Merritt College

Associate of Science in Vocational Nursing

The Vocational Nursing curriculum is designed to prepare students to practice intelligent care at the bedside, to assist in the rehabilitation of the sick and prevention of disease, and to prepare the students for their role in the community as contributing citizens, according to the basic principles of health and nursing. The Vocational Nursing curriculum is accredited by the California Board of Vocational Nurse and Psychiatric Technician Examiners. Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for the California state examination to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN).

The AS degree in Vocational Nursing will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the Major course requirements and the General Education requirements. A Certificate of Achievement will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the major course requirements.

Eligibility/Admission/Completion Requirements:

Admission to the Vocational Nursing program is by special application and evaluation of academic and personal qualifications. Completion of the program requires the student to maintain satisfactory performance (a 75% or better passing grade) in all Vocational Nursing courses and satisfactory performance in the clinical experience.

Program requirements are as follows:

1. Applicants must be high school graduates or the equivalent.
2. Health clearances (physical examination and negative TB test results) are required and are to be submitted to the Vocational Nursing Department before the start of the program.
3. Applicants must satisfactorily complete the prerequisite courses, Biol 20A and 20B, or Biol 2 and
4. or the equivalent, with grade “C” or better before applying to the program.
5. All Vocational Nursing courses in each semester must be completed satisfactorily with a performance grade of 75% or better before a student can enroll in the succeeding semester.
6. The clinical experience, whereby the student is required to work directly with patients, is a significant part of the program. In the interest of patient safety, repeated unsatisfactory performance in the clinical experience will subject a student to dismissal from the program.