Program Information
NURSING
GENERIC OPTION AS-25510
TRANSITION PROGRAM OPTION AS-25520
The purpose of the Nursing program is to participate as an
active partner in meeting the health care needs of the community
by educating and preparing entry level professional nurses to
practice in a variety of settings. The faculty is committed to the
professional development of the student, the support of the
institution within the community, and the enhancement of the
nursing profession.
We fulfill our responsibilities to our students, to the broader
community, and to the nursing profession by:
• Fostering and developing creative, innovative, and positive
learning experiences that support the profession’s defined
standards of care.
• Serving as role models and mentors for the student, the
community, and the profession.
• Creating a learning environment in which students are provided
the opportunity to develop the cognitive, affective, and
psychomotor skills necessary to assume the role of a professional
nurse.
Graduates of the Nursing Program are awarded the Associate in
Science in Nursing degree and are eligible to take the National
Council Licensure Examination – RN to become a licensed registered
nurse. The PCC Nursing Program is approved by the Florida Board of
Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing
Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), 61 Broadway, New York, NY, 10006;
(212) 363-5555.
Two program options are offered: 1) the Generic option is for
individuals without a current Florida certificate or license to
provide direct patient care 2) the Nursing Transition
program option is for certified/licensed health care personnel who
provide direct patient care (i.e., LPNs, Paramedics, OTAs, PTAs,
Radiology Techs and Respiratory Care Techs). Individuals
certified or licensed to provide direct patient care in Florida
(i.e., LPNs, Paramedics, OTAs, PTAs, Radiology Techs and
Respiratory Care Techs) may seek admission to the Nursing
Transition program or to the Generic
program.
The college seeks to provide as many qualified graduates as
practicable, subject to the availability of clinical and academic
resources, the existence of community need, and the number of
qualified applicants.
Nursing is a limited admission program and each applicant must
first be admitted to the college and meet pre-admission
requirements. Applicants with the best qualifications according to
the selection criteria and who meet and comply with all other
pre-admission policies, procedures, and requirements will be
admitted to the program. The college reserves the right to change
program and admission requirements, as need dictates.
NURSING
SELECTION CRITERIA
The Nursing Selection Committee will consider all eligible
applicants and select the most qualified applicants for admission
based on completed courses, current enrollment, and cumulative
grade point average in prerequisite and program courses. Final
acceptance and enrollment is based on the completion of required
courses in progress with a “C” or better and the completion of
other requirements listed below. If the number of applicants
exceeds the available positions, selection will be based on a
point system that considers grades earned in program courses
completed, direct patient care experience (employed and/or as a
volunteer), residency in Polk County,
recent employment in a health care facility in Polk county, and
previous college degrees. PCC reserves the right to make
changes in the admission criteria, as circumstances require. Every
reasonable effort will be made to communicate changes in the
program to interested students.
TRANSFER STUDENTS FROM ANOTHER
NURSING PROGRAM
A student requesting transfer into the PCC Nursing Program must
be in good academic standing in the program from which transfer is
desired and must be eligible to continue in that program.
Transfers are accepted on a space available basis and are
determined by the Director of the Department of Nursing. Students
are required to make an appointment with the Director of the
Department of Nursing as the first step in the transfer process.
Course documents or other materials which outline in detail the
content of courses completed must be available for the Director's
review.
ADDITIONAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Admission requirements that must be completed after the
selection process has been finalized in order to remain enrolled
in the program include:
A. Physical Examination and Evaluation of Essential Functions
B. Immunizations and Communicable Disease Screenings
C. Current American Heart Association (or similar provider) CPR
Certification for Health Care Providers
D. Drug Screening and Background check by department approved vendor
E. Signed Affidavit attesting to the non-committance of specific
criminal acts
F. Nursing Orientation
The Department of Nursing provides information regarding the
completion of these additional admission requirements with the
acceptance letter. Applicants with specific conviction histories
or positive drug screenings may ultimately not be accepted in the
Nursing program. Specific conviction histories or positive drug
screenings occurring after full admission and matriculation in the
program will be addressed by Department policy and may result in
dismissal from the Program.
PROGRAM COST
The approximate cost of the Nursing program is $10,000. This
includes everything from the prerequisite courses and lab fees, to
program-support courses, uniforms, physical examinations,
immunizations, Nursing course materials, application for
licensure, etc., and the PCC Nursing pin, which is awarded upon
successful completion of the program and graduation. This figure
does not include the cost of any college preparatory courses.
Several
types of financial aid are available.
