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Practical Nursing, O.C.

Program Overview

 

Practical Nursing, O.C. (LPNA-CER) 45 credits 1,350 clock hours

Practical Nursing, Occupational Certificate (O.C.)

The Practical Nursing (PN) program is a 12-month certificate program designed to prepare students for nursing employment in the healthcare field. This field includes employment in areas such as a doctor’s office, home health, the corrections system, or long-term care facilities. Graduates of this program contribute to the health and well-being of patients through direct patient care, administration of medication, and medical treatments. FGC’s NCLEX-PN first-time pass rates are consistently above state and national averages.

 

 

Meet with FGC Staff

Learn more about the College and this program by scheduling an appointment with an admission counselor. You can select in-person, phone or virtual meeting. We encourage you to visit campus if possible to see the beautiful landscape and feel the caring vibe from faculty and staff.

Admission Requirements

Complete the FGC Application for Admission: Apply Now

  • Submit High School transcript(s) to Office of Enrollment Services
  • Submit College transcript(s) for any institutions previously attended

Program Requirements

Program Application

  • 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.

Testing Requirements

  • Students must take the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) and score at least an 11 in Math, English and Reading.
  • Students must complete the Nurse Entrance Exam (TEAS) with a score of 55% proficiency or higher.
  • Students must clear the Level II Background and 10 panel Drug/Alcohol Screen.

Location

Florida Gateway College Main Campus

Hours

Monday through Thursday 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM. This program begins each spring term. The Practical Nursing Program is a twelve (12) month program, 1350 clock hours in length. *Clinicals are required for this occupational certificate. Clinicals may not follow regular college schedule and assignments may include weekdays, evenings or weekends.

Costs

  • Tuition (45 Vocational hours at $84.89 per credit hour): $3,820.05
  • Spring Semester I (20 hours): $1,697.80
  • Summer Semester II (10 hours): $848.90
  • Fall Semester III (15 hours): $1,273.35
  • Miscellaneous (lab fees, nurse entrance exam, books, supplies, background screening, CPR exam, physical exam, uniforms, personal health care, state board application fee, and NCLEX-PN fee): $3,499,50

         Total: $7318.55

 

Practical Nursing, O.C.

45 credits

to earn certificate

25+ average

program enrollment

100% state

licensure rate

Guided Pathway

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.

Practical Nursing, O.C.

Practical Nursing

What our graduates are doing now!

Career opportunities as a Licensed Practical Nurse include, but are not limited to, working in a doctor’s office, home healthcare center, the corrections system, long term care, hospice centers, and acute care facilities.

STARTING SALARIES

The average Licensed Practical Nurse salary in Florida is $41,917, but the range typically falls between $33,000 and $54,000. 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.

 

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 41 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 the 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 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.

Career Coach plug here

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is not a bill that you will receive from Florida Gateway College. It is an estimate of what it costs the typical student to attend Florida Gateway College for one academic year including tuition, books, course materials, living expenses, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses. Tuition and fees in the cost of attendance are calculated for credit hour programs, assuming enrollment in 12 credit hours in the Fall and Spring semesters. Actual tuition and fees may vary by program. For a better understanding of your chosen program’s tuition and fees, see program costs above.
Cost of Attendance

 

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