General Questions

1.  Are there costs for taking classes?

There are no costs for those who qualify to take our courses.  HCWDP covers the cost of: tuition, books, and some required school items (not including paper, pens, pencils, and binders which the student purchases, etc…).

2.  Do I receive County paid time to attend classes?

Some of our training programs are offered on “County paid time,” and others require the employee/participant to attend on their own time.

Participants in our Long-term / Career-track programs typically receive eight (8) hours of County paid time to attend class.

3.  When does HCWDP start Long-term / Career–track programs (i.e. nursing, coding, psychiatric technician, etc…)?

The start of our career-track programs varies due to multiple factors, such as those listed below:

·        Needs are identified by DHS

·        The educational requirements to enter the specific career-track program (i.e. pre-requisites for nursing)

·        Planning based on funding: HCWDP is able to pay for training opportunities via grant funds received.

4.  When I complete a long-term / career-track program, will I be promoted?

While HCWDP’s goal is to fill critical shortages and/or needs identified by DHS, our graduates must meet the requirements of the Department, apply, be placed on a list of qualified candidates, and interview for promotional items. HCWDP does inform DHS Human Resources of those who have successfully completed our Career-track programs (i.e. Nursing, Coding, Psychiatric Technician, etc…)

5.  Are there special requirements for career track programs?

To participate in a Long-Term/Career Track Program, the targeted item/ classification must be promotional (where you would receive a wage increase). In addition, career track program participants must have competent or better rating on performance evaluation (PE), and be in good standing with DHS.

Enrollment Process

1.  What are the requirements to enroll in one of the HCWDP programs?

To qualify for HCWDP training opportunities, you must be a full-time, permanent employee of DHS, and in a job Classification represented by SEIU Local 721 (formally Local 660).

NOTE: If your employment status changes, it may have an impact on your ability to qualify for, or remain in an HCWDP training program.

2.  Are there any other requirements?

Yes, Because HCWDP is federally funded through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), all participants must enroll according to WIA regulations. All HCWDP sponsored courses require student enrollment in WIA.

To complete the enrollment process, you must bring originals of the following documents to the first day of training:
Your Driver’s License or California I.D., and one of the following: Birth Certificate, U.S. Passport (may be used to show legal residency also), Social Security card, or Certificate of Naturalization or Alien Resident Card (may be used to show legal residency also. Proof of legal residency is required if you were not born in the U.S.)

Males born on or after January 1, 1960 must bring Proof of Selective Service Registration. You can obtain a copy of your registration at www.sss.gov/regist.htm.

3.  What if I don’t have the necessary documents or refuse to have them put in my file?

If you fail to present your original documents you may not be permitted to attend the trainings or programs.

4.  Will my personal information be kept confidential?

All personal participant information will be kept confidential and secured in a locked file.

Academic Development

1.  What is Academic Development (AD)?

Academic Development (AD) is designed to bridge the academic performance gap of non-traditional adult learners working towards degree/certificated career programs (e.g. RNs, LVNs, Psychiatric Technicians, and Health Information Technologists-Coding). The AD program is structured to orient and assess participants’ current writing and math skills, place them into appropriate classes/workshops to increase their skill level, and re-assess and recommend participants to the career programs offered through HCWDP. 

Participants begin academic preparation via use of an individualized educational plan that details their current skills and their needs to become successful employees and enter into a degree/certificated program.

2.  How can I take an AD class?

Employees who are interested in completing the AD preparation classes must first attend an assessment session where HCWDP representatives will discuss the various services we offer.  Employees must complete a mandatory assessment at this session in order enroll into to a reading/writing and math assessment to ensure that the employee starts in the right level for his/her skills.  These sessions are offered once a month.

3.  What is purpose of the assessment?

In preparation for your opportunities within our program, it is required that you participate in an assessment.  The assessment has been designed to measure your skills in the areas of reading, writing, and math.  This information allows our instructors to make course recommendations that best fit your needs. Please be prepared to dedicate 3 hours for the assessment.  Attendance to the assessment is mandatory for participation in our AD classes.

4.  What is on the assessment? How should I prepare?

Our instructors recognize that every student has varying levels of education.  In order for us to properly place you into our classes, we want to be able to understand your strengths and weaknesses.  We encourage our students to demonstrate their skills that they currently have in order for us to identify specific areas of need to review/cover in our classes.  Based upon the assessments, the instructors will be able to place you in the appropriate course that will best help you to improve your skills.  It is not necessary to study prior to the assessment; our classes are designed to support you at every level.

5.  Who are the classes taught by?

AD classes are taught by HCWDP instructor staff members who are very knowledgeable on adult learning strategies. They have experience teaching for LAUSD as well as various community colleges, and universities.

6.  Do I get college credit?

AD classes are not college transferable but are reviewed as part of the selection process for HCWDP long term programs.  AD classes are meant to prepare employees for successful completion of college level courses.