Students are also strongly encouraged to investigate financial
aid eligibility (Pell grants, etc.) at the time of application to
the college and/or to the program. Waiting for college
registration or acceptance to the program is typically too late.
Students need to be aware of financial aid limitations regarding
minimum credit hours taken per term, so that plans can be made to
accommodate any adjusted financial resources. Information regarding assistance
and deadlines is
available through PCC Financial Aid Department and the PCC
Foundation Office. Additional Financial Aid
information is provided upon acceptance to the Nursing program.
POTENTIAL EARNINGS
Graduates of the program can expect a beginning base pay of
approximately $40,000-$50,000.
As part of the program, students are assigned to clinical
experiences in various health care facilities in Polk County, and
to a limited extent, Osceola. Day (6:30 am – 3:00 pm) and evening
(2:30 pm – 11:00 pm) clinical assignments, or a combination thereof, are also
a part of the program experience. Students are expected to acquire
many skills and competencies in the program that necessitate
individual time in the on-campus Nursing laboratory. Students are
also advised that assignment of clinical days, times, and
facilities are made by the nursing faculty and flexibility is
expected. Nursing class and clinical time usually demands a
minimum of 2-1/2 days per week. Study and practice time necessary
to be successful is at least equivalent to the class and clinical
requirements. Applicants are encouraged to arrange individual and
dependable transportation prior to admission. Students interested
in the program are urged to complete all of the
non-Nursing course requirements prior to application.
The Florida Board of Nursing has the authority to deny licensure
as a registered professional nurse to applicants with a
conviction, a no-contest or guilty plea, regardless of
adjudication, for any offense other than a minor traffic
violation.
FLORIDA NURSING STUDENT ASSOCIATION (FNSA)
The PCC FNSA chapter is a
pre-professional student organization that is affiliated with the
State and National Student Nurse Associations. Pre-Nursing
students are eligible to join the association after successfully
completing 9 credit hours, and are encouraged to do so. All
Generic and Transition Nursing students are eligible to join at
any time. For further information, please contact Mrs. Lynda
Schaak at 863-397-4292
or via e-mail at
lschaak@polk.edu.
ADMISSION INFORMATION: GENERIC NURSING OPTION
The application for admission to the Generic Nursing option must be
submitted to PCC's Student Services Department during the
application period. The two application periods each year are:
• April 1 to
April 30 for the August Nursing class; and
• August 1 to August 31 for the January Nursing class
Official transcripts must be on file at the time of application to
the Generic Nursing Program. Interested applicants should allow
sufficient time to complete the college admissions process and for
evaluation of transfer credits prior to applying to the Generic
Nursing program.
The following pre-requisite courses must be completed with a
grade of “C” or better, or be in progress at the time of
application:
ENC 1101 College Composition I
Math
Course higher than MAT 1033
PSY 2012 General Psychology
BSC 2085C Human Anatomy and Physiology
I
BSC 2086C Human Anatomy and Physiology II
The PCC reading requirement can be met through a
reading score exempting enrollment in College Prep Reading
courses, or satisfactory completion of these courses, an ACT score of 18,
a SAT score of 440, completion of EAP 1520C with a "C" or
better; a previous college degree; or other
demonstration of reading ability and aptitude for college work as
determined by college standards.
Students are urged to also complete the following courses prior to program
admission and must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.
Applicants should be advised that due to the number of applicants,
successful completion of the following courses is may be required for admission.
DEP 2004 Human
Growth and Development
MCB 2010C Microbiology
Humanities Any approved
Humanities course that PCC accepts other than
Art, Music and Theatre
All required science courses in this option must be completed within seven years of the time of application and
acceptance to the program. Exceptions to this policy can only be
granted by the Director of the Nursing Program and will be based
on an individual's education and experience.
All students must have a cumulative grade point average of a 2.0
or better at the time of admission to any of the program options.
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ADMISSION INFORMATION:
TRANSITION NURSING OPTION
The revised PCC Nursing Transition
Program is an option for
Florida certified or licensed health care personnel who
provide direct patient care (limited to Paramedics, LPNs, Radiology Techs, OTAs, PTAs,
Respiratory Care Techs and Cardiovascular Care Techs). Applicants must first be
admitted to the College and meet pre-admission requirements.
The application
period for the PCC Nursing Transition Program will be March 1
through March 28. The
application for
admission to the Nursing Transition Program is available on-line
and from PCC Student Services only during March. The
completed Nursing Transition Program application must be submitted to the PCC
Admissions (Student Services) Department for academic review
between March 1 and March 28.
