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LVN Programs in San Diego: Online and On-Campus Training
LVN programs in San Diego provide a direct pathway to your California vocational nursing license. Be sure that the accredited curriculum prepares you for the NCLEX-PN exam. Here are the top LVN schools, along with their tuition and program requirements.
Written By
Gabby Hyman
- Bio
last updated
You want to become a nurse in the thriving healthcare industry, but how fast can you get there? One of the quickest, most direct ways to qualify to work in hospitals, clinics, and physicians’ offices is to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). You can complete LVN programs on a San Diego campus or online in as little as a year. This guide walks you through the heart of the LVN certificate programs and applicable degrees, including details on licensing, how hybrid (online/on-campus) programs work, and how much you can earn as an LVN in San Diego. To help you choose the path, we’ve also created a list of the best LVN programs in San Diego.
College Spotlights: Best LVN Programs in San Diego
Whether you live in Carlsbad, Torrey Pines, or downtown, you’re digitally in reach of the best state-approved LVN programs in San Diego. We’ve chosen three accredited schools to spotlight below based on their affordability, accreditation, and student support services. We also looked at tuition costs, degree requirements, and the estimated time to complete an online LVN program. Take a closer look at potential schools that will take you to the next step in your nursing career.
Southwestern Community College
SCC’s program is among the cream of the crop of schools offering online LVN programs in San Diego. The program requires 42 credits and can be completed in three semesters or 18 months. Students who successfully complete the program are qualified to take the NCLEX-PN examination to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse. The focused curriculum includes coursework in Maternal-Child-Adult Health, Pharmacology for Nurses, Psychology, and Nurse Leadership. The program includes four supervised clinicals in local health care facilities. Please note that clinicals may be conducted virtually duo to COVID-19 procedures. All LVN applicants are required to pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). The program is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) and the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians. In terms of costs, tuition is $46 per credit, which is a real plus for qualified students that want to waive their tuition.
MiraCosta College
Located in Oceanside, San Diego, in 1965, MiraCosta offers much of its LVN program online. To graduate, LVN students must complete 31.5 units in classroom and clinical experience to qualify for the state board examination. According to the school, 94% of program grads pass the NCLEX-PN. Students attend an eight-hour Saturday clinical, which may become virtual during Covid-19 restrictions. Prerequisites for admission are courses in body systems, basic pharmacology, and CAN nursing coursework. Tuition is $46 per credit, with a total estimated cost for the program of $2,800. MiraCosta’s LVN classes in San Diego are accredited by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians.
Concorde Career College
The LVN program can be completed in just 13 months, and partially or mostly online. The program structure combines theoretical training with on-site clinical experiences; however, temporary Covid-19 restrictions may move the clinical experiences to an online format. Courses include preventive nursing care, therapeutic nursing care, rehabilitative nursing care, restorative nursing care, and nursing interventions. The program has been approved by the California State Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT), and Concorde Career College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and the Accrediting Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE). Tuition for the complete program is $35,369 for full-time students. Graduates of the program are prepared to pass the NCLEX-PN exam and become a Licensed Vocational Nurse.
FAQs About LVN Programs in San Diego
What skills do you learn in LVN programs in San Diego?
Colleges that offer LVN programs in San Diego focus their curriculum on real-world skills development to prepare graduates for licensing. At Southwestern Community College, students learn skills in documentation, physical assessment, data collection, therapeutic communication, medication administration, critical thinking, management, leadership, and management. Skills covered in the LVN program at Concorde Career College build skills in preventive, rehabilitative, therapeutic, and nursing interventions. ZipRecruiter also reports that the main skills cited by LVN job-seekers include patient care, vital signs, medication, wound care, and rehabilitation.
How much do LVN programs cost in San Diego?
Considering the overall costs to complete LVN programs in San Diego, be sure to include tuition, books, uniforms, and background examinations. Tuition depends on the total credits required and whether you attend on a full- or part-time basis. Make sure you don’t forget the cost of prerequisite courses you must complete to enter the program. Based on full-time student attendance, costs range from approximately $1,400 to $1,800 per academic term. Here are a few examples:
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
Total Credits: 1,586 hours (632 lecture hours and 751 clinical hours)
Total Cost: $18,510
Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) Program
Total Credits: 31.5
Cost per credit: $46
Can I get financial aid to help pay for my LVN program in San Diego?
If you need help paying your tuition, there are plenty of resources to help you cover costs. You can apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Here’s what’s available:
- Student Loans: There are two types of student loans: federal public subsidized student loans and private student loans. Students need to repay them.
- Repayment Options: The State of California also provides assistance through the Licensed Vocational Nurse Loan Repayment Program. Students may receive awards up to $6,000. You must commit to one year of practicing patient care full-time in California.
- Grants: Undergraduates from low-income families and enrolled full-time in an LVN program can receive The Federal Pell Grant. The amount varies.
- Scholarships: Scholarships are available to nursing students based on financial needs and academic promise. The good news is you don’t have to pay them back. For more details, visit our LVN scholarships guide.
Check out our main financial aid guide to start your search for assistance.
How long do LVN programs in San Diego take to finish?
