About the Career Ladder Nursing Program

Program Description

The Licensed Vocational Nurse to Registered Nurse curriculum enhances and provides the student with additional theoretical and clinical skills to seek employment in hospitals, clinics, private physician offices, and skilled nursing in extended and long-term care facilities as Registered Nurses.

Emphasis is on building nursing theory and reinforcing concepts to promote, maintain, and restore health in individuals with common and complex health problems, throughout the life span. Additionally, the development and application of nursing skills and concepts utilizing the nursing process in the care of these individuals throughout the life span is further emphasized.

Program Completion

Upon completion of the Licensed Vocational Nurse to Registered Nurse Curriculum, the student will receive a Certificate of Achievement, an Associate in Science Degree, and will be eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) and if successful will qualify to receive a license from the Board of Registered Nursing to practice nursing in the State of California.

A grade of C or better in all Licensed Vocational Nurse to Registered Nurse coursework is required to meet the California Board of Registered Nursing regulations.

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.