Bakersfield anchors Kern County's healthcare economy, one of the fastest-growing in California's Central Valley. The region's expanding population keeps its hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities in constant need of licensed nursing staff.
Major employers include Adventist Health Bakersfield, Kern Medical — home to the area's only Level II Trauma Center — and Dignity Health's Bakersfield Memorial and Mercy hospitals. Adventist Health and Kern Medical have partnered to form Kern County's largest healthcare network, with more than 4,500 healthcare professionals.
For aspiring Licensed Vocational Nurses, that concentration of acute care, skilled nursing, and outpatient facilities means consistent demand close to home.
Imagine America has partnered with Carrington College in Bakersfield, CA, to help students launch nursing careers. Carrington has trained healthcare professionals since 1967, and its Bakersfield Vocational Nursing program runs in a dedicated training site with a simulation room and skills lab equipped with hospital gurneys and mid-fidelity patient mannequins.
About Imagine America Foundation (IAF)
The Imagine America Foundation (IAF) is a nonprofit organization supporting students pursuing career-oriented education at recognized trade schools and career colleges across the U.S. Since 1982, the Foundation has helped students navigate the financial aspects of technical and vocational training.
IAF provides scholarship programs including the Imagine America High School Scholarship for graduating seniors, the Adult Skills Education Program (ASEP) for adult learners, and the Military Award Program (MAP) for veterans. The Foundation also offers financial literacy guidance, career exploration tools, and resources for choosing the right program.
Over $10 million in tuition assistance is provided annually to students attending career and technical colleges nationwide.
Start Your Vocational Nursing Career with Carrington College
Carrington College's Vocational Nursing program in Bakersfield prepares students to become Licensed Vocational Nurses in as few as 12 months. The program is approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) and prepares graduates for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam.
- Certificate in as few as 12 months, with an associate degree option available
- BVNPT-approved — California's required approval for LVN training
- NCLEX-PN preparation woven throughout the curriculum
- Hands-on simulation lab with gurneys and patient care mannequins
What You'll Learn
Students build nursing fundamentals across patient care, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, and clinical skills, progressing from classroom and simulation lab work into supervised clinical experience with real patients at area healthcare facilities.
Licensure and Credentials
Graduates earn a certificate of achievement (an associate degree option is available) and are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam, the national licensure test required to practice as an LVN in California.
Where LVNs Work
Licensed Vocational Nurses provide bedside care in skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, clinics, home health agencies, and physician offices. Many LVNs later advance to RN licensure through bridge programs — including LVN to RN pathways offered at other Carrington campuses.
Career Outlook in Kern County
Bakersfield's healthcare network — Adventist Health, Kern Medical, Dignity Health, and a broad base of skilled nursing and outpatient facilities — creates steady demand for LVNs, with California consistently among the highest-employing and highest-paying states for vocational nurses.
Training Services
- Nursing Fundamentals & Patient Care
- Pharmacology
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Medical-Surgical Nursing Concepts
- Maternal & Pediatric Nursing
- Clinical Simulation Lab Training
- Supervised Clinical Rotations
- NCLEX-PN Exam Preparation
Take the First Step Toward Your Career Today
A strong foundation from the right training program sets the stage for a successful career. Explore training programs, meet expert instructors, and discover how quality education can lead to a rewarding future.
Start Your Nursing Career TodayFrequently Asked Questions
How long is the Vocational Nursing program at Carrington Bakersfield?
The certificate program can be completed in as few as 12 months. An associate degree option, completable in as few as 15 months, is available at select locations.
Is the program approved by the state of California?
Yes. Carrington College's Bakersfield Vocational Nursing program is approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT), and Carrington is institutionally accredited by the ACCJC.
What exam do I take to become an LVN?
Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-PN, the national licensure exam required to practice as a Licensed Vocational Nurse in California.
Are scholarships available for Carrington Bakersfield nursing students?
Yes. Imagine America Foundation scholarships are available to qualifying high school seniors, adult learners, and military members attending Carrington College. Create a free profile to see what you qualify for.
