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Program Overview

LPN-RN Bridge: Traditional Full-Time, Associate in Science (A.S.)

The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASDN) is designed to provide the student with basic nursing knowledge and skills to successfully assess, plan, and implement the care of patients. Graduates of this program enter a challenging and exciting filed with a variety of employment opportunities, such as acute, emergency, critical, home health, and maternal and infant care. 

Because of the common body of knowledge between the Practical Nursing program and the Registered Nursing program, it is possible for accepted Licensed Practical Nurses to complete the LPN-to-RN Bridge: Traditional Full-Time component in approximately three semesters. Completion of this component qualifies the student to take the national licensing exam to become a registered nurse.

Florida Gateway College (FGC) offers a number of different degrees and certificates leading to professional licensure.  Some professions require both a degree and the successful completion of additional criteria such as licensure exams, field placements, or clinical hours. If your future plans include achieving licensure or certification, you should know that requirements vary by state.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ASN) and the Practical Nursing (PN) program, completion of program requirements make you eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)RN or NCLEX-PN in Florida or one of the other 33 nursing compact states if you apply for a multi-state license under the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). A list of current compact states can be located on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website (https://www.ncsbn.org/nurse-licensure-compact.htm). If you are a student who resides outside of Florida or one of the compact states, FGC cannot confirm whether this degree program meets educational requirements for professional licensure in your state. Since the ASN program at FGC is nationally accredited, the curriculum should meet the requirements of other states; however, some states have requirements in addition to FGC’s program’s curriculum.  Our Practical Nursing program is state approved and follows the frameworks set forth from the Florida Department of Education however, some states may have requirements in addition to FGC’s program’s curriculum. If you wish to take the NCLEX exam in a non-compact state, please contact the board of nursing in the state to determine whether this degree or certificate program will meet their licensure requirements. 

The associate nursing program at Florida Gateway College at the main campus located in Lake City, Florida is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation with Conditions.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at: https://www.acenursing.org/search-programs/entry/2711/

Review the guided degree pathway where you will find a detailed plan for your courses and other requirements each semester that prepare you for graduation and your transfer goals.

Locations

Florida Gateway College (Main Campus)

Testing Entrance Requirements

Students must provide ACT, SAT or PERT standardized testing scores to the FGC Enrollment Services.

Complete the nursing entrance exam (TEAS) with a score of 55% proficiency or higher. This exam is available through the FGC Testing Center.

Applicants must score a 80 or higher on the Upward Mobility Exam. This exam is available through the FGC Testing Center

Level II Background and 10 panel Drug/Alcohol Screen

Hours

Monday through Thursday 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM. The LPN-to-RN Bridge: Traditional Full-Time component is a three (3) semester program that includes 30 credit hours of general education courses, 32 credit hours of nursing courses, and 10 experiential learning credits. *Clinicals are required for this program. Clinicals may not follow regular college schedule and may include weekdays, evenings, or weekends.

Costs

Tuition: Based on $103.32 per credit hour for in-state tuition. (Fees are subject to change.)

Standardized tests must be taken in order to remain in the program.

  • Prerequisites $2,479.68 (24 hours)
  • Co-requisites $619.92 (6 hours)
  • Spring $1,033.20 (10 hours)
  • Fall $1,239.84 (12 hours)
  • Spring $1,033.20 (10 hours)
  • Lab Fees (includes Standardized Testing, $1,133.50
  • Professional Liability Insurance 
  • Background and Drug Screens $168.00
  • Nurse Entrance Test (RNET-B) $92.00
  • Upward Mobility Exam $55.00
  • Books and Supplies $1,510.00
  • IV Therapy Course $200.00

Total: $9,564.64

(Costs will be higher if prep courses are required.)

A lab fee has been added to all courses with a clinical lab component.

