Best LVN Programs in Los Angeles 2026
Discover Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) programs in Los Angeles, California with details on schools, classes, tuition, and clinical training. Review licensing requirements and career opportunities for vocational nurses in the Los Angeles area.
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2026 Best LVN Programs in Los Angeles, CA
Career Networks Institute
Santa Ana, CA - Private 4-year - cnicollege.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing Diploma Program
Campus Based - Visit Website
The 21-month Vocational Nursing Diploma Program at Career Networks Institute in Santa Ana, CA, delivers comprehensive training for aspiring Licensed Vocational Nurses. Students engage in classroom learning and clinical experiences, mastering patient care, pharmacology, and essential nursing skills. This program emphasizes hands-on training in real-world healthcare environments, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the NCLEX-PN exam. Financial aid options support eligible students in achieving their career goals without requiring any entrance exams.
- 21-month program duration.
- Combines classroom and clinical training.
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam.
- Financial aid available.
- Hands-on real-world training.
The Chicago School at Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA - Private 4-year - thechicagoschool.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Certificate in Vocational Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Chicago School at Los Angeles offers a 51-week full-time Certificate in Vocational Nursing that prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam and entry into nursing careers. This campus-based program covers essential topics like patient care, medical terminology, and nursing procedures through hands-on learning and critical thinking development. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED, passing a nursing school admissions test, and a background check. Graduates are equipped to work in diverse settings such as hospitals and nursing homes, with no specific concentration noted.
- 51-week full-time program
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam
- Covers patient care and procedures
- Admission requires high school diploma
- Background check required
- Emphasizes hands-on learning
- Focuses on critical thinking skills
Glendale Career College
Glendale, CA - Private 4-year - success.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Glendale Career College’s Vocational Nursing program in Los Angeles provides hands-on training with modern technology, guided by professional instructors to build practical skills for real-world healthcare settings. The campus-based program emphasizes career readiness, offering strong placement assistance and high job placement rates to help graduates excel in vocational nursing roles. This focused approach ensures students gain the experience needed to thrive in the field without requiring entrance exams, making it an accessible path for aspiring nurses.
- Campus-based program.
- Hands-on training.
- Career placement assistance.
- High placement rates.
- Modern technology used.
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA - Public 2-Year - lbcc.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Long Beach City College's Vocational Nursing program is a three-semester, full-time campus-based course that prepares students for LVN licensure. Accredited by the BVNPT, it emphasizes critical thinking and hands-on clinical training across diverse healthcare settings. The curriculum covers pharmacology, mental health nursing, and specialized medical treatments, requiring prerequisites like CNA certification and life science courses. Graduates are equipped for roles in home health, clinical care, and other medical environments, with no entrance exam needed as it's a vocational program.
- 3-semester full-time program
- BVNPT accredited program
- Prepares for LVN licensure
- Comprehensive clinical training
- CNA certification required
- Multiple clinical practice locations
- Career paths in healthcare
Citrus College
Glendora, CA - Public 2-Year - citruscollege.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Citrus College's Vocational Nursing program offers a comprehensive one-year certificate designed for career-focused individuals seeking LVN licensure. With a small class size of 24 students, this California Board-approved program emphasizes direct patient care training through a rigorous full-time curriculum. Graduates are well-prepared for the California State Board Examination and can pursue entry-level nursing roles across diverse healthcare settings like hospitals, clinics, and home health agencies. The program's structure supports multiple career paths, ensuring students gain essential skills for success in the nursing field.
- One-year full-time program
- Prepares for LVN licensure
- California Board approved
- 24-student class size
- Full-time track recommended
- Direct patient care training
- Multiple healthcare career paths
Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA - Public 2-Year - mtsac.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Mt. San Antonio College's Vocational Nursing program in Walnut, CA, provides noncredit adult students with essential training for immediate entry into healthcare roles. It focuses on nursing science to prepare graduates for the NCLEX-PN exam, required for vocational nurse licensure in California. Students develop skills applicable in hospitals, clinics, and skilled nursing facilities, supported by a diverse and inclusive learning environment. Regulated by the BVNPT, the program emphasizes career readiness and offers pathways for future health career advancement, with admission contingent on passing core courses.
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN examination.
- Regulated by BVNPT.
- Focuses on nursing science.
- Supports diverse student groups.
- Leads to vocational nurse licensure.
- Employment in various health settings.
- Noncredit program for adult students.
- Emphasizes immediate employment readiness.
- Requires passing core courses.
- Offers future health career ladders.
