Licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), care for the sick, injured, convalescent, and disabled under the direction of the physicians and registered nurses. Most LVNs provide basic bedside care. They take vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration; prepare and give injections and enemas; apply dressings; and monitor catheters. LVNs observe patients and report adverse reactions to medications or treatments. They collect samples for testing, perform routine laboratory tests, feed patients, and record food and fluid intake and output. They help patients with bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene, keep them comfortable, and care for their emotional needs. In states where the law allows, they may administer prescribed medicines or start intravenous fluids.

Employment Characteristics

Licensed vocational nurses hold about 684,000 jobs. Twenty-nine percent of LVNs work in nursing homes, 28% work in hospitals, and 14% in physicians’ offices and clinics. Others work for home healthcare services, residential-care facilities, schools, temporary- help agencies, or government agencies.

Growth Rate

Employment of LVNs is expected to grow 10% to 20% by 2010 in response to long-term care needs and the general growth of health care. Nursing homes will offer the most new jobs for LVNs as the number of aged and disabled persons rises. Employment of LVNs this decade is expected to grow 36% or more in home healthcare services. This is in response to a growing number of older persons with functional disabilities, consumer preference for home care, and technological advances, which make it possible to offer complex treatments at home.

Earnings Potential

The median salary for a typical certified nursing assistant (CNA) in Los Angeles is $27,685 whereas a typical licensed vocational nurse (LVN) earns $42,365. (Source: Salary.com; October 2006)

Approvals

Homestead Schools, Inc. has been approved to operate a vocational nursing program by the Bureau for Postsecondary and Vocational Education and the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians. The vocational nursing program is also approved by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.

Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
7777 Leesburg Pike, Suite 314N
Falls Church, VA 22043
Phone (703) 917-9503
Fax (703) 917-4109
Email: info@abhes.org

  Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education
1625 North Market Boulevard, Suite S-202
Sacramento, CA 95834
(916) 574-7720

"This institution's application for approval to operate has not yet been reviewed by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education."

Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians
2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 205
Sacramento, CA 95833-2945
(916) 263-7800

Program Objectives

The purpose of this program is to provide students with the didactic theory and clinical experiences necessary to function as a graduate vocational nurse in the health-care field. In order to accomplish this goal, the student will:

1. Become familiar with the roles and responsibilities, duties, clinical skills, and supervisory experiences necessary of the licensed vocational nurse.
2. Become familiar with and demonstrate the legal limitations and accountabilities within the scope of practice as defined in the Vocational Nursing Practice Act.
3. Develop communication, interpersonal, analytical and critical thinking skills and be able to implement them while carrying out the responsibilities of the licensed vocational nurse.
4. Become familiar with the health-care resources for a diverse ethnic community.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the employment opportunities available in the field of nursing.

Equipment 

Throughout the training, program students will use various types of equipment, such as anatomical torso and organ models, basins, computers, crutches, glucometers, hospital beds, anatomical mannequins, posey restraints, skeletons, sphygmomanometers, stethoscopes, thermometers, wheelchairs, and walkers.

Class Size and Length

Our next vocational nursing classes start in January 2008. We’ll have a day class (9 a.m.- 3 p.m.) and an evening class (4 p.m.-10 p.m.) with clinical training at different hours, including on weekends. Class sizes vary from 15 to 30 students. The length of the program is 1549 hours with 589 hours of theory and 960 hours of clinical training; this is equivalent to approximately 48 weeks.

We also offer a part- time VN program of 18- month duration. This allows you to keep your present job while training for vocational nursing.

Click here for the accelerated vocational nursing program ("Challenging the Board")

Curriculum Content

• Vocational nurse program will include theory and correlated clinical experience.
• The curriculum will develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to care for patients of all ages in current health-care settings.
• Curriculum content will be taught in a sequence that results in students’ progressive mastery of knowledge, skills and abilities.
• The curriculum content will include:
  1. Anatomy and physiology
  2. Nutrition
  3. Psychology
  4. Normal growth and development
  5. Nursing fundamentals
  6. Nursing process
  7. Communication
  8. Patient education
  9. Pharmacology, which will include:
     1. Knowledge of commonly used drugs and their actions
     2. Computation of dosages
     3. Preparation of medications
     4. Principles of administration
  10. Communicable diseases, which will include but not be limited to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
  11. Gerontological nursing
  12. Rehabilitation nursing
  13. Maternity nursing
  14. Pediatric nursing
  15. Leadership
  16. Supervision

Program Hours

Admission Requirements

The vocational nursing program requires applicants to meet certain qualifications before admission into the program.  Its purpose is to maintain a high standard with entry-level students and maintain a lower attrition and failure rate.

