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.
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2026 Best LVN Programs in San Bernardino, CA
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 program that prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam, with two credential options: a Certificate of Achievement or Associate of Science Degree. The curriculum covers 51-67 units of essential nursing skills, approved by BVNPT and ACEN. Admission requires prerequisites like Biology and Psychology, plus an active CNA certificate, making it accessible for aspiring LVNs. Approximately 40-70 students are accepted annually, with costs around $2,000 per year, focusing on a comprehensive, hands-on education for California licensure.
- 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
Citrus College
Glendora, CA - Public 2-Year - citruscollege.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Citrus College offers a comprehensive Vocational Nursing program that prepares students for LVN licensure through the California State Board Examination. This one-year, full-time certificate program emphasizes direct patient care training under medical supervision, with a small class size of 24 students to ensure personalized attention. Graduates are equipped for entry-level nursing roles in diverse healthcare settings like hospitals, clinics, and home health agencies. The program is California Board approved and focuses on building essential skills for a successful nursing career, providing a solid foundation for those seeking immediate employment in the healthcare field.
- 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
Walnut, CA - Public 2-Year - mtsac.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Mt. San Antonio College's Vocational Nursing program in Walnut, CA, is a noncredit pathway for adult learners seeking immediate entry into healthcare roles. It equips students with essential nursing science skills through a curriculum regulated by the BVNPT, preparing them for the NCLEX-PN exam and licensure as vocational nurses in California. Graduates are ready for diverse employment in hospitals, clinics, and skilled nursing facilities, with an emphasis on a supportive, inclusive environment that fosters career advancement. Admission requires passing core courses, ensuring a foundation for success in this hands-on, employment-focused program.
- 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.
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA - Public 2-Year - chaffey.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Chaffey College's Vocational Nursing program, established in 1955, offers comprehensive training through hands-on labs and clinical rotations. Students develop practical skills in compassionate patient care, supported by experienced faculty. The curriculum includes prerequisites like human anatomy and physiology, plus a current California CNA certification. Graduates are well-prepared for the licensure exam and high-demand roles in healthcare settings, with competitive salaries. Admission involves random selection and requires annual CPR certification and transcript evaluation. Information sessions help applicants understand the process, focusing on readiness for diverse nursing environments.
- 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.
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.