Concorde Career College-Garden Grove
Garden Grove, CA - Private 2-year - concorde.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical / Vocational Nursing Diploma Program
Campus Based - Visit Website
Concorde Career College-Garden Grove's Practical/Vocational Nursing Diploma Program provides comprehensive training for aspiring LVNs in Los Angeles. Students develop essential nursing skills through 198 lab hours and 757 clinical hours, gaining hands-on experience in patient care across all age groups. The curriculum covers critical topics like anatomy, pharmacology, and mental health nursing, with built-in NCLEX-PN exam preparation. Flexible scheduling options include 13-month full-time or 20-month part-time tracks, available during daytime or evening/weekend hours. Approved by the BVNPT, this 66.5-credit program offers financial aid and scholarship opportunities for qualified students seeking entry into the healthcare field.
- 13 or 20-month program options.
- 66.5 credit hours required.
- 198 lab hours for hands-on practice.
- 757 clinical hours for real-world experience.
- Daytime or evening/weekend schedules.
- NCLEX-PN review included.
- Covers anatomy and pharmacology.
- Financial aid available.
- Scholarships for qualifying students.
- Approved by BVNPT.
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA - Public 2-Year - chaffey.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Chaffey College's Vocational Nursing program, established in 1955, offers comprehensive training through hands-on classes and clinical experiences. The curriculum focuses on practical skills to meet the needs of California's aging population, preparing graduates for licensure and employment in diverse healthcare settings. Admission requires prerequisites like human anatomy/physiology and current CNA certification, with random selection for entry. Supportive faculty guide students in compassionate care practices, leading to competitive salaries in high-demand roles.
- Accredited since 1955.
- Hands-on clinical experiences.
- Supportive expert faculty.
- Prepares for licensure exam.
- Competitive graduate salaries.
- Requires CNA certification.
- Human anatomy prerequisite.
- Practical skills focus.
- High demand for graduates.
- Compassionate care training.
Rio Hondo College
Whittier, CA - Public 4-Year - riohondo.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing Program
Campus Based - Visit Website
Rio Hondo College's Vocational Nursing Program offers an intensive two-semester curriculum approved by the California State Board, preparing students for LVN licensure through the VN-NCLEX exam. The program emphasizes hands-on patient care skills applicable in hospitals, clinics, and medical offices, with the option to pursue an Associate of Science degree. Admission requires a 2.5 GPA, completion of human anatomy and psychology prerequisites, a background check, physical exam, and CPR certification. This fast-track pathway equips graduates for diverse healthcare environments without requiring entrance exams like ACT or SAT.
- Two-semester nursing program
- California State Board approved
- Multiple healthcare work settings
- 2.5 minimum GPA required
- Prerequisites: Anatomy, Psychology
- LVN licensure exam preparation
- Background check mandatory
- Physical exam required
- CPR certification needed
Downey Adult School
Downey, CA - Public 2-Year - das.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing Program
Campus Based - Visit Website
Downey Adult School's 12-month Vocational Nursing Program is BVNPT-approved and requires an entrance exam for admission. The curriculum spans 1536 total hours, with 576 dedicated to theory and 960 to clinical training across various nursing fields. This intensive program prepares students thoroughly for the NCLEX-PN exam, leading to diverse healthcare career opportunities. At an estimated cost of $17,499, which includes books and fees, it offers a comprehensive education. Top candidates must complete a mandatory orientation and Pre-VN course, ensuring readiness for hands-on learning and future roles in nursing.
- 12-month program duration.
- BVNPT-approved curriculum.
- 1536 total hours.
- 576 theory hours.
- 960 clinical hours.
- Covers diverse nursing fields.
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam.
- Estimated cost $17,499.
- Includes books and fees.
- Entrance exam required.
Los Angeles LVN Program Overview
Licensed Vocational Nurses play a hands-on role in Los Angeles healthcare by delivering bedside care, monitoring vital signs, administering medications under appropriate supervision, and supporting patient education. In a city with expansive safety-net services and a high-acuity patient population, LVNs help staff county hospitals, private hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and community clinics, ensuring timely, culturally responsive care across neighborhoods.
Los Angeles’ healthcare landscape is extensive and diverse. The county’s public system operates multiple acute-care hospitals and community health centers, and the region includes a large network of skilled nursing and long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health providers. Consistent with federal labor data, employment for LVNs is supported by ongoing demand in long-term and post-acute care settings, outpatient services, and home-based care driven by population growth and aging. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports steady national employment growth for LVNs and identifies nursing and residential care facilities, hospitals, and home health as key employers.
