LPN to RN Bridge: Traditional Full-Time, A.S.

(72 credits: 10 experiential credits awarded for LPN status)

The Associate in Science degree in Nursing (ASDN), a limited access program, includes the following components: Traditional Generic, LPN-to-RN Bridge: Traditional Full-Time, and the LPN-to-RN Bridge: Fast-Track Part-Time. The ASDN program is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing (1964), 4052 Bald Cypress Way, BIN C02, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3252, (850) 245-4125 and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), formerly National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), 3343 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000, fax (404) 975-5020..

Because of the common body of knowledge between the Practical Nursing program and the Registered Nursing program, it is possible for accepted Licensed Practical Nurses to complete the LPN-to-RN Bridge: Traditional Full-Time component in approximately four semesters. Completion of this component qualifies the student to take the national licensing exam to become a registered nurse.

Students seeking admission to the Traditional Bridge component must:

• submit a Florida Gateway College admission application to the Admissions Office,
• have official high school transcript, GED or documentation of Home Schooling, and any transcripts from colleges other than FGC sent to the FGC Admissions Office,
• provide scores for ACT or SAT standardized testing OR register and take a college placement test prior to advisement in the nursing department,
• complete developmental education courses as required, prior to registering for the science courses,
• maintain minimum GPA of 2.8 and no grade below a C in all prerequisite courses and any completed corequisite courses,
• score at the national average or higher on the NLN Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (N.A.C.E.) if the student graduated from a PN program more than five years ago or outside the state of Florida,
• submit to the Nursing Department by August 1:
  • the Traditional Bridge supplemental application,
  • an unofficial copy of transcripts from colleges attended including FGC,
  • two letters of reference,
  • a copy of current Florida LPN license,
  • current score (within past two years) of 75 or higher on the nursing entrance exam (RNET/HESI),
  • documentation of full-time work experience as an LPN (acute care facility preferred). All applicants must have one year of documented full-time work experience as an LPN prior to admission. Applicants with less than one year of full-time work experience as an LPN as of August 1, must submit documentation of all full-time work experience at that time. Proof of completion of remaining work experience (to equal or exceed one year) must be submitted by the last day of open registration as determined by the FGC Academic Calendar.

Prerequisite and corequisite courses completed by the end of the spring term in which you are applying are included in the required 2.8 GPA for admission to the program.

The student must provide official transcripts to the Nursing Department and the Registrar’s Office immediately following the end of fall semester for prerequisites and/or corequisites taken at a college other than FGC during the fall semester in which the student is applying. The official transcripts must be received by the last day of open registration as determined by the FGC Academic Calendar. Failure to provide these in a timely manner may result in nonadmission to the nursing program.

Applicants are responsible for providing the above documentation if they wish to be considered for admission to the nursing program. Make copies of all documentation for your personal records. Failure to present proper documentation may result in non-acceptance into the program.

Meeting the above criteria does not guarantee admission to the program. Admission is competitive. Admission is awarded to those individuals with the highest points using the ASDN Point System for Competitive Admission.

In-depth admission information may be found in the ASDN LPN-to-RN Bridge: Traditional Full-Time Admission Booklet in the Nursing and Health Sciences Department, the Admissions Office, and the College Web site www.fgc.edu. Florida Gateway College reserves the right to make changes in admission criteria and program information as circumstances require in the continuing development of the program.

In order to meet clinical agency requirements where student training will take place, all students in the Nursing and Health Sciences Programs must now meet state and federal regulations as described by Florida Statutes S. 400.211. An in-depth background screen and drug screen are required. Further instructions regarding the background and drug screen are provided in the acceptance letter. All screening must be completed no more than six weeks prior to the first day of class. Results of screening must be available to the program coordinator by the last day of open registration as determined by the FGC Academic Calendar.

Random screening within the program may be required. Cost is the responsibility of the student for admission background and drug screening and any further random analysis.

All students who graduate from a nursing program and wish to take the registered nurse NCLEX-RN exam in Florida are subject to the licensure and screening process of the Florida Board of Nursing.

Program Readmission

A student who has been admitted into the program and withdraws or does not satisfactorily complete the requirements for a required course may be considered for readmission. A student may be readmitted no more than one time. A student who has previously been readmitted and who subsequently earns a grade of D will be dismissed from the program.

The LPN-to-RN Bridge: Traditional Full-Time component includes 30 credit hours of general education courses, 32 credit hours of nursing courses, and 10 experiential learning credits. The following prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of the Fall term prior to January admission.

Core Courses

The nursing courses are to be completed in the following sequence. In order to progress in the nursing program, all nursing courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C.

Registered Nursing A.S. Total 72 Credit Hours

Program Notes:

• All nursing students must construct their class schedules with the assistance of the nursing faculty, who must approve all course exemptions, alternatives, or substitutions.
• 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, in-depth background screen, and licensing fees.
• Students are required to submit proof of current CPR certification [Healthcare Provider for American Heart Association (AHA) or Professional Rescuer for American Red Cross (ARC)] prior to participation in hands-on clinical rotations. Students must maintain current CPR certification throughout the nursing program.
• Standardized tests and remediation are mandatory for all students.
• Laboratories in nursing are calculated using a 1 to 3 ratio or one credit equals 150 minutes.
• Course calendars may vary from the College calendar due to availability of clinical sites. The student will have clinical assignments during days, evenings, weekdays, and weekends at various times during the nursing program.