Certificate | SC Program: CT.3265

Program Overview

To learn more about the program including cost, application process, enrollment criteria, and more, please visit the Vocational Nursing Certificate Program website.

Vocational Nursing Certificate

This curriculum is designed to prepare selected individuals to provide nursing care requiring technical-manual skills under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or physician. Upon successful completion of the program, a student receives a Certificate of Completion and is eligible to take the NCLEX-PN for licensure as a Vocational Nurse. Students who have had previous education and experience in nursing will be given the opportunity to receive credit toward completion of the program.

This certificate is approved through the California Community College Chancellor’s Office. Upon satisfactory completion of the listed requirements and filing an application for graduation with Admissions and Records, the student’s transcript will reflect completion of this certificate.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this certificate:

  • 90% of those students who are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensing Examination for Vocational Nurses (NCLEX-PN) will pass the examination within the first six months of the first attempt.

Requirements for Enrollment into the Program 

Space in the program is limited. A new class is enrolled every three semesters. In order to be eligible for enrollment, students must satisfy the prerequisites listed Below and file an enrollment packet with the Admissions Office during designated enrollment periods in each semester. All qualified applicants are placed on a waiting list and enrolled on a space available basis in the order of their accepted application date. Specific information is available in the Enrollment Process tab on our website.

Students must meet all of the following requirements for application:

  • Students must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
  • Students must be a current Certified Nurse Aide (CNA).
  • Students must complete the following prerequisite courses with a C grade or better. No in-progress courses will be accepted.

Health & Safety Clinical Clearance

Upon acceptance for enrollment, students must meet additional clinical requirements. All students participating in clinical experiences must submit proof of immunity of specific immunizations or serum titers, cleared criminal background check, negative drug screen, current physical examination and negative TB screening, and provide current valid Basic Life Support-Health Care Provider card (CPR) which includes adult, child & infant resuscitation with two person rescue and AED training). Students are financially responsible for meeting these requirements according to established program process. Specific information is available on the Health and Safety Requirements tab on the website or students may call the Division Office (530) 339-3600.

Choose your path

Map your education by viewing the program map for the degree or certificate you’re interested in earning below. Meet with a counselor to create your official comprehensive education plan.

A program map shows all the required and recommended courses you need to graduate and a suggested order in which you should take them. The suggested sequence of courses is based on enrollment and includes all major and general education courses required for the degree.

Fall Semester, First Year

13 Units Total
BIOL 5
GE 3
Introduction to Human Biology
BIOL 5
Units 3
This is a one-semester introductory course in human anatomy and physiology presented with a medical emphasis. Selected topics on eleven organ systems are covered. This course is intended to serve medical assistants, licensed vocational nursing, and fire science majors. It also complements child development and nutrition majors. BIOL 5 is a prerequisite for the LVN program. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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BIOL 6
1
Human Biology Lab
BIOL 6
Units 1
Note: Online BIOL 6 will not fulfill the LVN requirement.

This laboratory course is designed to complement BIOL 5 and is a one-semester human anatomy and physiology laboratory course. Exercises include anatomical language, microscopy, membrane transport processes, skeletal muscle contraction, cardiology, blood pressures, pulmonary ventilation, and enzymatic digestion. The anatomy of eleven organ systems is also included. BIOL 6 is a prerequisite for the LVN program. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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ECE 1
GE 3
Human Development
ECE 1
Units 3
This course involves a study of development and behavior throughout the human life span. Classic and up-to-date research on the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains will be presented. Theories will be integrated with practical application concepts throughout the course, underscoring the importance of life-long learning and adaptation. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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NUTR 25
GE 3
Nutrition
NUTR 25
Units 3
This course provides a comprehensive study of the relationship between nutrition and human biology. A study of nutrients and their biological functions, chemical classifications, sources, digestion, absorption, metabolic pathways, chemical reactions, and the interplay of neural, enzymatic, and hormonal mechanisms will be emphasized. The sequential steps of the scientific method will be explored. Students will identify and apply relevant scientific research in nutrition guidelines, health, weight regulation, sports nutrition, the diet-disease relationship, psych-social impact on food choice, and analysis of special nutritional requirements and needs during the life cycle.
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PSYC 1A
3
General Psychology
PSYC 1A
Units 3
Advisory: College-level writing skills

This course provides an introduction to psychology, the study of the mind and behavior, as a science and as an applied field. The course provides an integration of physiological, cognitive, social-behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic, cultural, and evolutionary perspectives. Topics include research methods, the nervous system, perception, learning, thinking, memory, human development, social behavior, emotions, motivation, personality, abnormal behavior, and psychotherapy. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Spring Semester, First Year

15 Units Total
VOCN 160
M 15
Foundations of Nursing Practice
VOCN 160
Units 15
Limitation on Enrollment: Students must be enrolled in the Vocational Nursing Program.

Note: All students participating in clinical rotations must submit proof of drug screening and a background check prior to going into clinical facilities. Students are financially responsible for meeting these requirements according to the established program process.

This course is the first in the sequence of three required courses for the Vocational Nursing Program. The emphasis of this course is development of fundamental nursing skills. Theory content includes role of the vocational nurse, nursing trends, interpersonal relationships, disease processes, and pharmacology. The student practices fundamental nursing skills in the Clinical Skills Laboratory prior to clinical assignment in long-term and acute-care settings. A portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Fall Semester, Second Year

13 Units Total
VOCN 161
Pre. M 13
Nursing of Adults
VOCN 161
Units 13
Note: If not previously completed, all students participating in clinical rotations must submit proof of drug screening and a background check prior to going into clinical facilities. Students are financially responsible for meeting these requirements according to the established program process.

This course is the second required course in the Vocational Nursing Program. The emphasis of this course is towards application of the nursing process in acute care settings. Theory content includes care of patients with common medical surgical problems with adaptation to address all age groups. The student develops competence in administration of medications and varied therapeutic skills to assigned patients with safety and increasing confidence. Assignments include practice in the Clinical Skills Laboratory and medical, surgical, and orthopedic areas in acute care settings. Students may be assigned in such optional areas as operating room and recovery room for follow-through experience with their assigned surgical patients and in an ambulatory center. A portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Spring Semester, Second Year

13 Units Total
VOCN 162
Pre. M 13
Nursing of Adults and Children
VOCN 162
Units 13
Note: If not previously completed, all students participating in clinical rotations must submit proof of drug screening and a background check prior to going into clinical facilities. Students are financially responsible for meeting these requirements according to the established program process.

This course is the last required course in the Vocational Nursing Program. The emphasis of this course is on principles of nursing care for maternity, newborn, and pediatric patients and continuing care of patients with more complex medical-surgical problems. Supervision/leadership skill behaviors are introduced in the long-term care setting. Assignments include clinical experience in the acute care, long-term care, home-care settings, medical, surgical, obstetrics (including nursery), pediatrics, acute progressive care, and outpatient clinics. A portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Please see a counselor to discuss options for meeting general education requirements for transfer to California State Universities (CSU) and/or University of California (UC) campuses, as well as any specific additional courses that may be required by your chosen institution of transfer.

*Alternative Courses: Please see a Shasta College counselor for alternative course options. You can also view the following to find other courses to meet degree/certificate requirements:

Need a print out? Feel free to download and/or print out a copy of the sample program map(s).

Contact Us for More Information

Academic/Instructional Division Office

Health Sciences

Contact Info
Location Downtown Redding Campus | 1400 Market Street, Suite 8204 | Redding, CA 96001
Mailing Health Sciences Division | PO Box 496006 | Redding, CA 96049-6006
Alternative Phone (530) 339-3661

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