Launch your nursing career with confidence through our accelerated Vocational Nursing (VN) program in Hayward, California, a career-focused pathway designed for those ready to step into the healthcare field. In as little as 12 months through our full-time day schedule, or in as little as 17–20 months with flexible evening options, you’ll move through a focused curriculum that blends classroom instruction with extensive hands-on training in modern simulation labs and real clinical settings. Students train fully on campus, gaining hands-on experience through nursing skills labs, simulation training with clinical manikins, and supervised clinical rotations that prepare them for real patient care environments. Guided by experienced instructors and rigorous NCLEX-PN preparation, you’ll build the skills, clinical judgment, and confidence needed to succeed as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. With a supportive campus community and a learning environment built for both new students and career changers alike, Hayward provides a strong foundation for your future in nursing.
THREE FLEXIBLE PATHWAYS
Choose the schedule that works best for you with full-time day, full-time evening, and part-time evening program options.
BVNPT Accredited
This program is approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT).
CAREER-FOCUSED TRAINING
Hayward VN Graduate Placement Rate
89%*
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What you'll learn.
The Hayward VN program combines hands-on simulation training with experienced faculty instruction to help you build the clinical skills, confidence, and professional readiness essential for success as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. In a supportive, collaborative learning environment, instructors guide you step by step, strengthening your foundation for both the NCLEX-PN and real-world patient care.
Gather, interpret, and document key health information
Administer medications safely and accurately
Provide care for adult, pediatric, and maternal/newborn patients
Support long-term care patients with individualized plans
Educate patients and families on essential health topics
Collaborate with healthcare teams and supervise nursing aides
Admissions Requirements for the Hayward VN Program
Applying to the Hayward VN program is simple and designed to guide you from your first inquiry to your first day of class.
Provide your high school diploma or equivalent to begin your application.
Complete the Unitek VN prerequisite course within 12 months of your intended start date.
Finalize your background check during the prerequisite course to prepare for clinical training.
Meet with the Program Director for a supportive, goal-focused admissions interview.
Work with our team to review financial options and finalize your plan.
Enroll in classes and take your first step toward becoming a Vocational Nurse.
Vocational Nursing Program with a Career-Driven Curriculum
Our program is designed to empower you with the in-demand skills today’s healthcare employers value most, while preparing you for the essential licensure exam that opens the door to your nursing career. Through a dynamic blend of experienced instruction, hands-on training, simulation labs, and dedicated academic support, you’ll build real confidence and practical competence. We also keep class sizes reasonably sized, ensuring every student receives individualized attention, meaningful mentorship, and the space to fully engage and grow.
Core nursing subjects
Nursing Fundamentals – Theory
Nursing Fundamentals – Clinical/Skills
Introduction to Pharmacology
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Maternal and Newborn Care
Pediatric Nursing
Professional Development
By the time I finished at Unitek, I scheduled and took my NCLEX within a month. I passed on my first time, all thanks to Unitek.
Almoss M.Unitek College Graduate
I really appreciate the care and effort that was put in by Career Services. Towards the end of the program, I was beginning to feel some doubts about getting a job, but the whole process (with mock interviews) made me feel a lot more confident.
Victoria G.Unitek College Graduate
Hayward Campus Amenities for Vocational Nursing Students
At Unitek College in Hayward, Vocational Nursing students study in an environment designed to support both classroom learning and practical skill development. Modern classrooms, dedicated nursing labs, and accessible study areas create a setting where students can strengthen their clinical knowledge while preparing for real-world patient care.
Classroom learning environment
Courses at the Hayward campus combine lecture-based instruction with interactive learning strategies that keep students actively involved in the educational process. Faculty incorporate case discussions, group activities, presentations, and applied exercises to help students connect theory with clinical practice. This balanced approach encourages engagement and supports the development of critical thinking and communication skills essential to nursing.
Classroom learning environment
Courses at the Hayward campus combine lecture-based instruction with interactive learning strategies that keep students actively involved in the educational process. Faculty incorporate case discussions, group activities, presentations, and applied exercises to help students connect theory with clinical practice. This balanced approach encourages engagement and supports the development of critical thinking and communication skills essential to nursing.
Simulation and skills labs
Hands-on training takes place in nursing skills and simulation labs designed to replicate common healthcare environments. Students practice procedures within patient care units equipped with hospital beds, overbed tables, nightstands, and privacy curtains. Lab spaces include simulated oxygen and suction equipment, mobility devices such as wheelchairs and walkers, and vital sign tools used during patient care. The program utilizes Laerdal basic, mid-fidelity, and high-fidelity manikins to simulate realistic patient scenarios, along with specialized training models for wound care, nasogastric tube insertion, and diabetic foot assessment. Some campuses may also incorporate maternity simulators.