The following estimated expenses are not paid to the college:

  • (2) Uniforms $180.00
  • (1) Lab Coat $30.00
  • (1) Scrub Top $15.00
  • Name Pin, Shoes, Watch $100.00
  • Clinical Supplies $25.00
  • Physical Exam $160.00
  • Personal Health Insurance $200.00
  • State Board Application Fee $110.00
  • NCLEX Examination Fee $200.00

Total Additional Expenses: $1,020.00

Program Total: $10,584.64

72.93%

COMPLETION RATE

ASDN

NURSING

100%

STATE LICENSURE RATE : includes 1st and 2nd attempt

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Careers at a Glance

Starting Salaries

The average Registered Nurse Salary in Florida (FL) is $66,210, which is below the national average for RN’s. The monthly salary is $5,517, which breaks down as an average of $30,96 per hour. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession.

Employment Opportunities

Career opportunities as a Registered Nurse include, but are not limited to, employment in acute care facilities, critical care, emergency care, maternal and infant care, doctor’s offices, home healthcare, public health, the corrections system, long term care, and hospice centers.

Employers of FGC Graduates

  • North Florida Regional Medical Center 
  • Lake City Medical Center
  • Lake City Veterans Affairs Medical Center 
  • Malcom Randall VA Medical Center 
  • Shands Live Oak
  • Haven Hospice
  • UF Health at the University of Florida 
  • Frank Wells Nursing and Rehabilitation 
  • Baptist Medical Center
  • Solaris Health Center 
  • Baya Point Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
  • Lake Montgomery Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
  • Ayers Nursing and Rehabilitation 
  • Tri- County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center  
  • The Rehabilitation Center of Lake City
  • Wolfson Children’s Hospital 
  • Plaza Nursing and Rehabilitation-Gainesville
  • Mayo Clinic
  • North East Florida State Hospital 
  • Fresenius Dialysis Center
  • Columbia County Correctional
  • Ascension St. Vincent’s
  • Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare
  • Florida Department of Corrections
  • Columbia County School District
  • Select Specialty Hospital
  • Suwannee Healthcare Center

Program Details

Admission Requirements

Applicants must complete all pre-requisite courses with a GPA of 2.8 or higher. Pre-requisite courses must be completed by the end of the summer semester of the year the student is applying to the program.

All science courses (BSC 2085/L, BSC 2086/L, MCB2010L) must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Science courses must be taken within 5 years of application to nursing program.

All courses must be completed by the end of the summer term of the year in which the student is applying to the program and must have the required 2.8 GPA.

Applicants must score a proficiency or higher on the Nurse Entrance Exam (TEAS) admission test. Scores must be submitted to the nursing department no later than the application deadline indicated on the front of the packet.

Applicants must score a 80% or higher on the Upward Mobility Exam. Exams scores must be submitted to the nursing department no later than the application deadline indicated on the front of the packet. The applicant has unlimited attempts to take the exam.

The applicant will successfully demonstrate competency regarding the following skills: Foley catheter insertion, Tracheostomy care, and basic assessment. Please call Jeanette Blackmon at 386-754-4404 to schedule an appointment to complete these check-offs. Students have the option to practice these skills in our nursing lab before being tested. Please contact Jeannette Blackmon to find out lab open times for practice. A signed skill check-off sheet will be provided when skills have been successfully completed. Please include this signed check-off sheet with the application. No application will be processed without this sheet.

Applicants must have graduated from an LPN program in the state of Florida.

Applicants must successfully complete a 30-hour IV Therapy course within 18 months of admission to the program. The course must be completed by the end of the fall semester of the year the student is applying to the program. NOTE:  If the applicant completed a course over 18 months from date of admission, documentation of IV experience and two (2) successful IV starts within the past 3 months must be submitted.

The applicant may be randomly selected for an interview before final acceptance to the program. If selected, please come in professional attire and be prepared to write a 2-paragraph reflection paper related to an assigned area in nursing.

All above criteria must be completed before final acceptance into the program.

