Best LVN Programs in Oakland 2026

Madera Community College's Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) program is a focused, three-semester curriculum totaling 45 credit hours. Combining classroom theory with hands-on clinical training, students master foundations of nursing, pharmacology, and patient care, preparing to sit for the LVN licensing exam. Approved by the BVNPT, the program accepts the first 30 qualified applicants, ensuring small cohorts and personalized attention. Tuition is $46 per credit, with total program tuition at $2,070 and an estimated overall cost of $4,756. Prerequisite courses are required and valid for five years. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Applications are submitted in person, and a new LVN application packet will be available in November 2025.

• $2,070 total program tuition
• $46 per credit
• 3-Semester program
• 45 total credit hours
• Prerequisite courses required
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Approved by BVNPT
• Theory and hands-on clinical skills
• First 30 qualified applicants selected

At Los Medanos College, the Vocational Nursing program is a three-semester, campus-based pathway to LVN licensure. The curriculum integrates classroom theory with hands-on clinical experience across the lifespan, from pediatric to geriatric care. Students build fundamental nursing competencies through a structured sequence, advancing from basic skills to more complex patient care responsibilities. Graduates are prepared to function under the supervision of registered nurses or physicians in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. The program aligns with Board of Vocational Nurse standards, ensuring that entry-level practitioners are equipped with the practical knowledge and technical abilities needed for immediate workforce entry. Its focused, experiential approach emphasizes patient safety and compassionate care in diverse healthcare settings.

• 3-Semester program
• Cares for clients of all ages
• Practice under RN or physician direction

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts offers a Vocational Nurse Diploma program integrating nursing, behavioral science, and physical sciences to prepare students for entry-level LVN roles. The curriculum combines classroom instruction with hands-on clinical training at campuses in Concord, Fresno, Modesto, Sacramento, and San Jose. Students gain skills in patient assessment, record-keeping, and basic medical procedures while caring for diverse populations. Graduates are equipped to monitor patient health, administer primary care, and collaborate with medical teams in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities under physician and RN supervision. The academy provides financial aid and military benefits to eligible students.

• Military benefits accepted
• Financial aid available
• Integrates nursing, behavioral, and physical sciences
• Prepares students for diverse client care
• Available at five California campuses

City College of San Francisco's Licensed Vocational Nursing program is an intensive 18-month, three-semester certificate pathway blending rigorous classroom theory with clinical rotations across acute care, clinics, long-term care, and home health. Earning 40.5 college units, students master fundamentals, medical-surgical nursing, mental health, maternity, and pediatric care. Accredited by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, the program offers full-time campus instruction plus an online CityOnline option for coursework. Career assessment and counseling support licensure preparation and job placement. Graduates exit ready for the NCLEX-PN and entry-level LVN roles in diverse healthcare settings, with military-friendly benefits available to eligible learners.

• California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians accredited
• 18-Month program
• Prepares for state licensure in vocational nursing
• Full-time, three-semester program
• Classroom and hospital experience
• 40.5 units of college credit
• Employment in diverse healthcare settings
• Career assessment and counseling available
• Also offered online (CityOnline)

Carrington College's Pleasant Hill campus offers a Practical Nursing certificate program designed for rapid entry into LVN roles, completable in just 12 months. The campus-based format combines classroom theory with hands-on clinical experience across medical-surgical, mental health, and pediatric nursing. Students gain proficiency in anatomy, physiology, and safe patient care, preparing them for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam. Financial aid, including federal grants and scholarships, assists eligible students. The program holds ACCJC accreditation, with ACEN accreditation at select campuses, and includes career services, externship opportunities, and state board approvals. With multiple campus locations, this fast-paced pathway supports professional communication and development for immediate employment in healthcare settings.

• Certificate program.
• 12-month completion time.
• Campus-based learning.
• Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam.
• Hands-on clinical training.
• Medical-surgical nursing focus.
• Mental health nursing included.
• Pediatric nursing covered.
• Anatomy and physiology taught.
• Financial aid available.