Vocational Nursing Program Brochure (Advanced Placement/Transfer)

Advanced Placement/Transfer is defined as entering the program at a level beyond the first semester of the Vocational Nursing (VN) program. Applicants who may qualify for this option include Psychiatric Technicians, individuals who have held Military Health Care Occupations, and those looking to transfer from another eligible VN program where they hold “good standing” status. A challenge exam may be required for appropriate placement.

Applications will be accepted during the VN application period and acceptance will be dependent on available seats for the cohort that applicant is eligible for.

Course Requirements

VN Program and Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT)

All requirements must be completed at the time the application is submitted, and students must have earned a “C” grade or higher at BC, or an equivalent course at another accredited college.

• ENGL B1A – Expository Composition (prior completion of ENGL B50 will be accepted)
• BIOL B18 – Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology or completion of both BIOL B32 and BIOL B33
• PSYC B1A – General Psychology
• MATH B27– College Algebra or TECM B40 – Technical Mathematics for Careers or higher level of Math placement

Program Requirements

• Good standing student status (academic and in progress)
• Meet the minimum Essential Technical Standards
• Must pass background, drug/alcohol screening
• Must possess valid American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) card
• Must have valid Social Security Number or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN)

Application Period

All application forms and transcripts must be received in the Allied Health Office (MS-178) during the designated filing period outlined below. Applications received prior to, or after these dates will not be accepted.

February 1-28 (VN) for the Program scheduled to start in the Fall or Spring

• Applications must be accompanied by an official or unofficial BC (All required coursework must be on transcript.)
• Transcripts from other colleges/universities needing evaluation for this period must be submitted to the Admissions and Records Office no later than Nov 1st for VN Program along with a Request for Evaluation form. This form can be obtained in the Admissions & Records
• Please note, the Admissions and Records office will need a minimum of 12 weeks to complete the evaluation

Vocational Nursing Program is a Certificate of Achievement - no General Education courses are required. However, if you are thinking of pursuing the RN program, you will want to complete the RN General Education Pattern

Table of Contents

Application Procedure

• Read all instructions in their entirety before completing the application.
• It is the applicant’s responsibility to complete ALL application requirements/procedures.  Failure to meet these requirements will result in an incomplete application and will not be considered for selection.
  • Access Application for VN program
  • Print and complete all sections. Check the box for Advanced Placement consideration. The application must be legible.
  • Submit the application AND all supporting documents, including:
    • Official or Unofficial Bakersfield College transcripts showing all pre-requisite courses posted.
  • Program Transfer Students: Course syllabi and college catalog course descriptions from previous Nursing school at the time attended. Print out from pages of the catalog that includes year will be accepted. These can be located on each college’s website. Official letter of good standing from Nursing Director.
  • Psychiatric Technicians: submit copy of current CA Psychiatric Technician License, IV certification, support of work experience
  • Paramedics: must submit copy of current (CA) Paramedic license, support of work experience
  • ATI TEAS TRANSCRIPT with score reflecting 62% or higher (must have been completed in the last 5 years)
  • Veterans: submit copy of DD214 and Official Joint Services Transcript

If you have taken courses from any college other than Bakersfield College:

• Apply for Admission to BC either in person at the Admissions and Records office or apply on-line.
• Order an official copy of your transcripts from your previous college(s);
• Submit the official copy of your transcripts along with a Request for Evaluation to the Admissions and Records office.
• If you have taken courses from Porterville College or Cerro Coso Community College you do not need to submit official copies of transcripts for evaluation, but rather you ONLY need to submit the Request for Evaluation form to the BC Admissions and Record Office so they can convert the coursework to BC equivalent courses.
• Once your transcripts have been evaluated and posted to your BC transcripts, either order an official copy from the Admission and Records, OR print your unofficial BC transcript, AND submit along with the Online Application Form and supporting documentation to the Allied Health/Nursing Office, in the Math Science building, Room 178, during the appropriate application period.
• Please note, it takes a minimum of 12 weeks for transcripts to be evaluated by BC’s Admissions and Records Office.
• Upper division course work will not be posted on a BC transcript, therefore the student must meet with the BC Department Chair of the appropriate course and discuss the possibility of accepting that upper division course as a BC equivalent course. Allow time for review given program deadlines.

Application Selection Process

Applications will be considered that meet the requirements and have followed the application procedure. Dependent on seat availability and placement, applications will be selected through a lottery process. Those not selected will need to re-apply following the same application procedure for consideration during the next cohort.

Essential Technical Standards

Bakersfield College nursing faculty have the responsibility to educate and prepare students to become competent nurses who safely care for their patients and families using critical judgment, broadly based knowledge, and refined technical skills. Individuals interested in applying for admission to the programs should review the Essential Technical Standards to develop a better understanding of the skills, abilities and behavioral characteristics required to successfully progress in, and graduate from our programs. To be qualified for the BC ADN Program, individuals must be able to meet Essential Technical Standards, with or without reasonable accommodations. For further information regarding services and resources to students with disabilities and/or to request accommodations please contact the Disabled Student Programs & Services located in the Center for Student Success (CSS) Building, 1st floor, CSS 10 (661-395-4334).

Please visit the VN Brochure webpage

Table of Contents

Physical Examination Standards

A physical examination completed by the Student Health and Wellness Center or Healthcare Provider of the student's choice, is required upon entering the Program. This is to demonstrate that a student is in good physical and mental health, and meets the Essential Technical Standards necessary to meet the Program objectives.

Appropriate immunizations and/or vaccinations are also required, and are performed at the student's expense.

Drug/Alcohol Screening

As a condition of enrollment into any Nursing Program with a clinical laboratory component, students are required to submit to, and pass a designated drug and alcohol screening at the student’s expense. *Although the State of California has legalized cannabis use, it is still illegal under federal law.

Background Screening and Licensure Eligibility

As a condition of enrollment into any Nursing Program with a clinical laboratory component, students are required to complete and submit a background check, at the student’s expense. Please note:

• A history of felony conviction(s) or any bar, exclusion or other ineligibility for federal program participation could render a student ineligible for clinical placement, as determined by the clinical
• If students are unable to attend clinic due to background restrictions, then the student’s seat will be forfeited as they will not be able to meet Program/Course

Basic Life Support

Students are required to show proof of a valid American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) card. This BLS card must be valid at all times.

*This requirement may be fulfilled by completion of MEDS B52 (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Healthcare Providers)

Estimated Program Costs (Gainful Employment)

Students will be required to purchase uniforms, textbooks and selected equipment, provide transportation to off- campus clinical education sites and pay current college fees. Dependent on your placement into the program, applicants can refer to the Estimated Program Costs for VN program.

Program Accreditation and Approval

Bakersfield College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The ACCJC is one of the six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The RN and VN programs have retained ongoing program approvals since their inception.

Licensure/Certification Eligibility

Conviction of any offenses other than minor traffic violations must be reported to the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians at the time of applications for licensure. For clarification contact the Program Director or the BVNPT, 2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 205, Sacramento, California, 95833, (916) 263-7800. Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians-Enforcement Division.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

In accordance with the requirements of the Civil Rights Act, Bakersfield College provides services and benefits to students regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, age, religion, marital status, medical condition or disability. The lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to administration and participation in vocational education programs. (Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.)

Table of Contents

Vocational Nurse Program Curriculum

The following courses are taken AFTER the student enters the Program. Background and training will determine placement in program.

Program Units - Grand Total: 15-30

Table of Contents