A copy of the applicant's unrestricted current Florida health care
license or certificate must be attached to the completed
Nursing Transition Program Application.
Students will be admitted to the PCC
Nursing Transition Program annually each August.
Students
selected are required to pass the "Introduction to Nursing" course
(offered in the Summer) before beginning Nursing Transition I in August.
LPNs are the only incoming Transition students exempt
from taking the "Introduction to Nursing" course. The
Nursing Transition courses will begin in August with graduation the
following August.
The Nursing classes will be offered to accommodate both a fixed
schedule and the variable schedule of the 24/48 hour (Shift)
schedule of the EMS system.
Applicants must meet the PCC reading requirement i.e., a reading
score exempting enrollment in College Prep Reading courses or satisfactory completion of these courses;
or an ACT
score of 18; a SAT score of 440; completion of EAP 1520C with a "C" or
better; a previous college degree; or other demonstration of
reading ability and aptitude for college work as determined by
College standards.
All students must have a cumulative grade point average of a 2.0 or
better at the time of application to the PCC Nursing Transition Program.
Official transcripts from all former colleges must be on file at
the time of application to the Nursing Transition Program. Interested
applicants should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions
process and for evaluation of transfer credits.
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GENERIC NURSING OPTION SEQUENCE
Program Code - AS-25510
Unless otherwise noted, all Nursing courses are typically 15
weeks in length. Please see the course description section of the
catalog for specific Nursing course prerequisites.
| |
|
Credit Hours |
|
PROGRAM PREREQUISITES |
|
19 |
| |
ENC 1101 College Composition I |
3 |
|
| |
Math course higher than MAT 1033 |
3 |
|
| |
PSY 2012 General Psychology |
3 |
|
| |
BSC 2085C Human Anatomy & Physiology I |
5 |
|
| |
BSC 2086C Human Anatomy & Physiology II |
5 |
|
A reading score exempting enrollment in College Prep Reading
courses, or satisfactory completion of these courses is also
required. Other exemptions for the reading requirement include:
(1) an ACT score of 18; (2) a SAT score of 440; (3) EAP 1520 C
with a “C” or better; (4) a previous college degree; or (5) other
demonstration of reading ability and aptitude for college work as
determined by college standards.
AUGUST ADMISSION COURSE SEQUENCE
Courses designated with an (*) must be taken in the following
order if not completed with a “C” or better prior to admission, or
prior to the Nursing course with which it is sequenced in the list
below.
| |
|
Credit Hours |
|
AUGUST |
|
9 |
| |
NUR 1023C Nursing I |
8 |
|
| |
NUR 1141C Pharmacology I |
1 |
|
|
JANUARY |
|
11 |
| |
NUR 1524C Nursing II (8 weeks Jan & Feb) |
4 |
|
| |
NUR 1192* Nutrition (HUN 1201 is accepted) |
3 |
|
| |
MCB 2010C* Microbiology |
4 |
|
|
MARCH
|
|
10 |
| |
NUR 1243C Nursing III (March-June) |
8 |
|
| |
NUR 1142 Pharmacology II (March-June) |
2 |
|
| |
MCB 2010C*Microbiology (Cont. through April) |
(4) |
|
| |
NUR 1192* Nutrition (Cont. through April) |
(3) |
|
|
TERM 3A (May-June) or 3B (June- July) |
|
3 |
| |
DEP 2004 Human Growth & Development (Nursing III and
Pharmacology continued) |
3 |
|
|
AUGUST |
|
11 |
| |
NUR 2460C Nursing IV |
8 |
|
| |
Humanities* - Any PCC approved Humanities course other than
Art, Music or Theatre |
3 |
|
|
JANUARY
|
|
9 |
| |
NUR 2254C Nursing V |
9 |
|
| |
(All general education and program support courses must be
completed with a “C” or better prior to enrolling in Nursing
V.) |
| |
TOTAL PROGRAM HOURS |
|
72 |
JANUARY ADMISSION COURSE SEQUENCE
Courses designated with an (*) must be taken in the following
order if not completed with a “C” or better prior to admission or
prior to the nursing course with which it is sequenced in the list
below.
