Nursing Overview (2301) Limited Access
Type of Award
AS - Associate in Science
Program Website
www.palmbeachstate.edu/career-pathways/pathway-health.aspx
Program Description
The nursing program at Palm Beach State College focuses on nursing as a caring and humanistic discipline. Nursing encompasses evidenced-based practice, the use of critical thinking and commitment to life-long learning. The goals are to improve the overall health and wellness, to enhance the quality of life, and to meet the needs of our diverse community. Core values of the art and science of nursing encompass caring, compassion, diversity, ethics, excellence, holism, integrity, and patient-centeredness. The nursing faculty at Palm Beach State College believe in a culture of excellence that provides individualized, safe care for patients, families and communities. The instructional process is designed to guide the student to achieve mastery of the course learning outcomes through active engagement utilizing a variety of methods. The program time is divided among learning activities that include clinical, didactic, skills, and simulation.
Upon graduation, the student is awarded an Associate in Science Degree (A.S.) and is eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEX) to become a registered nurse (RN).
As such, the graduate will be a collaborative and integral member of the changing health-care system. Prior to applying for entrance, any individual with an arrest record is advised to seek counseling regarding possible limitations toward licensure.
Available within this program is admission as either a beginning (generic) or a transition student. Since nursing is a limited access program, entrance requirements are the same; however, the process differs for generic and transition students. Generic students submit information and documents directly to any campus Admissions Office. Transition students submit college application and transcripts to the Admissions Office and all other information directly to the Palm Beach State Nursing Office.
The Nursing program at Palm Beach State is committed to providing the best education for students seeking an Associate of Science Degree (A.S.) in Nursing. The program is designed to provide educational and clinical experiences leading to employment in beginning positions as registered nurses in hospitals or comparable facilities.
Program Accreditation
This program is approved by and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), formerly National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). Program data is annually updated with the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, phone: (404) 975-5000; fax: (404) 975-5020.
Program Learning Outcomes
For detailed information, visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/learningoutcomes/Program-Learning-Outcomes.
General Admission Requirements to the College
- Complete an Application for Admission, located at www.palmbeachstate.edu/admissions/Admissions-Applications.
- Submit an official high school or GED transcript and official college/university transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended. Refer to the Admission Procedures section of the college catalog for more information regarding transcripts.
- Submit placement test scores if not exempt from placement testing. To determine if you are exempt, go to www.palmbeachstate.edu/advising/Placement-Testing.
- Complete all other requirements for admission outlined in the Admission Procedures section of the college catalog.
Admission Requirements for Nursing - Generic Students
In addition to the General Admission requirements, students must meet the following eligibility criteria to be considered for selection to the program. (Meeting admission criteria does not guarantee acceptance into the program).
- View the mandatory Nursing information session at the program website: www.palmbeachstate.edu/career-pathways/pathway-health.aspx
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Complete all program prerequisite courses: BSC2085, BSC2085L, CHM1032,and DEP2004 with a grade of C or higher. Please note: BSC2085/BSC2085L and CHM1032 must be completed within 10 years of the application deadline.
- Take and pass the HESI A2 exam (Math Score: 80 or higher; Cumulative Score: 80 or higher).
- Submit a completed Nursing program application, located on the program website, and pay the application fee by the deadline.
Admission Requirements for Nursing - Transition Students (LPN or Paramedic)
Please contact the Nursing Office, 561-868-3412, for detailed information.
Completion Requirements
Students must complete all courses listed in the catalog for this program with a grade of C or higher.
Program Length
The program can be finished in two years if you attend full-time or three years if you attend part-time.
Location
The program is offered at the Lake Worth and Belle Glade campuses.
Many prerequisite courses are offered as online courses to meet the demands of student schedules. Some nursing courses are offered in the evenings, but most are daytime classes. Currently all theory courses are offered as online courses, once the prerequisites have been completed.
For More Information
Visit the Career Pathway Health Science webpage at www.palmbeachstate.edu/career-pathways/pathway-health.aspx or contact:
Nursing Program Specialist, Rhonda Boles, bolesr@palmbeachstate.edu, (561) 868-3412
Nursing Director, Dr. Deborah Copeland, copeland@palmbeachstate.edu, (561) 868-3412
Palm Beach State College Advising, (561) 868-3602
Employment Opportunities
As the largest health care occupation, registered nurses hold over 3 million jobs. About three out of five jobs were in hospitals, in inpatient and outpatient departments. Others worked in offices of physicians, long-term care facilities, home health care services, employment services, government agencies and outpatient care centers. The remainder worked mostly in social assistance agencies and educational services, public and private. About one in four RNs worked part-time.
Career Path Notes
Courses from this program may transfer into Palm Beach State's Bachelor of Applied Science program in Supervision and Management or the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Please visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/Bachelors.
In addition, courses from this program may transfer to other colleges and universities that allow students to transfer into a four-year program. For more information, contact the college or university to which you wish to transfer.
