Professional Nursing (LPN-RN)

Take a step on your career ladder. If you are a current Florida Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) you can train to become a Registered Nurse (RN) in one year.  

PROGRAM INFORMATION

The Professional Nursing (LPN-RN) Program is designed to prepare students to pass the licensing examination and gain employment as a Registered Nurse (RN). The program includes classroom, simulation, and clinical experience in local healthcare facilities throughout Lee County. The average starting salary for an RN is $56,160.

According to the Florida Board of Nursing and the F.S. 464.019, the diploma nursing education program content includes but is not limited to at least fifty percent clinical training, and no more than half of that clinical training can be comprised of simulation. This program includes a professional nursing curriculum plan that documents the clinical experience and theoretical instruction in medical, surgical, obstetric, pediatric, geriatric, and psychiatric nursing, in acute care, long-term care, and community settings. The program provides theoretical instruction and clinical application in personal, family, and community health concepts; nutrition; human growth and development throughout the life span; body structure and function; interpersonal relationship skills; mental health concepts; pharmacology and administration of medications; legal aspects of practice; as well as interpersonal relationship and leadership skills; professional role and function; and health teaching and counseling skills.

NOTE: According to the Florida Department of Education, this is a Professional Nursing (LPN-RN) program. According to the Florida Board of Nursing, this is a Diploma Nursing program. This program does NOT provide an Associate Degree, however, graduates are able to sit for the same NCLEX-RN exam as Associate Degree and Bachelor Degree nurses leading to the designation Registered Nurse (RN).

Fort Myers Technical College (FMTC) is part of the School District of Lee County (SDLC). They are accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and COGNIA. 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 Professional Nursing (LPN-RN) Curriculum Framework for the program March 2024. The Florida Board of Nursing approved the Diploma Nursing program March 2023. According to FS 464.019(11)(c), a professional nursing program has five years to become programmatically accredited after the first students are enrolled. The Fort Myers Technical College Diploma in Nursing Program holds pre-accreditation status from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation, located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20037. 202-909-2487. Holding pre-accreditation status does not guarantee that initial accreditation by NLN CNEA will be received.

The Professional Nursing (LPN-RN) program is a 900-hour program. There are currently two start times per year for the accelerated hybrid bridge format. Classroom instruction is 0730-1600 (6:30 am – 7:00 pm). Clinical hours vary but generally occur from [should be] 0630-1900 (6:30 am – 7:00 pm). Clinical hours may include day/evening/night and/or weekend assignments and may be 9-12 hours long. Students must attest to being able to meet the demanding physical and mental requirements of the program on an Essential Functions form.

Applicants to this program must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED, and meet the basic skills requirements or an exemption.