Best LVN Programs in Los Angeles 2026
Discover Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) programs in Los Angeles, California with details on schools, classes, tuition, and clinical training. Review licensing requirements and career opportunities for vocational nurses in the Los Angeles area.
2027 Best LVN Programs in Los Angeles, CA
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA - Public 2-Year - lbcc.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Long Beach City College’s Vocational Nursing program prepares students for LVN licensure through a full-time, three-semester curriculum. Coursework covers fundamentals, pharmacology, maternal-infant nursing, and common health deviations, building skills in patient care, medication administration, and critical thinking. The program is accredited by the BVNPT and admits 30 students twice yearly, fostering small cohorts and individualized attention. Classes run during daytime weekdays, with tutoring support available. Applicants must hold a CNA license. Upon completion, graduates are eligible for entry-level nursing positions in hospitals, clinics, and home health settings, and can pursue either a certificate or an Associate of Science degree. This structured pathway offers a supportive environment for launching a nursing career.
- 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
Rancho Cucamonga, CA - Public 2-Year - chaffey.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Chaffey College's Vocational Nursing Certificate prepares students for LVN careers through a BVNPT-accredited curriculum delivered in classroom, lab, simulation, and clinical settings at ten partner healthcare facilities. The program, accredited since 1955, covers anatomy, physiology, patient care, medical terminology, gerontology, and communication, with expert faculty. Graduates are equipped for roles in acute care, long-term care, doctors' offices, and urgent care. With two start terms annually and advanced placement options for transfer students, the program offers flexibility. Prerequisite courses are required. According to California EDD data, LVNs earn between $52,000 and $70,000 annually, reflecting strong demand. 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
Citrus College
Glendora, CA - Public 2-Year - citruscollege.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Citrus College offers a Vocational Nursing certificate program designed to equip students with the technical, social, and professional competencies required for entry-level LVN practice. The curriculum integrates classroom instruction in medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, pharmacology, and nutrition with supervised clinical rotations at affiliated hospitals and clinics. This hands-on approach develops patient care, critical thinking, and teamwork skills while preparing graduates to sit for the NCLEX-VN licensure examination. A notable advantage is that earned credits can be applied toward an associate degree, allowing for educational advancement. The program, housed within the Health Sciences division, culminates in a Certificate of Achievement and provides a solid foundation for a career in healthcare.
- 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
Whittier, CA - Public 4-Year - riohondo.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing Program
Campus Based - Visit Website
Rio Hondo College offers a two-semester Vocational Nursing certificate that prepares students for the LVN licensure and the VN-NCLEX. The curriculum combines classroom instruction in anatomy, psychology, and nursing fundamentals with clinical rotations in acute hospitals, extended care, home health, and medical offices. Emphasizing hands-on patient care, students master assessment, medication administration, and care coordination. Prerequisites include anatomy and psychology; admission requires a 2.5 GPA, background check, drug screening, physical exam, and CPR certification. The program is approved by the California BVNPT and starts annually in the spring. Graduates emerge ready for entry-level nursing roles across diverse healthcare settings, supported by dedicated faculty and a strong community college foundation.
- 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
Torrance, CA - Private 4-year - homesteadschools.net
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing Program
Campus Based - Visit Website
Homestead Schools' Vocational Nursing Program at its Torrance campus prepares students for LVN licensure through a campus-based curriculum focused on patient care, vital signs, and health education. Applicants must hold a high school diploma or GED, demonstrate English proficiency, score at least 76% on a preadmission test, and pass background checks, physical exams, immunizations, and CPR certification. The program is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) and accredited by ABHES, offering financial aid, scholarships, and tutoring. Hands-on clinical training and NCLEX-PN preparation are core components, with transfer credits accepted and multiple campus locations for flexibility. With supportive faculty and a nondiscriminatory admissions policy, graduates enter a field with projected 21% job growth and a median salary of $39,030.
- 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
Santa Ana, CA - Private 4-year - cnicollege.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing Diploma Program
Campus Based - Visit Website
Career Networks Institute (CNI College) offers a 12-month Vocational Nursing Diploma program preparing students for LVN licensure. The curriculum covers anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pediatric and medical-surgical nursing, mental health, and leadership, combining classroom theory with high-fidelity simulation labs. Clinical rotations in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, clinics, and home health agencies build practical skills. ATI resources support NCLEX-PN preparation, achieving a 100% pass rate. Evening classes and weekend clinicals accommodate working adults, and laptops are provided. Admission requires the TEAS or HESI entrance exam. Financial aid includes Pell Grants and Direct Loans, and career services report a 71% job placement rate.
