Nursing, Vocational Certificate(12550.CT)

School of Allied Health and Public Safety

The Vocational Nursing curriculum comprises three semesters of combined didactic and clinical work on campus and at affiliated healthcare facilities. Upon satisfactory completion of the prerequisites and the nursing courses, a Certificate of Achievement is awarded and the student is then eligible for the National Licensure Examination. An Associate in Arts degree is also available for those students who complete the Merced College General Education requirements.

Program Start Dates:

Only one cohort is in session at a time. August 2023 (Fall semester), January 2025 (Spring semester), August 2026 (Fall semester), January 2028 (Spring semester), etc.

Program Application and Additional Information

Program Prerequisites and Information:

ALLH-67; BIOL-50 or BIOL-16; NUTR-10 and VOCN-46A
All program prerequisites must be passed with a grade of “C” or better and combined GPA of 2.0 or higher.
All must be completed within five (5) years of the date of application.

Accepted students must provide proof of the following requirements: Tdap, MMR, HEP B, Varicella, Current Flu Vaccine, Negative TB test or Negative Chest X-ray, CPR Certification, (American Heart Association - BLS), Physical, criminal background and drug screening clearances.

Further information will be provided at the MANDATORY orientation. If a student is unable to provide proof of these requirements within the designated time frame, the student will be deemed ineligible for admission.

While enrolled in the program, you will be assigned to various clinic facilities in addition to the on-campus portions of the program. By enrollment into the program, you agree to accept clinical assignments in whatever clinical site you are assigned. Clinical assignments will be scheduled during the normal working day hours.

Accreditation:

The Vocational Nursing Program is accredited by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT):

Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians
2535 Capitol Oaks Dr., Suite 205
Sacramento, CA 95833
(916) 263-7800
Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians 

The Vocational Nursing Certificate of Achievement is available for students who successfully complete the full program option. For successful completion, a student must complete the requirements with a minimum grade of a “C” (or P) in each course with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

A. Collaborate with the health care team in providing care.

B. Incorporate knowledge of nursing curriculum to pass the NCLEX exam.

C. Utilize the nursing process to establish a plan of care, recognizing value and commitment to the practice of nursing standards.

D. Apply a code of ethics in solving ethical dilemmas while providing patient/family care.

E. Utilize therapeutic communication to obtain positive outcome sin planning and goal setting for patient care.

F. Demonstrate effective knowledge, skills, and abilities to a nursing career that is constantly evolving and to focus intently on innovative approaches to patient care.

Visit the Program Mapper for more information on when to take classes and career information.

Program Requirements:

Note: A student must achieve a final score of 75% or better in each of the core nursing courses to continue in the program. When two courses must be taken concurrently, passing grades must be maintained in both for the student to continue in either course.

Programs of Similar Interest:

• Nursing, Registered (AS)

• Registered Nursing LVN to RN Option (CT)

• Nursing, Vocational (AA)