Vocational Nursing Program
Certificate or Associate Degree Option

Imperial Valley College offers a Vocational Nursing Program for students who are in good health, over 18, and eligible for admission.   The program prepares graduates to provide basic bedside nursing care to patients and/or clients under the direction of a physician or registered nurse.  Duties of the LVN include provision of basic hygienic and nursing care, measurement of vital signs, basic client assessment, documentation, performance of prescribed medical treatments, administration of prescribed medications, and performance of non-medicated intravenous therapy and blood withdrawal (requires separate Board certification).

The program is accredited by the California Board of Vocational Nurse and Psychiatric Technicians and provides equal opportunities to men and women.  After completion of the program, students are eligible to take the VN licensure examination (NCLEX PN).  Students may opt to take the certificate option or Associate degree option of the program.  Both options equally prepare the student to take the NCLEX PN.

Admission Requirements

Students who have met the following requirements are eligible for admission: 

1. Graduation from a US high school or the GED test
   
2. A minimum grade point average of 2.0 in the following prerequisite courses:     
   ENG 101 / PSYCH 101 / BIO 090 / AHP 100

Selection Criteria

Applications will be considered by a selections committee based on the new admission criteria guideline for points.  Determination of acceptance will be based on an overall grade point average (GPA) of prerequisites. Meeting these requirements does NOT guarantee admission into the program.  If there are more applicants than spaces available within the program, applicants will be placed in two groups: 

Group A:  This group will consist of applicants who have completed ALL prerequisites as listed above with a grade of "C" or better.

Group B: This group will consist of applicants who are currently enrolled in any of the prerequisites but will be completing them at the end of that semester.

Application Procedures

The following must be received to be considered for the program:    

• Application form 
  
• Copy of US high school transcript, diploma, or GED (foreign transcripts must be formally evaluated)
  
• Copy of the IVC Webstar transcript and copies of all colleges attended outside IVC

Students will also be required to obtain an American Heart Association BLS Healthcare Provider card by the time the program begins.

Deadlines
 

Advisement:

It is strongly recommended that all students meet with the IVC Nursing Counselor before submitting an application to be aware of all options available for the certificate or Associate degree.  Both options prepare the student to take their licensure exam at the end of the program.  For an appointment, contact the IVC Counseling Office at (760) 355-6246.  The counselor can be reached directly at (760) 355-6259 or by email stella.orfanos-woo@imperial.edu.

Course of Study

The following prerequisites are required with a 2.0 or higher before entering the program:

	Prequisites		Units
	ENG 101	Reading & Composition	3
	PSY 101	General Psychology	3
	BIOL 090    Anatomy/Physiology for Health Occupat.		3
	AHP 100	Medical Terminology	3
	First Semester
	VN 110	Introduction to Patient Care I	5
	VN 112	Introduction to Patient Care II	5
	VN 114	Pharmacology I	1.5
	VN 116	Patient Care Management/ Critical Thkg	2.5
	PSYCH 204	Dev. Psych (Conception to Death)	3
	Second Semester
	VN 122	Common Health Problems I	5.5
	VN 124	Pharmacology II	2
	VN 120	Maternity Cycle	5.5
	Third Semester
	VN 130	Common Health Problems II	5.5
	VN 132	Common Health Problems III	5.5

Progression Policy:

A total of 53 units are required for the certificate of completion and 68 units for the degree.  All courses are taken in sequence.  Each course within the major must be completed with a C or better to progress to the next level.  All skills and clinical components of each course must be completed with a Satisfactory to progress to the next level.  PSYCH 204 must be completed in the semester indicated with a grade of C or better to progress to the next level of nursing.

To review the degree requirements in the IVC catalog, log on to the IVC website at www.imperial.edu under Students. 

Estimated Expenses

Below is a breakdown of estimated costs students can expect to pay while in the program.  A more detailed expense sheet is available from the Nursing Office.

Tuition - 53 units @ $36/unit (2011-12 rate) = $1,908

Textbooks - $1,200

ATI Testing Assessments - $650

Lab Fees - $75

Uniforms & Supplies - $280

Liability Insurance - $26

NCLEX Review - $200

Graduation Fees - $100-150

NCLEX Licensure - $482

Students are advised to meet with a financial aid technician regarding grant, loan, and scholarship information.  

Location

IVC is located on the intersection of Highway 111 and Aten Road, approximately 5 miles north off the Hwy 111 exit from I-8, 4 miles east from the city of Imperial on Aten Road, and 9 miles south from Brawley.  A map to the campus is available on the website:  www.imperial.edu. The Nursing Division Office is located next to the North Parking Lot, in the 2100 Health Sciences Building, Room 2155. 

For more information, contact the IVC Nursing Office at (760) 355-6348, or by email laura.hartsock@imperial.edu.