Best LVN Programs in Riverside 2026
Explore Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) programs in Riverside, California with details on schools, coursework, tuition, and clinical training. Review licensing requirements and career paths for vocational nurses in the Riverside area.
Other Cities in California
2026 Best LVN Programs in Riverside, CA
Career Networks Institute
Santa Ana, CA - Private 4-year - cnicollege.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing Diploma Program
Campus Based - Visit Website
Career Networks Institute's Vocational Nursing Diploma Program in Santa Ana, CA, spans 21 months and blends classroom learning with clinical practice to equip students for LVN careers. It emphasizes patient care, pharmacology, and practical nursing skills through hands-on training in healthcare environments. Graduates are readied for the NCLEX-PN exam, and financial aid options support eligible participants. This program focuses on real-world applications, ensuring comprehensive preparation without a specified concentration.
- 21-month program duration.
- Combines classroom and clinical training.
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam.
- Financial aid available.
- Hands-on real-world training.
Riverside City College
Riverside, CA - Public 2-Year - rcc.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Riverside City College's Vocational Nursing program offers a fast-track 12-month curriculum approved by BVNPT and ACEN, preparing students for the NCLEX-PN exam. With 51-67 units covering essential medical skills, it awards either a Certificate of Achievement or Associate of Science Degree. Admission requires prerequisites like Biology, Psychology, and an active CNA certificate, accepting 40-70 students annually. This campus-based program is cost-effective at around $2,000 per year, providing a solid foundation for aspiring licensed practical nurses in California without requiring entrance exams.
- 12-month full-time program
- BVNPT and ACEN approved
- 51-67 total units
- NCLEX-PN exam eligibility
- Active CNA certificate required
- Two credential options
- 40-70 students accepted yearly
- Comprehensive nursing curriculum
- Cost approximately $2,000 annually
Citrus College
Glendora, CA - Public 2-Year - citruscollege.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Citrus College offers a comprehensive one-year Vocational Nursing certificate program that prepares students for the California State Board Examination to become Licensed Vocational Nurses. With a small class size of 24 students, the program emphasizes direct patient care training under medical supervision, equipping graduates for entry-level roles in hospitals, clinics, and home health agencies. As a California Board-approved, full-time track, it provides a focused pathway for career advancement in healthcare without requiring entrance exams, making it ideal for those seeking efficient licensure preparation.
- 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 in Walnut, CA, offers a Vocational Nursing program tailored for noncredit adult students seeking immediate entry into healthcare roles. This campus-based program focuses on nursing science to equip students with essential skills for employment in hospitals, clinics, and skilled nursing facilities. It prepares graduates for the NCLEX-PN exam, required for vocational nurse licensure in California, and is regulated by the BVNPT to ensure quality. Admission mandates passing core courses, and the program fosters a supportive, diverse learning environment while emphasizing career readiness and future advancement opportunities in health fields.
- 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 offers a Practical/Vocational Nursing Diploma Program with flexible 13-month full-time or 20-month part-time schedules. Students complete 66.5 credit hours, gaining extensive hands-on experience through 198 lab hours and 757 clinical hours in patient care from birth to elder years. The curriculum covers anatomy, pharmacology, and mental health nursing, with NCLEX-PN review for licensure exam preparation. Daytime or evening/weekend schedules accommodate various needs, and financial aid and scholarships are available for qualifying students. The program is approved by BVNPT, providing a solid foundation for a healthcare career.
- 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 has maintained accreditation since 1955, offering comprehensive training through hands-on classes, labs, and clinical rotations. The curriculum is specifically designed to address the healthcare needs of the aging U.S. population, equipping graduates to deliver compassionate care across diverse medical settings. Students benefit from supportive expert faculty and a strong emphasis on practical skills development, ensuring thorough preparation for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam. Admission requires completion of human anatomy/physiology prerequisites and current California CNA certification, with competitive graduate salaries reflecting high demand for vocational nurses in the region.
- 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 pathway to LVN licensure, approved by the California State Board. Students develop essential patient care skills applicable in hospitals, clinics, and medical offices. The curriculum includes rigorous preparation for the VN-NCLEX exam, with an option to pursue an Associate of Science degree through additional general education. Admission requires a 2.5 GPA, recent coursework in human anatomy and psychology, CPR certification, physical examination, and successful background clearance.
- 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
Riverside LVN Program Overview
In California, practical nursing is licensed under the title Licensed Vocational Nurse. LVNs are essential members of Riverside’s care teams, providing bedside nursing, medication administration, basic wound care, and patient education under the direction of registered nurses and physicians. In the city of Riverside and the wider Inland Empire, LVNs support patient care across hospitals, skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities, primary and specialty clinics, and home health agencies, helping expand access to timely, team-based care.