Student learning and collaboration spaces
In addition to clinical training areas, the Hayward campus offers computer labs, quiet study spaces, and student lounge areas that support academic success throughout the program. These spaces provide students with opportunities for independent study, group collaboration, and access to campus learning resources as they progress through the Vocational Nursing program.
Campus Location
Located along Hesperian Boulevard near Interstate 880 and just steps from the Hayward Executive Airport, our campus offers convenient access for students commuting from across the Bay Area. The immediate neighborhood provides easy connections to nearby shopping, dining, and everyday essentials, making it simple to balance school with work and family responsibilities. Beyond the campus’s surroundings, Hayward sits at the center of a dynamic East Bay community with strong ties to healthcare, education, and public service. Our close relationships with local hospitals, clinics, and medical offices, supported by annual Program Advisory Committee (PAC) meetings, ensure we stay aligned with the skills employers need most. This ongoing collaboration allows us to continually refine our curriculum so you can enter the job market confident, prepared, and ready to seize opportunities throughout the region.
At our Hayward campus, you can complete the full-time day program in as little as 12 months. We also offer full-time evening and part-time evening schedules, which can be completed in as little as 17 and 20 months, providing flexible options for students balancing work, family, and school commitments.
Tuition varies based on your schedule and individual financial situation. Our Admissions and Financial Aid teams at Hayward will walk you through the complete cost breakdown, including available financial aid options, scholarships, and payment plans, so you can plan with confidence.
The Hayward VN program prepares you to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam, the required step to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) in California. NCLEX preparation is built directly into the curriculum to strengthen your readiness for exam day.
Students must provide proof of a high school diploma or equivalent and complete the Unitek VN prerequisite course within 12 months of their program start date. A background check is also required during the prerequisite course to ensure readiness for clinical training.
Unitek College offers a range of financial aid options for those who qualify, including grants, loans, scholarships, and payment plans. Our Financial Aid team provides step-by-step guidance to help you explore these options and create a plan that fits your budget, making private education more accessible than many students expect.
The Hayward campus serves students from across the East Bay and surrounding regions, including Hayward, Castro Valley, San Leandro, Union City, Fremont, Oakland, San Lorenzo, Dublin, Pleasanton, and communities throughout Alameda and nearby counties.
Hayward students have access to modern simulation and skills labs, computer labs, study spaces, and a comfortable student lounge. The campus also provides faculty mentorship, tutoring opportunities, NCLEX-PN preparation support, and comprehensive career services to help you succeed from your first day to graduation and beyond.
The VN program prepares you for entry-level practice as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. If your goal is to one day become a Registered Nurse (RN), you can continue your education through our BSN program, which offers the broader training and preparation needed for RN licensure and expanded career opportunities.
At our Hayward campus, you can complete the full-time day program in as little as 12 months. We also offer full-time evening and part-time evening schedules, which can be completed in as little as 17 and 20 months, providing flexible options for students balancing work, family, and school commitments.
Tuition varies based on your schedule and individual financial situation. Our Admissions and Financial Aid teams at Hayward will walk you through the complete cost breakdown, including available financial aid options, scholarships, and payment plans, so you can plan with confidence.
The Hayward VN program prepares you to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam, the required step to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) in California. NCLEX preparation is built directly into the curriculum to strengthen your readiness for exam day.
Students must provide proof of a high school diploma or equivalent and complete the Unitek VN prerequisite course within 12 months of their program start date. A background check is also required during the prerequisite course to ensure readiness for clinical training.
Unitek College offers a range of financial aid options for those who qualify, including grants, loans, scholarships, and payment plans. Our Financial Aid team provides step-by-step guidance to help you explore these options and create a plan that fits your budget, making private education more accessible than many students expect.
The Hayward campus serves students from across the East Bay and surrounding regions, including Hayward, Castro Valley, San Leandro, Union City, Fremont, Oakland, San Lorenzo, Dublin, Pleasanton, and communities throughout Alameda and nearby counties.
Hayward students have access to modern simulation and skills labs, computer labs, study spaces, and a comfortable student lounge. The campus also provides faculty mentorship, tutoring opportunities, NCLEX-PN preparation support, and comprehensive career services to help you succeed from your first day to graduation and beyond.
The VN program prepares you for entry-level practice as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. If your goal is to one day become a Registered Nurse (RN), you can continue your education through our BSN program, which offers the broader training and preparation needed for RN licensure and expanded career opportunities.
Get started today!
Complete this form and our Admissions department will contact you shortly with more information.
*These placement rates are based on program-specific and campus-specific data reported to our institutional accreditor(s) in 2024. While the figures shown here are not separately reported to our accreditor, they are derived from those outcomes. For full details by program and campus, please visit our Disclosures page.
*Please note that wage data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) or other third-party sources may not be an accurate reflection of all areas of the country, may not account for the employees’ years of experience, and may not reflect the wages or outlook of entry-level employees, such as graduates of our program (accessed on 3/16/2026).
