Program Description

The 30-unit option (Non-Graduate) certificate program is a three-semester program for the applicant with a valid California Vocational Nurse license, who wishes to quickly meet the requirements to take the NCLEX-RN examination as a non-graduate.

The program is designed to prepare students for employment as a Registered Nurse, providing direct care to patients. The LVN choosing this option should be aware that they may not change their status as a 30-unit option RN with the Board of Registered Nursing at any time after RN licensure. Individuals who become licensed as Registered Nurses using this option may not be eligible for licensure in states other than California, and may have difficulty applying to a college/university for an advanced degree. This status will not restrict the practice of a Registered Nurse within California The program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Students must contact the Director of the RN Program prior to submitting their application and for additional information about the program.

Essential Job Functions

To be successful in the Career Ladder Nursing option, you should be able to meet the following job functions.

Work hours:

    1. Must be able to work at various clinical sites, including the hospital, at least 8 -12 hours per day two days per week.
    2. Must be able to attend the nursing and other college theory classes an additional 1-3 days per week.
    3. Must be able, on some days, to take theory and clinical classes lasting as much or more than 12 hours per day.

Physical demands:

  1. Must be able to complete all physical demands required in the Nursing Handbook and the hospital unit where the clinical course is scheduled.
  2. Must be able to use all physical senses, i.e., seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling in a manner that allows the nurse to be able to accurately assess the patient and clinical situation.
  3. Must be able to use fine motor skills of the hands to carry out clinical procedures accurately and safely.
  4. Must be able to operate varied medical equipment.
  5. Must be able to perform such duties as, but not limited to:
    • Lifting patients of various sizes and weights into, onto, and out of bed, chairs, stretchers, and other surfaces.
    • Maneuvering, pulling, pushing, lifting, and turning of patients in awkward positions.
    • Performing related tasks which require the use of hands, arms, shoulders, legs, and feet.
    • Participating in work-related activities that require extensive bending, kneeling, crouching, stooping, standing, and critical movements.

Work Environment

  1. Must be aware of potential risks in healthcare settings which require wearing of safety equipment, such as masks, head coverings, glasses, latex or non-latex gloves, shoe coverings, etc.
  2. Must be able to meet hospital and college performance standards.
  3. Must be able to travel to and from academic and clinical training sites.

Cognitive Abilities

  1. Must be able to understand and work from written and verbal orders.
  2. Must possess effective verbal and written communication skills in English sufficient to safely work in academic and clinical settings.
  3. Must be able to understand and implement related academic and health regulations, healthcare facilities, and hospital policies and procedures.
  4. Must follow all state, federal, and local hospital policies regarding confidentiality rules on patients’ personal, family, and health-related information.
  5. Must possess technical competency with nursing procedures, equipment and computers in patient care and related areas.
  6. Must be able to perform mathematical calculations to determine correct medicine dosage and intravenous flow rates.
  7. Must be able to speak and communicate effectively in English to individuals and small groups in a manner that can be readily understood.
  8. Must be able to conduct personal appraisals and counsel patients and families.
  9. Must be in a functional state of mental health.
  10. Must be able to demonstrate the ability to adapt to changing patient care and professional situations.
  11. Must not have any disability that would interfere with cognitive, physical, or sensate ability to function safely in patient and nursing situations.