Gain the skills and training you need to succeed. Through a Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) program, you can learn important, life-saving skills from expert faculty in labs and classrooms that are modeled after real medical settings.
Choosing the right vocational nursing school can be difficult. At ACC, we emphasize hands-on training and real-world preparation. Our Vocational Nursing training program is designed to prepare you for the national licensing examination, which is needed in order to become an LVN.
Train to become a vocational nurse on a schedule that works for you. Complete the program in as little as 12 months, or opt for the Evenings and Weekends program and complete in just 18 months.
If you live in Southern California, you can find an ACC VN program near you! We offer our Vocational Nursing program at our three Southern California campuses:
Program approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT)
Is the Vocational Nursing Trainging Program Right for you?
Learn more about what's in store for you in the Vocational Nursing diploma program. For more on vocational nursing courses, visit the college catalog.
Module Number |
Title |
Theory Hours |
Skill Lab Hours |
Clinical Hours |
Total Hours |
Quarter Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AP100 | Intro to Anatomy & Physiology | 50 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 5.0 |
NT100 | Nutrition | 30 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 3.0 |
VN010 | Fundamentals of Nursing | 80 | 0 | 0 | 80 | 8.0 |
VN010L | Fundamentals of Nursing Lab | 0 | 120 | 0 | 120 | 6.0 |
VN010C | Fundamentals of Nursing Clinical | 0 | 0 | 64 | 64 | 2.0 |
Totals |
160 |
120 |
64 |
344 |
24.0 |
Module Number |
Title |
Theory Hours |
Skill Lab Hours |
Clinical Hours |
Total Hours |
Quarter Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PHR100 | Pharmacology 1 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 2.5 |
VN020 | Intro to Medical - Surgical Nursing | 60 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 6.0 |
VN020C | Intro to Medical - Surgical Nursing Clinical | 0 | 0 | 160 | 160 | 5.0 |
Totals |
87 |
0 |
160 |
247 |
13.5 |
Module Number |
Title |
Theory Hours |
Skill Lab Hours |
Clinical Hours |
Total Hours |
Quarter Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PHR200 | Pharmacology 2 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 2.5 |
VN030 | Intermediate Medical-Surgical Nursing | 90 | 0 | 0 | 90 | 9.0 |
VN030C | Intermediate Medical-Surgical Nursing Clinical | 0 | 0 | 240 | 240 | 8.0 |
Totals |
117 |
0 |
240 |
357 |
19.5 |
Module Number |
Title |
Theory Hours |
Skill Lab Hours |
Clinical Hours |
Total Hours |
Quarter Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VN040 | Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing | 100 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 10.0 |
VN040C | Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing Clinical | 0 | 0 | 240 | 240 | 8.0 |
LD100 | Life Span Development | 30 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 3.0 |
Totals |
130 |
0 |
240 |
370 |
21.0 |
Module Number |
Title |
Theory Hours |
Skill Lab Hours |
Clinical Hours |
Total Hours |
Quarter Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VN050 | Maternal Child Nursing | 30 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 3.0 |
VN050LC | Maternal Child Nursing Lab & Clinical | 0 | 30 | 30 | 60 | 2.5 |
CC050 | Clinical Capstone | 0 | 0 | 70 | 70 | 2.0 |
CM050 | Concept Mastery | 52 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 5.0 |
Totals |
82 |
30 |
100 |
212 |
12.5 |
Module Number: AP100 | |
---|---|
Title | Intro to Anatomy & Physiology |
Theory Hours | 50 |
Skill Lab Hours | 0 |
Clinical Hours | 0 |
Total Hours | 50 |
Quarter Credits | 5.0 |
Module Number: NT100 | |
Title | Nutrition |
Theory Hours | 30 |
Skill Lab Hours | 0 |
Clinical Hours | 0 |