 Each applicant must meet the following criteria:

• At least 17 years of age.
• Must visit the school to enroll.
• Must provide proof of 12^th grade education or its equivalent. A high school diploma or GED certificate is acceptable. Foreign graduates should have their high school and college transcripts evaluated for US 12^th grade equivalency by known credentials evaluating agency in the US.
• Pass an appropriate validated and standardized screening test for Essential Academic Skills (Math, Science & English-3 hrs.) and Self-Assessment (1 hour).
• Required passing score is 50% National Percentile.
• Complete an application for enrollment.
• Verification of education completed with official (sealed) transcripts sent from the institution directly to Homestead Schools for credit granting.  Transfer credit shall be given for related courses completed within the last five years.
• Submit a complete physical examination report (and record of required immunizations) signed by a physician/nurse practitioner attesting to candidate’s fitness to function in a clinical setting.
• Submit copy of a current CPR card.
• Complete the pre-requisite course:  Anatomy and Physiology, and General Psychology.  (Normal Growth & Development has been integrated into the program.)
• Take a placement interview.

Graduation Requirements

A diploma will be awarded upon successful completion of all courses of the vocational nursing program with a grade of 75% or better and all other curriculum requirements, including the comprehensive term exam administered each term for the vocational nursing program.  Students must also meet all applicable clinical, administrative, clerical, classroom and laboratory skill proficiency standards, and must satisfactorily perform the applicable clinical or practical or hands-on portion of their training.

General Requirements for Licensure

• Minimum age – 17 years;
• Completion of the 12^th grade of schooling or its equivalent;
• Graduation from an accredited or approved vocational nursing program or its equivalent;
• Successful completion of a written examination titled the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical (Vocational) Nursing (NCLEX) or the National League for Nursing Test Pool Practical Nursing examination (NLN);
• Provide the Board with a social security number prior to scheduling for examination;
• Have committed no act which, if committed by an L.V.N., would be grounds for disciplinary action; and
• After successful completion of the examination, the applicant must submit an initial license fee;
• Graduation from a California accredited school of vocational nursing. Accredited programs offer a course of instruction that is minimally 1,530 hours in length.  Required curricular content includes anatomy and physiology; normal growth and development; psychology; nutrition; pharmacology; nursing fundamentals; medical/surgical, obstetrical, pediatric, gerontological and rehabilitation nursing theory and supervised clinical experience.

Here's what you'll get when you join our VN program:

• Financial aid if you qualify
• Direct loan at a low- fixed rate
• Low interest rate loans from private lenders
• Loans for parents of dependent students
• Free laptop loaded with over 3000 NCLEX-style questions
• All the prescribed text books
• Equipment for the skills lab and clinical experience
• A nice smart-looking uniform
• Four week NCLEX review classes FREE
• ...and employment assistance when you graduate

Start Date

We have new full time and part time classes starting every couple of months.  Call us today and find out about the next class.

Racially Nondiscriminatory Policy

Homestead Schools, Inc. admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Prevention Program

In compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace and Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Act, Homestead Schools has adopted and implemented a program "to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees" both on the institution's premises and clinical training facilities. For questions, more information, and immediate assistance, please contact Homestead Schools Student Counseling Service (310) 791-9975. Read More

Federal Student Aid

Homestead Schools is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to offer Title IV funds in the form of grants and loans to students in its vocational nursing program. Many students are able to finance their entire education through this program. To learn more about it...

Consumer Information

All  consumer information that is required to be disclosed to the student pursuant to the federal and state financial aid programs are available from Homestead Schools Federal Student Aid Policies and Procedures Manual.

