PRACTICAL NURSING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What are the uniform requirements for the practical nursing program and how do I purchase the uniforms?
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Is the practical nursing course offered in the evening?
- What is the length of the Practical Nursing Program?
- When I move on to become an RN, will the PN program give me my general education and the prerequisites I need to get into an RN program?
- Are there pre-requisites?
- How long is the wait for the LPN program?
- I am a certified nursing assistant and have completed both anatomy and physiology classes. Will I be given credit for this?
- I am interested in studying to become a nurse in the obstetrics field. What training will I need?
- What is the cost of the Practical Nursing Program?
- What can you tell me about the Practical Nursing online classes
- What kind of clinical experience is involved in this course?
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Is math computation involved in the class work?
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Is there a lot of homework in the LPN course?
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How do I download an application packet?
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I already submitted my contact information but I need to download the application again. What should I do?
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Do you reserve a certain portion of the class for former pTEC students?
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Is the Practical Nursing application a separate application from the one I completed when I paid the $15 application fee?
- Since I have college transcripts is it necessary to have a copy of my GED?
- My GED paper got lost in a move. I do not know where to get another one. Do you?
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I graduated from high school but did not pass one section of the FCAT – can I apply for the Practical Nursing program?
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Will pTEC accept a high school diploma or degree earned in a foreign country?
- If I have a B.A. degree, do I still have to take the TABE test?
- I have a B.A. degree. Do I have to provide a copy of my high school diploma?
- Do you need official transcripts to support my Degree or just the Degree?
- I have an arrest record. Will this affect my admission to the program?
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When should I take the TEAS test?
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How long are my TEAS results Valid?
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Do I need to submit the Disclosure Background check form?
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How long is the background check valid?
- Do you need official transcripts to support my Degree or just the Degree?
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How do I find the student code for Precheck?
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Where can I get the required immunizations?
- Is there a form that my doctor needs to sign?
Don't see your question? Click here to submit a new question.
GENERAL INFORMATION QUESTIONS
Is PTEC accredited?
Pinellas Technical Education Centers is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE), 41 Perimeter Center East, NE, Suite 640, Atlanta, Georgia 30346. The Practical Nursing program is governed by the Florida Board of Nursing.
How do LPN and RN responsibilities differ?
RNs have supervisory duty over all members of a patient health care team. Only RNs are permitted to assess patients and develop care plans. LPNs may add information to help the RN assess and develop the care plans. LPNs can do all tasks associated with patient care but some, like blood administration, still require RN supervision. In other words, RNs are in charge and LPNs work under their direction.
Other than hospitals, what facilities hire LPNs?
There is a great demand for LPNs at area nursing and rehabilitation centers, doctors' offices, dialysis centers, and out-patient clinics. Private duty through agencies or direct employment by a patient is also available.
What is the pay scale for practical nurses?
The mean hourly wage for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Metropolitan area in 2008 was $19.25. The mean annual wage or salary was $40,000. In Florida in 2008 as a whole, the mean hourly wage for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses was $18.78. The mean annual wage or salary was $39,100. (
http://online.onetcenter.org/find/quick?s=Practical+Nursing)
What kind of credential will I receive when I complete the program?
pTEC is not a degree-granting institution. Program completers will receive a Certificate of Program Completion.
Do I have to take a test to become licensed?
Yes. After you graduate from the program you will need to take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Licensed Practical/Vocational nurses. The cost of the examination is $200.
What are the uniform requirements for the practical nursing program and how do I purchase the uniforms?
Click
here for information on the uniforms and how and where to purchase them.
Is the practical nursing course offered in the evening?
A new evening class will not be considered until the current evening class has completed the program sometime in the fall of 2011.
What is the length of the Practical Nursing Program?
The program is 1350 hours that translate into 15 months of successful academics and daily 6.25 hour (25 hour weekly)four day a week, attendance for site based classes. Online classes are enrolled in the same minimum 25 hour a week commitment but accomplish assigned theory tasks via computer as opposed to a physical classroom environment. The discrepancy in monthly completion time depends on several variables including, among others, holiday closings, clinical rotations at local hospitals, etc. After successful completion of the full program, students are eligible to sit for the Florida State Board for licensure as a practical nurse.
When I move on to become an RN, will the PN program give me my general education and the prerequisites I need to get into an RN program?
pTEC does not offer general education classes. The focus on all pTEC classes is to provide the technical training needed to enter a high-wage, high-skill job. However, St. Petersburg College is one among several post secondary institutions that offer an LPN transitional program into their Registered Nurse program. Typically in such programs, the post secondary institution will hold a certain number of seats exclusively for LPN and often reduces the total amount of time required to complete the RN program on their site. We recommend you research specific institutions you are interested in attending to determine if they offer an LPN transitional program and the specifics of the program. You may find that in some instances, it is easier and quicker to enter an RN program through the transitional process than from the very beginning of the RN program. That is something that you might want to investigate with the post secondary institutions with which you interview.
