Best LVN Programs in Oakland 2026
Find Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) programs in Oakland, California with information on schools, curriculum, tuition, and clinical training. Learn about licensing steps and career opportunities for vocational nurses in the Oakland area.
2027 Best LVN Programs in Oakland, CA
Madera Community College
Madera, CA - Public 2-Year - maderacollege.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Licensed Vocational Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Madera Community College's Vocational Nursing (LVN) program is a focused, three-semester curriculum designed to prepare students for the LVN licensing exam. Through a blend of theoretical instruction and hands-on clinical training, students build a strong foundation in nursing principles, pharmacology, and patient care. The program covers essential topics like foundations of nursing, principles and practice of nursing, and nursing guidance. Graduates are equipped to provide safe, caring nursing services in structured healthcare settings. With small cohort sizes and a competitive selection process, students receive personalized attention. The program is approved by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians and offers financial aid options. Estimated total program cost is $4,756, making it an affordable pathway to a rewarding healthcare career.
- $2,070 total program tuition
- $46 per credit
- 3-Semester program
- 45 total credit hours
- Prerequisite courses required
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Approved by BVNPT
- Theory and hands-on clinical skills
- First 30 qualified applicants selected
Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, CA - Public 2-Year - losmedanos.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing Program
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Vocational Nursing program at Los Medanos College is a three-semester, campus-based program that prepares students for LVN licensure. The curriculum blends theory with correlated clinical experience, covering care for clients across all ages. Students learn fundamental nursing skills and progressively build mastery through a structured sequence. Graduates are ready to assume responsibilities under the direction of registered nurses or physicians. Career paths include roles in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. The program meets Board of Vocational Nurse guidelines and offers a focused, hands-on learning environment. This integrated approach ensures that students develop the competencies needed for effective entry-level practice.
- 3-Semester program
- Cares for clients of all ages
- Practice under RN or physician direction
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts
San Jose, CA - Private 4-year - gurnick.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nurse
Campus Based - Visit Website
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts offers a Vocational Nurse Diploma Program that blends nursing, behavioral science, and physical sciences to prepare students for entry-level nursing roles. Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) monitor patient health, administer primary care, and collaborate with medical teams. The curriculum combines classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experiences at campuses in Concord, Fresno, Modesto, Sacramento, and San Jose. Students learn to care for patients with diverse needs, building skills in patient assessment, record-keeping, and basic medical procedures. This program provides a solid foundation for those seeking to start a nursing career in California’s healthcare system. Graduates are equipped to work in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities under the supervision of doctors and registered nurses. The academy also offers financial aid and veteran benefits to eligible students.
- Military benefits accepted
- Financial aid available
- Integrates nursing, behavioral, and physical sciences
- Prepares students for diverse client care
- Available at five California campuses
City College of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA - Public 2-Year - ccsf.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Licensed Vocational Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) program at City College of San Francisco is a full-time, 18-month certificate program that prepares students for state licensure and entry-level nursing careers. The curriculum blends classroom instruction with hands-on hospital experience, covering fundamentals, medical-surgical nursing, mental health, maternity, and pediatric care. Students gain 40.5 units of college credit and train in acute care, clinics, long-term care, and home health settings. Accredited by the California Board of Vocational Nursing, the program offers a supportive learning environment with career counseling and assessment services. Graduates are ready to take the state licensure exam and pursue fulfilling roles as licensed vocational nurses.
- California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians accredited
- 18-Month program
- Prepares for state licensure in vocational nursing
- Full-time, three-semester program
- Classroom and hospital experience
- 40.5 units of college credit
- Employment in diverse healthcare settings
- Career assessment and counseling available
- Also offered online (CityOnline)
Carrington College-Pleasant Hill Campus
Pleasant Hill, CA - Private 2-year - carrington.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Carrington College's Practical Nursing certificate program offers a fast-track to a nursing career in as few as 12 months. This campus-based program provides hands-on clinical training to care for patients across healthcare settings. Students learn medical-surgical, mental health, and pediatric nursing, preparing them for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam. Financial aid options like federal aid, grants, and scholarships are available for qualified students. The program focuses on safe patient care, effective communication, and professional development for entry-level nursing roles.
- Certificate program.
- 12-month completion time.
- Campus-based learning.
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam.
- Hands-on clinical training.
- Medical-surgical nursing focus.
- Mental health nursing included.
- Pediatric nursing covered.
- Anatomy and physiology taught.
- Financial aid available.
Oakland LVN Program Overview
In Oakland and across California, Licensed Vocational Nurses play a vital role by delivering direct, hands-on patient care under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians. LVNs support inpatient units, skilled nursing facilities, home health, and outpatient clinics, which helps meet day-to-day care needs and expands access for diverse communities throughout the East Bay.
