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Best LVN Programs in San Francisco 2026

Discover Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) programs in San Francisco, California with details on schools, coursework, tuition, and clinical training. Review licensing requirements and career opportunities for vocational nurses in the San Francisco area.

Written by Jane Dewy and Edited by The PracticalNursing.org Editorial Team.
Expert Guide Verified updated on May 29th, 2025.
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San Francisco California LVN programs providing nursing education and hands-on clinical training for entry-level vocational nursing careers
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Cities in California

2027 Best LVN Programs in San Francisco, CA

We at practicalnursing.org have put together a list of the best LVN programs in San Francisco, CA. Our rankings come from taking a close look at each school's curriculum, cost, pass rates, and student support. The goal is to help future nurses find a program that fits their needs and budget. San Francisco is home to many solid vocational nursing schools, including community colleges and private career centers. This guide highlights the standouts so the choice becomes easier. For a full breakdown of how these rankings were determined, visit our methodology page: https://www.practicalnursing.org/rankings-methodology/
#1

Madera Community College

Madera, CA - Public 2-Year - maderacollege.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Licensed Vocational Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Madera Community College's Vocational Nursing (LVN) program is a focused three-semester curriculum designed to prepare students for the LVN licensing exam. With 45 total credit hours at $46 per credit, the program offers an affordable pathway at approximately $2,070 in tuition, with an estimated total program cost of $4,756. The coursework blends theoretical instruction with hands-on clinical training, covering foundations of nursing, principles and practice, pharmacology, and nursing guidance. Approved by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT), the program admits only the first 30 qualified applicants, ensuring small cohort sizes and personalized attention. Prerequisite courses must be completed within five years. Financial aid and scholarships are available, making this a practical and cost-effective choice for aspiring LVNs.

  • $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
#2

Los Medanos College

Pittsburg, CA - Public 2-Year - losmedanos.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing Program

Campus Based - Visit Website

The Vocational Nursing Program at Los Medanos College is a three-semester, campus-based track designed for LVN licensure. Integrating classroom theory with hands-on clinical experiences, the curriculum addresses patient care across the lifespan. Students develop foundational nursing abilities through a progressive sequence, culminating in readiness to practice under the supervision of registered nurses or physicians. Graduates find employment in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and skilled nursing facilities. The program aligns with Board of Vocational Nurse standards, providing a focused, practical education for entry-level nursing roles. This structured approach ensures mastery of essential skills, preparing students to deliver competent care in diverse healthcare settings.

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

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts

San Jose, CA - Private 4-year - gurnick.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nurse

Campus Based - Visit Website

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts' Vocational Nurse Diploma program integrates nursing, behavioral science, and physical sciences to ready students for entry-level LVN roles. The curriculum combines classroom theory with hands-on clinical training at five California campuses: Concord, Fresno, Modesto, Sacramento, and San Jose. Students master patient assessment, basic medical procedures, and record-keeping while caring for diverse populations. Graduates monitor patient health, administer primary care, and collaborate with medical teams in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities under RN or physician supervision. The program builds a strong foundation for California nursing careers. Eligible students can access financial aid and military/veteran benefits, making this an accessible pathway into healthcare.

  • Military benefits accepted
  • Financial aid available
  • Integrates nursing, behavioral, and physical sciences
  • Prepares students for diverse client care
  • Available at five California campuses
#4

City College of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA - Public 2-Year - ccsf.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Licensed Vocational Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

City College of San Francisco delivers a rigorous, full-time Licensed Vocational Nursing program completed in 18 months and 40.5 college credits. This campus-based certificate integrates classroom theory with hands-on hospital rotations, covering medical-surgical, mental health, maternity, and pediatric nursing. Students gain practical experience across acute care, clinics, long-term care, and home health settings. Accredited by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, the program prepares graduates to sit for the state licensure exam and pursue entry-level LVN careers. Support services include career assessment and counseling, and the curriculum is also available through CityOnline for added flexibility. Military-friendly status further broadens access for eligible students.

  • 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)
#5

Carrington College-Pleasant Hill Campus

Pleasant Hill, CA - Private 2-year - carrington.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Carrington College's Pleasant Hill campus offers a Practical Nursing certificate program designed for a fast-paced career start. Students complete the campus-based curriculum in as few as 12 months, combining classroom instruction with hands-on clinical training across medical-surgical, mental health, and pediatric settings. Coursework also covers anatomy and physiology, patient-centered care, communication, and professional behaviors. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-PN and entry-level LVN positions. The program is institutionally accredited by ACCJC, with ACEN accreditation available at select campuses. Qualified students can access federal aid, grants, and scholarships. Career services and externship opportunities enhance employability, making this a solid option for aspiring LVNs.

  • 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.
*Data retrieved from: National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS 2025.

San Francisco LVN Program Overview

Licensed Vocational Nurses play a vital role in San Francisco’s healthcare system by delivering direct bedside care, administering medications, supporting chronic disease management, and coordinating with registered nurses and physicians across hospital units, clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health. In a city with major academic and safety net providers, LVNs help sustain access to essential nursing services for diverse patient populations.

