Practical Nursing

To be considered for this program a student must:

• Be 18 years of age.
• Have a high school diploma, GED certificate, or home school equivalent.
• Take the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) and score an 11 in Math, English, and Reading.
• Apply for general college admission by the established deadline on the Academic Calendar.
• Submit a specific PN application to the Nursing Department by the established deadline for a spring start.
• Complete the Nurse Entrance Exam (TEAS) by the established deadline and score proficiency or higher.

Prior to starting Practical Nursing program:

• Prospective students who have completed the steps above will be required to complete the clinical eligibility requirements listed in the Practical Nursing application booklet.
• 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.
• 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.

• The program begins each spring term.
• There is limited access to the program.
• The program offers students:
  • Low student to faculty ratio
  • A hands-on learning environment
• The Practical Nurse certificate qualifies the graduate to apply to the Florida Board of Nursing to take the National Council of State Board of Nursing Licensing Examination (NCLEX-PN) to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
• There is a high NCLEX-PN pass rate for first-time test-takers.

First Semester: 600 clock hours, 20 occupational credits

• PRN 0001C – Basic Nursing 497 clock hours, 16.56 occupational credits
• PRN 0080 – Body Structure and Function 60 clock hours, 2 occupational credits
• PRN 0070 – Basic Nutrition 23 clock hours, .77 occupational credit
• PRN 0020 – Human Development Across the Life Span 20 clock hours, .67 occupational credit

Second Semester: 300 clock hours, 10 occupational credits

• PRN 0381C – Med/Surge Life Span I 300 clock hours, 10 occupational credits

Third Semester: 450 clock hours, 15 occupational credits

• PRN 0382C – Med/Surge Life Span II 300 clock hours, 10 occupational credits
• PRN 0100C – Maternal Infant Child 85 clock hours, 2.83 occupational credits
• PRN 0011C – Transition into Practice 65 clock hours, 2.17 occupational credit

Practical Nursing Total: 1,350 clock hours, 45 occupational credits

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• PRN 0001C Basic Nursing
  • This course is designed to introduce the student to patient care and to provide a foundation for learning basic nursing skills on which to build throughout the program. It focuses on the basic needs of patients and how the practical nurse will meet those needs.
• PRN 0020 Human Development Across the Lifespan
  • This course presents normal human development from birth to death. Emphasis is on developmental stages.
• PRN 0070 Basic Nutrition
  • This course presents the basic principles of nutrition and diet therapy for all age groups.
• PRN 0080 Body Structure and Function
  • This course provides basic knowledge of normal human body structures and functions. Emphasis on major systems.
• PRN 0381C Med Surg Life Span I
  • This course is designed to give the student an understanding of the disease process and how it affects the adult patient. This unit will also include nursing care of the pre and post-operative patients, management of pain, fluids, and electrolytes.
• PRN 0382C Med Surg Life Span II
  • This course is a continuation of medical-surgical nursing. This unit presents the needs of adult patients with medical and surgical problems.
• PRN 0100C Maternal Infant Child
  • This course is designed to acquaint the student with the basic needs of mothers, newborns, and children. It will include conception, pregnancy, labor and delivery, postpartum, newborn, and pediatric care.
• PRN 0011C Transition into Practice
  • The focus is on the transition from the role of the student to the role of the graduate practical nurse as a health team member. The course content addresses current trends on nursing, community organizations, and job opportunities.

• Students will demonstrate the ability to provide personalized patient care
• Students will demonstrate the ability to perform nursing procedures.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to apply principles of infection control.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to administer medications.

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