? about approved school vs. accredited

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Specializes in LTC.

Can you take the LVN exam if you graduate from an "approved" school? I'm considering Unitek in San Francisco. They have accredited programs in Fremont and Santa Clara but SF is more convenient. I don't want to spend a bunch of money and then not be allowed to take the exam.

Thanks.

Marina

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Specializes in OB/GYN.

You should call the Board of Vocational Nursing in CA and talk with them. They have likely approved the SF program. When I went to school (Gurnick in San Mateo), they were approved but not accredited. I called the board and they told me that there was a very small chance (5%) that the school would not get accreditation. Sure enough, they had that within 2 months of my program starting.

Unitek is a known school and it would seem unlikely that they would not have accreditation in SF when they are accredited in other cities.

Good luck :)

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

You are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN examination if you complete an LVN program that is approved by the California BVNPT. The BVNPT's website has a list of state-approved schools.

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Specializes in LTC.
You are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN examination if you complete an LVN program that is approved by the California BVNPT. The BVNPT's website has a list of state-approved schools.

Thanks for your responses. So what exactly is the difference between 'approved' and 'accredited'?

Marina

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Specializes in OB/GYN.

From what I understand, the Board will approve a school to begin instruction if they fulfill a standard criteria that is set by the board. After the school is running, the board continues to evaluate the school's performance. If they are satisfied, the school will receive accreditation.

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