Vocational Nursing

The Vocational Nursing Associate Degree Program at Platt College is an on-campus, full-time program that includes required laboratory instruction and supervised clinical education and follows an established associate-degree curriculum sequence.

Program features include:

• Associate Degree in Vocational Nursing
• Eligibility to apply for the NCLEX-PN licensure examination, subject to applicable requirements
• Program approval by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT)
• Provisional approval at the Alhambra Campus
• Full approval at the Riverside Campus
• On-campus delivery with required labs and supervised clinical rotations
• Institutional accreditation by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
• Approval to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE)
• Student services available during enrollment, including academic advising, financial aid guidance, and Career Services

Platt College programs are educational in nature.

Completion of the program does not guarantee licensure, certification, or employment.

The Vocational Nursing program provides comprehensive instruction in nursing theory, clinical skills, and patient care, preparing students to practice as vocational nurses under appropriate supervision.

Instruction includes:

• Foundations of vocational nursing
• Pharmacology and medication administration
• Medical-surgical nursing
• Maternal and newborn nursing
• Pediatric nursing
• Mental health and psychiatric nursing
• Nursing leadership and professional practice
• Patient assessment, documentation, and communication
• Infection control and patient safety
• Ethical and legal considerations in nursing

Students complete hands-on skills training in on-campus nursing laboratories and participate in supervised clinical rotations in real healthcare settings.

NCLEX-PN preparation is integrated throughout the curriculum.

The full-time Vocational Nursing Associate Degree Program is designed to be completed in 18 months.

Vocational Nursing Associate’s Degree:

• 1,760 clock hours
• 118 quarter credits

Program length may vary based on enrollment format and individual progression.

Upon successful completion of Vocational Nursing Associate Degree Program all academic, clinical, attendance, and institutional requirements, graduates are awarded an:

• Associate Degree in Vocational Nursing

The Vocational Nursing Associate Degree Program is offered at:

• Alhambra (BVNPT provisional approval)
• Riverside (BVNPT full approval)

The Vocational Nursing program is delivered on campus in a structured cohort format and includes:

• Classroom-based instruction
• Hands-on training in on-campus nursing labs
• Required supervised clinical rotations at affiliated healthcare facilities

Yes. Supervised clinical practice is a required component of the Vocational Nursing program.

• Clinical rotations may include experiences in:
• Medical-surgical nursing
• Maternal and newborn care
• Pediatrics
• Mental health and community nursing
• Leadership and transition-to-practice experiences

These rotations allow students to apply classroom and lab instruction in real healthcare environments under appropriate supervision.

The program provides education applicable to entry-level vocational nursing roles, subject to licensure requirements.

• Graduates may seek employment in supervised healthcare settings such as:
• Acute care hospitals
• Long-term care facilities
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Other healthcare environments that utilize vocational nursing services

Employment outcomes vary by individual and licensure status.

The Vocational Nursing Associate Degree Program may be appropriate for individuals seeking:

• An on-campus vocational nursing associate degree
• Required laboratory and clinical education
• A program operating under BVNPT approval
• A structured academic and clinical schedule

Prospective students should speak with Admissions and review required disclosures prior to enrollment.

In addition to general enrollment requirements, the Vocational Nursing program-specific requirements include:

• Proof of high school graduation, GED, or equivalent
• Passing score on a standardized entrance examination
• Completing a personal admissions interview and tour of the campus
• Meeting BVNPT-related requirements, including age and educational prerequisites
• Meeting applicable health, background, and clinical participation requirements

All requirements are reviewed during the enrollment process.

Transfer credit for applicable general education coursework may be considered, subject to transcript evaluation and academic approval.

Vocational nursing technical and clinical coursework generally must be completed within the approved program sequence to meet BVNPT requirements.

The Vocational Nursing program costs include:

• Tuition
• Books and supplies

The most current cost information can be found in the Catalog Addendum and will also be reviewed during the enrollment process.

Financial aid is available to qualified students for both the Diploma and Associate’s Degree Vocational Nursing programs.

Eligibility and available funding options are reviewed during the financial aid portion of the enrollment process.

Yes. The Vocational Nursing Associate Degree Program is approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT):

• Provisional approval at the Alhambra Campus
• Full approval at the Riverside Campus
• Platt College also holds institutional accreditation by ACCSC and approval to operate by BPPE.

Graduates of a BVNPT-approved vocational nursing program may be eligible to apply for licensure, subject to applicable requirements.

In California:

• Graduation from a BVNPT-approved program is required to apply for the NCLEX-PN
• Passing the NCLEX-PN is required to become licensed as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
• Program completion does not guarantee licensure.

No. This program is delivered on campus and includes required in-person laboratory instruction and supervised clinical education.

The Associate Degree includes general education coursework in addition to vocational nursing instruction.

The Diploma program is a separate pathway with different program length and credential outcomes.

The enrollment process includes:

• Requesting information and speaking with Admissions
• Completing a personal admissions interview and tour of the campus
• Completing required entrance examination(s)
• Submitting required documentation
• Reviewing required institutional disclosures
• Completing enrollment paperwork
• Beginning the program in the next available cohort