LVN programs in California include publicly funded programs through community colleges as well as private vocational schools, both of which prepare individuals for work as an LVN nurse. LVN stands for Licensed Vocational Nurse. Educational programs are designed to provide the required number of didactic (theory) and clinical (internship) hours as specified by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians. Students are required to complete a minimum of 576 hours of theory classes and 954 hours of clinical instruction. Instruction includes a mandatory minimum of 54 hours of Pharmacology.

The beginning student in an LVN program will study anatomy and physiology, clinical nutrition, nursing fundamentals and practice in the clinical laboratory. After this foundation ,LVN certification the complexities of medical surgical nursing are taught, along with Pharmacology. Medical Surgical nursing includes a system-by-system analysis of medical disorders and the nursing care appropriate for clients throughout the health-illness continuum. For each disorder studied, students will explore etiology (cause), pathophysiology, manifestations (signs and symptoms), diagnostic tests, medications, and use of the nursing process.