Nursing
The Heart and Soul of Healthcare
The Health Occupations Department at College of the Redwoods offers a variety of programs designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the healthcare field. Our seven programs range from one semester to two years in length, providing flexibility to meet your individual needs. To ensure success, many students choose to take one to two semesters of foundational coursework to strengthen their reading, writing, math, and biology/science skills. Several of our programs also offer the Associates of Science degree and may have specific admission requirements. All programs are conveniently located on the Eureka Campus, except for our LVN program, which is available in both Eureka and Del Norte.
Licensed Vocational Nursing
The LVN Program is a three-semester program teaching basic nursing care, administration of medications, and carrying out therapeutic and rehabilitative measures. Upon completion, a student is eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN) to become licensed as a Vocational Nurse.
An additional one semester of prerequisites provides the student with the opportunity to apply to the LVN/Paramedic to RN - Career Mobility (see below for details).
Nursing and Healthcare Degrees at CR
| medal Icon Registered Nursing | Associate of Science |
|---|---|
| medal Icon Licensed Vocational Nursing | Associate of Science |
| medal Icon LVN/Paramedic to RN - Career Mobility | Associate of Science |
| medal Icon Licensed Vocational Nursing | Certificate of Achievement |
| medal Icon LVN to RN - 30-Unit Option | Certificate of Achievement |
2025-2026 Nursing Handbook
View/download the current CR Nursing Handbook.
Licensed Vocational Nursing Info
- Complete the CR Online Application
- Submit an Application packet for the Licensed Vocational Nursing Program to the Health Occupations office during the Enrollment Period.
- The application will re-open the week of May 12th and remain open until seats are full.
- LVN Application Instructions
- The application must include Official Sealed Transcripts and/or e-transcripts from an authorized transcript ordering service. Transcripts should be sent to nursing-applications@redwoods.edu during the application period.
- All correspondence will be sent to your CR email address. Please use your CR email for ALL correspondence.
The LVN program is offered every other year. The next offering will begin in the fall of 2025. A merit-based selection process determines admission to the LVN Program. Application requirements and instructions will be posted to the website in November 2024.
Please note: The LVN program is a three-semester program. All students admitted will complete the program in three semesters of consecutive coursework. (Fall/Spring/Fall). Time from program admission to program completion is 18 months. For example, the LVN class admitted in fall 2025 will complete required coursework in December 2027.
- BIO-8 (Human Biology) and HO-15 (Nutrition) are program pre-requisites. You must complete both of these courses with a 'C' or better prior to the start of the fall 2023 semester in order to qualify for the LVN program.
- Certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or completion of HO-110. For this application cycle completion of HO-110 by August 1st is acceptable.
- A 10-panel urine drug screen is required 30 days before the beginning of your first clinical rotations and every Fall following a summer break. Positive results mean you cannot attend clinical per clinical agency contract. Inability to attend clinical will result in being dismissed from the course.
- Limited space is available each year.
- The LVN/Paramedic to Registered Nurse program has prerequisite courses in English, Biology and Chemistry as well as suggested additional courses to take prior to beginning the program. Scheduling general education courses can be problematic once nursing courses begin. It is your responsibility to be aware of all prerequisites for all courses. General Education Requirements can change. Please speak with an advisor for clarification regarding prerequisites for all courses and see program application for more information.
- A 10-panel urine drug screen is required 30 days before the beginning of your first clinical rotations and every Fall following a summer break. Positive results mean you cannot attend clinical per clinical agency contract. Inability to attend clinical will result in being dismissed from the course.
All Information is Subject to Change
- Acute care hospitals
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Home health agencies
- Health clinics
- Outpatient services
Career Mobility Program
