Historical Overview:
The St. Francis Career College (SFCC) Lynwood Main Campus and San Jose Branch Campus is owned and managed by St. Francis Medical Center (SFMC), a member of Daughters of Charity Health System, a not-for-profit organization. In keeping with its commitment of service to the community, St. Francis Medical Center established a High School Vocational Nurse (VN) Training Program in April 1988, under the administration and leadership of Sister Margaret Keaveney, D.C., F.A.C.H.E. The initial class was established in collaboration with the Lynwood Unified School District. In 1993, the success of this program led to its expansion into the St. Francis Medical Center Vocational Nurse Program, in collaboration with the Compton Unified School District ROP, the City of Los Angeles Private Industry Council under the Job Training Partnership Act, and the James Irvine Foundation. In 1996, the SFMC Vocational Nurse program was renamed St. Francis Career College and the Nurse Assistant (NA) program was added. In 2003, SFCC opened the San Jose Branch Campus.
Recognized for its exemplary programs and educational services, SFCC has grown to provide other healthcare career training. These services include a LVN-RN Bridge Program — for SFMC associates, SFCC graduates, and other partners in education — provided by and in collaboration with East Los Angeles Community College (ELAC); the Elizabeth Seton Hall of Knowledge; the Skills and Simulation Lab; continuing education programs; and other career/professional development and enhancement programs.
Historical Milestones
2010
- As an institution, SFCC joins the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)
- The California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) re-launches, dropping "Vocational" from its name, and reapproves SFCC
2009
- Lynwood Main campus re-accredited for five (5) years by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
- Lynwood VN curriculum revised and expanded from 1551 to 1593 clock hours
- Expansion of San Jose campus: new classrooms, labs and library
- The newly renovated Lynwood facilities, featuring the Seton Hall of Knowledge, are blessed and dedicated by Bishop Salazar, the San Pedro regional auxiliary
2008
2007
- Recertified by the US Department of Education (ED) to continue participation in the federal financial aid program
- Entered into a voluntary agreement with the Director of the California Dept. of Consumer Affairs (DCA)
2006
- Re-accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) — San Jose Branch Campus
- Entered into partnership with El Camino College — Compton Center to facilitate enrollment in general education courses or RN pre-requisite.
- Launched Weekend Vocational Nursing program (pilot program)
- Graduated the first class of Nurse Assistants — San Jose Branch Campus
2005
- Granted temporary approval as a degree-granting institution by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE)
- Graduated the first Vocational Nursing Class — San Jose Branch Campus
- Approved by CA Dept. of Health Services for a Nurse Assistant program – San Jose Branch
- Implemented the Health Care Interpreter Program (pilot program)
2004
- VN Curriculum revised and expanded from 1534 to 1551 clock hours
- Reaccredited by the ACCSC – Lynwood Main Campus
- Granted initial accreditation by ACCSC — San Jose Branch Campus
- Granted permanent license by the BPPVE to operate as an educational institution
2003
- Established St. Francis Career College – San Jose Branch Campus
- Established the Patient Care Institute (PCI) in collaboration with SFMC clinical division
- Approved by ACCSC, BPPVE and U.S. Department of Education for change of ownership from Catholic Healthcare West to the Daughters of Charity Health System
2002
- Launched the RN prerequisite program for Lynwood Unified School District (LUSD) high school students, in collaboration with ELAC and Compton College
2001
- Approved by the US Department of Education (ED)to participate in the Federal Student Aid Program for six years
- Approved by the CDHS to offer the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program
2000
- Provisionally approved by the Department of Education to participate in the Federal Student Aid program
- Launched the Community Education Initiative
1999
- Assumed supervision of the Career Development and Naseau Reading programs
1998
- Approved by the Board of Registered Nurses (BRN) as a Provider of Continuing Education
- Achieved initial accreditation by the ACCSC with no stipulations
1997
- Approved by the CA BVNPT as a provider for Continuing Education Courses
- Approved by the CA Department of Health Services to offer the Home Health Aide Program
1996
- Established the Allied Health Clinician (AHC) and Nurse Assistant (NA) programs
- Licensed to operate as an educational institution by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE)
- Approved by the State of California Department of Health Services (CDHS) to offer the Nurse Assistant program
- Changed school name from St. Francis Medical Center Vocational Nurse Program to St. Francis Career College
- Launched a pilot SFMC LVN-RN Bridge program for SFMC associates and SFCC graduates in collaboration with East Los Angeles College (ELAC)
1994
- Expanded the Vocational Nursing Program in collaboration with Compton Unified School District Regional Occupational Program (ROP)
- Accredited by the Board of Vocational Nurse and Psychiatric Technician (BVNPT) effective for the initial VN class that started in 1993
1993
- Under the direction of Marilyn U. Overby, launched the St. Francis Medical Center Vocational Nurse Program in collaboration with City of Los Angeles and Private Industry Council (PIC) under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) and James Irvine Foundation
- Granted approval by the City of Los Angeles to utilize the Core Training and Skills Acquisition Plan for the Vocational Nurse Program
- Launched a LVN-RN pilot program with Compton Community College.
1988
- Launched the first High School Vocational Nurse Class for the SFMC/Lynwood Unified School District partnership