Career Center
www.palmbeachstate.edu/Career
For more information about employment opportunities, including job outlook and salary information, visit: Occupational Outlook Handbook: www.bls.gov/ooh
O-Net Online: www.onetonline.org
Required courses:
Program Prerequisites (Credits: 10)
| BSC2085 | Anatomy and Physiology 1 (AA) | 3 credits (3 lecture hours) |
| BSC2085L | Anatomy and Physiology 1 Lab (AA) | 1 credits (3 lab hours) |
| CHM1032 | Principles of Chemistry (AA) | 3 credits (3 lecture hours) |
| DEP2004 | Human Growth and Development (AA) | 3 credits (3 lecture hours) |
General Education (Credits: 20)
| ENC1101 | College Composition 1 (AA) | 3 credits (3 lecture hours) |
| STA2023 | Statistics (AA) | 3 credits (3 lecture hours) |
| BSC2086 | Anatomy and Physiology 2 (AA) | 3 credits (3 lecture hours) |
| BSC2086L | Anatomy and Physiology 2 Lab (AA) | 1 credits (3 lab hours) |
| MCB2010 | Microbiology (AA) | 3 credits (3 lecture hours) |
| MCB2010L | Microbiology Lab (AA) | 1 credits (2 lab hours) |
| PSY2012 | Introduction to Psychology (AA) | 3 credits (3 lecture hours) |
| Any course from Humanities - Area II | 3 credits |
Required Courses (Credits: 42)
| NUR1023 | Introduction to Concepts for Nursing Practice 1 (AS) | 5 credits (5 lecture hours) |
| NUR1023L | Introduction to Concepts for Nursing Practice 1 Clinical (AS) | 3 credits (9 clinical hours) |
| NUR1022L | Introduction to Concepts for Nursing Practice 1 Skills (AS) | 1 credits (3 lab hours) |
| NUR1141 | Introduction to Pharmacotherapeutics (AS) | 2 credits (2 lecture hours) |
| NUR1213 | Concepts for Nursing Practice 2 (AS) | 6 credits (6 lecture hours) |
| NUR1213L | Concepts for Nursing Practice 2 Clinical (AS) | 4 credits (12 clinical hours) |
| NUR1214L | Concepts for Nursing Practice 2 Skills (AS) | 1 credits (3 lab hours) |
| NUR2261 | Concepts for Nursing Practice 3 (AS) | 6 credits (6 lecture hours) |
| NUR2261L | Concepts for Nursing Practice 3 Clinical (AS) | 4 credits (12 clinical hours) |
| NUR2712C | Concepts for Nursing Practice 4 (AS) | 6 credits (3 lecture hours, 9 lab hours) |
| NUR2943L | Preceptorship Experience (AS) | 4 credits (12 lab hours) |
Total Credit Hours: 72
Note: If BSC 2085/2085L and BSC 2086/2086L are completed prior to entering the Nursing Program, the BSC 2086 and BSC 2086L must be completed within the last ten (10) years.
Course Sequence
Term One - Fall (Year One) (Credits: 13)
| ENC1101 | College Composition 1 (AA) | 3 credits (3 lecture hours) |
| BSC2085 | Anatomy and Physiology 1 (AA) | 3 credits (3 lecture hours) |
| BSC2085L | Anatomy and Physiology 1 Lab (AA) | 1 credits (3 lab hours) |
| CHM1032 | Principles of Chemistry (AA) | 3 credits (3 lecture hours) |
| DEP2004 | Human Growth and Development (AA) | 3 credits (3 lecture hours) |
Term Two - Spring (Year One) (Credits: 11)
| STA2023 | Statistics (AA) | 3 credits (3 lecture hours) |
| BSC2086 | Anatomy and Physiology 2 (AA) | 3 credits (3 lecture hours) |
| BSC2086L | Anatomy and Physiology 2 Lab (AA) | 1 credits (3 lab hours) |
| MCB2010 | Microbiology (AA) | 3 credits (3 lecture hours) |
| MCB2010L | Microbiology Lab (AA) | 1 credits (2 lab hours) |
Term Three - Summer (Year One) (Credits: 8)
| PSY2012 | Introduction to Psychology (AA) | 3 credits (3 lecture hours) |
| Any course from Humanities - Area II | 3 credits |
| NUR1141 | Introduction to Pharmacotherapeutics (AS) | 2 credits (2 lecture hours) |
Term One - Fall (Year Two) (Credits: 9)
| NUR1022L | Introduction to Concepts for Nursing Practice 1 Skills (AS) | 1 credits (3 lab hours) |
| NUR1023 | Introduction to Concepts for Nursing Practice 1 (AS) | 5 credits (5 lecture hours) |
| NUR1023L | Introduction to Concepts for Nursing Practice 1 Clinical (AS) | 3 credits (9 clinical hours) |
Term Two - Spring (Year Two) (Credits: 11)
| NUR1213 | Concepts for Nursing Practice 2 (AS) | 6 credits (6 lecture hours) |
| NUR1213L | Concepts for Nursing Practice 2 Clinical (AS) | 4 credits (12 clinical hours) |
| NUR1214L | Concepts for Nursing Practice 2 Skills (AS) | 1 credits (3 lab hours) |
Term Three - Summer (Year Two) (Credits: 10)
| NUR2261 | Concepts for Nursing Practice 3 (AS) | 6 credits (6 lecture hours) |
| NUR2261L | Concepts for Nursing Practice 3 Clinical (AS) | 4 credits (12 clinical hours) |
Term One - Fall (Year Three) (Credits: 10)
| NUR2712C | Concepts for Nursing Practice 4 (AS) | 6 credits (3 lecture hours, 9 lab hours) |
| NUR2943L | Preceptorship Experience (AS) | 4 credits (12 lab hours) |
Total Credit Hours: 72
Note: If BSC 2085/2085L and BSC 2086/2086L are completed prior to entering the Nursing Program, the BSC 2086 and BSC 2086L must be completed within the last ten (10) years.