Graduation, Licensure and Career Planning

Program Leading to Professional Licensure: CES College Vocational Nursing program curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure in the state of California.
CES College has not made a determination as to whether our Vocational Nursing program curriculum meets educational requirements for the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Individuals who wish to move to a state other than that in which the program is offered should research professional licensure and employment requirements in that state.

What is a licensed vocational nurse (LVN)?

An entry-level health care provider who is responsible for rendering basic nursing care.

A vocational nurse practices under the direction of a physician or registered nurse.

The licensee is not an independent practitioner.

Where are LVNs employed?

• Acute Medical/Surgical Hospitals
• Convalescent Hospitals (Long Term Care, Skilled Nursing)
• Home Care Agencies
• Outpatient Clinics
• Doctor’s Offices
• Ambulatory Surgery Centers
• Dialysis Centers
• Blood Banks
• Psychiatric Hospitals
• Correctional Facilities
• Vocational Nursing Programs

Methods of Entry-level Access as a Vocational Nurse

Requirements for vocational nursing licensure are specified in the Vocational Nursing Practice Act. There are five (5) methods by which one may qualify for the licensure examination. Each method is designed to provide an individual access into the job market as an entry-level practitioner.

Method #1: Graduation from a California “approved” Vocational Nursing Program.

Method #2: Graduation from an Out-of-State “approved” Practical/Vocational Nursing Program.

Method #3: Completion of equivalent education and experience.

• Pharmacology – 54 Hours
• Paid Bedside Nursing Experience – 51 Months
• Verification of Skill Proficiency.

Method #4: Completion of education and experience as a corpsman in the United States military.

• Twelve (12) months active duty rendering direct bedside patient care.
• Completion of the basic course in nursing in a branch of the armed forces.
• Honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions from the military

Method #5: Completion of equivalent experience.

CES College graduates apply for the license through method #1.  In order to graduate from the CES College Vocational Nursing program, the following graduation requirements need to be met:

Complete all course work with a minimum grade of 75 percent (75%) in classroom theory
Receive a grade of pass (75% or better) in clinical
Have fulfilled all required hours (clinical and classroom) in the program.
Pass the computer-based final exam and comprehensive final examinations. CES College is utilizing HESI Comprehensive exam. A score of 900 or above on the final HESI Exam is required for successful completion of the program. Students failing to achieve the required score after three attempts are not able to graduate from the program. Students can apply as non-graduates or, if they wish to, they can attempt to take an alternate exam. CES College utilizes the ATI Comprehensive Predictor exam in these cases. Students need to get a score of 70% or above and can have two attempts. Students will need to pay for the ATI exams. Students who are not able to achieve the required score will be terminated from the program and can apply as non-graduates. Please see the Vocational Nursing Program director if you have any questions.

VN students must meet all graduation
requirements, including pass the computer-based final examination within 200% of the planned program length.
All financial obligations must be met before diploma is issued.

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