Admission Procedures
The Vocational Nursing (VN) Program is three semesters in length. 30 students are accepted every 18 months. Prospective students may apply after completing all program prerequisites and other requirements. Spots are offered only to those applicants who have verified completion of the program prerequisites courses with a letter grade of "C" or better and other program requirements. Review the Application Checklist to ensure you have all of the required items to apply (click VN Program Application Checklist link at the bottom of this page).
Submit a complete application packet based on the checklist provided. The application packet must include the physical exam and immunization forms filled out by your healthcare provider. Forms and copies of immunization records and/or titer (blood test) results are required for clinial placement in the program.
Starting April 27, 2021, VN applications will be submitted online for Fall 2021 and
future classes.
Link to Online VN Application is at the bottom of this page.
Do not mail-in a paper application packet.
Official transcripts from previously attended colleges must be requested directly from the previous institution and sent to: SWC Admission and Records, 900 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Transfer credit for courses taken at a non-academic institution or in another school's nursing program (e.g., military or armed-services medical training; courses taken in a practical, vocational, or registered nursing program; certified nursing assistant courses, etc.) will be evaluated for transfer credit on a case-by-case basis. These courses must have been completed within five years of application to SWC VN Program, and may require skill testing and/or written examinations to verify skill and knowledge competency (Vocational Nursing Practice Act, Article 5, Section 2535).
Cost
The cost of the Vocational Nursing Program is approximately $6,284. The greatest direct expense is at the beginning of the first semester. Textbooks, enrollment fees and uniforms are the major cost items. Livings expenses, general education textbooks, cost of transportation to class and clinical facilities are not included in the estimate; these are additional major expenses. Expenses increase in the third semester related to the State Board licensure application and graduation.
Vocational Nurse (VN) Prerequisites
| Class | Course Number | Units | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Human Anatomy |
*BIO 260 |
4 w/ lab |
Bio 100 & 101 or equivalent must be taken before enrolling in BIO 260. *BIO 260 will be required when applying for Fall 2021 and future cohorts (curriculum change approved November 2019). BIO 190 will no longer be accepted for the VN Program. |
|
Physiology |
*BIO 261 |
4 w/ lab |
Chem 100, 102 or Chem 170, or equivalent; and Bio 260 or equivalent must be taken before enrolling in BIO 261. *BIO 261 will be required when applying for Fall 2021 and future cohorts (curriculum change approved November 2019). BIO 190 will no longer be accepted for the VN Program. |
| Principles of Child Development | CD 170 | 3 | None |
| Fundamentals of Nutrition | HLTH 204 | 3 | None |
| Intermediate Algebra | **MATH 60 | 4 | **Math 60 will be required effective Fall 2019 SWC Catalog and must be completed to apply for Spring 2020 and future cohorts. |
| College Composition | ENGL 115 | 3 | Recommended (before taking ENGL 115): Reading 158. Prerequisite (before taking ENGL 115): English 99 or 114; or equivalent. |
| Certified Nursing Assistant | CNA Certification | 8.5 | Active California CNA Certification is required (CNA can not be expired when you apply to the VN Program). |
Other Requirements
- TEAS Version 6: Passing score 58
- High School Diploma/GED or HS equivalency from a U.S. accredited school
- CPR Certification (Basic Life Support Provider by American Heart Association. This is the only CPR card accepted.)
- If accepted into the program, attend mandatory orientation
- Must attend first day of class
- Physical health exam and immunization forms filled out
- Immunizations are required for clinical placement
- Background check and drug screening (complete after mandatory orientation)
Important Update
Immunization requirements for Hep B are as follows: you must have Hep B vaccination (three shot series completed) OR Hep B titers.
Fall 2021 Application Period
Submit your Vocational Nursing Program application packet online during the dates listed below.
April 27, 2021 through June 3, 2021 (updated on 4/16/21)
Applicants will be considered for the class that begins Fall 2021 (August 2021).
Note: Submitting an application does not guarantee entry into the program.
Application Documents & Instructions
Before filling out the online application, gather all required documents and forms found on the checklist. Download, print and fill out the physical exam and immunization forms (pages 1-7). Pages 1-2 are filled out by you. Your healthcare provider/doctor will fill out pages 3-4 (physical exam) and pages 5-7 (immunizations, TB test results, and flu shot form). Scan your completed forms (pages 1-7 completely filled out); and a copy of your immunization records and/or titers (lab work), including flu shot, and TB test results.
Important note: Give yourself and your doctor/healthcare provider ample time to complete the physical exam/immunization forms.
Once you are ready to apply, you will upload the required documents and forms as attachments when you complete the online VN application using the button below.
- Vocational Nursing Program Application Checklist (PDF)
- Physical Exam and Immunization forms (PDF)
- Vocational Nursing Program prerequisites (PDF)
IMPORTANT: You must be logged in with your MySWC Account to apply. If you're having difficulty, go to https://accounts.google.com/logout to completely logout of all of your G Suite accounts, then try logging in with your MySWC.
Ineligibility
A student may be ineligible for entry into the program due to:
- Academic probation (see current College catalog for criteria for academic probation).
- Previous dismissal from a nursing program for cause.
- Previous unsatisfactory performance in the Southwestern College vocational nursing program. Nursing courses may be repeated no more than once with a maximum of one re-entry during the program.
The Board of Vocational Nurses may refuse licensure to individuals who have been convicted of crimes and/or certain misdemeanors. If you have concerns about this you may write the Board directly at this address: 2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 205, Sacramento, CA 95833 or discuss it with the Director of the Nursing Programs.