Nursing: Practical, C.C.

Program Code: 0297

The nursing program prepares students for employment as licensed practical nurses. Upon successful completion of this program graduates are eligible to apply to take the national licensing examination, NCLEX-PN to become a licensed practical nurse. The program is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3752.

For additional information, visit our website at SJRstate.edu/nursing_practical or call (386) 312-4176.

Program Mission Statement

The Department of Nursing Education supports the mission of St. Johns River State College. The Department of Nursing Education prepares students to enter the workforce with the ability to think critically about actual or potential self-care deficits, as well as demonstrate caring behaviors while practicing within the legal and ethical scope of professional nursing practice. Nursing students are prepared to function competently as entry level nurses upon graduation.

End of Program Student Learning Outcomes

1. Utilize nursing judgment to provide safe and effective care for a variety of client populations. (Nursing Judgment)
2. Collaborate with interdisciplinary members of the healthcare team to manage client care. (Collaboration)
3. Utilize evidence-based practice to evaluate care processes, quality and safety improved client outcomes. (Evidence-Based Practice)
4. Implement practices that support the clients’ cultural and societal beliefs. (Culture)

The program consists of 1350 hours of nursing courses. Practical nursing students are required to fulfill all the hours of the program.

The online application is available May 1 - May 31, for both the Orange Park and Palatka campuses.

The nursing core courses will be offered on both the Orange Park and Palatka campuses each year with selected clinical experiences in health care facilities within and around the tri-county service areas of SJR State. A student must earn a grade of “C” or above in all nursing courses.

Admission Application Process

The PN program is a limited access program.

To apply to the practical nurse program a student must complete all of the following:

1. Application process to SJR State
2. Submit official high school transcripts or equivalent (GED)
3. Complete the TABE placement test unless you meet the criteria for exemption or have credit for College Composition (ENC 1101 ) and Intermediate Algebra (MAT 1033 ) with a grade of “C” or better.
4. Complete the A2 HESI Assessment Exam by the end of the application period with a minimum English Language composite score (comprised of Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary and General Knowledge) of 70% or better with a score of 70% or better in reading comprehensive and a score of 70% or better in essential mathematics.
5. Application to the practical nursing program
6. Applicants must have an overall high school or college grade point average of 2.0 or better

Student Selection

The following requirements are used to rank applicants according to HESI scores. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

• A2 HESI 70% English Language composite score (comprised of Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary and General Knowledge), and essential mathematics.
• To be considered for admission, the student must be cleared by Admissions/Records indicating that all external college transcripts have been received and that the student has a cleared admission file. Students from the college service district of Clay, Putnam and St. Johns county will be ranked first in the selection process.
• Students who meet the admissions requirements, and have completed the SJR State CNA program will also receive preference.

Post- Admission Requirements

1. Applicants must meet the TABE placement test score for language, reading, arithmetic ability at the 11th grade level or better prior to program completions. Applicants who do not meet the 11th grade TABE placement test score for language reading, arithmetic ability at the 11th grade level are required to participate in mandatory remediation.
2. All students are asked to sign a consent and waiver to perform a criminal background check and drug screen. Failure to provide a consent will render the applicant ineligible for admission to the program. Admission to the program is conditional upon the results of the criminal and professional background check and drug screen. Additional random and scheduled drug screening may be required at any time during the program.
3. Attend nursing student orientation online prior to the first day of class.
4. Have an annual physical examination verifying acceptable health status and completing all requirements for the nursing program. Requirements for the physical are included on the form provided to each student after admission to the nursing program.
5. Have liability/malpractice insurance of $1,000,000 per incident and $3,000,000 per aggregate. (Payment included with lab fees during the registration).
6. Initiate and maintain an annual subscription to required third party clinical compliance sites as a clinical requirement. The initial payment in included with course fees during registration. The annual renewal is the financial responsibility of the student and is submitted individually.