Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ), formerly known as Florida Community College at Jacksonville (FCCJ), has over 80,000 students enrolled and is considered to be a major contributor to the Florida economy. The college has many programs including a large workforce development section, which educates and prepares a number of students for work in Florida’s economy.
The College was first established in 1965 as a community college. The college awards certificates, associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. FSCJ is accredited by the Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Review of Florida State College at Jacksonville Nursing Degree Programs
Nursing programs at are located in the School of Health Sciences. There are three nursing programs offered at Florida State College at Jacksonville, one associate’s degree, one bachelor’s degree and one certificate program. Nursing programs at Florida State College at Jacksonville are affordable, and students can receive their RN in as little as 2 years. With the growing need for nurses, nursing degree programs make finding a career in a difficult economy an achievable goal. The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) accredits the ADN program at Florida State College, and the BSN program is a candidate for accreditation.
Florida State College at Jacksonville Undergraduate Nursing Programs
RN (Registered Nurse) Associate in Nursing Degree Program (ADN)
The RN program at Florida State College at Jacksonville trains nurses with the view that they are the backbone of the health team, providing education, compassionate service and encouragement to patients. Nurses are trained to function in a variety of healthcare settings. Upon completion of the program nurses receive an ADN and are eligible to sit the NCLEX-RN exam, which will certify the student as a RN nationally. Students must complete several basic education requirements before acceptance to the program. The program can be completed in approximately 2 years.
LPN to RN (Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse) Bridge Program
For students currently working as LPNs and paramedics, the bridge program is an ideal program that will lead to an associate’s degree qualification in nursing. Upon completion of the program, nurses will be eligible to take the national certification exam for Registered Nurses (RNs), the NCLEX-RN. The program focuses on preparing culturally competent, entry-level nurses that can work in a variety of settings.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program offers students with an ADN the opportunity to further develop their critical thinking, communication skills and develop a better understanding of the nursing profession. The program has a comprehensive approach to training nurses, which incorporates leadership, cultural sensitivity and providing care to individuals, families and communities. The program is highly selective, meaning not all students who apply are accepted. At minimum students should have a 2.0 GPA in their Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) program to be considered for entrance into the program. Unlike other programs, students are required to have an ADN degree and not merely a diploma to be considered. Students should also have at least one year of experience for the BSN program. The student is eligible to transfer credits from previous work and should be able to complete the program in approximately two years.
Florida State College at Jacksonville Certificate Programs
Advanced Technical Certificate in Case Management
For nurses who have or are interested in an administrative role, an advanced technical certificate in Case Management is available. The program is 21 credits and can be completed in approximately 2 semesters of study. The program teaches core principles of case management and is ideal for individuals seeking to expand their knowledge and skill set in the nursing practice. The case management course is suitable for nurses who work in a variety of settings. Upon completion of the program, students are awarded a certificate in case management.
Florida Coast Career Tech Nursing Certificate Programs
Florida Coast Career Tech is the division of Florida State College at Jacksonville that offers training and awards certificates for programs at the certificate or non-degree level. The colleges are part of the same system
Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) Certificate
The LPN Certificate at Florida Coast Career Tech offers educational training for students to develop a career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). LPNs are entry-level nurses that work with other health care professionals to provide care to patients in a variety of settings. The program is a total of 1,350 hours. The program includes several clinical practiciums (called rotations) as students will develop experience in various health care settings. In addition to other admission requirements, students must hold a current CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (card) through the American Heart Association. Currently, there is a nursing shortage in the state of Florida, so graduates should find jobs readily available. Upon completion of the program nurses receive a LPN Certificate and are eligible to sit the exam for national certification as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), the NCLEX-PN.
Nursing Assistant Certificate Program (NA)
The Nursing Assistant program at Florida Coast Career Tech trains students to assist nurses and doctors in providing care to patients. Nursing Assistants (also called Nursing Aides) primarily work in smaller settings that require long term care, such as nursing homes and home health care facilities. The program requires 165 hours of training to receive a certificate, and a clinical practicum of 40 hours is part of the program. Upon completion of the program, nurses are awarded a certificate.
Scholarships to study Nursing at Florida State College at Jacksonville
There are a number of scholarship programs available which are listed individually on the nursing website at Florida State College at Jacksonville, in addition to external scholarship resources and searches that the school lists. Scholarship criterion varies, and includes specific criteria such as financial need, working at a specific hospital or being a single parent. The nursing scholarships available for students are quite extensive compared to other schools.
Contact:
Florida State College at Jacksonville
5640 New World Avenue
Jacksonville, FL 32221
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