Generally speaking, you can complete your LVN programs in San Diego between one year and 18 months. The variables that your completion time include the number of required credits and on-site clinical experience. The other key consideration is whether you can attend online classes as a full-time student. For instance, if you are completing an LVN program while working full-time, you may only be able to complete classes on a part-time basis, extending the time it takes to finish your training program. Look at these examples: MiraCosta College offers LVN programs in San Diego, combined with on-campus clinicals. The 31 credits can be completed in 13 months. However, there are three prerequisite courses that can extend the time to graduation if you don’t meet the requirements. Southwestern Community College’s online LVN program requires 42 units and takes three semesters to complete.
Inside Look at Online LVN Programs in San Diego
There are approximately six schools that provide comprehensive online LVN programs in San Diego and prepare you for licensure. The benefits are optimal: you take courses at your convenience, you save on costs to commute to campus, and you are able to arrange your studies around family or work obligations. At the same time, several local CNA programs may offer online classes that you might apply to your LVN work.
Online LVN programs are divided between remote instruction and on-location clinical experiences, also known as hybrid programs. You may be required to visit the campus for an orientation class and to participate in clinicals; however, keep in mind that some clinicals have moved online due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Common Questions About Online LVN Programs in San Diego
Will earning my credential from an online LVN program in San Diego impact my ability to get certified or licensed?
Yes, you must complete an LVN program to qualify for The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX PN) and California LVN licensing examination. The requirements for taking the California exam include 12 to 14 months of full-time training or part-time training for 18 to 24 months and completion of a total 1,530 curricular and clinical hours.
Will employers care if I took some of my LVN classes online?
Obviously, it depends on the employer. If you already work in the field, you may receive great support from your company. Many nursing managers have completed an online nursing program, however, despite the fact that online LVN programs use the same curriculum, not all hiring managers accept them.
Are online LVN programs more affordable than campus programs in San Diego?
There are a number of factors that go into tuition affordability. Because online LVN programs contain the same academic content as their on-campus equivalents, tuition tends to cost the same. On the plus side, online LVN schools may charge the same tuition for out-of-state-students, creating huge savings there. You’ll also save money by avoiding a costly commute to class multiple times a day.
Can I complete my LVN training in San Diego faster by taking classwork online?
It is possible to complete your training if you have self-paced or accelerated online course options. Additionally, depending on your other commitments, you can opt to take a course load that is heavier than the routine semester requirements.
LVN Licensing Information and Requirements in San Diego
To work as an LVN in San Diego, you must hold a current license from the State of California. There are no requirements for certifications or licensing issued by the city or county of San Diego. Here are steps for completing your California licensing:
- Graduate from an accredited LVN program that is approved by the California Nursing Board.
- Complete the online “Application for Licensure by Examination” to schedule your National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-PN).
- Submit your education history.
Licenses must be renewed every other year. There is no continuing education requirement; however, you will need to complete 30 hours of continuing education if you fail to renew the license for two years or more. You can find more details on California LVN licensing by going to their website.
How Much You Can Earn as an LVN in San Diego
Fortunately, LVNs can make a great living in San Diego. The BLS reports $61,830 in median annual earnings for LVNs in San Diego. The lowest San Diego LVN wages clock in at $46,210, while top earnings surpass $79,000. In terms of the California pay scale, San Diego is only second to San Francisco. The Bay Area median annual LVN wage is $67,520, with earnings of $52,600 at the bottom of the scale and $94,880 at the top. San Diego LVNs currently outpace the median annual wage of $60,240 in California. The wages also compare favorably to the national wage numbers, where LVNs earn a median annual income of $47,480 with $34,560 at the bottom of the scale and $63,360 for the top earners.
Annual Earnings for Licensed Vocational Nurses in San Diego
| 10th Percentile | Median Earnings | 90th Percentile | |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | $46,210 | $61,830 | $79,480 |
| California | $43,030 | $59,210 | $80,020 |
| United States | $34,560 | $47,480 | $63,360 |
| Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA | $43,730 | $58,830 | $81,820 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $52,600 | $67,520 | $94,880 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $43,360 | $57,690 | $77,560 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $40,590 | $56,250 | $83,150 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2019
Other California LVN Programs You May Be Interested In
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Shannon Lee
by: Shannon Lee
Shannon Lee has been a freelance writer, editor, and novelist for over 25 years. Her work has appeared on Fox Business, Forbes, MSN, Bob Vila, Modernize, Nashville Scene, MoneyGeek, MVP Parent, and many other outlets; her writing on home improvement led to an editorial position with The Spruce in 2021. She's written extensively on higher education, relationships, and the intersection of technology, health, and medicine. When she's not freelancing, Shannon also writes fiction novels.
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Kathleen Curtis
by: Kathleen Curtis
Kathleen Curtis is an American writer currently living in Louisville, Kentucky. She has developed content around education for more than a decade for both domestic and international clients.
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A former practicing attorney, Michael Hoffman has years of experience as a freelance journalist specializing in the research and writing of higher education content – from online learning to financial aid, and everything in between. Michael is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara College of Law. Prior to becoming a professional writer, Michael practiced for several years as a civil litigator in Los Angeles and worked in Santa Monica, California as a development executive for a major film producer.