- 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
Garden Grove, CA - Private 2-year - concorde.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical / Vocational Nursing Diploma Program
Campus Based - Visit Website
Concorde Career College-Garden Grove's Vocational Nursing Diploma Program prepares students for LVN licensure through a curriculum covering anatomy, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, and mental health. Hands-on training takes place in on-campus labs and clinical rotations at hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, and home health agencies. The program integrates NCLEX-PN review and is approved by the California BVNPT. Students may enroll in a 13-month full-time daytime track or a 20-month part-time evening/weekend option, with 66.5 credit hours and 757 clinical hours total. Financial aid and scholarships are available for eligible students, and graduates are equipped for diverse LVN roles across 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
Concorde Career College-North Hollywood
North Hollywood, CA - Private 2-year - concorde.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Concorde Career College-North Hollywood offers a campus-based Vocational Nursing Diploma designed to launch students into LVN licensure. The accelerated daytime track takes 13 months, while a 20-month evening/weekend option accommodates working students. The 66.5-credit curriculum includes 198 lab hours and 757 clinical hours across real-world healthcare settings, covering nursing fundamentals, anatomy, pharmacology, mental health nursing, and lifespan patient care. NCLEX-PN review is embedded to prepare graduates for the licensing exam. The program is approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT), ensuring a direct pathway to licensure. Financial aid and scholarships are available for qualifying students, and career services support job placement. This hands-on program equips students with practical skills from birth to elderly care.
- 13-month daytime program.
- 20-month evening/weekend option.
- 66.5 credit hours.
- 198 lab hours.
- 757 clinical hours.
- Campus-based learning.
- NCLEX-PN review included.
- California BVNPT approved.
- Financial aid available.
- Scholarship opportunities.
National Career College
Panorama City, CA - Private 2-year - nccusa.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing (VN)
Campus Based - Visit Website
At National Career College, the 14-month Vocational Nursing diploma program in Panorama City is designed for aspiring LVNs. The ABHES-accredited and California Board of Vocational Nursing–approved curriculum includes 58.5 semester credits and 842 clinical hours at multiple sites, with training in nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, maternal-child health, and mental health. NCLEX-VN preparation is built in, and day or evening classes offer flexibility. Admission requires a high school diploma, California residency, entrance exams, a personal interview, and a $75 fee. Total tuition is about $35,885; financial aid and job placement assistance are available. This military-friendly program also features small class sizes for personalized instruction.
- 14-month program length.
- Diploma credential awarded.
- On-campus location in Panorama City.
- Day and evening class schedules.
- 58.5 semester credit hours.
- 842 clinical hours required.
- ABHES accreditation.
- CA Board of Vocational Nursing approved.
- NCLEX-VN exam preparation included.
- Small class sizes.
North-West College-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA - Private 2-year - nw.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nurse
Campus Based - Visit Website
North-West College's Long Beach campus offers a Vocational Nurse program designed to prepare students for LVN licensure in California. This campus-based curriculum comprises over 1,530 clock hours of instruction, integrating nursing fundamentals, anatomy, pharmacology, and supervised clinical externships across diverse healthcare settings. The program strictly adheres to state licensure requirements and emphasizes hands-on patient care training. Graduates are equipped to sit for the NCLEX-PN examination. Admissions require meeting state and college criteria, and financial aid is available for eligible students. The program is accredited by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT). While no online learning option is mentioned, multiple campus locations are offered, though this listing specifically references the Long Beach site.
- 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.
Los Angeles LVN Program Overview
Licensed Vocational Nurses play a hands-on role in Los Angeles healthcare by delivering bedside care, monitoring vital signs, administering medications under appropriate supervision, and supporting patient education. In a city with expansive safety-net services and a high-acuity patient population, LVNs help staff county hospitals, private hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and community clinics, ensuring timely, culturally responsive care across neighborhoods.
Los Angeles’ healthcare landscape is extensive and diverse. The county’s public system operates multiple acute-care hospitals and community health centers, and the region includes a large network of skilled nursing and long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health providers. Consistent with federal labor data, employment for LVNs is supported by ongoing demand in long-term and post-acute care settings, outpatient services, and home-based care driven by population growth and aging. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports steady national employment growth for LVNs and identifies nursing and residential care facilities, hospitals, and home health as key employers.