| |
|
Credit Hours |
|
JANUARY |
|
9 |
| |
NUR 1023C Nursing I |
8 |
|
| |
NUR 1141C Pharmacology I |
1 |
|
|
Summer (Term 3A and 3B) |
|
11 |
| |
NUR 1524C Nursing II (8 weeks: May & June) |
4 |
|
| |
NUR 1192* Nutrition (12 weeks: May - July) (HUN
1201 is also accepted) |
3 |
|
| |
MCB 2010C* Microbiology (May and June) |
4 |
|
|
AUGUST |
|
13 |
| |
NUR 1243C Nursing III |
8 |
|
| |
NUR 1142 Pharmacology II |
2 |
|
| |
DEP 2004* Human Growth & Development |
3 |
|
|
JANUARY |
|
11 |
| |
NUR 2460C Nursing IV |
8 |
|
| |
Humanities* - Any PCC approved Humanities course other than
Art, Music or Theatre |
3 |
|
|
AUGUST |
|
9 |
| |
NUR 2254C Nursing V |
9 |
|
| |
(All general education and program support courses must be
completed with a “C” or better prior to enrolling in Nursing
V.) |
| |
TOTAL PROGRAM HOURS |
|
72 |
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TRANSITION NURSING PROGRAM SEQUENCE
Program AS-22520
The following general education and required preadmission courses
must be completed with a grade of "C" or better or be
in progress at the time of application to the PCC Nursing
Transition
program. The seven year limit regarding
completion of the science courses is waived for Nursing
Transition students (licensed/certified health care workers who
provide direct patient care).
| |
|
Prerequisites |
| ENC 1101 |
College Composition I |
3 |
| ----------- |
Math higher than MAT 1033* |
3 |
| PSY 2012 |
General Psychology |
3 |
| BSC 2085C |
Human Anatomy & Physiology I * |
5 |
| BSC 2086C |
Human Anatomy & Physiology II * |
5 |
*To be completed with a "C" or
better prior to enrolling in NUR 1140C (Pharmacology).
Students are strongly urged to also complete the
following Support courses prior to attempting to begin the
Nursing Transition Program: |
| |
|
Support Courses |
| MCB 2010C |
Microbiology* |
4 |
| DEP 2004 |
Human Growth & Development* |
3 |
| NUR 1140C |
Pharmacology* + |
3 |
| ------------- |
Humanities (excluding Art, Music
or Theatre)** |
3 |
*These courses must be taken
with Nursing Transition I (if not completed previously with a "C"
or better).
** The Humanities course must be taken with Nursing
Transition II (if not completed previously with a "C" or better).
+Pharmacology should be taken no more than two years prior to the
anticipated admission to the Nursing Transition Courses.
Total Prerequisite/Support Course Hours
=
32
+Students are
strongly urged to
complete these courses with a "C" or higher prior to beginning
the Nursing Transition I course. If not completed with a
"C" or higher prior to Nursing Transition I, NUR 1140C, MCB
2010C, and DEP 2004 must be passed with a "C" or
higher prior to beginning Nursing Transition II. The 3
credit Humanities course must be passed with a "C" or higher prior to beginning
Nursing Transition III. Please contact Lynda Schaak at (863) 397-4292, or via email: lschaak@polk.edu
with questions or concerns regarding the prerequisite
requirements.
All other information regarding admission to the Nursing
Transition Program is the same as for the Generic Nursing Program except:
1) The seven year limit regarding completion of the Science
courses is waived for licensed/certified health care personnel who
have recently been providing direct patient care, and;
2) A copy of the applicant’s current Florida health care license
or certificate must be submitted along with the completed Nursing
Program Application during the indicated period (April).
|
Nursing Transition Courses* |
May, 2008- August, 2009 |
|
Introduction to Nursing |
May to August - Basic Nursing Skills |
|
Nursing Transition I |
August through December -
Intermediate level Medical-Surgical |
|
Nursing Transition II
|
January to May - Obstetrics
and Pediatric Nursing and Psychiatric Mental Health
Nursing |
Nursing
Transition III
|
May to August -
Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing and Preceptorship/Leadership
Nursing |
| Total
Program Hours Earned = |
72* |
*Upon successful completion of the PCC Nursing Bridge
program, Transition students
are awarded additional credit hours for their Florida licensure/health
care certificate.
*Nursing Transition class/class labs
will be one day each week on the PCC Lakeland Campus
(subject to change).
Additional lab/study time will be required for students to meet
course objectives. Clinical assignments will be an additional day or
evening per week (subject to change). Clinical
assignments may be during daytime or evening hours. Additional
information regarding courses and class schedule will be posted to this site as it becomes
available.
Please contact Lynda Schaak, PCC Nurse
Recruiter/Advisor via e-mail at:
lschaak@polk.edu
or via cell # at 863-397-4292 with questions or for
additional information.
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