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NORTH COAST, Calif. – Mendocino College is expanding its health care education pathways with the launch of a new vocational nursing program at the Ukiah Campus, an addition meant to increase local access to in‑demand nursing careers and strengthen the region’s health care workforce.
The new program builds on more than five decades of vocational nursing education previously offered through Ukiah Adult School.
By transitioning the program to Mendocino College, student costs have been reduced by nearly half, making professional nursing training more affordable while preserving the high standards and rigorous preparation the community has long relied on.
“This program is an investment in our community’s future. By training more local nurses, we’re helping ensure that Mendocino and Lake counties have the skilled health care professionals they need. Our goal is to create pathways that are affordable, achievable, and directly connected to the needs of our region,” said Leslie Kline Udarbe, RN, nursing instructor and LVN Program director.
The shift also leverages the college’s existing, highly sought‑after Registered Nursing program, creating a more seamless pipeline for students pursuing nursing careers at multiple levels.
Applications opened Feb. 2, and will be accepted through March 13, with the first cohort beginning coursework in August 2026.
All prospective students must attend a mandatory preapplication workshop, offered on Feb. 25 and March 6.
Workshops are aligned with Registered Nursing program sessions — scheduled on the same dates, but at different times — so students can explore both pathways.
The full‑time, three‑semester vocational nursing program enrolls students five days per week, with each term consisting of approximately 17 to 17.5 units of coursework and hands‑on clinical training.
Graduates will be prepared to step directly into the health care workforce, serving in hospitals, long‑term care facilities, clinics, and other essential care settings across the region.
“We designed this program with students in mind — high‑quality instruction, hands‑on clinical experience, and an affordable cost that removes barriers for those who want to serve in health care. We’re excited to welcome our first cohort and support them every step of the way,” said Kline.
Total estimated program cost — including prerequisites, tuition, books, supplies, and post‑graduation licensing fees — is approximately $6,022, offering one of the most affordable avenues into a high‑demand health care profession.
Admission is determined by lottery. Applicants must have a high school diploma or college degree and must submit TEAS Version 7 exam scores with a minimum total score of 54% by the application deadline.
While no college‑level prerequisite courses are required, students are encouraged to have prior science coursework.
Applicants may earn up to two additional lottery numbers for factors such as academic achievement, active health care credentials, Mendocino or Lake County residency, veteran status, or prior alternate status in the previous vocational nursing applicant pool.
Both the vocational nursing and registered nursing programs are expected to move into a new, state‑of‑the‑art Allied Health Building on the Ukiah Campus, scheduled to begin construction in 2027, significantly expanding training capacity and modernizing facilities for future cohorts.
Workshop registration and application materials are available online at www.mendocino.edu/LVN.
