Vocational nursing includes an introduction to the basic principles and theories of nursing, personal and community health, normal growth and development; normal aging processes and geriatric nursing; ethics and interpersonal relationships. Integration of these principles, including anatomy and physiology, provide a foundation in nursing upon which the student can build skills, knowledge and understanding in identifying nursing needs of patients with common disorders and disturbances of the body systems.

This is a three-semester certificate program. The program includes classes on the college campus with clinical training at approved hospitals within the area. Upon successful completion of the program, the student is eligible to take the examination for licensure as a Vocational Nurse.

Only students who have met all admission requirements will be considered for the program. The requirements for the associate degree may be completed during the fourth semester.

To be considered for the Vocational Nursing Program you must:

1. Return completed application.
2. Take Porterville College assessment tests (recommended).
3. Complete English P050, Math P065 with a grade of "C" or higher or have equivalent scores on the assessment tests.
4. Complete program prerequisites with a grade of "C" or higher. (These classes must be taken within five years of starting the VN Program.) They are:
   1. PTVN P009 – Nursing Fundamental Concepts
   2. Anatomy P052
   3. Psychology P101A
   4. Plus four to six general education courses are required.
5. Hold a CPR card which is good through the first semester of the Vocational Nursing Program. (Furnish Health Careers Office with copy.) Provide this after being accepted into the program.
6. Send:
   1. One copy of high school transcript to Health Careers.
   2. If you have not completed the 12th grade in high school but have a high school proficiency or GED instead, send a copy of it to Health Careers.
   3. One copy of transcripts from any college attended (including current Porterville College transcript) to Health Careers.
   4. One copy of transcripts from any other college attended to the Registrar.
   5. If you have any paid or volunteer experience in the health field a letter of verification of length of time and duties performed should be mailed to Health Careers.
7. It is the applicants' responsibility to see that all the above are on file in the Health Careers Office.
8. A point system is used for the admission process. Any class that meets a graduation requirement for the A.A. Degree will earn points towards admission to the VN Program. Points are given on completed grades.

First Semester	Formerly Called	Credits
PT/VN P101A - Fundamentals of Nursing		4
PT/VN P101B – Introduction to Medical/Surgical Nursing		5
PT/VN P010C – Life Span Development		2
PT/VN P101D – Clinical Practice		6
Second Semester
VNRS P025A – Endocrine System		2
VNRS P025B – Gastro Intestinal System		1½
VNRS P025C – Musculoskeletal System		1
VNRS P025D – Genito Urinary System		1
VNRS P025E - Diseases/Disorders-Eye and Ear		1
VNRS P025F – Integumentary System		1
VNRS P025G - Pediatrics		1½
VNRS P025H – Clinical Practice		6
Third Semester
VNRS P035A – Leadership/Communications		2
VNRS P035B – Maternity Nursing		2
VNRS P035C – Cardiovascular System		2
VNRS P035D – Respiratory System		2
VNRS P035E – Nervous System		2
VNRS P035F – Clinical Practice		6
All courses in each semester must be completed satisfactorily with a grade of "C" or higher before student may be enrolled in the next semester.

  Copyright © 2005 Porterville College