7.  Are the AD classes mandatory to be selected into a Nursing, HIT-Coding, Psych Tech, or LVN program?

The classes are not mandatory. In fact students can prepare on their own. However, we have dedicated time to identifying successful learning strategies for County workers. The classes help employees that have not received study skills strategies in high school and who are returning to school after a long absence. While they are not mandatory, they are very helpful to employees and play a role in their academic success.

Nursing Programs

1.  How long are the Nursing programs?

LVN – 12 to 18 months

LVN to RN – 12 to 18 months

RN – 2 ½ years

2.  What days of the week is the program scheduled?

It varies depending on the college.  Currently, the scheduled days are Thursday, Friday, Saturday and some Sundays.

3.  What college is the program going to be held?

It varies, however, we have worked in the past with the following colleges:

LVN – Citrus College, LAUSD and Saint Francis

RN and LVN-RN – Cerritos College, College of Nursing & Allied Health, East LA College, El Camino College.

4.  What support services are available?

We offer academic development classes in math, reading and writing, as well as college pre-entrance examination preparation and career coaching.

Nursing specific coaching and tutoring are provided once you start the program.

5.  What are the minimum requirements to apply for nursing programs?

LVN – High school diploma

RN and LVN-RN – a number of college pre-requisite classes.

6.  Is there a GPA requirement to qualify for the program?

LVN – No

RN and LVN-RN – a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the science pre-requisite courses of Anatomy, Physiology and Microbiology, with no less than an overall G.P.A. of 2.5 in the prerequisite courses.

7.  What pre-requisite classes am I required to have for the RN and LVN-RN programs?

The majority of the colleges require the following classes for the RN and LVN-RN programs:

-         Anatomy (with lab)

-         Physiology (with lab)

-         Microbiology (with lab)

-         English (College Reading & Comprehension)

-         Humanities (Art, Literature or Language)

-         Psychology (Growth & Development / Life Span)

-         Political Science or U.S. History

-         Intro to Sociology

-         Speech (Public Speaking)

*        Chemistry (with lab)

*        Algebra (Elementary algebra or higher)

*        Nutrition

*        Psychology (General)

+        P.E. Activity Class

* = not required for College of Nursing & Allied Health.

+ = only required by College of Nursing & Allied Health.

8.  How long does it take to complete the pre-requisite classes?

It varies depending on your circumstances. The average is from 2 - 3 years.

9.  Do you offer pre-requisite classes?

We encourage you to start taking classes ASAP at any community college. Science classes such as Anatomy, Physiology and Microbiology (A,P,M) should be held until the end due to the 5 year recency requirement.

10.  What are the recency requirements for the pre-requisite classes?

The science pre-requisite classes (A,P,M) need to be completed no more than 5 years from the date of acceptance into a nursing program.

11.  Does the five year recency requirement apply to all pre-requisite classes?

No, only the 3 science classes (Anatomy, Physiology and Microbiology) need to be completed no more than 5 years prior to the date of acceptance into a nursing program.

12.  Do I need to retake my science pre-requisite classes if they are over five years old?

It varies depending on the college.

13.  Do I need to take a college entrance exam?

Yes, most colleges require some type of entrance exam as part of the selection process.

14.  What happens if I do not pass the college entrance exam?

We offer a coaching session to help you determine why you did not meet the required grade level and we offer academic preparation classes in the areas you need help with.

15.  What is the 30 Unit Option Program and how do I qualify?

It is a 12-month program for LVNs who are ready to advance into an RN program and does not require taking all of the general education pre-requisite classes. Candidates are required to complete Anatomy, Physiology and Microbiology classes. Individuals do not receive an Associate’s Degree in Nursing at the conclusion of the program. Graduates will receive a certificate of completion and will take the RN-NCLEX state board examination. After passing the RN-NCLEX, participants will receive a license as an RN which limits them to practice in the State of California.

16.  Do I get a degree when completing the 30 Unit Option Program?

No, you do not receive an Associate’s Degree in Nursing at the conclusion of the program. Graduates will receive a certificate of completion.

17.  What is the difference between the LVN-RN and LVN-RN 30 Unit Option?

For the LVN-RN program, successful graduates will receive an Associate’s Degree in Nursing.  After passing the RN-NCLEX state board examination, they will be licensed to practice nationwide.  For the LVN-RN 30 Unit Option program, graduates will receive a certificate of completion.  After passing the RN-NCLEX state board examination, participants will receive a license which is only recognized in the State of California.

18.  Do you offer help to pass the NCLEX board exam?

LVN – yes, we offer a home study plan and coaching.

RN - Yes, we offer a refresher course, home study plan and coaching.

19.  Do I get County paid time to take the NCLEX Review Course?

Yes, you will receive 8 hours per week in County paid time only during the refresher course.

20.  Do I get County paid time to take the NCLEX Exam?

No, you must schedule the NCLEX Exam on your own personal time.

21.  Does HCWDP pay for the NCLEX application fee and exam?

No, you must pay for your own application, exam and license fees.

22.  Does HCWDP pay for all tuition costs for the college nursing programs?

No, HCWDP will cover the costs of tuition not covered by the college tuition assistance program.  HCWDP also pays for books and supplies.