Disclosures and reporting requirements include the following:

1. Completion or graduation rates, retention rates, licensure exam passage rates, placement rates, salary wage data and information.
2. Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program.
3. Constitution Day observance.
4. Voters Registration information and application.
5. Family Educational Records and Privacy Act.
6. Selective Service.
7. Campus Security Reports.
8. Students Right-to-Know Act.


                           ...Read here

Comments

"Everything at Homestead is good so far. I see that the teachers really care about their students and they provide all the help we need. I really enjoy being here! Every day I realize that I made the right choice on choosing the nursing field and this school. I have recommended the program and school to the people I know. Many people at work are interested. George has been very helpful with every question I had. He took the time to explain my financial aid. I really appreciate that."

"The entire Homestead staff does an excellent job in working together for the stability of the school. My experiences here at Homestead have so far been very educational and also enjoyable with excellent clinical instructors and the knowledge we were taught during theory. The program in my opinion is one of the best in the Southern California area and is one I would suggest to those I know who are interested in taking nursing. The tutoring program is very helpful and easily accessible to all of us."

"I have had a great experience with the school. Two Thumbs up! The school has delivered a fantastic program!"

"Homestead is a very educating school. It's strict but it guarantees you get your money's worth. My experience has been great and memorable. The school has delivered its promise. I don't think anything should be changed. Everything is good the way it is."

"When I first enrolled into Homestead Schools I had a specific goal to be the best in class. The rationale behind this is to psychologically set myself up for success because failure is simply not an option for me. I take my career and my future very seriously and is evident by my number 1 rank for term 1. My drive and ambition will guarantee my graduation in my eyes. The scholarship is my trophy, it is a welcome reminder of the hard work and dedication that I have invested in my future."

"The school has been awesome, love the instructors! Ms. Sadang=Great! Ms. Rivas=Great! Ms. Tomie=Awesome! Dr. Liz=Well informed with lots of information, fantastic! Ms. Doris=Terrific!"

 "The school provided all information needed to be successful. If you didn't apply yourself and work hard it would not matter what the school promised. You would not pass. All the instructors are great to work with and I believe all wanted us to succeed."

"My Experience was great! There were some bumps during the course of the program but it was handled well."

"My experience has been excellent. The school is very challenging, but it has been a great experience so far. I have recommended Homestead to many people."

"I have all ready referred the school to three of my girlfriends. My experience has been great. They've delivered on their promises. I wouldn't change a thing, they all do a great job!"

"My experience so far is good! Mrs. Sadang really worked my butt off (which is good) and all the teachers were great and helpful."

"Everything in financial aid was processed and done very well. The tutoring program really helped me a lot especially when Janet came in. She's a very good tutor!"

"Ms. Doris is very helpful and encourages us to help us to do better. Ms. Tomie provides information that can help us better understand our subject. I'd definitely recommend the program to others."

"I have received the full amount through the financial aid and I am very satisfied with the results."

"I would recommend the school to others. The teachers have been very nice to work with. Ms. Tomie is a great instructor and makes me feel comfortable asking questions."

"My experience here at Homestead has been good so far. I would recommend this school to others. The tutoring program has helped me out a lot."

"Dr. Liz taught me so much and really helped me understand the subjects. I wish we could have her for the rest of the school year."

"The board of nursing sent me some forms in the mail. I received it yesterday. They will allow me to take the NCLEX again. You know, that is good news for me. I will have a better chance after I finish the program. It is indeed a divine arrangement or intervention by God to have people like you and Mr. Ignacio. I will continue to put in time to study ahead of the class like I am doing right now. Mrs. Merlyn is a good teacher. Thank you for the opportunity. I will not let you down. You will continue to hear and see my progress in batch 7. Please extend my gratitude to Mr. Ignacio, Mrs. Merlin, my teacher, and the rest of the teachers both in the classroom and in the clinical. Thank you for giving me the chance of a lifetime. God bless you and all the staff who are helping to make things happen. Please continue to keep me in your prayers."

"The tutoring program has helped me remember because she also gives examples."

"I would recommend this program because the staff and teachers are very nice and they know how to run the school. The school has delivered it's promise, my experience has been good. The only bad thing is there are no vending machines."

"From the transfer from PCN to Homestead, Homestead has helped make this whole process less stressful. The learning experience from Homestead has helped me become a better student and a better person."