San Francisco’s care landscape includes large employers and practice settings where LVNs commonly work: the public system operated by the San Francisco Department of Public Health, including Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center and Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center; academic medicine through UCSF Health; private and integrated systems such as Sutter Health’s California Pacific Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente San Francisco; the San Francisco VA Health Care System; numerous community clinics; home health agencies; and long term care and rehabilitation centers. Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses to grow over the 2022 to 2032 decade, reflecting continued demand in long term care, outpatient services, and home health. While local hiring needs fluctuate by employer and setting, the breadth of facilities in San Francisco sustains steady opportunities for LVNs.

LVN programs serving San Francisco are approved in California and designed to meet state training standards. The California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians sets a minimum of 1,530 total training hours for vocational nursing education, combining classroom theory with supervised clinical practice. Full time programs commonly run about 12 to 18 months, while part time, evening, or weekend options can extend to roughly 18 to 24 months, depending on the school’s schedule and clinical placement availability.

Curricula emphasize patient safety, pharmacology, medical surgical nursing, gerontology, maternal child health, and mental health, with clinical rotations in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and community based sites in and around San Francisco. Programs prepare graduates to take the NCLEX PN and to meet California licensure requirements. The California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians oversees program approval, licensure, and eligibility for examination; prospective students should verify that a program is board approved and review current application, background check, and testing requirements before enrolling.

Employment Opportunities for LVNs in San Francisco

Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) in California, known as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) elsewhere, play a vital role in San Francisco’s dynamic healthcare sector. The employment outlook for LVNs in the city and the broader Bay Area is strong and continues to grow. Between April 2023 and April 2024, the healthcare and social assistance industry in the San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City Metropolitan Division saw an addition of 4,300 jobs, driven by an aging population and increased access to health insurance and preventive care. This growth trend is consistent with statewide projections.

Statewide projections from the California Employment Development Department indicate a 10.1% increase in LVN jobs from 2020 to 2030, an addition of 7,700 jobs. This translates to an average of 3,360 job openings annually due to growth and separations. San Francisco is recognized among the top-paying metropolitan areas in California for LVNs. As of May 2023, the average annual salary for an LVN in the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward metropolitan area is $79,810, or $38.37 per hour. Annual salaries typically range from $64,300 (25th percentile) to $92,720 (75th percentile), with top earners in the 90th percentile making around $106,300 annually.

LVNs in San Francisco find employment across a diverse range of healthcare settings, providing essential patient care. These include:

  • Hospitals:Major employers for LVNs, with facilities like Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, which is part of the San Francisco Health Network. Kaiser Permanente also lists LVN positions in its San Francisco facilities.
  • Nursing Homes and Residential Care Facilities:These long-term care environments are among the most common employers for LVNs, who provide direct patient care and support for residents.
  • Home Health Agencies:Numerous opportunities exist for LVNs in home health, providing in-home nursing care for patients. Agencies such as Amedisys and Aveanna Healthcare actively recruit for positions in San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area.
  • Private Practices and Clinics:LVNs are hired in private practices and clinics, including specialized clinics focusing on areas like male fertility and sexual health, or those dispensing medication for substance use disorders. The San Francisco Health Network also operates over 15 primary care health centers.
  • Rehabilitation Centers:LVNs work in rehabilitation settings, including Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, which is another key facility within the San Francisco Health Network.
  • Senior Living Facilities:Memory care communities and assisted living facilities in and around San Francisco actively hire LVNs to assist residents with daily living activities and provide necessary medical care.
  • Behavioral Health and Other Specialized Settings:Roles include Licensed Psychiatric Technicians (LPTs) and LVNs in behavioral health programs and as Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Dispensing Nurses.

Several prominent healthcare organizations are known for hiring LVNs in the San Francisco Bay Area:

  • Kaiser Permanente:One of the largest not for profit health plans, with a significant presence throughout the Bay Area.
  • University of California San Francisco (UCSF):UCSF employs LVNs in various medical settings, including hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, and home care.
  • San Francisco Health Network (part of the San Francisco Department of Public Health):This network encompasses Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, and numerous primary care health centers, all of which hire LVNs.
  • CommonSpirit Health / Dignity Health:These systems are major healthcare providers, with Dignity Health being one of the nation’s largest, and CommonSpirit Health lists LVN positions.
  • Sutter Health:A large not for profit healthcare system in the Bay Area, though current public job listings may predominantly feature Registered Nurse roles, it remains a significant employer in the region.
  • John Muir Health:Located east of San Francisco, this system serves Contra Costa, Alameda, and southern Solano Counties, including acute care facilities, psychiatric hospitals, and various outpatient services.
  • Home Health Agencies:Companies such as Aveanna Healthcare, American CareQuest, Inc., and 21st Century Home Health Services Inc. are active in hiring home health LVNs in the San Francisco Bay Area.
  • Other Noteworthy Employers:Crestwood Behavioral Health, Felton Institute, Front Porch Communities and Services, The Turek Clinic, and BAART Programs also feature job postings for LVNs in various specialized or long-term care roles. Molina Healthcare also seeks LVNs for Field Care Manager positions related to Long Term Services & Supports (LTSS).

List of LVN Programs in San Francisco, CA

We've gathered a list of LVN programs in San Francisco, CA, to help you start your nursing career. The table below gives you a clear view of each school's city and state location, along with program highlights that set them apart. You'll also find direct links to the school's program page, making it easy to explore details like curriculum, duration, and admission requirements. Take a look and compare your options.

San Francisco, CA

City College of San Francisco

  • Certificate/Diploma - Licensed Vocational Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • 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
*The data used in this analysis come from NCES's IPEDS 2025 survey.

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