LVN programs in Los Angeles are typically offered by community colleges and accredited vocational schools. Programs approved in California include both classroom instruction and supervised clinical experiences that rotate through medical-surgical, gerontology, maternal-child, and other core areas. A common timeline is:
- Full-time: approximately 12 to 18 months
- Part-time or evening/weekend: approximately 18 to 24 months
California requires vocational nursing programs to meet state curriculum standards that include a minimum of 1,530 total hours, with specified amounts of theory and supervised clinical practice. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-PN, the national licensure exam for practical and vocational nurses.
Licensure and practice for LVNs in California are regulated by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, which approves programs, sets education standards, and authorizes candidates to take the NCLEX-PN as part of the licensing process.
Employment Opportunities for LVNs in Los Angeles
The healthcare employment landscape in Los Angeles, California, offers a promising outlook for Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), also known as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in other states. Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 5% employment growth for LPNs/LVNs from 2022 to 2032, with approximately 55,800 annual openings. California stands out by employing the highest number of LPNs/LVNs in the nation. The California Employment Development Department projects a 12.0% job growth rate for LVNs from 2021 to 2031, translating to roughly 2,330 job openings each year. LVNs in Los Angeles are among the highest compensated in the state, with an average annual wage of $70,050 as of May 2023, reflecting the city’s dynamic healthcare environment and the crucial role LVNs play in meeting the diverse health needs of its population.
LVNs are essential across a diverse range of healthcare settings throughout the Los Angeles area, providing vital patient care and support services. The types of facilities that commonly hire LVNs include:
- Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs):These facilities are significant employers, offering numerous job opportunities for LVNs.
- Home Health Agencies:Driven by an aging population and a preference for in-home care, home health agencies frequently seek LVNs to provide services such as wound care, medication administration, and vital sign monitoring.
- Hospitals:LVNs are hired in various hospital departments, including Medical-Surgical, Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN), and Transitional Care Units.
- Senior Living Facilities and Assisted Living Communities:These facilities actively seek LVNs to manage patient care plans, assist with daily living activities, and ensure residents’ overall well-being.
- Rehabilitation Centers:LVNs provide hands-on care, physical therapy support, medication administration, and patient education in both general rehabilitation and psychiatric rehabilitation settings.
- Private Practices, Ambulatory Care, and Clinics:LVNs support physicians and nursing staff by performing patient care assessments and medically related tasks in outpatient and clinical settings.
- Other Specialized Settings:Opportunities also exist in hospice care, behavioral health settings, utilization management, and school health for pediatric patients.
Several prominent healthcare organizations consistently hire LVNs in the Los Angeles region, offering diverse roles and opportunities:
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center/Medical Network:This top-ranked healthcare provider offers LVN positions in various departments, including ambulatory care and cardiology.
- PIH Health:As a nonprofit regional healthcare network serving Los Angeles County residents, PIH Health operates hospitals (Downey, Good Samaritan, Whittier) and numerous outpatient medical office buildings, as well as home healthcare and hospice services, all of which may employ LVNs.
- Kaiser Permanente:A major integrated managed care consortium, Kaiser Permanente frequently has LVN positions in its medical offices and clinics across Los Angeles, supporting various specialties including pediatrics.
- CommonSpirit Health (including Dignity Health):This large healthcare system offers LVN and LPN job opportunities within its extensive network.
- Molina Healthcare:Often involving local travel, Molina Healthcare hires LVNs for roles such as Field Care Manager in Long Term Services & Supports (LTSS), focusing on case management for Medicaid members.
In addition to these major systems, numerous smaller facilities and networks significantly contribute to LVN employment in Los Angeles. These include various skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers such as Holiday Manor Care Center, Miracle Mile Healthcare Center, Sylmar Health & Rehab, New Vista Nursing and Rehab, and Montebello Care Center. Assisted living and senior care facilities like Highland Manor Assisted Living, Glen Park Senior Living, Belmont Village Senior Living, and San Marino Manor also actively hire LVNs. Home health and hospice providers such as Nationwide Home Health Care, Omega Home Health Care Services Inc., and Newport Hospice depend on LVNs. Furthermore, community clinics and specialized care centers like APLA Health Center, Unite Here Clinic, AltaMed, and Evolve Treatment Centers offer specialized LVN roles. Local hospitals including Los Angeles Community Hospital, Northridge Hospital Medical Center, Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center, Glendale Adventist Medical Center, and Valley Presbyterian Hospital also frequently have LVN positions available.
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