Riverside’s healthcare landscape includes a large county-operated acute care center, Riverside University Health System Medical Center, as well as multiple community hospitals, long-term care facilities, federally qualified health centers, and home health providers serving a diverse and growing population. These settings commonly employ LVNs for direct patient care in medical-surgical, geriatric, rehabilitation, and outpatient clinic roles, reflecting steady regional demand for entry-level nurses who can deliver hands-on care and support care coordination.
LVN education in Riverside follows statewide standards. California requires a minimum of 1,530 program hours, including classroom instruction and supervised clinical practice in medical-surgical nursing with experience in both maternity and pediatric nursing. Full-time programs in the area typically take about 12 to 18 months to complete, while part-time or evening/weekend options often extend to roughly 18 to 24 months, depending on the school’s schedule and clinical placement availability.
Graduates of Riverside LVN programs prepare for the NCLEX-PN licensure examination. Licensure, program approval, applicant eligibility, and scope of practice are regulated by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, which oversees standards for education, fingerprinting and background checks, and ongoing professional practice for LVNs statewide.
Employment Opportunities for LVNs in Riverside
The healthcare sector in Riverside, California, offers a robust and growing landscape for Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), also known as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). As part of the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), this region projects significant demand for LVNs. According to the California Employment Development Department, the employment of LVNs in this MSA is expected to increase by 18.9% between 2020 and 2030, translating to approximately 820 annual job openings. This positive outlook is further reflected in competitive compensation, with the hourly mean wage for LVNs in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario MSA reported at $34.52 as of the first quarter of 2023.
LVNs in Riverside can find diverse employment opportunities across various healthcare settings, providing essential patient care in a wide array of environments.
- Hospitals and Medical Centers:Major healthcare providers in Riverside consistently seek LVNs for roles in numerous departments, including oncology, urology, and pediatrics. Prominent employers include Kaiser Permanente, which operates multiple medical offices and centers, and Riverside Medical Clinic, a large multi-specialty group. Riverside University Health System also hires LVNs for its general health services.
- Skilled Nursing Facilities and Rehabilitation Centers:These facilities are vital for long-term care and patient rehabilitation, with local examples such as Community Care And Rehabilitation Center and Asistencia Villa Rehabilitation and Care Center frequently hiring LVNs.
- Home Health Agencies:A significant and growing area for LVN employment is home health, where nurses provide direct care to patients in their residences. Agencies like California Home Health Agency, Desire Home Care, Lorian Health, and Maxim Healthcare Services are active in the Riverside area.
- Senior Living Facilities and Assisted Living:LVNs are crucial caregivers in residential settings for the elderly. Employers in this sector include Brookdale Senior Living, Inc. and Windsor Cypress Gardens.
- Private Practices and Clinics:Specialized clinics and private physician offices, such as Riverside Family Physicians and SAC Health (which hires for ophthalmology), offer roles for LVNs. California Baptist University also seeks LVNs for its mobile health clinic positions.
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities:LVNs contribute to specialized care in facilities addressing mental health and substance abuse. Examples include Telecare Western Riverside Mental Health Urgent Care and Whiteside Manor, a women’s substance abuse program.
- Correctional Health Services:Riverside University Health System’s Correctional Health Services Department recruits LVNs to provide care within correctional facilities.
- Hospice Care:LVNs provide compassionate care to terminally ill patients in hospice settings. Employers include Kaiser Permanente’s Magnolia Village, Angel Care Hospice and Palliative, and VITAS.
- Schools:LVNs are employed by various school districts within Riverside County for school nurse and substitute roles. Examples include the Corona-Norco Unified School District and Springs Charter Schools.
- Other Healthcare Settings:Opportunities extend to managed care organizations like Molina Healthcare, which hires for Field Care Manager roles, and plasma donation centers such as BioLife Plasma Services (a subsidiary of Takeda).
Overall, the Riverside area provides a robust and expanding job market for LVNs, offering a wide variety of roles across established healthcare systems and specialized care providers. For specific licensing requirements and further information, prospective LVNs can consult the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians.
List of LVN Programs in Riverside, CA
Riverside, CA
Riverside City College
- Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing
Campus Based - Website
- 12-month full-time program
- BVNPT and ACEN approved
- 51-67 total units
- NCLEX-PN exam eligibility
- Active CNA certificate required
- Two credential options
- 40-70 students accepted yearly
- Comprehensive nursing curriculum