Program Description:

Length

15 Months (1350 Clock Hours)

Mondays 8am to 1pm

Tuesdays - Fridays 8am to 2pm

Summer hours are Mondays - Thursdays 8am- 2:45pm

Clinical hours to be determined by clinical site.  

This program is approved by the Florida State Board of Nursing. 

Basic Skills Requirement

Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) score of 249 in Reading, and 245 in Math are required prior to graduation (some exemptions apply).  

Exemptions from the Basic Skills test are as follows:

• Graduate of a Florida Public High School from 2007-present with a standard High School Diploma
• Florida based GED 2014-present
• College degree from an accredited institution
• (Official transcripts are needed to verify exemption)

Licensure and Certification Disclosure 

The Practical Nursing Career Pathway requires: 

• A standard U.S. high school diploma or GED from a school accredited by an approved accrediting association.

Clinical Requirements

• Physical examination/immunizations
• Criminal background checks 
• Random drug screenings

PN Program Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the TEAS Test and can it help me determine if I will be successful in the LPN program?

The TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) is a standardized exam developed by Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI). It is commonly used for nursing and other allied health programs to assess a student's academic readiness. The TEAS evaluates skills in reading, math, science, and English and language usage. A TEAS Exam score of 65% or higher is a good indicator of success for the LPN Program. To register for the exam visit: TEAS Exam Information | Register For The TEAS | ATI (atitesting.com) to register.

How can I be employed as an LPN in the State of Florida?

The career pathway for LPN includes a high school diploma or the equivalent, complete and graduate from an accredited Practical Nursing Program, and a passing score on the NCLEX exam is needed to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the state of Florida. The LPN Career Pathway also includes passing a drug screener, criminal background check, and physical.

How can I receive financial aid?

• Complete an application for financial aid, FAFSA, at www.studentaid.gov
• For questions or help regarding Federal Student Aid, please contact the Help Desk at 1-800-433-3243.
• Federally funded Title IV Grants require a student to have a standard high school diploma or GED from a regionally accredited school

PLEASE NOTE

• Students entering all health programs with a clinical study requirement must submit to a criminal background check and random drug screenings at their own expense.
• If problems arise with the results of either the criminal background check or the drug screening, students will not be permitted to attend the clinical portion of the program which then results in program non-completion. 
• A history of felony convictions or substance abuse may adversely affect your ability to gain employment or take licensing exams in the medical profession. We encourage you to consider your personal history when making appropriate career choices.

2025-2026 Curriculum Frameworks

Program Description

Instruction is designed to enable individuals to achieve instructional objectives in the following content areas: nursing skills, life span, nutrition, anatomy and physiology, medical nursing, surgical nursing, pediatric nursing, geriatric nursing, personal and community health, pharmacology, employability skills, leadership and human relations skills.

Fifty percent of the training is spent in the clinical areas and includes: maternal and newborn, pediatrics, medical/surgical, and experience in extended care facilities.  Clinical placement is determined by the Coordinating Council, may begin as early as 6:30 am and include out of county facilities.

Successful program completion prepares students for the National Council Licensure Examination for Florida (NCLEX). Students completing the program receive credits toward a Registered Nurse A.S. Degree at Hillsborough Community College or any community college in the statewide system. Please contact the colleges for additional information.