Becoming an LVN in Sacramento

Last Updated/Verified: Aug 25, 2024

The city of Sacramento is home to several colleges that support nurses through LVN programs.

Vocational nursing makes a great career choice right now, as there is a projected increased demand through the coming decades. This is due to projected greater healthcare needs and a large aging population.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is responsible for reporting on statistical data sets relating to employment and industries. They release a report every two years. In the most recent, they found 3,510 vocational nurses working in the Sacramento area.

A vocational nursing training program will usually take around a year of full-time study or two years of part-time study to complete.

The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians is responsible for licensing and nursing program approval in California.

The LVN curriculum usually includes courses such as:

Surgery Nursing
Obstetrics and Gynecology
IT for Healthcare
Pediatrics
Elder Care
Anatomy
Interpersonal Skills
Nutrition
Pharmacology
Mental Health
Psychosocial Nursing
Addiction Recovery

Schools That Offer LVN Programs in Sacramento, CA

Curam College of Nursing

Website: http://curamcollege.com/?page_id=75
Address: 6520 44th Street, Suite 312, Sacramento, CA 95823
Phone: 916-427-4400

The college’s Vocational Nursing Program includes theory in the classroom, lab work (testing) and on-the-job clinical experiences, in that sequence. Students will also study rehab nursing, communicable diseases, and ethics. Specialist areas include culturally congruent care and end of life care. Maximum intake is 20 students, keeping the program intimate.

Admission Requirements:

Minimum age of 18
Present social security card and another valid government ID
High School transcripts, or GED, or equivalent
Open to Certified Nursing Assistants – provide evidence from CA Department of Public Health
Background screening
Health screening including a Health Questionnaire and physical
Prove malpractice insurance details
Submit details of MMR, influenza, and hepatitis B; take a TB examination
Pass TEAS: Proficient, HESI: Satisfactory, Kaplan: 75% in each section, P-NAT: 65% overall
Two reference letters – both from nursing professionals, dated and signed, on company letterhead
Mandatory admissions essay explaining why you should be admitted into the program

Carrington College California

Website: https://carrington.edu/
Address: 8909 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95826
Phone: (916) 585-7770

Students at Carrington may graduate and apply for the NCLEX-PN exam or put their certificate towards an Associate of Science degree in nursing. Enrollees receive both classroom learning and clinical instruction in real-world environments. Along with the usual modules, you will also come to understand modern nursing trends.

Admission Requirements:

Wonderlic: Minimum score of 15
Mandatory interview
Submit to a physical examination and mental health evaluation
Background checks and drug screening
ATI TEAS with a minimum combined passing score of 53%
Two recommendation letters from either professors or employers
If you are already a CNA, admissions will evaluate for eligibility
Transcripts of college coursework – to be eligible, this must be within the last five years
Immunizations include MMR, varicella, hepatitis B, MMR, Tdap, and influenza; take a TB test

Charles A. Jones Skills and Business Education Center

Website: http://caj.scusd.edu/program-study/vocational-nursing-licensed-practicalvocational-nursing-training
Address: 5451 Lemon Hill Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95824
Phone: 916-395-5800

This is a 35-week program full-time at 40 hours per week, covering a range of traditional subjects. Additional courses include nursing practice and process, nursing ethics, care standards, preventative care, respiratory health, and immunology, among others.

Admission Requirements:

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent (submit transcripts)
Book an appointment for a virtual orientation
Pass assessment tests with a reading score of 243 and math of 236
Pass a nursing entrance exam –HESI, or TEAS, Kaplan, C-NET
Provide CPR or First Aid certification
Proof of pre-existing 200 hours of nursing care under a licensed professional; submit proof of CNA licensure
Mandatory drug test
Submit to criminal background checks
Negative TB test (alternatively, a chest X-ray)
Pre-requisite courses human growth and development, anatomy and physiology, nutrition, intro to pharmacology, math for meds, medical terminology, and introduction to psychology with minimum grade of C

Sacramento City College

Website: https://scc.losrios.edu/academics/nursing-program-details/apply-to-vn
Address: 3835 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95822
Phone: (916) 558-2111

This program proceeds over three semesters (one year). Graduates may apply their certificate to an associate degree or exit there and take the relevant NCLEX exam. The LVN curriculum includes rigorous clinical experience, classroom study, and lab work with full-time hours.

Admission Requirements:

Provide proof of High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent. If you have AA/AS, evidence of these should be provided
If you studied in a college outside the Los Rios Community College District, transcripts are required
Mandatory informational session
Anatomy and physiology with minimum 3.0 GPA - supply transcripts
Cumulative GPA on these programs: psychology, nutrition, medical language, and human development
Submit TEAS test scores

Unitek College

Website: https://www.unitekcollege.edu/programs/vocational-nursing/sacramento/
Address: 1111 Howe Avenue, Suite 300, Sacramento, CA 95825
Phone: 888-518-6601

Unitek offers a mix of classroom instruction, simulated lab work, and actual clinical work at a local facility. Students may enroll just for the certificate or apply to proceed onwards after the certificate to the associate degree at the school. Students will also learn laws and ethics, communication, and leadership skills.

Admission Requirements:

Open to those 18 years or older
Mandatory career planning session, plus am admissions interview
High school diploma, GED, or equivalent - submit proof of graduation / completion
Mandatory assessment entrance exam
Completed application form
Signed Enrollment Agreement
Submit to a background check
All VN PRQ courses must be complete 12 months before program commencement
Submit to a physical exam
Submit immunizations and TB testing details

MiraCosta College

Website: https://www.miracosta.edu/academics/degree-and-certificate-programs/health-sciences/nursing/lvn-program.html
Address: 2535 Capitol Oaks Dr. Suite 205; Sacramento, CA 95833
Phone: (916) 263-7843

This evening and weekend program helps those who are employed study on a schedule that suits their needs. It combines classroom lectures with clinical instruction. You may apply your certificate towards an associate degree. Other courses you will cover include communicable disease care, oncological nursing, neurosensory systems, and rehabilitation.

Admission Requirements:

Applicant must have been a resident in California for one year before the start date and provide proof of such. If they cannot, they will be subject to out of state tuition fees
Mandatory prerequisite courses are biology and body systems, math, basic pharmacology, and survey for health professionals. Provide transcripts
Minimum age of 17
Proof of high school graduation, or GED, or prior college degrees
Mandatory physical exam
Submit to lab tests for communicable diseases and provide proof of immunizations
Background check and drug screening

Employment Opportunities for LVNs in Sacramento

Sacramento has a number of employers who take on licensed vocational nurses. Here are the local healthcare organizations offering employment most regularly:

Other healthcare-related employment opportunities:

Sacramento NCLEX-PN Pass Rates

	Sacramento	California
NCLEX-PN Students Total	493	6,649
NCLEX-PN Students Passed	370	5,229
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate	75.1%	78.6%

Top Ranked LVN Programs in Sacramento

Listed below are the top LVN schools in Sacramento based on our LVN program rankings for CA out of 119 other accredited programs offered in the state: