In the 1960s, the then-named Board of Vocational Nurse and Psychiatric Technician Examiners sponsored regional meetings for VN Programs. One such meeting was held at Merced College to discuss implications of legislation introduced by Willie Brown and Gordon Duffy that would establish minimum educational requirements for CNAs. It was subsequently recognized that a statewide organization to address VN issues was needed. Jean Elder and Madelyn Roberts from Cabrillo College hosted the meeting and CVNE was organized there in October 1968 by the forty-four VN educators present. The stated purposes were to:

1. Meet the special teaching needs of vocational nurse educators for improving instruction and curriculum.
2. Provide an official organization to promote communication with the "VN Board."

A committee was formed to draft a constitution and the decision was made to hold two conferences per year, one in the north and one in the south, each located near an airport.

CVNE members and Board of Directors represent all areas of California and include public and private schools, thus ensuring a voice for all those involved in vocational nursing education.