If you are interested in which you work closely with patients to provide direct medical care, a career as a Vocational Nurse could be a great choice for you! Our program only takes 61 weeks for full-time and 84 weeks for part-time.
Our Next VN Class Starts
Bakersfield – Monday, April 20 (full time)
Start your nursing journey by completing the interest form below or stopping by for a campus tour – no appointment needed.
Want to learn more about the VN application process? Visit our VN Prep Page. We’re here to support you from your first step through enrollment.
At High Desert Medical College, our Vocational Nursing Program is designed to prepare students to enter the healthcare industry. Nurses are critical allied health professionals, providing care for people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled under the direction of physicians and registered nurses. This program prepares students with critical theoretical knowledge and practical hands-on skills through a combination of coursework and clinical labs. Students also receive real-world on-the-job experience through an Externship.
Students in the Vocational Nursing program learn how to:
Included with the HDMC Vocational Nursing program tuition is the cost for the NCLEX/PN exam, BVNPT Application for Licensure by Exam, and the VN IV Therapy Certification and Blood Withdrawal class.
“The Legacy Education High Desert Medical College Practical/Vocational Nursing Program (system) and Associate Degree in Nursing Program (system), are pursuing pre-accreditation candidacy status from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20037; phone 202-909-2487. Interested parties are invited to submit third party comments in writing directly to NLN CNEA (cneaaccreditation@nln.org) no later than April 22, 2026.”
A vocational nurse provides basic nursing care, monitors patients, administers medications, assists with daily activities, and supports registered nurses and doctors in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.
High Desert Medical College’s Vocational Nursing program can be completed in as few as 61 weeks (full-time program) or 84 weeks (part-time program).
High Desert Medical College’s Vocational Nursing program is currently offered in-person. Students learn classroom theory while completing hands-on training in on-campus labs. All students also gain valuable experience through an externship.
Many of High Desert Medical College’s Vocational Nursing graduates go to work in clinics, doctors’ offices, medical groups, surgery centers, and specialty clinics such as pediatrics, oncology, and neurology. Our Career Services department provides every student with a wide range of career support services and comprehensive job placement assistance.
In High Desert Medical College’s Vocational Nursing program, you’ll gain real-world skills including how to administer medications, document patients’ signs and symptoms, and perform therapeutic and rehabilitative measures. Our hands-on training prepares you for the tasks employers are hiring for, so you can step confidently into your healthcare career. Our Career Services department also provides every student with a wide range of support services and job placement assistance.
Graduates will receive a Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing diploma.
To enroll, you’ll need a high school diploma or a GED. Don’t have your diploma yet? No problem – High Desert Medical College offers two high school completion programs to help you get started. Submit an interest form, stop by your closest campus, or call 888-633-4362 to get in contact with our admissions team.