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Prepare for your next chapter in nursing
Aberdeen Institute’s Vocational Nursing program brings classroom learning, practical skills and clinical experience together. Study the principles behind patient care, practice nursing procedures, and apply your learning in clinical settings under instructor supervision.
The program includes 1,530 hours across four terms. Students who successfully meet the program’s completion requirements receive a Certificate of Completion. Graduation and nursing licensure are separate steps.
NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate — 2025
All 6 Aberdeen Institute graduates who took the NCLEX-PN for the first time in 2025 passed.
Learn the science and practice of patient care
Your training progresses from nursing foundations to caring for patients with more complex needs. Classroom instruction introduces the concepts behind safe care. Skills lab sessions provide opportunities to practice procedures and demonstrate competency. Clinical training connects those lessons to patient care and professional responsibilities.
The program includes 576 theory hours and 954 hours of skills and clinical training. Each of its four terms comprises 382.5 hours.
| Term | Areas of study |
|---|---|
| 1 — Nursing foundations | Anatomy and physiology, introductory pharmacology, nursing fundamentals, and foundational skills and clinical practice. |
| 2 — Developing nursing practice | Medical-surgical nursing I, mental health, pharmacology, skills and clinical practice, and NCLEX-PN review. |
| 3 — Expanding patient care | Medical-surgical nursing II, maternity nursing, pharmacology, leadership and supervision, clinical practice, and NCLEX-PN review. |
| 4 — Preparing for professional practice | Medical-surgical nursing III, pediatric nursing, growth and development, pharmacology, clinical practice, and further NCLEX-PN review. |
Throughout the program, students study patient assessment, therapeutic communication, medication administration, infection prevention, patient education and teamwork.
Classroom learning
Understand nursing concepts and the reasons behind care decisions.
Skills practice
Practice procedures and demonstrate competency.
Clinical experience
Apply your learning in supervised patient-care settings.
Understand your costs before you enroll
Total school charges for a student entering at the beginning of the Vocational Nursing program are $25,800, including tuition and the school fees, books and equipment listed below.
| School charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $21,375 |
| ATI student package | $1,820 |
| Laboratory fee | $2,000 |
| Books and equipment | $505 |
| Registration fee | $100 |
| Total school charges | $25,800 |
The books and equipment package includes nursing textbooks, a stethoscope and adult blood-pressure cuff, three sets of white scrubs and a school identification badge.
Required medical or other examinations are paid separately by the student. Admissions can explain these requirements and your itemized charges before enrollment. Your enrollment agreement identifies the charges applicable to you.
Interest-free payment arrangements
Aberdeen offers interest-free, in-house payment plans. Students typically make a down payment followed by monthly payments. Depending on the arrangement agreed with the school, payments may instead be made by term or include a final balance payment.
We work with each student to establish payment amounts and due dates. The agreed schedule must provide for the full balance to be paid before the program ends.
Aberdeen does not currently offer federal Title IV student loans.
Plan for the time your training requires
The Vocational Nursing program includes the same 1,530 instructional hours in its full-time and part-time formats.
| Format | Program length |
|---|---|
| Full-time | 44 weeks |
| Part-time | 64 weeks |
Classroom instruction and skills training take place at the Van Nuys campus. Clinical training takes place off campus. Attendance requirements vary with the theory, lab and clinical portions of the program.
Contact admissions for available formats, upcoming cohorts, class days, clinical hours, and start and end dates. Review your cohort calendar before enrolling so you can plan for work, transportation and other commitments.
Ask About the Next CohortFrom program completion to California licensure
Completing the Vocational Nursing program is an educational milestone. To practice as a Licensed Vocational Nurse in California, graduates must also meet the requirements of the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians—BVNPT.
The licensure process includes an application, required documentation and fingerprints, applicable fees, and successful completion of the NCLEX-PN examination. The Board determines eligibility and issues the license. Program completion or passing the examination alone does not guarantee licensure.
Speak with the nursing program director for application instructions and review the Board’s current requirements.