VN Application Info
Read Steps, Requirements & FAQs
Vocational Nursing Application Process & Requirements
Step 1: Apply to Long Beach City College
Before you can apply to any of the Nursing programs, you must first apply for admission to Long Beach City College. Please take a look at our enrollment guides on the Get Started section for more information.
Step 2: Watch the Recorded Information Session and Attend a Q&A session
Watch the recorded LBCC VN Information Meeting
Students interested in enrolling in the Vocational Nursing program should view the recorded information meetings and attend a Q&A session for an opportunity to ask questions. Sessions are regularly held during the Fall and Spring semesters.
- February 26 @ 5:00 p.m.
- March 26 @ 5:00 p.m.
- April 30 @ 5:00 p.m.
- May 28 @ 5:00 p.m.
Question and Answer Sessions are held by Zoom video conference and are regularly held during the Fall and Spring semesters. To attend, please email Marc Smith, Nursing & Allied Health Coordinator, at m4smith@lbcc.edu.
Sign up for Viking Vitals Club for pre-health students.
Step 3: Meet Application Requirements
VN Program Pre-Requisite Requirements
Before applying to the Licensed Vocational Nursing Program, please make sure you meet the following prerequisites and admission requirements.
| PREREQUISITES |
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| HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA or GED (Mandatory) |
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All applicants must provide a copy of a high school transcript, diploma or GED certificate. International transcripts must be evaluated by the Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute. We do not accept assessment test results from other schools. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree or higher should see a Counselor regarding General Education requirements. For more information, please refer to the graduation proficiency requirements listed in Plan A under the General Education Patterns or speak with a Counselor. |
| MATH |
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Satisfying this proficiency may be achieved by any one of the following:
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| READING |
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Satisfying this proficiency may be achieved by any one of the following:
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| WRITING |
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Satisfying this proficiency may be achieved by any one of the following:
|
| REQUIREMENTS |
|---|
| LIFE SCIENCES |
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One of the following options must be completed with a grade of C or better before admittance to the program:
Life Science courses must have a combined GPA of 2.0 or higher and be completed within seven (7) years prior to the application deadline. Equivalent courses taken at other colleges must be reviewed by LBCC). If you would like to have your courses evaluated, please submit the Life Science Equivalency form to Marc Smith, Nursing & Allied Health Coordinator, via email at m4smith@lbcc.edu. You must include a copy of unofficial transcripts with your request. |
| CNA CERTIFICATE |
| Applicants must have a current valid Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certificate from the State of California. |
| PHARMACOLOGY |
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One of the following options must be completed with a grade of C or better before admittance to the program:
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| ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS |
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Applicants must complete the following courses with a grade of C or better before admittance to the program.
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Step 4: Complete the Nursing Application
VN Program Application Process
After satisfying all the application requirements in Step 3 for the VN program and all prerequisite coursework is complete, the student must submit the VN Application.
Applications will be accepted for entry to the LVN program for Fall 2025 from May 19-22, 2025 and for Spring 2026 from November 10-13, 2025 in Building C, Room C-100 (View map)
Applicants must submit their application in person and show ID. No application will be accepted if submitted by anyone other than the applicant.
Step 5: Obtain Clinical Requirements
If accepted into the VN program, the student will be notified via email and should begin the process of obtaining the clinical requirements needed for entry.
- Purchase the Medical Document Manager package from Castlebranch.com by placing an order and entering the code LB67IM in the form field.
- Follow the instructions and fill out the necessary information to complete your order.
- Begin uploading the required documents.
- Students will also need to purchase a Background check through Castlebranch.com.
Step 6: Complete a Background Check
All incoming students must have cleared a background check within the last 18 months from the program start date through Castlebranch.com You can purchase a background check by placing an order and entering the code LB67 in the form field.
FAQs – Course Requirements
What are the prerequisite requirements before applying to the VN program?
VN Program Pre-Requisite Requirements
Students must meet the following requirements before entering the program:
- Have a current, valid California Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certificate.
- Have a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Meet the proficiency standards for Reading, Writing, and Mathematics.
- Have a high school diploma or GED or a degree of higher education from an accredited college (AA,AS,BS or BA).
- Completed the following courses:
- Human Biology 1
- Nursing Applications of Pharmacology
Can I take the prerequisite courses at other schools? Will I have a better chance of getting in if I take them at LBCC?
Not necessarily. A student must take VN240 (Mental Health) here at LBCC, while the CNA may be taken elsewhere. A student must get a CNA certificate from the State of California. A student may take Pharmacology elsewhere but be sure it meets the requirements for application.
Does LBCC have a CNA course?
VN215 (Fundamentals of Nursing) provides students the theory and clinical hours required to take Certification exam offered by the State of California.
Will I need a background check?
Yes. A cleared background check is required before attending clinical in both the VN215 course and the VN program. Please go to castlebranch.com and use code: LB67 to initiate the process. This sometimes takes awhile, so we suggest you start the process as soon as you are registered.
Students will also need to purchase the Medical Document Manager package from castlebranch.com, by placing an order and entering the code LB67IM in the form field. Again, we suggest that students begin uploading the required documents as the clinical requirements must be complete to continue in the course/program.
FAQs – About the Program
What are the advantages of taking the LVN path vs the RN path from the start? How difficult is it for an LVN grad to get into the RN program?
The LVN program is a gradual introduction into the healthcare field so that students can become more comfortable with nursing skills.
Should I take the RN level science courses now because I want to take the ladder route to RN?
It is up to you. However, grades from the RN science courses (Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology) weigh heavy upon admission. It is best to take Biology 60 or an equivalent course, finish the VN program, and then take RN science prerequisites. Doing so will ensure that they are current within the required 5 years time period and students generally do much better in the classes.
Do I have to get an Associate Degree in order to take the state exam for VN?
No. An Associate Degree in Vocational Nursing or a Career Certificate in Vocational Nursing is sufficient. You may apply for either depending on the number of units completed.
What is the pass rate on the state exam?
The graduates from the VN program consistently score much higher than state. Visit NCSBN’s exam statistics & publications for more information.
What is the selection process for who gets into the class?
Please review the VN information sheet. The selection process is based mostly on the science GPA (Pharmacology and BIO 60 or an equivalent).
Is there a waiting list?
No, we do not keep a wait list. Students must re-apply for the Spring and Fall entry.
How long is the program?
A total of 3 semesters within the Spring and Fall semesters.
How many graduates do you usually have?
The graduating class is usually around 60 students per academic year.
How often do you students graduate from the program?
We hold graduations twice a year in June and December.
What hospitals or medical facilities do you go to for clinicals?
Clinicals may be at acute care, sub-acute care, long-term care, rehabilitation facilities, outpatient clinics etc. Students rotate through various sites to meet the requirements of the program. The VN program uses facilities within and close to the Long Beach area.
Facilities are subject to change.
FAQs – Transfer
How can I get my transcripts evaluated?
A student must have completed 12 units at LBCC to have transcripts evaluated; however, this may not impact your ability to apply to the VN program. A student must show official transcripts with the program application. You can use the Transfer Evaluation System (TES) to get the most accurate information about course equivalencies.
If I have foreign transcripts, how do I get them evaluated?
LBCC does not accept foreign transcripts for nursing equivalency or prerequisites.
FAQs – Financial Aid
Do you have financial aid? If so, how do I find more information?
Contact the Financial Aid office for more information. Also, a student is encouraged to look for scholarships through the LBCC Foundation.
How much does the program cost?
The estimated cost of the program is around $5000.00 and is comprised of enrollment fees, books & supplies, uniforms, and various program-related expenses.