Practical Nursing
If you enjoy caring for others, are extremely organized, and have an interest in health and medicine, this may be your dream career. Nurses help to preserve and protect the health and well-being of clients.
Program Information
Program Start Dates for July 2026 Cohort
Application window opens May 1, 2026, 8:00 am
Application window closes May 15, 2026, 12:00 pm
Selection of interviewees by May 20, 2026
Interviews scheduled on May 28 and 29, 2026
Selection of students by June 3, 2026
Mandatory orientation on June 17, 2026
Class starts July 8, 2026.
Requirements:
To practice, individuals must complete a state-approved 1-year practical nursing program and pass the NCLEX-PN exam. FMTC’s Practical Nursing program has been state-approved since 1967.
View the Practical Nursing Application Process document for more information on Articulation, Accreditation, Financial Aid, Criminal Background, Criminal Offenses, Drug Screening Requirements, Insurance, and Computers.
Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
(TEAS must be taken in person. We will no longer accept the online TEAS.)
Click here to get a Practical Nursing Information Packet
All the details for applying to school!
Practical Nursing Application Process
Admission to the Practical Nursing program is competitive. An admissions committee, composed of school faculty, will review all applications and determine admittance. After the application deadline, each application will be evaluated using the selection criteria provided. The admissions committee will determine which applicants will be invited for an on-campus interview based on the applicant’s score on the Admissions Eligibility and Criteria. Top candidates will be notified by email approximately one week after the application deadline, and they will be asked to respond to set up an interview. Approximately one week after interviews, the prospective students will be notified of their admission status. For those students selected for the program, they will have 48 hours to respond to secure their spot in the program. Once selected for the program, the student must attend a mandatory 3-hour orientation. If an applicant is not selected for the upcoming cohort of students, he/she will be notified by email and will be asked to respond, notifying the school of their intentions to resubmit the Practical Nursing application or to seek enrollment in another program. Applicants to this program must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.
Hours
Classroom hours: Mon – Fri, 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Clinical hours: Vary and could include 8- or 12-hour shifts, Days, Evenings, or Nights
Total of 1350 hours: Full-time, approximately 12 months. All classes are in-person, either on campus or at a clinical site. There are no online or hybrid options.
Cost
The approximate current cost is provided in the detailed Practical Nursing cost disclosure/fee sheet on the website.
Practical Nursing Fee Sheet 2526
Steps to Enroll
1. Request a Practical Nursing Information Packet by completing the form link above.
2. Watch the videos and read the email provided in the packet.
3. Register for and complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).
a. TEAS must be taken in person. We do not accept the online TEAS results. b. Study guide materials can be found at http://www.atitesting.com/ati_store/TEAS-Products.aspx
4. Gather all required documents, including:
a. Official High School or GED transcript.
b. Official transcripts from any other post-secondary education related to the nursing field.
c. Documentation of employment or volunteer history in the healthcare field https://drive.google.com/file/d/1flMYAp4aCTVA1IrWGigzvm17QcPs4IrG/view?usp=drive_link
d. Proof of Florida residency (for tuition purposes).
e. TEAS results report showing combined score and individual test areas.
5. Apply online during the application window. Applications will only be accepted online during the application window listed.
6. If you are selected to proceed, further instructions will be provided by email.
Admission Information
Admission to the Practical Nursing program is competitive. Admission to the Practical Nursing program is competitive. View the Eligibility and Selection Criteria form to see how your application items will be evaluated.
What Practical Nursing Students Learn
According to the Florida Department of Education Curriculum Framework H170607, available at https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/20821/urlt/H170607-2526.rtf, this program is designed to prepare students for employment as Licensed Practical Nurses. The program must be approved by the Florida State Board of Nursing in order for graduates to apply to take the examination to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Course Name | Course Number | Occupational Completion Point (OCP) | Class Hours | Clinical Hours | Course Hours |
Practical Nursing Foundations 1 | PRN0098 | A | 222 | 78 | 300 |
Practical Nursing Foundations 2 | PRN0099 | B | 126 | 174 | 300 |
Medical Surgical Nursing 1 | PRN0290 | B | 141 | 159 | 300 |
Medical Surgical Nursing 2 | PRN0291 | B | 108 | 192 | 300 |
Comprehensive Nursing & Transitional Skills | PRN0690 | B | 78 | 72 | 150 |
Totals | 5 Courses | 2 OCPs | 675 Hours | 675 Hours | 1350 Hours |
Core Responsibilities and Scope in Florida:
In Florida, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) provide basic, essential bedside care to patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and home health settings under the supervision of Registered Nurses (RNs) or physicians. Key duties include monitoring vital signs, administering medications (oral, topical, injections), changing dressings, inserting catheters, and assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs).
- Patient Care: Monitoring patient conditions, reporting changes to RNs, and providing for patient comfort and hygiene.
- Medication & Treatments: Administering medications and performing tasks like catheterizations, wound care, and applying dressings.
- IV Therapy: In Florida, LPNs may initiate intravenous (IV) therapy only if they have received specific, additional training.
- Documentation: Maintaining accurate patient records and histories.
- Collaboration: Working with RNs and doctors to implement care plans.
Employment Opportunities/Work Environment:
LPNs in Florida are frequently employed in nursing and residential care facilities (37%), hospitals (16%), and home healthcare services (12%). Other options include clinics, provider offices, and hospice care. Students who complete this course can expect to earn a starting salary of $22 per hour.
- Hospitals – acute and long-term care
- Assisted living facilities
- Nursing homes
- Home health
- Doctor’s offices
- Clinics
- Hospice care
Career Ready Skills
- Act as a responsible and contributing citizen and employee.
- Apply appropriate academic and technical skills.
- Attend to personal health and financial well-being.
- Communicate clearly, effectively and with reason.
- Consider the environmental, social and economic impacts of decisions.
- Demonstrate creativity and innovation.
- Employ valid and reliable research strategies.
- Utilize critical thinking to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
- Model integrity, ethical leadership and effective management.
- Plan education and career path aligned to personal goals.
- Use technology to enhance productivity.
- Work productively in teams while using cultural/global competence.
Industry Certifications and Training
- American Heart Association BLS CPR
- Domestic Violence Training
- Florida Laws and Rules Training
- HIV/AIDS Training
- Human Trafficking Awareness Training
- Prevention of Medical Errors Training
- Recognizing Impairment in the Workplace Training
Course Projects
- Portfolio/Résumé
- PowerPoint projects
- Presentation on journal articles
- Poster presentations
- Simulation learning system
- HESI case studies
- Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI)
Software
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- EPIC – Hospital computer system
Instructors
Elva Reid, BSN, RN – ElvaMR@LeeSchools.net
Kathy Marcelak, RN (Simulation Coordinator) – KathyMar@LeeSchools.net
Mary Anne Enns, DNP, RN, CNE (Department Chair) – MaryAnneE@LeeSchools.net
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