Vocational Nursing

Porterville College will admit 30 Vocational Nursing students every third semester. 30 completers projected every third semester. 

The Porterville College Vocational Nursing Certificate of Achievement endorses the mission of Porterville College, which is: "With students as our focus, Porterville College provides our local and diverse communities quality education that promotes intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and lifelong learning while preparing the student for vocational and academic success."

• The Porterville College Vocational Nursing program adheres to this mission when offering the Vocational Nursing Certificate of Achievement. The mission of the Vocational Nursing Program is to provide an innovative, student-centered educational program that prepares diverse students as candidates to become Vocational Nurses to provide safe, quality, evidence-based care in the current healthcare environment. The program is market-conscious as it prepares students to practice as a Vocational Nurse in a variety of healthcare environments with input from the community represented through the program's Advisory Committee. Upon completion of the program, the graduate is qualified to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN)

In alignment with the mission of Porterville College, the Vocational Nursing program provides a solid base for continued lifelong learning as a vocational nurse. Although the Vocational Nursing program is not a degree program, the vocational nursing graduates are prepared with the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies to continue their education. Employment in the field of vocational nursing is good both locally and regionally. The Licensed Vocational Nurse enjoys a well-compensated, rewarding, highly flexible career, which should continue in the future.

Program Learning Outcomes
1.Provide safe, therapeutic, client-centered nursing care to diverse clients across the lifespan utilizing evidence-based practice in a variety of healthcare settings.
2.Exercise clinical judgment to make client-centered care decisions.
3.Participate in quality improvement processes to improve client care outcomes.
4.Participate in teamwork and collaboration with members of the interdisciplinary team, the client, and the client’s support persons.
5.Use information management systems and client care technology to communicate and support safe client care.
6.Incorporate professionalism, leadership, management, legal, and ethical principles to guide practice as a Vocational Nurse.

The Vocational Nursing COA program is a three-semester certificate program and includes the study of anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, basic nursing skills, medical-surgical nursing, and maternal-child nursing. Students gain on hands experience in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and clinics. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

ENROLLMENT ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:  (a) Graduation from an accredited high school, or successful completion of General Education Development (GED) or California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE). Graduates from outside the United States must have transcripts evaluated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) approved independent agency. A minimum C or higher or better is required for ALL Prerequisite courses. 

     ▫  HCRS P008 Introduction Human Anatomy & Physiology OR BIOL P052 Survey of Human Anatomy and Physiology

     ▫  HCRS P009 Health Careers Fundamental Concepts

     ▫  NURS P100 Strategies for Success Nursing Programs

ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Eligible students are selected for the program according to the following steps: (a) Pre-enrollment applications and deadlines for the Vocational Nursing program are available from the Health Careers Division or the program website. (b) Selection is based on a random selection process from among the qualified applicants and is subject to space availability. Students must reapply each semester. There is no waiting list. (c) Only students who meet the educational admission requirements and follow the pre-enrollment procedures will be considered for the program. Meeting all these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

NOTE: As a condition of enrollment into the vocational nursing program, the student is required to have a physical examination, inoculations, tuberculosis clearance, drug screen, background check, and current BLS card (at the student’s expense). The student is responsible for providing uniforms, laboratory fees, necessary equipment, and transportation to off-campus laboratory locations. There are morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend clinical experiences that may change with limited notice.

PROGRAM APPROVAL

The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians approves the Porterville College Vocational Nursing program.

REQUIRED CORE COURSES

VNRS P070 Fundamental Concepts of Vocational Nursing Practice

VNRS P071 Concepts of Vocational Nursing Care of the Adult 1

VNRS P072 Concepts of Vocational Nursing Care of the Adult II

VNRS P073 Concepts of Vocational Nursing Care Across the Lifespan

POLICY FOR GRANTING CREDIT FOR PREVIOUS EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

The Porterville College Vocational Nursing Program has established criteria for past education and experience within the last five years. The amount of credit granted will not exceed two-thirds (2/3) of the total program hours. All requests for credit for previous education or experience will be initialed by the applicant/student, not by Porterville College or its employees.

• Approved vocational or practical nursing courses.
• Approved registered nursing courses.
• Approved psychiatric technician courses.
• Armed Services nursing courses.
• Certified nurse assistant courses.
• Other courses the school determines equivalent to courses in the program.

Competency-based credit shall be granted for knowledge or skill acquired through experience. Credit shall be determined by written and/or practical examination (CCR Title 16 Article 5 Schools of Vocational Nursing Section 2535).

REQUEST FOR CREDIT GRANTING

• The student shall request credit granting and submit official transcripts or other documents verifying course content and supervised theory and clinical hours.
• All requests for granting credit for education or experience and official documents must be submitted to the Program Director with the pre-enrollment application.

PROCESS FOR GRANTING CREDIT FOR PREVIOUS EDUCATION

• Transcripts and other documentation of course content will be reviewed by the Program Director.
• The number of credit hours granted and the nature of credit granted will be recorded, signed by the Program Director, and maintained in the student file.

PROCESS FOR GRANTING CREDIT FOR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

• Documents will be reviewed for equivalent experience, content, and hours by the Program Director.
• Assessment of knowledge will be conducted by a program instructor who is a content expert in the specific experience area. The assessment may include written and practical examinations.
• The number of credit hours granted and the nature of credit granted will be recorded, signed by the Program Director and program instructor, and maintained in the student file.