Are there pre-requisites?
There are no prerequisites but there are admission requirements. Please refer to the application process.
How long is the wait for the LPN program?
pTEC does not use a waiting list. Applicants must complete the application process for the class they wish to attend. Classes begin several times a year. Enrollment in the class is based on meeting the requirements outlined in the application process and space availability.
I am a certified nursing assistant, and have completed both anatomy and physiology classes. Will I be given credit for this?
Students who have had previous training submit transcripts with their application and are evaluated by the nursing department at the time of application to determine what, if any, curriculum requirements may be satisfied by that training. If the training has been more than two years ago, the nursing department often requires the student to participate in the entire curriculum to review and update information. Due to the structure and sequence of instruction, students will not be granted credit for the completion of anatomy and physiology completed at another institution.
I am interested in studying to become a nurse in the obstetrics field. What training will I need?
PTEC offers a course in Practical Nursing and does not have stand alone classes for a specific area of nursing. The Practical Nursing program covers the following content:
- Health Science Core
- Basic Client Care
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Introduction to Nursing
- Administration of Medication
- Peri-operative Nursing Care
- Mental Health Concepts
- Medical-Surgical Nursing I
- Medical-Surgical Nursing II
- Maternal and Newborn Nursing
- Pediatric Nursing
- Comprehensive Nursing
What is the cost of the Practical Nursing Program?
2009-2010 school year costs include tuition at $2.41 per hour totaling $3,253.50 paid in nine week increments and an additional approximate cost of $2,000 over the course of the program for books, fees, supplies, uniforms, etc. The costs quoted are approximate and are subject to change.
What can you tell me about the Practical Nursing Online Classes
The Online Course is exactly like the traditional on-site program with two exceptions: (1) The 675 hour academic theory part of the program is delivered via computer as opposed to having face-to-face classroom instruction and, (2) The remaining 675 clinical hours are scheduled as much as possible on week-ends and evenings at various locations throughout the county. The hours are usually 7AM to 7PM every other Saturday and Sunday. There is also one additional eight-hour 3 PM to 11 PM shift every other week (either Tuesday or Thursday). This schedule is subject to change.
What kind of clinical experience is involved in this course? PN students spend half of their education in the clinical setting with patients. They are placed in local hospitals as well as area nursing homes.
Is math computation involved in the class work? Yes, the type of math required for nursing is addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, and word problems. The instructors hold tutoring sessions to assist students who need help.
Is there a lot of homework in the LPN course?
Yes, most students enrolled in site based classes find that,in addition to the work completed in class during the 6.25 daily hours for four days, one to two hours of homework per night is necessary to do well in the course. Because the online curriculum mirrors the site based class, online students must complete the same curriculum found in the 6.25 daily hours over four days of site based students plus extra hours of work regarded as homework by site based students. The flexibility of spreading the 25 weekly minimum hourly requirement over a week via computer versus a four day physical presence in a classroom is often a factor in choosing to enroll in online classes. Student study groups have been very helpful for many students.
How do I download an application packet?
Go to the Application Packets page. Click on the application for the class you are applying for. You will be asked to submit your contact information. Upon submission you will be directed to the download page where you can choose to save the document to your computer.
I already submitted my contact information but I need to download the application again. What should I do?
Follow the directions in the above answer. When you get to the contact information form you will be given the option of bypassing the contact information form.
Do you reserve a certain portion of the class for former pTEC students?
We do not reserve any seats for former students. However, when evaluating Practical Nursing applications, a number of aspects of the candidate's portfolio are considered with a point system used to determine admissions status. For example, students who have graduated from pTEC adds an extra two points to that point system
Is the Practical Nursing application a separate application from the one I completed when I paid the $15 application fee?
Yes
Will pTEC accept a high school diploma or degree earned in a foreign country?
Degrees from countries other than the United States must be evaluated by an international consultant. This agency will determine what level the degree is equivalent to in the United States. Two educational consultants are listed below:
International Education Consultants
P.O. Box 248233
Coral Gables, FL 33124
Tel. (305) 273-1616
Fax (305) 273-1338
http://www.jsilny.com/
International Consultants of Delaware Inc.
109 Barksdale Professional Center
Newark, DE. 19711-3258
Tel. (302) 737-8715
Fax (302) 737-8756
E-Mail: icd@icdel.com
Since I have college transcripts is it necessary to have a copy of a GED?
Many times on college transcripts it will read that a student was admitted based on high school graduation or completion of GED. If your transcript has that information on it, you will only need to submit that documentation – be sure to highlight the needed information..