Total Hours | 30 |
Quarter Credits | 3.0 |
Module Number: VN010 | |
Title | Fundamentals of Nursing |
Theory Hours | 80 |
Skill Lab Hours | 0 |
Clinical Hours | 0 |
Total Hours | 80 |
Quarter Credits | 8.0 |
Module Number: VN010L | |
Title | Fundamentals of Nursing Lab |
Theory Hours | 0 |
Skill Lab Hours | 120 |
Clinical Hours | 0 |
Total Hours | 120 |
Quarter Credits | 6.0 |
Module Number: VN010C | |
Title | Fundamentals of Nursing Clinical |
Theory Hours | 0 |
Skill Lab Hours | 0 |
Clinical Hours | 64 |
Total Hours | 64 |
Quarter Credits | 2.0 |
TOTALS |
|
Theory Hours | 160 |
Skill Lab Hours | 120 |
Clinical Hours | 64 |
Total Hours< | 344 |
Quarter Credits | 24.0 |
Module Number: PHR100 | |
---|---|
Title | Pharmacology 1 |
Theory Hours | 27 |
Skill Lab Hours | 0 |
Clinical Hours | 0 |
Total Hours | 27 |
Quarter Credits | 2.5 |
Module Number: VN020 | |
Title | Intro to Medical - Surgical Nursing |
Theory Hours | 60 |
Skill Lab Hours | 0 |
Clinical Hours | 0 |
Total Hours | 60 |
Quarter Credits | 6.0 |
Module Number: VN020C | |
Title | Intro to Medical - Surgical Nursing Clinical |
Theory Hours | 0 |
Skill Lab Hours | 0 |
Clinical Hours | 160 |
Total Hours | 160 |
Quarter Credits | 5.0 |
TOTALS |
|
Theory Hours | 87 |
Skill Lab Hours | 0 |
Clinical Hours | 160 |
Total Hours< | 247 |
Quarter Credits | 13.5 |
Module Number: PHR200 | |
---|---|
Title | Pharmacology 2 |
Theory Hours | 27 |
Skill Lab Hours | 0 |
Clinical Hours | 0 |
Total Hours | 27 |
Quarter Credits | 2.5 |
Module Number: VN030 | |
Title | Intermediate Medical-Surgical Nursing |
Theory Hours | 90 |
Skill Lab Hours | 0 |
Clinical Hours | 0 |
Total Hours | 90 |
Quarter Credits | 9.0 |
Module Number: VN030C | |
Title | Intermediate Medical-Surgical Nursing Clinical |
Theory Hours | 0 |
Skill Lab Hours | 0 |
Clinical Hours | 240 |
Total Hours | 240 |
Quarter Credits | 8.0 |
TOTALS |
|
Theory Hours | 117 |
Skill Lab Hours | 0 |
Clinical Hours | 240 |
Total Hours< | 357 |
Quarter Credits | 19.5 |
Module Number: VN040 | |
---|---|
Title | Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing |
Theory Hours | 100 |
Skill Lab Hours | 0 |
Clinical Hours | 0 |
Total Hours | 100 |
Quarter Credits | 10.0 |
Module Number: VN040C | |
Title | Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing Clinical |
Theory Hours | 0 |
Skill Lab Hours | 0 |
Clinical Hours | 240 |
Total Hours | 240 |
Quarter Credits | 8.0 |
Module Number: LD100 | |
Title | Life Span Development |
Theory Hours | 30 |
Skill Lab Hours | 0 |
Clinical Hours | 0 |
Total Hours | 30 |
Quarter Credits | 3.0 |
TOTALS |
|
Theory Hours | 130 |
Skill Lab Hours | 0 |
Clinical Hours | 240 |
Total Hours< | 370 |
Quarter Credits | 21.0 |
Module Number: VN050 | |
---|---|
Title | Maternal Child Nursing |
Theory Hours | 30 |
Skill Lab Hours | 0 |
Clinical Hours | 0 |
Total Hours | 30 |
Quarter Credits | 3.0 |
Module Number: VN050LC | |
Title | Maternal Child Nursing Lab & Clinical |
Theory Hours | 0 |
Skill Lab Hours | 30 |
Clinical Hours | 30 |
Total Hours | 60 |
Quarter Credits | 2.5 |
Module Number: CC050 | |
Title | Clinical Capstone |
Theory Hours | 0 |
Skill Lab Hours | 0 |
Clinical Hours | 70 |
Total Hours | 70 |
Quarter Credits | 2.0 |
Module Number: CM050 | |
Title | Concept Mastery |
Theory Hours | 52 |
Skill Lab Hours | 0 |
Clinical Hours | 0 |
Total Hours | 52 |
Quarter Credits | 5.0 |
TOTALS |
|
Theory Hours | 82 |
Skill Lab Hours | 30 |
Clinical Hours | 100 |
Total Hours< | 212 |
Quarter Credits | 12.5 |
Get the hands-on training and clinical experience you need to pursue a career as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) in as little as 12 months or 18 months for evenings/weekends. The Vocational Nursing program at ACC is offered at our Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County campuses — each equipped with industry-current equipment to help you build real-world nursing skills.
