Our LVN-RN apprentice program graduates new nurses, announces new opportunities

A new wave of graduates from our groundbreaking apprenticeship program offering upward mobility from Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) to Registered Nurse (RN) have been “pinned” in a May ceremony.

The seven new RNs will work in the central valley at the California Health Care Facility in Stockton, Deuel Vocational Institution in Tracy and at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione.

Local 1000 launched the nation’s first LVN to RN civil service apprenticeship program in 2016. Already more than 35 apprentices have been selected, and the first graduates are now working as RNs.

Apprentices are provided up to 20 hours off work per week for classes and clinical training without any loss of pay thanks to language in Local 1000’s contract known as 20/20 language.

Alexis Barba is one of those graduates. After spending five years working as an LVN, and with the help of the Local 1000, she was admitted to the Delta College program.

“My union was so supportive of me,” said Barba. “This program enabled me to work and go to school, and keep my pay and benefits. Now I’m enjoying a better income and, more importantly, I get to be more directly involved in caring for patients.”

“How we deliver health care can be an art form, and I’m excited to be partnering with doctors in making decisions that affect patient outcomes,” she said.

New LVN-RN apprentice opportunities available

Local 1000, in partnership with San Joaquin Delta College, is recruiting new applicants to the apprentice program, with classes planned to begin late fall. LVNs attending the program retain their permanent positions while gaining the requisite skills and competencies to become an RN through a combination of classroom theory, clinical experience and on-the-job training.

Applications for the next wave of apprentices are due on June 29, 2018. For more information about the program or to apply, visit seiu1000.org/RNgrow