Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is excited to announce plans to bring its Vocational Nurse (VN) diploma program to its Van Nuys campus, with an anticipated first cohort beginning in January 2027. The expansion requires approval from the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT), which the school cannot guarantee.
The Vocational Nurse program prepares students for rewarding careers as Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) through a 12-month diploma. Over 48 instructional weeks, they move from classroom coursework into skills-lab practice and supervised clinical rotations at partner medical facilities, then sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) that California requires for LVN licensure. A short Essential Medical Bioscience course precedes the core curriculum.
"We've wanted to offer the Vocational Nurse program in Van Nuys for a long time," said Samantha Manlosa Sanchez, RN, PhD, Dean of Nursing Programs at Gurnick Academy. "For students across the San Fernando Valley, it would open a local route into nursing and into the LVN workforce the region needs. I'm eager to meet our first cohort there."
"Launching the Vocational Nursing program at our Van Nuys campus marks an exciting expansion of Gurnick Academy's academic offerings. This is in line with our commitment to preparing students for meaningful careers in healthcare," said Fred Faridian, Vice President of Campus Operations at Gurnick Academy. "We look forward to welcoming the inaugural cohort and creating new opportunities for students to enter the nursing profession, advance their careers, and make a meaningful impact in their communities."