Practical Nursing / Vocational Nursing
Carrington’s Practical Nursing and Vocational Nursing programs prepare graduates to work in an entry-level nursing career.
Program Details
Cost & Financial Aid
Education is a major investment, but it’s an investment in your future. Every student comes to Carrington with unique financial needs. Carrington College is committed to helping you achieve your education goals. We participate in most financial assistance programs, both federal and state, as well as private financing. Each program has different requirements and application instructions. Student loans, grants, and scholarships are available to those who qualify.
For complete information on current tuition costs, please see page 236 of the Academic Catalog.
Location Availability
Vocational Nursing programs are available at two California locations.
The Practical Nursing program is available in Idaho and New Mexico.
Program Specific Disclosures
Licensure Exam Pass Rates
This program prepares graduates for an occupation in which passage of a California licensing examination is required. The link below shows exam passage rates for the most recent available year. If you have questions regarding the calculation of these rates please contact the agency listed.
Board of Vocational Nursing & Psychiatric Technicians https://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/pdf/vn_pass_rates.pdf
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) requires that the following student achievement outcome data be made publicly available.
- Graduates’ success on the licensure and/or certification examination
- Students’ completion of the nursing program
- Graduates obtaining a job
To view this information for Carrington College’s ACEN – accredited nursing programs, click here
Accreditation & Approvals
Carrington College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC/WASC), 428 J Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814; 415- 506-0234, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.
Additional information about accreditation, including the filing of complaints against member institutions, can be found at www.accjc.org/.
For comprehensive information on Carrington’s accreditation and approvals, visit carrington.edu/accreditation.
The Practical Nursing program at Carrington College at the campus located in Boise, Idaho is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30326, 404 975 5000. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Practical Nursing program is Continuing Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
Carrington College holds full approval for its Practical Nursing program and its associate degree professional nursing education program. The Idaho Board of Nursing issued a certificate of approval. Board offices: 280 North 8th Street, Suite 210, P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720 – 0061, 208 334 3110, www.ibn.idaho.gov.
The New Mexico Board of Nursing certifies that Carrington College is granted initial approval to offer Practical Nursing in the State of New Mexico, 6301 Indian School NE, Suite 710, Albuquerque, NM, 87110 505 841 8340, bon.nm.gov.
The Vocational Nursing program located at the Sacramento and San Jose campus are approved by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, 2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 205, Sacramento, CA 95833, 916-263-7800, www.bvnpt.ca.gov.
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Career Opportunities
Nursing job duties vary depending on the level of nursing you are practicing and the state in which you are licensed. Typical job duties of an LPN or LVN include:1
- Monitor patients’ health, for example, by checking their blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, and oxygen saturation levels.
- Administer basic patient care, including changing bandages and inserting catheters
- Provide for the basic comfort of patients, such as helping them bathe or dress
- Discuss the care they are providing with patients and listen to their concerns
- Report patients’ status and concerns to registered nurses and doctors
- Keep records on patients’ health
What Will I Learn?
Medical Surgical Nursing
Mental Health Nursing
Pediatric Nursing
Anatomy and Physiology
Check out our guide on becoming a Practical Nurse/Vocational Nurse.
Licensed vocational nurses or licensed practical nurses provide basic medical care under the direction of a registered nurse. The major difference between LVNs and LPNs is where they practice. One benefit of a practical or vocational nursing position is that it is a quick way to enter the healthcare field. LPN and LVN are entry-level nursing designations. Find out more in our career guide.
Practical Nursing/Vocational Nursing FAQ
What is vocational nursing?
In vocational nursing, medical professionals are trained to provide basic patient care. In this capacity, licensed vocational nurses (LVN) and licensed practical nurses (LPN) will work under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN). If you want to make a difference with quality patient care sooner rather than later, Carrington College offers a Practical Nursing and Vocational Nursing certificate program you could complete in as few as 12 months.
What does a vocational nurse do?
Like licensed practical nurses (LPN), a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) provides basic patient care under the direct supervision of a registered nurse (RN). The biggest difference between the two nursing professionals is the name, with one more predominately used over the other in different parts of the country. Either way, for those who want to pursue a nursing career sooner rather than later, the education required to prepare for licensure as an LPN or LVN can often be completed in as little as 12 months. Then they could quickly pursue a career monitoring vitals, changing bandages, listening to patient concerns, maintaining records, and more.
What is a practical nurse?
As with a licensed vocational nurse (LVN), a licensed practical nurse (LPN) is a medical professional trained to provide basic nursing care to patients. They work under the direction of RNs and other medical professionals. The difference between LPNs and LVNs is the name. Different parts of the country prefer one title over another. Either way, the education required to pursue a career as an LPN or LVN can often be completed in as few as 12 months, making it a quick and viable route toward a patient-focused career.
How to become a licensed practical nurse?
The first step to becoming a professional nurse in any capacity is education. Once you have gained the skills and feel confident in your nursing ability, you will need to take and pass the National Council Licensure Exam for practical nurses (NCLEX-PN) to earn your designation as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN). Whether you are looking for a Vocational Nursing or Practical Nursing program, Carrington College can help you quickly pursue entry-level career opportunities with our certificate programs that can be completed in as few as 12 months .
What is vocational nursing?
In vocational nursing, medical professionals are trained to provide basic patient care. In this capacity, licensed vocational nurses (LVN) and licensed practical nurses (LPN) will work under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN). If you want to make a difference with quality patient care sooner rather than later, Carrington College offers a Practical Nursing and Vocational Nursing certificate program you could complete in as few as 12 months.
What does a vocational nurse do?
Like licensed practical nurses (LPN), a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) provides basic patient care under the direct supervision of a registered nurse (RN). The biggest difference between the two nursing professionals is the name, with one more predominately used over the other in different parts of the country. Either way, for those who want to pursue a nursing career sooner rather than later, the education required to prepare for licensure as an LPN or LVN can often be completed in as little as 12 months. Then they could quickly pursue a career monitoring vitals, changing bandages, listening to patient concerns, maintaining records, and more.
What is a practical nurse?
As with a licensed vocational nurse (LVN), a licensed practical nurse (LPN) is a medical professional trained to provide basic nursing care to patients. They work under the direction of RNs and other medical professionals. The difference between LPNs and LVNs is the name. Different parts of the country prefer one title over another. Either way, the education required to pursue a career as an LPN or LVN can often be completed in as few as 12 months, making it a quick and viable route toward a patient-focused career.
How to become a licensed practical nurse?
The first step to becoming a professional nurse in any capacity is education. Once you have gained the skills and feel confident in your nursing ability, you will need to take and pass the National Council Licensure Exam for practical nurses (NCLEX-PN) to earn your designation as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN). Whether you are looking for a Vocational Nursing or Practical Nursing program, Carrington College can help you quickly pursue entry-level career opportunities with our certificate programs that can be completed in as few as 12 months .