LVNs are essential members of the healthcare team, providing bedside care and supporting doctors and registered nurses in a variety of healthcare settings. Responsibilities typically include, but are not limited to:
ACC’s program includes more than 800 hours of clinical training, giving you the opportunity to apply classroom instruction in real healthcare environments. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, you’ll be able to build confidence in key nursing procedures and patient care techniques.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to make a career change, ACC’s Vocational Nursing program is designed to help you take the next step toward licensure and a rewarding career in the healthcare field.
Passing the NCLEX-PN exam is a critical step toward becoming a licensed vocational nurse. ACC’s program is designed to help you feel confident and prepared on test day.
ACC’s Vocational Nursing program integrates NCLEX-PN preparation throughout the curriculum, helping to instill the clinical judgment and nursing knowledge the exam is designed to assess. Here’s how the program helps set you up for success:
Curriculum Aligned with NCLEX-PN Content
Courses are structured around key nursing concepts and patient care scenarios that mirror the categories tested on the exam.
Practice Exams & Review Tools
You’ll have access to NCLEX-style practice questions, diagnostic tests, and review resources designed to help you assess your progress and strengthen weaker areas.
Test-Taking Strategies & Support
Faculty provide guidance on how to approach different question types, manage time effectively, and reduce test-day anxiety.
Capstone Course Focused on Licensure Readiness
Toward the end of the program, students complete a capstone course that reinforces major learning objectives and simulates NCLEX-style conditions.
Highlights |
ACC’s Program |
---|---|
Approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) |
✔ |
Complete in 12 months |
✔ |
Evening/Weekends option |
✔ |
On-campus simulation labs |
✔ |
800-hour real-world clinical experience |
✔ |
Career services support |
✔ |
Financial aid and scholarships available for those who qualify |
✔ |
Multiple campuses in Southern California (Los Angeles, Ontario, and Anaheim) |
✔ |
Graduate resources and alumni network |
✔ |
To enroll in the Vocational Nursing program at ACC, you must fulfill all requirements including holding a high school diploma or GED equivalent, passing an entrance exam, and obtaining a background clearance. For more details, review our post about LVN prerequisites.
The Vocational Nursing programs at the Los Angeles, Orange County, and Ontario campuses are approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT). BVNPT 2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 205,Sacramento, CA 95833; Phone (916) 263-7800 / www.bvnpt.ca.gov
Approval by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) indicates that the program meets state standards. Once you graduate and pass the NCLEX-PN exam, you’ll be eligible to become a licensed vocational nurse in California. Without BVNPT approval, you wouldn’t be able to sit for the exam or legally work as an LVN in the state.
Looking for more information about what ACC's Vocational Nursing training program has to offer? Our brochure has important details about the program including:
Download the brochure to explore everything that ACC’s Vocational Nursing program has to offer and take the next step toward your future in healthcare.
LVNs work hands-on with patients as an important part of their patient care team. Under the direction of registered nurses and doctors, LVNs use their skills to provide basic patient care.