My GED paper got lost in a move. I do not know where to get another one. Do you?
If you took the test in the state of Florida you can call 1-877-352-4331 to request a copy. If you took the GED in another state, contact information may be had at that number.
I graduated from high school but did not pass one section of the FCAT – can I apply for the Practical Nursing program?
No. Your high school transcript must read that you have earned a standard high school diploma. An optional accepted credential would be a GED certification.
If I have a B.A. degree do I still have to take the TABE test?
You are exempt from TABE testing if you provide Documentation of having and Associate of Science, Associate of Arts, Applied Science or Bachelors degree or higher from a U.S. accredited institution. You will need to provide a copy of your degree or college transcript. Accredication must be from one of the following:
- Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
- New England Association of Colleges and Schools
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
- Northwest Association of Colleges and Schools
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Western Association of Colleges and Schools
If I have a B.A. degree from another Country, do I still have to take the TABE test?
Yes
I have a B.A. degree. Do I have to provide a copy of my high school diploma?
Yes. Proof of a high school diploma or GED is a requirement set by the State Board of Nursing and Department of Education.
Do you need official transcripts to support my Degree or just the Degree?
A copy of your Degree will suffice.
I have an arrest record. Will this affect my admission to the program?
Pursuant to Florida Statute 435, certain criminal offenses will disqualify the Licensed Practical Nurse from state licensure and/or employment. All potential students who will be in positions designated by law as positions of trust or responsibility are required to undergo security background investigations as a condition of participation in a clinical setting. Therefore, a prospective student applying to the Practical Nursing Program whose background check reveals any disqualifying offenses, will not be allowed to enter the PN program or will be withdrawn if already started forfeiting any deposits made.
For more information on this law refer to www.Flsenate.gov/statutes
Note: For the purpose of these guidelines, criminal convictions mean a conviction by a jury or by a court and shall also include forfeiture of any bail, bond or other security deposited to secure appearance by a person charged with having committed a felony or misdemeanor, the payment of a fine, a plea of nolo contendere, the imposition of a deferred or suspended sentence by the court, adjudication withheld, finding of guilt, a plea of no contest or pre-trail intervention.
NOT ELIGIBLE FOR CLINICAL EXPERIENCE IF:
· Convicted of felony crimes of violence, felony sale of controlled substances, felony sexual related crimes, lewd and lascivious crimes, and indecent exposure and felony child abuse crimes.
· Conviction was within the last 10 years, will consider and carefully review if conviction was beyond 10 years, other felony crimes and any other misdemeanor crimes of a sexual nature, crimes related to children.
· Conviction was within the last 5 years, will consider and carefully review if conviction was committed beyond 5 years. Misdemeanor drugs, misdemeanor crimes of violence, misdemeanor crimes involving weapons.
The following offenses will require a case-by-case review:
EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2009
Pursuant to Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes, health care boards or the department shall refuse to issue a license, certificate or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant has been:
(1) Convicted or plead guilty or nolo contendre to a felony violation of:chapters 409, 817, or 893, Florida Statutes; or 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970 or 42 U.S.C. ss 1395-1396, unless the sentence and any probation or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the application.
(2) Terminated for cause from Florida Medicaid Program (unless the applicant has been in good standing for the most recent five years).
(3) Terminated for cause by any other State Medicaid Program or the Medicare Program (unless the termination was at least 20 years prior to the date of the application and the applicant has been in good standing with the program for the most recent five years).
Check the Board of Nursing Website for additional information on the impact of a criminal background on licensing
When should I take the TEAS test?
Given that there is a 30-day waiting period between possible retakes, taking the TEAS sooner would allow for a retake if that should be necessary
How long are my TEAS results valid?
TEAS scores are valid for two years.
Do I need to submit the Disclosure Background check form?
Yes – You need to submit a copy of the completed form as well as documentation that the form was submitted to Precheck for processing.
How long is the background check valid?
The background check is valid for a period of six months prior to the start of class.
Do you need official transcripts to support my Degree or just the Degree?
A copy of your Degree will suffice.
How do I find the student code for Precheck?
There is no student code for Precheck. Please follow the directions below to submit information:
2. At HOME page, click on "Student Check"
3. Scroll down and click on "Pinellas County Schools”
4. Click on "Health Sciences"
Where can I get the required immunizations?
Click
here for a link to the Pinellas County Health Department locations map.
Is there a form that my doctor needs to sign?
The form is in the packet. It is the Health Screening Form. There is no one place for your health care professional to sign – most just initial next to each immunization that requires documentation or provides other types of documentation that the immunizations have been updated.
To request additional information on pTEC's practical nursing classes click here. 
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