Prior to starting Associate of Science in nursing program:

  1. Prospective students who have completed the steps above will be required to complete the clinical eligibility requirements listed in the Associate of Science LPN-RN BRIDGE: TRADITIONAL FULL-TIME application booklet.
  2. To meet clinical agency requirements for clinical experience, all students in the Nursing and Health Sciences Programs must meet state and federal regulations as described by Florida Statutes S. 400.211. A Level II background check and drug/alcohol screening are required. Further instructions regarding the background and 10-panel drug/alcohol screen are provided on the first day of the course. Please note that random screening may be required while in the program. Students are responsible for the cost of all screening done for admission and randomly during the program.
  3. Additional costs are required when admitted to this program, including costs of uniforms, clinic shoes, liability insurance, health insurance, medical exam, standardized testing, graduation costs, immunizations, Level II background check, 10-panel drug/alcohol screening, books, and licensing fees. 
Program Notes
  • The program begins each spring term 
  • There is limited access to the program.
  • This program offers students:
    • Low student to faculty ratio
    • Hands-on learning environment 
  • The ASDN degree qualifies the graduate to apply to the Florida Board of Nursing to take the National Council of State Board of Nursing Licensing Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become a Registered Nurse (RN).
Program Guide & Syllabi

The LPN-to-RN Bridge: Traditional Full-Time component includes 30 credit hours of general education courses, 32 credit hours of nursing courses, and 10 experiential learning credits.


Experiential Credit* 10 Credit Hours

* 10 college credits are awarded to all students for experiential learning in nursing upon successful completion of NUR 1213C and NUR 2241C with a grade of C or better, as well as documentation of licensure and a minimum of six (6) months of full-time employment. 

In order to meet graduation requirements, students must demonstrate knowledge of computers as set forth in the Associate in Science Degree General Education Requirements of the Catalog.

Registered Nursing A.S. Total 72 Credit Hours


NUR 1213C Nursing Process I 

This course includes a study of nursing care for adult clients with specific medical-surgical problems. The clinical practice involves providing nursing care for adult clients experiencing these disease processes, whether acute or chronic conditions.

NUR 2241C Nursing Process II 

The focus of this course is on the theoretical application of the nursing process to selected complex medical-surgical conditions affecting the adult client. Related pathophysiological and psychosocial concepts, principles of nutrition and communication, and pharmacology and critical care aspects are included as they apply to the selected conditions. Decision-making and management theory are emphasized.

NUR 2412C Transition: Maternal Infant Child Adolescent 

Application of the nursing process in meeting the health-care needs of women, children, and families. The roles of the nurse as a provider of care, communicator, teacher, manager, and member of the health-care professionals provide the framework for clinical application and evaluation. Areas of study focus on reproduction, pregnancy (with emphasis on labor and delivery and complications of childbirth), growth and development of children from birth through adolescence (with emphasis on responses to disease and other stress conditions).

NUR 2804C Nursing Roles and Leadership 

This course focuses on concepts, principles, and theories of leadership, management, role development, and administration in a variety of culturally diverse health care delivery systems. It is designed to develop beginning leadership skills for the associate degree nursing students that are necessary to manage clients and become health care workers.

Learning Outcomes
  • The student will recognize the patient or designee as the source of control and full partner in providing compassionate and coordinated care based on respect for patient’s preferences values and needs. (Competency: Patient-Centered Care)
  • The student will minimize the risk of harm to patients and providers through both system effectiveness and individual performance. (Competency: Safety)
  • The student will be able to use information and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision making. (Competency: Informatics)
  • The student will integrate evidence-based practice with clinical expertise to include quality improvement methods for delivery of optimal health care. (Competencies: Evidence-based & Quality Improvement)
  • The student will function effectively within nursing and inter-professional teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision-making to achieve quality patient care. (Competencies: Teamwork, Collaboration, Leadership & Professionalism)

Cronenwett, L., Sherwood, G., Barnsteiner J., Disch, J., Johnson, J., Mitchell, P., Sullivan, D., Warren, J. (2007). Quality and safety education for nurses. Nursing Outlook, 55(3)122-31.

Book List & Materials

Book list and materials required for LPN-RN Bridge Traditional program will be given to students admitted to the LPN-RN Bridge Traditional Program at the mandatory new student orientation, that is held before the start of program.