The Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA) offers a FREE Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) training program as a step into a professional nursing career in California. Offered in partnership with the SEIU 2015 Education Fund, the LVN Career Training Pathway (LVN CTP) program includes nursing training in theory & clinical instruction (1,530 hours; up to 13 months) and prepares participants for the State of California licensing exam.
Attention: All available spaces in this LVN training program were filled. We reached our 2025-26 goal of 20/20 enrollments, and the program has closed. Thanks to all applicants! Please explore our other training programs here.
Note: The information below reflects past program information.
What does a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) do?
An LVN’s role typically involves caring for patients by helping with medication administration (to be taken PO/by mouth, injections or rectally), nebulizer breathing treatments, blood sugar maintenance, wound care, charting, communicating with doctors, evaluating lab work, collecting specimens, injections, GTube (gastrostomy tube) feeding, colostomy bags, foley insertion and irrigation, oxygen maintenance, vital signs, emotional support, articulating reports and receiving reports, observing for change of condition, following orders and care plans, CPR, and assisting with activities of daily living (ADL).
CCA Can Help You Access LVN Training
As a training provider, CCA aims to help long-term care workers gain new skills and prepare them for LVN licensing so they can provide skilled nursing care, advance their careers, and increase their wages. CCA will cover tuition fees for eligible workers at Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF) who are interested in training to become LVNs. CCA pays for one (1) LVN state licensing exam fee.
LVN CAREER TRAINING PATHWAY Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the benefits of the LVN Career Training Pathway program?
Paid tuition for LVN training classes: Participants must be a qualified member of the SEIU 2015 labor union and the Education Fund. Through a joint program with these organizations, trainees will learn new skills in free classes provided by the Center for Caregiver Advancement and their partners. Participants will also engage in clinical practice onsite at the nursing home.
Paid fees for one LVN state licensing exam: Participants can take one state LVN licensing exam at no cost.
Mentorship: Support services include mentoring with an experienced mentor.
Support and Case Management: The Education Fund, the SEIU 2015 union, and employer representatives will support the LVN trainees to help them complete program requirements.
Recognized Credential: Upon completion of this program, LVN trainees will be prepared to earn a professional LVN license that is recognized in the State of California.
What are the requirements for me to be eligible for this LVN training program?
To participate in this program, you must meet the following requirements:
- High school diploma, equivalency, or GED
- An active Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification
- A recommendation letter (no disciplinary marks on your record, attendance issues, tardiness, call-outs, or write-ups)
- Have an original government-issued photo ID and an original non-laminated Social Security card
- Be a US citizen
- Be a minimum of 18 years old
- Able to pass a background check (no felony record)
- Able to pass an extensive drug screen, including THC (marijuana)
- Able to pass a health exam: physical and immunizations (varies by school)
- Able to pass intellectual assessment exam: Wonderlic SLE, HESI, TEAS
- Pass the interview with the Education Fund representative and provide a written essay
- Complete and sign all program and grant-related forms by the required deadlines
- ONLY available to workers from nursing homes contributing at 1% of gross pay into the fund
- Employed as a part-time or full-time CNA for a minimum of 12 months at the eligible facility that is contributing at 1% of gross pay
- Be a bargaining unit member of SEIU L2015 and be working at a skilled nursing facility that is actively contributing to the Education Fund
- Be proficient in English (minimum 6th grade level), Math (minimum 6th grade level), and Digital Literacy (basic skill level)
- Complete an Education and Career Action Plan (ECAP) with an Ed Fund representative
To be eligible, you must also meet the following requirements:
- Flu clearance (if necessary)
- TB Clearance (may include Chest X-Ray)
- COVID-19 Vaccine and appropriate boosters
- Other required immunizations
- Successfully pass a required Live Scan/Criminal Screening Background Test
Please Note: Our LVN waitlist is full at this time, and we cannot process new applications.
We do not know if this LVN training program will be available in the future. CCA offers other types of training. If you are interested in other training courses, click the form below.
The Education Fund: A Labor-Management Partnership
The LVN training program is currently full and has closed. We encourage Nursing Home Employers to explore our Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training Pathway program, which is still open.
When available, the LVN and CNA training programs are for unionized skilled nursing facilities** that are in the Education Fund, a training fund for members of SEIU Local 2015. As the only Labor Management Partnership within the skilled nursing industry in California, SEIU Local 2015 and nursing home employers are collaborating with the Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA) in implementing a framework that advances economic, occupational, gender, and racial equity efforts while providing a pathway to help more people fill CNA & LVN jobs to resolve a nursing staff shortage.
Program Benefits for Nursing Facility Employers:
- Ability to shape the program specific to their facility needs
- Reduced employee turnover rates
- Increased employee retention
- Elevated quality of care for nursing home residents
- No recruitment and training costs
* SEIU 2015 incumbent nursing home workers from participating facilities or other community members, where eligible.
** Facilities must be unionized skilled nursing facilities that have the SEIU 2015 Education Fund in their collective bargaining agreement. Eligibility is limited to facilities that meet Education Fund contribution limits.
For interested employers who are interested in staff training, please reach out to our Education Fund team at edfund@advancecaregivers.org.
Image Credit: Photo by Yuri Acurs, Freepik
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