Licensed Vocational Nurse Jobs in Fresno, CA
Licensed vocational nurses in Fresno earn a median of about $36 an hour, and LVNs work everywhere from Kaiser's north Fresno medical offices to the VA on Clinton Avenue and county school sites. Here are the current openings, followed by who is hiring and how to get licensed in California.
Current licensed vocational nurse Openings in Fresno, CA
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Licensed Vocational Nurse Work in Fresno
California calls the practical nurse role a licensed vocational nurse, and in Fresno LVN jobs show up in clinics, medical office buildings, skilled nursing and school health programs as well as hospitals. Kaiser Permanente staffs LVNs at its Fresno medical offices on North Fresno Street, and the Fresno VA Medical Center on East Clinton Avenue uses them on outpatient care teams. Community Health System, which runs Community Regional downtown, Clovis Community on Herndon Avenue and its own skilled nursing facilities, lists LVN roles in its nursing careers.
School health is a Fresno niche worth knowing: the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools employs LVNs to give medications and specialized care to students with disabilities at county sites. Spanish speakers are in demand across all of these settings.
Top Fresno Employers Hiring Licensed Vocational Nurses
These Fresno employers have posted or advertise LVN roles:
- Kaiser Permanente - the Fresno Medical Center and medical offices on North Fresno Street hire LVNs, including IV-certified on-call nurses.
- Community Health System - the system behind Community Regional, Clovis Community and Fresno Heart & Surgical lists LVN roles in its nursing careers.
- Fresno VA Medical Center - the VA Central California Health Care System hires LVNs for outpatient patient-care teams.
- Fresno County Superintendent of Schools - employs LVNs who give medications and specialized health care to students with disabilities.
Licensed Vocational Nurse Salaries in Fresno
- Entry level: about $30 to $34 per hour for newly licensed LVNs, often in clinics and skilled nursing.
- Experienced: roughly $34 to $45 per hour, with the Fresno median near $36.
- Senior and top employers: $45 to $52 per hour; Kaiser has posted Fresno LVN work at about $48 to $52.
These are estimates from federal wage data for the Fresno metro and local postings; the Fresno VA has posted LVN jobs at $50,595 to $88,819 a year depending on grade. IV certification, nights and weekends, and hospital or large-system employers pay more, while small clinics and school programs usually sit at the lower end.
How to Become a Licensed Vocational Nurse in Fresno
You need to finish a state-approved vocational nursing program, pass the NCLEX-PN, and be licensed by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians in Sacramento. Clovis Adult Education on David E. Cook Way runs an 18-month, 1,530-hour Vocational Nurse program with January and September cohorts and a program fee of about $15,000. Fresno Adult School runs a roughly 20-month LVN program at the Cesar E. Chavez Adult Education Center on Stanislaus Street downtown. Fresno Adult School requires a high school diploma or equivalent when you apply.
What the Job Involves
LVNs work under the direction of registered nurses and physicians. Daily tasks include taking vital signs, giving oral and injected medications, wound care, collecting specimens, rooming patients, updating charts, and teaching patients how to manage their care at home. In clinics LVNs often run immunizations and follow-up calls; in skilled nursing they may pass medications for a full hall of residents.
Skills Employers Look For
- Active California LVN license
- BLS certification, plus IV therapy and blood withdrawal certification
- Accurate medication administration
- Electronic health record charting
- Bilingual English and Spanish
- Patience with elderly and chronically ill patients
Career Path and Advancement
Many Fresno LVNs start in a clinic or skilled nursing facility, then move to hospital systems or the VA for higher pay and benefits. The biggest step up is becoming an RN: Fresno City College offers a 30-unit LVN-to-RN advanced placement option, which can cut the time to an RN license well below a full associate degree. Experienced LVNs also move into charge nurse, MDS coordinator or clinic lead roles.
Related Careers in Fresno
If vocational nursing interests you, these related Fresno guides are a good next step:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an LVN the same as an LPN?
Yes, the job is the same. California and Texas use the title licensed vocational nurse, while most other states say licensed practical nurse. Both take the NCLEX-PN exam.
How much do LVNs make in Fresno?
Federal wage data puts the Fresno median for LVNs at about $36 an hour, or roughly $75,600 a year. New LVNs usually start near $30, and top employers have posted Fresno LVN pay near $48 to $52 an hour.
How long does it take to become an LVN in Fresno?
Local programs take about 18 to 20 months. Clovis Adult Education's program runs 18 months and Fresno Adult School's runs about 20, followed by the NCLEX-PN and the state license application.
Who licenses LVNs in California?
The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians licenses LVNs in California. You must complete an approved program and pass the NCLEX-PN before you can work as an LVN.
Can an LVN become an RN in Fresno?
Yes. Fresno City College offers a 30-unit LVN-to-RN advanced placement option on a space-available basis. After finishing it you take the NCLEX-RN and apply to the California Board of Registered Nursing.
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