Professional Nursing (LPN-RN)
| Length | 900 Hours |
|
Admission & Information Contact
|
Merritt Scott, School Counselor | scottme@pcsb.org 727-538-7167 x2032 |
| Flyer | DOWNLOAD |
| Program Costs | DOWNLOAD |
| Program forms and context adapted from Mary Ann Enns at Fort Myers Technical College. A special thanks. | |
All students must complete an online application.
NOTE: The application window is closed at this time.
When the application window opens, an announcement will be made via the Remind app and notices on this website.
Current applications submitted for future classes will not be processed and will have to be resubmitted for the desired start date application window. If you are interested in a future class, an application window will be opened for that particular start date and your application will be welcomed!
Upcoming Classes
- HYBRID - Daytime* | Start Date: TBD | Application deadline: TBD
*Tentative Schedule: 2 days per week, face-to-face meetings.
The LPN-RN program is 900-hour program or one (1) year. There are currently two start dates per year – August and January. Students must attest to being able to meet the demanding physical and mental requirements of the program on the Essential Functions form located on the online PTC application.
Information sessions on Zoom
1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
(No Zooms during Pinellas County Schools days off)
Meeting ID: 786 6560 7872 | Passcode: xnm4Cu
Mission: The Professional Nursing (LPN-RN) Program is designed to prepare students for success on the NCLEX-RN licensing examination and entry into the workforce as a Registered Nurse (RN). The curriculum combines classroom instruction, simulation labs, and hands-on clinical experience at healthcare facilities throughout Pinellas County. In Florida, the average starting salary for a Registered Nurse is approximately $54,081.*
Important Note: This is a Professional Nursing (LPN-RN) program as defined by the Florida Department of Education and is classified as a diploma nursing program by the Florida Board of Nursing. While the program does not confer an associate degree, graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN—the same licensing exam taken by associate and bachelor's degree nursing graduates—to become licensed as Registered Nurses (RN).
PUBLIC ACCREDITATION NOTICE: The Pinellas Technical College-Clearwater, Diploma Nursing Program, is pursuing pre-accreditation candidacy status from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20037; phone 202-909-2487. Interested parties are invited to submit third party comments in writing directly to NLN CNEA (cneaaccreditation@nln.org) no later than April 22, 2026.
Accreditation: The Pinellas Technical College – Clearwater Campus Professional Nursing (LPN-RN) Program is not currently accredited by any nursing agency. Pinellas Technical College – Clearwater (PTC-Clwtr) is part of the Pinellas County School district. They are accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and COGNIA. The COE approved the LPN-RN curriculum on November 5, 2025. Governing agencies for this program include the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) and the Florida Board of Nursing (FBON) under the Florida Department of Health. The FLDOE approved the LPN-RN curriculum framework on October 29, 2025. The Florida Board of Nursing approved the LPN-RN program with License NPRN703063 on October 27, 2025, and its NCLEX-RN code has been issued.
Program H170608 consists of a planned sequence of courses:
OCP |
Course Number |
Course Title |
Total Hours |
| NSG 080 | Nursing Transitions (and Program Orientation) | 111 | |
|
|
NSG 081 |
Concepts of Geriatrics and Pharmacology in Nursing |
102 |
|
|
NSG 082 |
Psychiatric Nursing |
102 |
|
|
NSG 083 |
Medical Nursing |
102 |
|
|
NSG 084 |
Surgical Nursing |
102 |
|
|
NSG 085 |
Pediatric Nursing |
102 |
|
|
NSG 086 |
Obstetric Nursing |
102 |
|
|
NSG 087 |
Professional Nursing |
91 |
|
|
NSG 089 |
Senior Practicum Intensive |
86 |
|
A |
9 Courses |
Professional Nursing (LPN-RN) Courses |
900 hours |
In accordance with the Florida Board of Nursing and Florida Statute 464.019, the diploma nursing education program includes a minimum of 50% clinical training, with no more than half of that training delivered through simulation. The curriculum provides comprehensive instruction and documented clinical experience in key areas of nursing practice, including medical-surgical, obstetric, pediatric, geriatric, and psychiatric care across acute, long-term, and community settings.
Students will gain knowledge and skills in personal, family, and community health; nutrition; human growth and development; anatomy and physiology; mental health; pharmacology and medication administration; legal and ethical aspects of nursing; leadership; and health education and counseling.
The program length is one (1) year.
Course Sequence & Credit Policy: The Professional Nursing (LPN-RN) Program follows a carefully structured curriculum designed to build knowledge and skills in a logical, progressive manner. Because each course builds on the previous one, all courses must be taken in the designated sequence. To ensure consistency and quality of training, prior learning credit is not awarded for this program.
Special Admission Requirements: This program is designed to prepare students who currently hold a valid, unencumbered Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license issued by the Florida Board of Nursing, an IV Therapy certificate showing completion of a 30-hour IV therapy course with hands-on experience, and a current unexpired American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate or e-card for employment as Registered Nurses (RN).
*Pinellas region hospitals, beginning registered nurse salary in 2025
Distance Education: The Pinellas Technical College Professional Nursing program is unable to accommodate students who want to complete hours at clinical sites other than those approved for use locally.
Articulation Agreement(s): This program has no articulation agreements at this time. Credits are not transferrable to another Institution. Graduate credentials are allowed to practice only in the state of Florida, and these credentials are not allowed in any federal facility, e.g., the Veteran's Administration (VA).
Industry Certifications: Registered Nurse (RN)
Minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirement: 80%
Minimum Attendance Requirement: 90%
Basic Skills Exit Requirement for Program Completion: Student's competency in computation (mathematics) and communication (reading/language arts) is assessed; required basic skills grade levels are: Computation - 11 and Communication - 11.
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