The purpose of the Practical Nursing Program is to provide training for employment in the health care industry. Graduates complete courses in caring for medical and surgical patients. Included in the program are courses designed to instruct students in the care of pediatric, obstetric, and geriatric patients, as well as convalescent, physically challenged, and rehabilitative physical and/or mental patients. Graduates are prepared to function within the rules and regulations as defined by the Florida State Board of Nursing. Upon successful completion of the Practical Nursing program, graduates are eligible to sit for the national examination, which qualifies them as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
pTEC has two campus sites, St. Petersburg and Clearwater, that offer both a traditional site-based and an online Practical Nursing program. The program length for each format is 1350 clock hours. The first 450 hours of the program include classroom theory, laboratory experiences and selected clinical experiences.
The online Course is exactly like the traditional site-based program with two exceptions:
- The 675 clock hour academic theory component of the program is delivered via computer enabling students to access course material at any time instead of a Monday through Thursday site-based class. There are also a few required site based labs during the theory portion.
- The remaining 675 clinical clock hours are scheduled generally utilizing twelve hour week-end clinicals and one eight hour 3:00 to 9:00 PM weekday evening clinical at various locations throughout Pinellas County.
Clinicals for the site-based program are scheduled during the regular school day with a possibility that some may be offered in the evening.
The Practical Nursing Program is supervised by the Pinellas County School Board and the Department of Education. It is governed by the Standards established by the Florida State Board of Nursing, which include the number of program hours, the curriculum, and the types of clinical learning experiences that the student will successfully complete.
Proof of a high school diploma or GED is required for entry into the Practical Nursing Program.
Comprehensive information regarding all aspects of applying for the Practical Nursing program are posted on this Website (www.myptec.org). Please review all the pages and use the "links" (text highlighted in red) to be taken to additional information pages.
You can also use the "Quick Links" page to be directed to specific information.
Note:
A special thanks to Sherry Lamb and Christine Crawford, former counselors for the practical nursing program, for creating and maintaining the nursing information on this Website.
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