5,000 for adults), the 96% of graduates who have become LVNs after just 13 months of training have enjoyed one of the greatest bargains in the region.
No. 2 – Stanbridge College (Irvine)
The undisputed king of LVN programs in Orange County, Stanbridge College in Irvine won the 2008-009 School of Excellence Award from the ACCSC and was named as a finalist for the America’s Best Technical College Award from the IREI in 2010. Stanbridge boasts an astronomical 97% NCLEX-PN pass rate since launching its full-scale LVN program in 2008.
No. 1 – Riverside CC (Riverside)
The clear-cut choice for number one on our list, Riverside Community College is affordable, offers ideal class sizes, and provides the highest quality training. Providing top-notch training at community college prices, and sending 99% of its graduates successfully through the NCLEX-PN on their first attempt (the pass rate was 100% in 2010), Riverside Community College is clearly the cream of the crop among LVN programs in Southern California.
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