Practical Nursing, O.C.

(1,350 clock hours) (45 occupational credits)

The Practical Nursing (PN) program is a 12-month program designed to assist a student with nursing employment in such areas as a hospital, doctor’s office, home health, or long term care facility. The Practical Nursing Certificate program qualifies the student to take the national licensing exam to become a licensed practical nurse. All students who graduate from a practical nursing program and wish to take the Licensed Practical Nurse exam in Florida, will be reviewed by the Florida State Board of Nursing, in accordance with State Law Chapter 464.008 and 464.018.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate the ability to provide personal patient care.
2. Students will demonstrate the ability to perform nursing procedures.
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to apply principles of infection control.
4. Students will demonstrate the ability to administer medications.

To be considered for this program a student must:

• have a high school diploma, GED certificate, or home school equivalent,
• take the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) as outlined in this catalog,
• apply for general college admission by 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 Nursing Entrance Test by the established deadline. See testing information under the Test Center page on the FGC website,
• review the program application packet available on the FGC website at www.fgc.edu, and
• may be randomly selected for an interview before final acceptance to the program. If selected, applicant must come in professional attire and be prepared to write a 2-paragraph reflection paper related to an assigned area in nursing.

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 in the program acceptance letter. 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.

This is a limited access program. Applicants must reach required scores on the TABE and nurse entrance exam to qualify for admission. If there are more qualified applicants than there are available positions, the applicants will be selected through nurse entrance exam scoring. In-depth admission information is available on the College Web site www.fgc.edu. Florida Gateway College reserves the right to make changes in its nursing admission processes.

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

Program Notes:

• Class and clinical hours will vary for each term.
• Clinical calendars may vary from the Critical Dates calendar due to availability of clinical sites.
• Standardized testing within the program is mandatory.
• Students must make a C or better to continue to the next course in the program.
• Students must complete Level II background check and 10 panel drug/alcohol screening, physical examination, immunization, and laboratory study, including the Heptavax, after admission into 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.
• This is a limited access program. A student should not assume admission until officially notified, in writing, by the Nursing & Health Sciences Department.