Welcome

As the current generation of nurses begins to retire, hospitals and other health care institutions need to find qualified replacements. The largest generation in U.S. history—the Baby Boomers—is aging, increasing the need for well-trained health care professionals. In ongoing efforts to increase hospital operational efficiency, health care delivery is shifting from physicians to nurse practitioners. These factors make nursing one of the fastest-growing professions in the United States.

To practice nursing care in California, you must be licensed by the California State Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), the California Board of Vocational Nursing (BVN), or be certified by the California State Department of Health Services. To receive a license or certification, you must meet educational requirements, pass a criminal background check, and pass the licensing or certifying examination. School of Nursing and Allied Health programs provide exceptional academic and applied preparation while guiding students through the entire licensing or certifying process.

Those who already hold a California license may be interested in continuing education courses or the LVN-ADN program. See Programs for details.

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Nursing

Licensed, educated, professional nurses are Registered Nurses (RNs). The Ventura College Associate Degree Nursing program prepares students to become RNs. Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory of Nursing provides the framework through which students learn the nursing process. Both theoretical and clinical learning environments encourage close student/faculty interaction: lecture sections are currently limited to 55 students, and laboratory sections to 11 students. After completing your educational requirements at Ventura College and passing a criminal background check, you will be ready to take the national licensing exam (NCLEX-RN). Upon passing this exam, you will become a licensed Registered Nurse.

The job market for RNs is excellent, and is expected to remain so for many years. Graduates find employment in diverse settings, including hospitals, physician offices, home health, public health, clinics, surgicenters, government and private agencies, schools, and other community settings. Hospital nurses form the largest group of nurses with positions in surgery, maternity, geriatrics, pediatrics, emergency department, intensive and coronary care, cancer, and many other specialty areas. RNs also supervise care provided by licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants.

Nursing encompasses many roles: care giver, counselor, patient advocate, and health educator. Almost no other profession is quite as challenging and rewarding.

Consult the Admissions and Programs pages for admissions and course information.

Nursing Assistant

The Certified Nurse Assistant program teaches students how to provide basic nursing care under the direction and supervision of a licensed nurse and in a variety of health care settings. The duties of a CNA include taking and recording vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, etc.), measuring food and liquid intake and output, assisting patients with personal care including eating, bathing and dressing, assisting patients with walking, using wheelchairs, recreational therapy, and other activities. CNAs obtain positions in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, community agencies, physicians' offices, and clients' homes.

The lecture/laboratory courses are concurrent and require one semester to complete. Lectures are usually held in the evening or on Friday afternoon and labs on one eight hour day per week. Students also have the option to pursue additional training via workshops and volunteer work experience. Once certified, CNAs may continue their studies by pursuing the Associate Degree in Nursing.

With shorter hospital stays and a growing senior citizen population, demand for CNAs continues to grow. These programs are your first steps in a health care career that offers challenging experiences and, most importantly, the opportunity to help others.

Consult the Programs page for specific requirements.