Practical Nursing

This program is designed to prepare competent individuals for a challenging career in health care. The licensed practical nurse is a vital member of the health care team and functions in a variety of health care settings. The state licensure examination follows graduation. This program is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. Students complete clinical hours in participating healthcare facilities in the community.

Industry certifications.

Practical Nursing prepares you for:

• Articulated into AAS/AS degrees at any State College in Florida
• Florida Board of Nursing- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

What the program teaches. After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to:

• Integrated Processes – Apply the following fundamental integrated processes to the practice of practical nursing and integrate them throughout the Client Needs categories and subcategories in every course of the program (See Client Needs categories from NCSBN, 2023). This standard is part of EVERY course in the Practical Nursing program.
• Demonstrate the ability to participate in teamwork and collaboration, using appropriate written and verbal therapeutic communication, interpersonal skills, and standard nursing terminology (Coordinated Care, Health Promotion, and Maintenance).
• Demonstrate the ability to participate in teamwork and collaboration, using organizational functions, the plan of care, computer literacy, and electronic health record use (Coordinated Care, Health Promotion and Maintenance).
• Demonstrate legal and ethical aspects of practice and responsibilities specific to the nursing profession (Coordinated Care).
• Recognize and practice safety and security procedures, including environmental safety, client safety, and healthcare worker safety (Coordinated Care, Safety and Infection Control, Physiological Adaptation).
• Recognize and practice infection control principles and procedures and demonstrate maintenance of aseptic technique (Coordinated Care, Safety and Infection Control, Physiological Adaptation).
• Perform client and personal care (Safety and Infection Control, Basic Care and Comfort, Reduction of Risk Potential).
• Select clinical judgment functions in geriatric care (Psychosocial Integrity).

Charlotte Technical College accepts applications on a non-discriminatory basis from anyone having the interest and ability to benefit from an occupational training program. Charlotte Technical College admits as postsecondary (adult) students those individuals who have completed their secondary school education, or who are 16 years of age or older and have officially withdrawn from high school.

Program prerequisites may vary because of occupational requirements, School Board Policy, and/or licensing regulations. Licensure programs that require a high school diploma or GED diploma for entry do not accept either correspondence diplomas or diplomas from non-accredited schools.

Program prerequisites.

Minimum 18 years of age when the program begins

• Proof of high school graduation or higher education. Document(s) accepted:
• Official U.S. High School transcript or GED-this is required regardless of other transcripts
• Official Associate’s or Bachelor’s transcript (If applicable)
• Foreign transcript evaluation of high school graduation or higher education
• Background Check and Drug Screening Clearance (upon acceptance)
• All Clinical Requirements Completed
• Successful completion of the TEAS exam based on the criteria found on the timeline checklist.
• Students must also complete additional admission requirements as listed on our timeline checklist.

Admissions process.

Practical Nursing Applicants are highly encouraged to score at least a 60% or better on the TEAS Test. Applicants who score a 60% or more will be given priority in the selection process.

• Charlotte Technical College
• Pay $25 non-refundable application fee and complete and submit online application

Accepted Applicants will need to:

See TIMELINE CHECKLIST for items required for your intake appointment

Transfer students. Applicants who have attended, but not completed, another practical nursing program must provide a letter of good standing from the Director of the School of Nursing (or designee) that addresses the following: potential for success in a PN program, safety in providing nursing care, interpersonal communication skills, and other information the director deems important.

Health science screening. In accordance with requirements set forth by the Joint Commission and the Jessica Lunsford Act, students applying for entrance to any health science program that requires a work-based experience in a hospital, nursing home, or other health care facility must submit to a FDLE Level II criminal background check and a drug screening test. The applicant is responsible for paying the costs for both tests. In addition to the background check and drug screening, all students registering for any of the Health Science programs are required to have current immunizations and a yearly physical examination.

Basic skills. Students who have an associate's degree or higher, received equivalency scores from previous testing within the last two years, or earned a high school diploma since 2008 may be exempt from academic assessment testing. The most frequently used assessment is the CASAS test, which is administered on campus for a fee of $20. The published basic skills requirement for this program is Mathematics 245 Reading Language Arts 249 (CASAS scale scores).

Florida residency. To qualify for in-state tuition, prospective students must have two documents indicating that they (or their parents/guardian if the student is under the age of 24) have lived in Florida at least 12 months prior to the first day of their first term of enrollment.

Students applying for admission to most programs at Charlotte Technical College are accepted upon completion of the registration process on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Length. 1,350 clock hours, about 40 weeks.

Class times. Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 2:48 pm.

Start dates. Classes begin: July/January. Next start date: January 6, 2027. Registration deadline: November 6, 2026.

Location. Charlotte Technical College Main Campus, 18150 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte, Florida 33948.

Hours of instruction. Adult students attending from 7:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. receive 6.75 hours of instruction per day (M-F).