Oakland’s healthcare landscape includes large acute care hospitals, safety-net services, pediatric specialty care, and extensive long-term care. Major employers in and around the city include county-operated hospitals and systems, integrated health systems, and pediatric centers, alongside numerous nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, community clinics, and home health and hospice agencies. These settings regularly employ LVNs for bedside care, wound care, medication administration within scope, patient education, and care coordination tasks.
California regulates LVN education and licensure at the state level. State-approved vocational nursing programs follow a structured curriculum that blends classroom instruction, skills lab, and supervised clinical rotations in local facilities. California requires a minimum of 1,530 total program hours, including at least 576 hours of theory and 954 hours of clinical practice. In the Oakland area, full-time LVN programs commonly run about 12 to 18 months, while part-time or evening and weekend options may take approximately 18 to 24 months depending on course load and clinical scheduling.
LVN programs in Oakland prepare graduates to sit for the NCLEX-PN, the national licensing examination for practical and vocational nurses. The California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians oversees program approval, applicant eligibility, and licensure, including background checks and verification of education. For current requirements, applicants should consult the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians.
Employment demand for LVNs in the Bay Area is supported by ongoing needs in long-term care, post-acute and rehabilitation services, and community-based care, as well as hospital units that utilize LVNs within defined California scope of practice. Prospective students in Oakland benefit from access to a wide range of clinical placement sites and employer types, which can help build experience across acute, subacute, and ambulatory settings while preparing for entry-level LVN roles.
Employment Opportunities for LVNs in Oakland
Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), also known as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in many other states, play a vital role in Oakland’s diverse healthcare landscape. The employment outlook for LVNs in California, and specifically in the Oakland area, remains positive. Nationwide, a 5% job growth is projected for LPN/LVNs between 2022 and 2032, driven by a national nursing shortage and the increasing healthcare needs of an aging population. California leads the nation in LVN/LPN employment, with an annual mean wage of approximately $76,580, making it an attractive region for nursing professionals.
LVNs in Oakland find opportunities across a wide spectrum of healthcare settings, providing essential patient care under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians. The job market caters to both experienced LVNs and new graduates entering the field.
Key Healthcare Settings Employing LVNs in Oakland:
- Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities:These facilities represent a significant sector for LVN employment, with many professionals providing assistance with daily activities and medication management for residents. Notable facilities in Oakland include Oakland Heights Nursing and Rehabilitation, McClure Post Acute, and Medical Hill Rehabilitation Center.
- Home Health Agencies:Home health is a growing area for LVNs, involving in-home patient care such as wound care, medication administration, and health monitoring. Leading employers include Amedisys, Aveanna Healthcare, and Maxim Healthcare Services.
- Assisted Living and Senior Living Facilities:LVNs are sought after for direct care roles in assisted living and memory care units. Examples include Mercy Retirement & Care Center and Lake Park Retirement Residence.
- Hospitals:LVNs in hospital settings typically assist Registered Nurses with fundamental patient care, vital sign monitoring, medication administration, and wound dressing. Major healthcare systems such as Kaiser Permanente frequently list LVN positions within their Oakland facilities.
- Rehabilitation Centers:Facilities dedicated to rehabilitation services also employ LVNs. The Rehabilitation Center of Oakland is an example of such a facility actively hiring LVN Staff Nurses.
- Private Practices and Clinics:Some clinics and specialized practices, including those in the surrounding Bay Area like BAART Programs, employ LVNs for tasks such as administering medications and providing direct patient care.
- Other Opportunities:LVNs may also find roles in school districts surrounding Oakland, such as the Alameda Unified School District, and in mental and behavioral health facilities like Evolve Treatment Centers in nearby Walnut Creek.
Major Healthcare Employers in Oakland:
Several prominent healthcare systems and agencies consistently recruit LVNs in the Oakland area:
- Kaiser Permanente: A leading healthcare provider with hospitals and medical offices in Oakland, offering diverse LVN roles.
- Sutter Health: A large not-for-profit health system with a significant presence in the Bay Area, providing various nursing career paths.
- Amedisys: A major home health and hospice company, frequently hiring LVNs for home care positions.
- Aveanna Healthcare: One of the largest providers of pediatric and adult homecare nationwide, with LVN opportunities in Oakland.
- Maxim Healthcare Services: Offers private duty, skilled nursing, and home health positions for LVNs.
- Addus HomeCare: Provides home care services and staffing, hiring LVNs in Oakland and nearby Emeryville.
- Mercy Retirement & Care Center: An Oakland-based facility hiring LVNs for assisted living and skilled nursing.
- Oakland Heights Nursing and Rehabilitation: A local facility offering skilled nursing and rehabilitation services.
- The Rehabilitation Center of Oakland: Known for actively seeking LVN staff nurses.
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