Here are some things LVNs do:
If you have a passion for helping others in their time of need, nursing might be right for you.
Here are some of the top skills and attributes that make for a great vocational nurse:
Service orientation – A great vocational nurse is one with a passion for helping patients and for providing the best care possible.
Coordination – Vocational nurses should be able to adapt and coordinate care depending on patient needs.
Social perceptiveness – Being aware of and understanding patients’ reactions helps vocational nurses provide patient-centered service.
Active listening – Vocational nurses should be able to actively listen to patients’ needs and concerns, asking appropriate questions when necessary.
Judgement and decision making – Nurses should be able to judge each patient’s case and decide on how to provide the best possible care for each individual.
Vocational nurses can work in a variety of settings, including:
The American Career College Vocational Nursing curriculum is divided into five class modules approximately 10 weeks in length (15 weeks for evenings/weekends). Each class module comprises prescribed courses of study that build upon each other.
You will begin your training with an introduction to the role of the student nurse in the Vocational Nursing program and the nursing profession. You will then progress sequentially until all class modules have been successfully completed:
Foundational Nursing Concepts – Course material will introduce you to human anatomy and physiology, nutrition, and the fundamentals of nursing as they pertain to caring for the surgical patient, pre- and post-operatively. You’ll begin skill lab and clinical instruction to help you apply basic nursing techniques in real-world settings.
Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing – This course sequence introduces you to pharmacology and the principles of medical-surgical nursing. You’ll spend time in clinical environments, applying what you’ve learned to patient care scenarios under the supervision of clinical instructors and registered nurses.
Intermediate Medical-Surgical Nursing – In this module, you’ll continue your study of pharmacology while advancing into intermediate medical-surgical nursing topics including caring for patients with alterations of health, such as cardiac, blood and lymphatics, endocrine, urinary systems and fluid and electrolytes. Clinical hours increase, giving you more hands-on practice.
Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing – Course material in this module covers more complex nursing scenarios, including patients with multi-system needs. This module also includes a course in life span development, helping you understand patient care across different age groups.
Specialized Nursing & NCLEX-PN Prep – Your final term focuses on maternal-child nursing, a clinical capstone course, and a concept mastery course designed to help you review and prepare for the NCLEX-PN exam, which is the final step toward becoming a licensed vocational nurse — as well as the Exit HESI examination, which is a graduation requirement for ACC’s program.
For a complete description of coursework in these modules, please refer to the ACC Catalog.
Students can earn their diploma to become a vocational nurse in as little as 12 months. Students in the Vocational Nursing Evenings and Weekends program can earn their diploma in as little as 18 months.
Our admissions advisors and financial aid advisors are here to support you. They can help you figure out the vocational nursing school cost and help you explore financial aid options.
To learn more about ACC’s Vocational Nursing program cost, access our tuition info.
Yes, financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify. Visit our financial aid page to learn more about available opportunities.
Yes! ACC's Vocational Nursing program includes over 800 hours of clinicals which gives students the opportunity to demonstrate and reinforce the knowledge and skills they acquired learning hands-on throughout the training program.
ACC’s vocational nursing curriculum is designed to help prepare students for the NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses) exam.
Our classes are modeled after real-life situations, using the same medical equipment you'll come across in your first job. That way, you're prepared to jump in on your very first day.
"ACC set the foundation for my nursing skills, for my love of nursing. I said to myself ‘I’m just gonna go for it and keep going.’ And I never stopped."
- Nikolas N. ‘22
Are you a go-getter and problem-solver who loves being on the move? And do you have a deep desire to help others within healthcare settings? If so, you may be cut out to be a nurse.
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Ontario Campus: Voted Best Career College in the 2024 Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Readers Choice Awards.
LA Campus: Voted Best Career College in the 2024 LA Daily News Readers Choice Awards.
OC Campus: Voted Best Career College in the 2024 San Gabriel Valley Tribune Readers Choice Awards.