Best LVN Programs in San Bernardino 2026
Find Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) programs in San Bernardino, California with details on schools, coursework, tuition, and clinical training. Review licensing steps and career opportunities for vocational nurses in the San Bernardino area.
2027 Best LVN Programs in San Bernardino, CA
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA - Public 2-Year - chaffey.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Chaffey College's Vocational Nursing Certificate, accredited by the BVNPT since 1955, equips students for LVN licensure through a blend of classroom instruction, lab practice, simulation, and clinical rotations across ten healthcare partner facilities. The curriculum covers anatomy, physiology, patient care, medical terminology, gerontology, and communication, taught by faculty with diverse clinical expertise. Graduates are prepared for roles in acute care, long-term care, physician offices, and urgent care settings. With California EDD data showing annual LVN earnings between $52,000 and $70,000, this program offers a stable career pathway. Prerequisites are required, and the program features two annual start terms, advanced placement options for transfer students, and mandatory information sessions for prospective applicants.
- BVNPT accredited
- According to California EDD Labor Market Data for 2020, Licensed Vocational Nurses can expect to earn between $52,000 and $70,000 annually
- Prerequisite courses required
- BVNPT accredited since 1955
- Hands-on classes and simulation
- Clinical partnerships with 10 facilities
- Faculty expertise across specialties
- Prepares for rewarding healthcare careers
- Advanced placement for transfer students
- Information sessions for applicants
Riverside City College
Riverside, CA - Public 2-Year - rcc.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Riverside City College offers a 12-month Vocational Nursing certificate that prepares students for the NCLEX-PN and entry-level practice as LVNs. The curriculum integrates nursing theory with supervised clinical rotations across hospitals, clinics, and long-term care settings, plus a self-paced nursing lab for skill development. Core coursework includes anatomy, psychology, and nursing concepts, emphasizing patient care, medication administration, and communication. The program is approved by the BVNPT and is a candidate for ACEN accreditation. Total cost is approximately $2,000 for 51 credits at $46 per credit, with financial aid and scholarships available. Admission requires a CNA certificate, prerequisite courses, CPR certification, and a 2.0 GPA; applicants are selected randomly for the fall cohort.
- BVNPT, ACEN accredited
- $46 per credit
- 12-Month program
- 51 total credit hours
- Starts fall
- 2.0 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
Citrus College
Glendora, CA - Public 2-Year - citruscollege.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Citrus College's Vocational Nursing certificate program prepares students for entry-level practice as licensed vocational nurses, emphasizing the social, technical, and professional competencies essential in today's healthcare settings. Coursework spans medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, pharmacology, and nutrition, delivered through classroom instruction and applied clinical training. Hands-on rotations at local hospitals and clinics provide real-world patient care experience while building problem-solving and teamwork abilities. Graduates qualify to sit for the NCLEX-VN licensure examination. The program also offers flexibility for further education, as completed coursework can be applied toward an associate degree. This certificate, awarded through the Health Sciences division, serves as a strong foundation for a rewarding nursing career.
- Prepares for NCLEX-VN
- Develops skills required for licensed vocational nurse
- Clinical experience in local hospitals and clinics
- Coursework applies toward associate degree
- Certificate of Achievement awarded
- Learning outcomes include problem-solving skills
- Offered by Health Sciences division
North-West College-West Covina
West Covina, CA - Private 2-year - nw.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Vocational Nursing program at North-West College-West Covina equips students for LVN licensure through a campus-based curriculum blending nursing fundamentals, anatomy, pharmacology, and maternal-child health. Clinical experiences cover medical-surgical nursing, direct patient care, vital sign monitoring, injection administration, and lab sample preparation. Accredited by ACCSC, the program offers day and evening classes, modern facilities, and a supportive, family-like atmosphere. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-PN/VN exam and entry-level positions assisting with examinations, recording patient histories, and providing comfort care. This career-focused training emphasizes technical skills and affordable healthcare education.
- Vocational Nursing program available.
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN/VN exam.
- Day and evening classes offered.
- Hands-on clinical experience included.
- Curriculum covers nursing fundamentals.
- Includes anatomy and physiology.
- Pharmacology training provided.
- Child health nursing covered.
- Maternal health nursing included.
- Medical surgical nursing taught.