LVN programs in Los Angeles are typically offered by community colleges and accredited vocational schools. Programs approved in California include both classroom instruction and supervised clinical experiences that rotate through medical-surgical, gerontology, maternal-child, and other core areas. A common timeline is:
- Full-time: approximately 12 to 18 months
- Part-time or evening/weekend: approximately 18 to 24 months
California requires vocational nursing programs to meet state curriculum standards that include a minimum of 1,530 total hours, with specified amounts of theory and supervised clinical practice. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-PN, the national licensure exam for practical and vocational nurses.
Licensure and practice for LVNs in California are regulated by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, which approves programs, sets education standards, and authorizes candidates to take the NCLEX-PN as part of the licensing process.
Employment Opportunities for LVNs in Los Angeles
The healthcare employment landscape in Los Angeles, California, offers a promising outlook for Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), also known as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in other states. Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 5% employment growth for LPNs/LVNs from 2022 to 2032, with approximately 55,800 annual openings. California stands out by employing the highest number of LPNs/LVNs in the nation. The California Employment Development Department projects a 12.0% job growth rate for LVNs from 2021 to 2031, translating to roughly 2,330 job openings each year. LVNs in Los Angeles are among the highest compensated in the state, with an average annual wage of $70,050 as of May 2023, reflecting the city’s dynamic healthcare environment and the crucial role LVNs play in meeting the diverse health needs of its population.
LVNs are essential across a diverse range of healthcare settings throughout the Los Angeles area, providing vital patient care and support services. The types of facilities that commonly hire LVNs include:
- Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs):These facilities are significant employers, offering numerous job opportunities for LVNs.
- Home Health Agencies:Driven by an aging population and a preference for in-home care, home health agencies frequently seek LVNs to provide services such as wound care, medication administration, and vital sign monitoring.
- Hospitals:LVNs are hired in various hospital departments, including Medical-Surgical, Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN), and Transitional Care Units.
- Senior Living Facilities and Assisted Living Communities:These facilities actively seek LVNs to manage patient care plans, assist with daily living activities, and ensure residents’ overall well-being.
- Rehabilitation Centers:LVNs provide hands-on care, physical therapy support, medication administration, and patient education in both general rehabilitation and psychiatric rehabilitation settings.
- Private Practices, Ambulatory Care, and Clinics:LVNs support physicians and nursing staff by performing patient care assessments and medically related tasks in outpatient and clinical settings.
- Other Specialized Settings:Opportunities also exist in hospice care, behavioral health settings, utilization management, and school health for pediatric patients.
Several prominent healthcare organizations consistently hire LVNs in the Los Angeles region, offering diverse roles and opportunities:
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center/Medical Network:This top-ranked healthcare provider offers LVN positions in various departments, including ambulatory care and cardiology.
- PIH Health:As a nonprofit regional healthcare network serving Los Angeles County residents, PIH Health operates hospitals (Downey, Good Samaritan, Whittier) and numerous outpatient medical office buildings, as well as home healthcare and hospice services, all of which may employ LVNs.
- Kaiser Permanente:A major integrated managed care consortium, Kaiser Permanente frequently has LVN positions in its medical offices and clinics across Los Angeles, supporting various specialties including pediatrics.
- CommonSpirit Health (including Dignity Health):This large healthcare system offers LVN and LPN job opportunities within its extensive network.
- Molina Healthcare:Often involving local travel, Molina Healthcare hires LVNs for roles such as Field Care Manager in Long Term Services & Supports (LTSS), focusing on case management for Medicaid members.
In addition to these major systems, numerous smaller facilities and networks significantly contribute to LVN employment in Los Angeles. These include various skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers such as Holiday Manor Care Center, Miracle Mile Healthcare Center, Sylmar Health & Rehab, New Vista Nursing and Rehab, and Montebello Care Center. Assisted living and senior care facilities like Highland Manor Assisted Living, Glen Park Senior Living, Belmont Village Senior Living, and San Marino Manor also actively hire LVNs. Home health and hospice providers such as Nationwide Home Health Care, Omega Home Health Care Services Inc., and Newport Hospice depend on LVNs. Furthermore, community clinics and specialized care centers like APLA Health Center, Unite Here Clinic, AltaMed, and Evolve Treatment Centers offer specialized LVN roles. Local hospitals including Los Angeles Community Hospital, Northridge Hospital Medical Center, Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center, Glendale Adventist Medical Center, and Valley Presbyterian Hospital also frequently have LVN positions available.
List of LVN Programs in Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, CA
The Chicago School at Los Angeles
- Certificate/Diploma - Certificate in Vocational Nursing
Campus Based - Website
- 51-week full-time program
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam
- Covers patient care and procedures
- Admission requires high school diploma
- Background check required
- Emphasizes hands-on learning
- Focuses on critical thinking skills