Best LVN Programs in Santa Ana 2026

Long Beach City College's Vocational Nursing program delivers a rigorous, full-time 3-semester curriculum designed to prepare students for LVN licensure. Coursework includes Fundamentals of Nursing, Pharmacology, Maternal-Infant Nursing, and Common Health Deviations, building competencies in patient care, medication administration, and critical thinking. Graduates qualify for entry-level nursing positions in hospitals, clinics, and home health settings. Accredited by the BVNPT, the program admits only 30 students twice yearly, ensuring small cohorts and personalized instruction. Classes are held on weekdays during daytime hours, with tutoring support available. Admission requires a CNA license. Students can earn a certificate or an Associate of Science degree, making this a flexible pathway into vocational nursing.

• BVNPT accredited
• 3-Semester program
• Full-time enrollment
• 2 start dates per year
• Prepares for LVN licensure
• Admits 30 students twice a year
• Daytime weekday classes
• CNA license required
• Certificate and AS degree options
• Tutoring available

Chaffey College's Vocational Nursing Certificate offers a direct pathway to LVN licensure, holding BVNPT accreditation since 1955. The program integrates classroom instruction, hands-on lab work, simulation, and clinical rotations across ten healthcare facilities. Students develop foundational knowledge in anatomy, physiology, patient care, and nursing skills, with coursework covering medical terminology, gerontology, and communication. Graduates are prepared for roles in acute care, long-term care, private practices, and urgent care settings. According to California EDD data, LVNs earn between $52,000 and $70,000 annually. The program features two start terms per year, advanced placement for transfer students, and mandatory prerequisite coursework. Prospective students should attend an information session to learn more.

• 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 offers a 12-month Vocational Nursing certificate program preparing students for the NCLEX-PN. The 51-credit curriculum blends theory with clinical rotations, covering patient care, medication administration, anatomy, psychology, and nursing concepts. A self-paced lab supports skill mastery. Admission requires a CNA certificate, CPR certification, prerequisites, and a 2.0 GPA, with random selection. Approved by the BVNPT and an ACEN accreditation candidate, the program costs $46 per credit (about $2,000 total). Classes begin in fall with no wait list. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Kaplan Test Prep is included, and fingerprint submission is required for licensure.

• 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's Vocational Nursing certificate program prepares students for licensed vocational nursing through a balanced curriculum of theory and practice. Coursework covers medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, pharmacology, and nutrition, complemented by clinical rotations in local hospitals and clinics. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-VN for state licensure, and the program's credits can be applied toward an associate degree for career advancement. Offered through the Health Sciences division, the program emphasizes critical thinking, patient care, and teamwork. Successful completion awards a Certificate of Achievement, equipping students with the skills needed for entry-level positions in diverse healthcare environments.

• 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

Rio Hondo College offers a two-semester Vocational Nursing certificate program approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT). The curriculum covers fundamental nursing skills and patient care across acute hospitals, extended care facilities, home health, and medical offices, with hands-on clinical experience. Applicants must complete prerequisites in anatomy, psychology, and math, maintain a 2.5 GPA, and pass a criminal background check, drug screening, physical examination, and CPR certification. The program starts in spring and prepares graduates to sit for the VN-NCLEX exam for LVN licensure. With a strong community college foundation and dedicated faculty, students gain competencies in patient assessment, medication administration, and care coordination for entry-level nursing positions.

• California State Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians accredited
• 2-Semester program
• Apply by 2026-08-28
• 1 start dates per year
• Starts spring
• 2.5 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for VN-NCLEX
• Approved by California BVNPT
• Prerequisites include Anatomy and Psychology

Homestead Schools delivers a campus-based Vocational Nursing Program in Torrance, California, preparing students for LVN licensure and entry-level nursing roles. The curriculum emphasizes patient care, vital signs, and health education, complemented by hands-on clinical training and NCLEX-PN preparation. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED, English proficiency, a minimum preadmission test score of 76%, background clearance, physical exam, immunizations, and CPR certification. Program approvals include the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education and the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, with ABHES accreditation. Financial aid, scholarships, tutoring, and transfer credit options support student success. With strong job growth projected at 21% and a median salary of $39,030, Homestead Schools offers a practical pathway into nursing.

• Campus-based program.
• Prepares for LVN licensure.
• Entry-level nursing skills.
• High school diploma required.
• English proficiency needed.
• Preadmission test score 76%.
• Background check clearance.
• Physical exam required.
• Immunizations and CPR card.
• Financial aid available.

Career Networks Institute (CNI College) delivers a 12-month Vocational Nursing Diploma Program in Santa Ana, preparing students for the NCLEX-PN and LVN licensure. The curriculum blends classroom theory with hands-on training in a high-fidelity simulation lab, covering anatomy, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, mental health, and leadership. Clinical rotations take place at hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, clinics, and home health settings. Admission requires prerequisite courses and an entrance exam (TEAS or HESI). Students benefit from small clinical groups of 8-10, evening classes, weekend clinicals, and provided laptops. ATI resources support NCLEX prep, contributing to a 100% licensure pass rate and a 71% job placement rate. The program is cohort-based and rated #1 in Santa Ana, with financial aid, military benefits, and career services available.

• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS, HESI
• 12-Month program
• 100% licensure pass rate
• Cohort-based structure
• 71% job placement rate
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX-PN
• Military benefits accepted
• Financial aid available

Concorde Career College-Garden Grove's Vocational Nursing Diploma Program equips students for LVN licensure through a curriculum covering anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, and mental health care. Emphasizing practical skills, the program includes on-campus labs and clinical rotations in hospitals, long-term care, clinics, and home health agencies. Students benefit from NCLEX-PN review, 757 clinical hours, and flexible pacing: a 13-month full-time daytime track or a 20-month part-time evening/weekend option. Approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT), the program offers financial aid and scholarships for eligible students. Graduates are prepared for entry-level LVN roles across diverse healthcare settings.

• BVNPT accredited
• Complete in as few as 13-months
• Full-time and part-time options
• 757 clinical hours
• Prepares for NCLEX-PN
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• NCLEX-PN review included
• Real-world clinical rotations
• Daytime or evening/weekend options

At the Long Beach campus, North-West College offers a Vocational Nurse program geared toward California LVN licensure. The campus-based curriculum spans more than 1,530 clock hours, with coursework in nursing fundamentals, anatomy, pharmacology, and clinical externships. Students gain hands-on experience in direct patient care across varied medical environments. The college operates multiple campuses, and no online option is indicated for this program. Entry requires meeting state and institutional criteria, and financial aid may be available for those who qualify. Upon completion, graduates are ready to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam, the essential licensure step. BVNPT accreditation underscores the program's compliance with professional standards.

• Program length: Over 1,530 clock hours.
• Campus-based program only.
• Meets California LVN licensure requirements.
• Includes clinical externships.
• Covers nursing fundamentals and anatomy.
• Pharmacology training included.
• Multiple campus locations available.
• Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam.
• Career-focused curriculum.
• Hands-on patient care training.

North-West College-West Covina delivers a campus-based Vocational Nursing program designed to fast-track students toward LVN licensure. The curriculum blends nursing fundamentals, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and medical-surgical nursing with specialized training in maternal and child health. Students gain practical experience through hands-on clinical rotations, learning to record patient histories, monitor vital signs, prepare lab samples, administer injections, and assist with examinations. Day and evening class schedules accommodate working students, while the college's modern, well-equipped facilities foster a supportive, family-like learning environment. Accredited by ACCSC, the program emphasizes technical skills and direct patient care, fully preparing graduates to sit for the NCLEX-PN/VN exam and enter the workforce confidently.

• 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.