San Bernardino LVN Program Overview
Licensed Vocational Nurses play a hands-on role in San Bernardino’s healthcare system by delivering bedside care, monitoring patients, administering medications under supervision, and coordinating with registered nurses and physicians. In the city, LVNs are integral to daily operations in acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health and hospice agencies, helping expand access to essential services across diverse neighborhoods.
San Bernardino’s healthcare landscape includes major acute care hospitals within city limits such as St. Bernardine Medical Center, with additional regional referral centers nearby in Loma Linda and Colton. LVNs are also widely employed in long-term care and rehabilitation centers, home health organizations, and community clinics that serve Medi-Cal and uninsured populations. State and federal labor agencies report continued demand for LVNs in California, reflecting the ongoing need for practical, patient-centered nursing support across hospital and community settings in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metro area.
Typical LVN program timelines in San Bernardino mirror statewide patterns. Full-time cohorts commonly run about 12 to 18 months, while part-time or evening/weekend pathways often span 18 to 24 months. California-approved LVN programs must meet minimum curriculum standards set by the state, including at least 1,530 clock hours that combine classroom theory and supervised clinical practice. Local programs are offered through community colleges, adult schools, and private career colleges, with clinical rotations arranged at area hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient sites in and around the city.
LVN curricula are designed to prepare graduates for the NCLEX-PN, the national licensing exam required for entry into practice. In California, LVN education programs are approved and licensure is overseen by the California BVNPT. After completing an approved program or other qualifying pathway, graduates apply for authorization to test, complete required background checks, and, upon passing the NCLEX-PN, become eligible for LVN licensure in the state.
Employment Opportunities for LVNs in San Bernardino
The healthcare sector in San Bernardino, California, offers a robust and diverse array of employment opportunities for Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs). The demand for skilled nursing professionals is steady, reflecting a positive job outlook both locally and statewide. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 5% growth in employment for LPNs and LVNs nationwide between 2022 and 2032, leading to approximately 54,400 average annual openings. California is a significant employer in this field, with a substantial number of LVNs contributing to its healthcare workforce.
LVNs in San Bernardino can expect competitive compensation, with estimated average hourly rates around $33.43 as of May 2022 projections. Annual salaries for LVNs in the area average approximately $69,540, with an hourly range typically spanning from $24.71 to $45.69, influenced by factors such as experience, specialized skills, and the size of the employing facility. Entry-level positions typically start around $24.71 per hour, increasing with gained experience.
LVNs in San Bernardino are employed across a broad spectrum of healthcare settings, including:
- Hospitals:Providing acute care, subacute, and neurological care services.
- Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers:Offering opportunities to develop specialized skills in patient care and chronic disease management.
- Home Health Agencies:Delivering private duty nursing and in-home care for both pediatric and adult patients.
- Senior Living Facilities:Including assisted living homes, where LVNs provide essential care for elderly residents.
- Private Practices and Clinics:Working in various outpatient settings, specialty clinics, and employee health clinics.
- Behavioral Health Facilities:Supporting mental health and substance use disorder services.
- Hospice Agencies:Providing compassionate end-of-life care.
- Specialized Care Facilities:Such as dialysis centers and intellectual disability care facilities.
Several major healthcare systems and local facilities in and around San Bernardino are prominent employers of LVNs. These include:
- CommonSpirit Health(which includes Dignity Health), operating facilities like Community Hospital San Bernardino, with positions in areas such as sub-acute neurological care.
- Optum, a part of UnitedHealth Group, frequently recruits LVNs for roles in infusion clinics and other services within the San Bernardino area.
- Aveanna Healthcare, a large home health care company, often seeks LVNs for private duty nursing roles assisting medically fragile individuals.
- The California Department of State Hospitals – Patton, located in San Bernardino County, employs LVNs within its Medical Services Department.
- The San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Healthregularly hires Licensed Vocational Nurses for roles supporting patient care and health education in behavioral health settings.
Additionally, numerous local facilities and networks significantly contribute to LVN employment in the region. These include Providence Del Rosa Villa, Arrowhead Healthcare Center, LLC, Palmyra House, and Vibra Healthcare, all based in San Bernardino. Other important local employers span the broader Inland Empire, such as Rainbow Home Health in Highland and Good Heart Hospice & Palliative Care in Rancho Cucamonga.
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