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Program Overview

Registered Nursing, Associate in Science (A.S.)

The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASDN) is designed to provide students 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, maternal, and infant care.

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.

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

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

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.

Level II Background and 10 panel Drug/Alcohol Screen

Hours

Monday through Thursday 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM. The ASDN program is 4 semesters in length. This program begins each fall and spring term. * Clinicals are required for this program. Clinicals may not follow a regular college schedule. Clinical assignments may include weekdays, evenings, or weekends.

Costs

Tuition: Based on $103.32 per credit hour for **in-state tuition. (Based on previous year’s fees. Fees are subject to change.) Standardized tests must be taken in order to remain in the program.

  • Prerequisites $2,169.72 (21 hours)
  • Co-requisites $929.88 (9 hours)
  • Fall $1,033.20 (10 hours)
  • Spring $1,033.20 (10 hours)
  • Fall $1,239.84 (12 hours)
  • Spring $1,033.20 (10 hours)
  • Lab Fees (Includes standardized testing)
    $ 1,639.28
  • Professional Liability Insurance $24.00
  • Background and Drug Screens $226.00
  • Nurse Entrance Exam $92.00
  • Books and Supplies
    $2,024.00
  • CPR Certification $40.00

(Costs will be higher if prep courses are required)

TOTAL $11,484.32

The following expenses are not paid to the college:

  • Uniforms (2) – approximate $180.00
  • Lab Coat (1) – approximate $30.00
  • 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-RN Fee $200.00

Total $1,005.00

Program Total $12,489.32

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. 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, working in acute care facilities, critical care, emergency care, maternal and infant care, doctor’s offices, home healthcare, public health, 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 be 18 years or older prior to the start of the program.
  • 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 spring term of the year the applicant is applying to the program.
  • All science courses (BSC 2085/L, BSC 2086/L and MCB 2010/L) must be completed with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Science courses must be taken within 5 years of application to nursing program
  • All co-requisite courses must be completed with a GPA of 2.8 or higher by the end of the spring term in which you are applying.
  • Applicants must score 55% 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 page of the packet.
  • Prior to starting Associate of Science in nursing program:
  • Prospective students who have completed the steps above will be required to complete the clinical eligibility requirements listed in the Associate of Science Traditional Generic 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 and 10 panel drug/alcohol screening, books, and licensing fees.
Program Notes
  • Program begins each fall and spring term 
  • Limited access
  • 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
  • NUR 1020C Nursing Foundations 
  • Study of nursing fundamentals, designed to develop understanding, knowledge and skills for nursing care of patients of all ages. Includes concepts of health needs, nursing process, asepsis, body mechanics, nutrition, drug calculation, drug administration and nursing history.
  • NUR 1213C Nursing Process I 
  • This course includes a study of nursing care for adult clients with specific medical surgical problems. Clinical practice involves providing nursing care for adult clients experiencing these disease processes whether acute or chronic condition.
  • 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 is emphasized.
  • NUR 2412C Transition: Maternal Infant Child Adolescent 
  • Application of the nursing process in meeting the health-care needs of women, children, and families. Roles of the nurse as a provider of care, communicator, teacher, manager and member of the health-care profession 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 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 ASDN Traditional Generic program will be given to students admitted to the ASDN Traditional Generic Program at the mandatory new student orientation, that is held before the start of program.