Best LVN Programs in Santa Ana 2026

Career Networks Institute offers a 21-month Vocational Nursing Diploma Program in Santa Ana, CA, designed to train students as Licensed Vocational Nurses. The curriculum integrates classroom learning with clinical experiences, emphasizing patient care, pharmacology, and essential nursing skills. Graduates are well-prepared to take the NCLEX-PN exam, with financial aid options available for those who qualify. This program focuses on hands-on training in actual healthcare environments, ensuring practical readiness for the field.

• 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 offers a 51-week full-time Certificate in Vocational Nursing program that prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam and entry-level nursing careers. This campus-based program provides comprehensive training in patient care, medical terminology, and nursing procedures through hands-on learning experiences. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED, passing a nursing school admissions test, and a background check. The curriculum emphasizes developing critical thinking skills essential for working in diverse healthcare settings including hospitals and nursing homes. This military-friendly program focuses on practical nursing competencies without requiring specific entrance exams like ACT or SAT.

• 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's campus-based Vocational Nursing program provides comprehensive hands-on training with modern technology, preparing students for real-world healthcare roles. Professional instructors deliver practical experience, ensuring graduates are well-equipped for success. The program offers career placement assistance with high placement rates, supporting students in transitioning to vocational nursing careers. This focused training emphasizes skill development without requiring entrance exams, making it accessible for aspiring nurses in Santa Ana.

• Campus-based program.
• Hands-on training.
• Career placement assistance.
• High placement rates.
• Modern technology used.

Riverside City College's Vocational Nursing program offers a focused 12-month pathway to LVN licensure in California, requiring 51-67 units for completion. Students can earn either a Certificate of Achievement or an Associate of Science Degree, with curriculum approval from BVNPT and ACEN ensuring quality. Admission prerequisites include Biology, Psychology, and an active CNA certificate, making it accessible for career starters. The program accepts 40-70 students annually and prepares graduates for the NCLEX-PN exam, with costs around $2,000 per year, providing an affordable route into practical nursing.

• 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

Long Beach City College's Vocational Nursing program is a BVNPT-accredited, three-semester full-time curriculum that prepares students for LVN licensure. It emphasizes critical thinking and practical skills through comprehensive training in pharmacology, mental health nursing, and diverse clinical settings. Admission requires CNA certification and life science prerequisites, with graduates pursuing roles in home health, clinical care, and specialized medical environments. The program does not require entrance exams like the ACT or SAT, as it focuses on vocational-level education, ensuring accessible pathways to nursing careers.

• 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 offers a comprehensive one-year full-time Vocational Nursing certificate program designed for aspiring LVNs. This California Board-approved program features a small 24-student class size, providing focused training in direct patient care skills essential for roles in hospitals, clinics, and home health settings. Graduates are prepared to take the California State Board Examination, with a curriculum emphasizing hands-on learning and multiple healthcare career pathways. The program's structured approach ensures rigorous preparation for licensure and entry-level nursing positions.

• 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's Vocational Nursing program in Walnut, CA, equips noncredit adult students for rapid entry into healthcare roles, focusing on nursing science to prepare for the NCLEX-PN exam and California licensure. Students develop practical skills for diverse settings like hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, with an emphasis on immediate job readiness and a supportive, inclusive learning environment. Regulated by the BVNPT, the program requires passing core courses and offers pathways for career advancement, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for vocational nursing positions without requiring entrance exams.

• 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's Practical/Vocational Nursing Diploma Program offers flexible 13-month full-time or 20-month part-time schedules with daytime or evening/weekend options. Students complete 66.5 credit hours, gaining 198 lab hours and 757 clinical hours for hands-on patient care experience across all age groups. The curriculum covers essential topics including anatomy, pharmacology, and mental health nursing, with NCLEX-PN exam preparation integrated. Approved by BVNPT, the program provides financial aid and scholarships for qualified students, making it an accessible pathway to nursing licensure without requiring entrance exams for this diploma-level program.

• 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's Vocational Nursing program has maintained accreditation since 1955, offering a campus-based curriculum that integrates hands-on labs and clinical rotations. Students develop practical healthcare skills through a curriculum addressing the needs of an aging population, supported by expert faculty. Admission requires prerequisites including human anatomy/physiology and current California CNA certification, with random selection for entry. Graduates are prepared for the licensure exam and can expect competitive salaries due to high demand for vocational nurses in California. The program emphasizes compassionate care training and requires annual CPR certification, with information sessions available for prospective students.

• 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's Vocational Nursing Program offers an intensive two-semester pathway to LVN licensure, focusing on comprehensive patient care skills for diverse healthcare environments. The California State Board-approved curriculum prepares students for the VN-NCLEX exam and includes opportunities to earn an Associate of Science degree. Admission requires a 2.5 GPA, recent coursework in human anatomy and psychology, a background check, physical exam, and CPR certification. This program emphasizes hands-on training across hospitals, clinics, and medical offices, ensuring graduates are well-equipped for immediate entry into the nursing workforce without requiring entrance exams.

• 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