*Orlando and Tampa students enrolling on or after July 20, 2022, click here  for the PN program outline. 

Program Description

This practical nursing program is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing and prepares students to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN®). Graduates will be prepared to integrate nursing knowledge, critical thinking, and basic nursing skills into the healthcare environment while coordinating care for clients. Theoretical and laboratory instruction are further enhanced by simulation and clinical experience in a variety of healthcare facilities. The curriculum is concept-based, with emphasis placed on patient safety, legal and ethical issues, and an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the practical nurse.

Program Outcomes (Student Learning Outcomes)

Upon completion of this program, the student should be able to:

1. Coordinate quality, safe, skilled, and patient-centered care utilizing the nursing process.
2. Demonstrate nursing behaviors as defined by the practical nurse scope of practice.
3. Develop proficiencies in basic nursing skills.
4. Participate in collaborative relationships with patients, families, and members of the interdisciplinary team to provide and improve patient care.
5. Use information technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision making along with critical thinking.
6. Incorporate ethical and legal principles into entry-level practical nursing performance.

Special Admissions Requirements

Please refer to the Undergraduate Nursing Admission Requirements  policy in the Admissions Information section of this catalog for nursing program admission requirements.

Potential Occupational Titles

Potential occupational titles for this program include, but are not limited to, licensed practical/vocational nurse and nursing assistant.

Program Content

A minimum of 1,350.00 clock hours/38 semester credits are required.

Third Party Testing

Assessment and remediation are critical components of nursing education. Students in the nursing program may be required to take third-party, standardized exams in an electronic format throughout the curriculum. These standardized tests are valid and reliable predictors of success on the NCLEX examination and provide valuable feedback concerning student strengths and weaknesses. Student learning outcome data identifies content areas that require remediation, allowing faculty to personalize student support and intervention. Courses that utilize third-party exams will incorporate the points earned on the test as a percentage of the final grade earned for the course as specified in the course syllabus.