Practical Nursing

Practical nursing (PN) is a residential and diploma program offering a 1350 clock hour program providing learning experiences in classroom, laboratory, simulation and clinical settings. The primary objective is to prepare learners to become licensed practical nurses (LPN) and qualify for employment in a variety of allied health areas such as hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitative centers, home healthcare, medical offices and community-based specialty services.

The program is designed to introduce the student to the knowledge, skills, attitude and critical thinking skills necessary to effectively function within the scope of practice as a practical nurse. The student will learn nursing theory and clinical skills in classroom, laboratory and clinical settings. Studies are comprised of personal and professional ethics, effective communication, clinical procedures, medication administration, nutrition, growth and development, and care of medical and surgical patients with common disorders and diseases, nursing care for women with childbearing families, nursing practice with children and adolescents, psychological and emotional disorders, pharmacology and clients in all stages of the life span.

Through these learning experiences, the student will focus on the practical nurses’ role in the nursing process and the performance of quality and safe nursing care in fundamentals of care, medical surgical nursing, mental health, maternity and newborn, pediatrics and gerontology. Graduates of this program are eligible to have their names submitted to the Florida Board of Nursing to be considered as a candidate for the PN NCLEX licensure exam.