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Prospective vocational nurses can choose from a variety of accredited LVN programs in Southern California. In only two years or less, citizens from San Luis Obispo on down to the Mexican international border can utilize the area's fantastic schools to start a fulfilling career as a vocational nurse. The next few paragraphs analyzes ten of the most highly-esteemed vocational programs in the state's southern section. All of these schools are accredited by the state's BVNPT (Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians) and are regarded as being of the highest quality both in terms of education offered and professionalism. A Word About the Criteria Used for the List The following list ranks LVN schools in Southern California based on the size of the program (i.e. number of graduates per year) and, more importantly, the 2010 NCLEX-PN pass rate for their graduates. As you may guess, the list is somewhat biased toward larger schools. This is not entirely unintended, however, as graduates from larger, more-prestigious schools do often get preferential treatment from a lot of managers in the employment market. Best Vocational Nursing Programs in Southern California No. 10 - CNI (Orange) Its 12-month program generating a 75% pass rate on the NCLEX-PN with its graduates over the past four years, CNI offers one of the best vocational nursing programs in Orange County. Granted an A+ standing by the BBB this year, the institution appears to have stiffened its admissions standards during the last couple of years resulting in a decrease in enrollment from 134 four years ago to 79 last year, but a remarkable improvement in pass rates from 55% to an outstanding 92% in 2010. No. 9 - Marian College (L.A.) One of the smallest LVN programs on this list, Marian College's L.A. campus is highly regarded in the local nursing community. Marian reduced its class sizes even further in the last year to the apparent benefit of its graduates, who saw their NCLEX-PN pass rate improve to 89% in 2010 from the 80% the program had averaged over the previous three years. No. 8 - American Career College (Orange County) One of the largest vocational nursing educators in California, American Career College offers LVN programs in Anaheim, Ontario and L.A. The school's most-successful program in recent years has been its Anaheim location, where over 80% of its 1,000 graduates have become licensed since 2008. No. 7 - Casa Loma College (Van Nuys) Casa Loma College has two vocational nursing programs in L.A., but it's the Van Nuys location that undoubtedly rates with the region's best. The college's 88% pass percentage in 2010 was the most recent in a series of yearly increases (the program's overall mean is 84% over the past four years), and among the principal justifications for the LVN program's massive level of popularity and enormous enrollment. No. 6 - Citrus Community College (Glendora) Glendora's Citrus CC has directed around 80 future vocational nurses through its courses during the last four years to great reviews in the employment market. On average, 85% of the community college's graduates have passed the NCLEX-PN in their initial sitting since 2007. No. 5 - Long Beach City College (Long Beach) With a proven track record that boasts an 86% pass rate among its graduates (highlighted by a record 92% in 2010) on the licensing exam, Long Beach City College offers one of the state's finest public vocational nursing programs. Class sizes tend to be smaller (e.g. there were only 62 graduates last year), which leads to more one-on-one learning opportunity with instructors. No. 4 - Concord Career Colleges (San Bernardino, Garden Grove, San Diego, North Hollywood) The family of Concord Career Colleges represents one of the best collections of LVN programs in Southern California. Each of its four campuses routinely sees well over 80% of graduates pass the NCLEX-PN. Developing about 300 new licensed vocational nurses annually from its combined campuses, Concord is really among the area's vocational nursing schooling titans. No. 3 - North Orange County ROP (Anaheim) The Regional Occupation Program offered in Anaheim is every bit as excellent as it is affordable. With a total tuition cost of less than $2,000 for local high school students (and under $5,000 for adults), the 96% of graduates who have become LVNs after just 13 months of training have enjoyed one of the greatest bargains in the region. No. 2 - Stanbridge College (Irvine) Winner of the 2008-09 ACCSC School of Excellence Award and a finalist for the 2010 America's Best Technical College Award, the Stanbridge College campus in Irvine is definitely the cream of vocational nursing programs in Orange County. Stanbridge possesses a staggering 97% NCLEX-PN pass percentage since introducing its first vocational nursing program three years ago. No. 1 - Riverside Community College (Riverside) Based upon price, class sizes and success, there was clearly little question that Riverside CC had to be first on the list. The LVN program graduates' flawless 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-PN last year was just marginally higher than the 99% they've averaged recently, and the pupils received one of the state's premier vocational nursing educations at community college prices.
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