What Is Practical Nursing?

This 1 year (3 semester) program prepares individuals as Practical Nurses who are important members of the heath care team. They care for the ill, injured or infirm, promote wellness, maintain health and prevent illness under the direction of a registered nurse, licensed physician or licensed dentist. Practical nurses work in hospitals, skilled nursing and long-term care facilities, offices, clinics, home health and other health care settings. Upon successful completion of this program graduates earn a Vocational Credit Certificate in Practical Nursing and are eligible to apply to write the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) to become Licensed Practical Nurses. The program is approved by the Florida State Board of Nursing.

What Is the Program Like?

Classes begin each August. Students experience a combination of theory, laboratory and clinical course work. They provide care for patients under the supervision of an experienced faculty member.

Practical Nursing is a vocational program consisting of 1.350 hours of study over a 12-month period. Students will attend classes Mondays through Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. or  Saturdays from 7 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Licensing Examination

Upon completion of any of the options in the School of Nursing, graduates are eligible to apply to write the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Final determination of the applicant’s ability to sit for the licensing examination and to become licensed to practice in Florida is made by the Board of Nursing. The College cannot assure licensure.

Department of Health Board of Nursing
Address:
Department of Health Board of Nursing
Post Office Box 6330
Tallahassee, Florida 32314-6330

Telephone: (850) 488-0595

Fax: (850) 245-4172

E-mail address: MQA_Nursing@doh.state.fl.us
Note:  You have to be connected to the Internet to send emails

Curriculum Plan

Fall Term (August – December)

• Practical Nursing Core or HSC 0001
  Provides a foundation in health careers following the guide lines of the Florida Department of Education. Students who have previously completed a "Health Career Core" will not be required to take this course

• Body Structure & Function or PRN 0022
  Provides students with fundamental knowledge of the normal body's structure and function. Students who have previously completed BSC 2085/2085L and BSC 2086/2086L will not be required to take this course.

• Basic Patient Care: Basic Skills or PRN 0001C
  Focuses on obtaining basic patient care skills. Upon completion of this course, students can apply to write the nursing assistant examination for certification (CNA).

• Practical Nursing I: Fundamentals or PRN 003C
  Provides students with fundamental knowledge and technical skills as a basis for nursing care with emphasis on the role and scope of practical nursing.

Spring Term (January – April): Medical Surgical

• Practical Nursing 2: Medical - Surgical Nursing or PRN 0202C
  Students develop knowledge and skills in the care of patients across the life span and care of patients on acute, subacute and long-term care settings.

• Practical Nursing 3: Medical - Surgical Nursing or PRN 0203C
  (to be continued in May)
  Students develop knowledge and skills in caring for stable patients with selected diseases of various body systems.

Summer Term (May – August)

• Practical Nursing 3: Medical - Surgical Nursing
  (continued from Spring)

• Practical Nursing 4: Maternal Child or PRN 0120C
  Students gain the basic knowledge and skills required to meet the needs of the multicultural family through pregnancy, labor, delivery and the post-partum period, as well as the needs of the child, including common disorders of childhood.

• Practical Nursing 5: Transition to Graduate or PRN 0933C
  The role and function of the LPN in the health care team, including aspects of licensure, and employment/career opportunities are explored in the classroom and clinical settings.

Total Program Hours 1,350 Hours - 45 Credits

Eligibility Criteria

1. proof of High School diploma or GED

2. Completion of Standardized Tests

   • TABE (Test for Adult Basic Education)
     Score 11.0 or higher on all subjects (Maths, Reading, Language Arts)

   • NLN PAX PN register online at:www.nlnonlinetesting.org/pax

3. Completion of Application Process

   • MDC – Vocational Program Application

   • Practical Nursing Program Application

   • Official Transcripts; Scores from TABE & NLN PAX PN Examinations

How Do I Apply?  

1. Complete a Vocational Application for Miami Dade
   Applications are available at
   New Student Center,
   Medical Center Campus,
   920 N.W. 20th ST.,
   Miami, FLORIDA 33127
   
   or by calling the New Student Center on 305 237-4141

2. As soon as you receive notice that you are admitted to the college, submit a separate application for the Practical Nursing program, Medical Center Campus. The deadline for this application is May1. Apply as early as possible.
   
   The date of this application may be a deciding factor when choosing from among applicants with the same qualifications. This application is available through the Vocation Certificate Student Resource Center, Room 2104

3. Have all necessary transcripts sent to the office of the Registrar at the Medical Center Campus

4. Call the testing department on the Medical Center Campus at 305 237-4275 to schedule the TABE and NLN PAX PN examinations
   
   A score of 10 in all areas is desirable for entry; 11 is required prior to being awarded the Vocational Certificate. Students who have earned a A.A., B.A. or M.A., or have passed the C.P.T. on their first attempt, are exempted from the T.A.B.E. test.

5. Selection will be based on test scores and the date of application.

Licensure

Upon completion of the Practical Nursing Program, graduates are eligible to apply to write the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Final determination of the applicant’s ability to sit for the licensing examination and to become licensed to practice in Florida is made by the Board of Nursing. The College cannot assure licensure.

Department of Health Board of Nursing
Address:
Department of Health Board of Nursing Post Office Box 6330 Tallahassee
Florida 32314-6330

Interim Telephone: (850) 488-0595

FAX Number:(850) 245-4172

E-mail address: MQA_Nursing@doh.state.fl.us
Note:  You have to be connected to the Internet to send emails.

Important Phone Numbers

 Visit the Medical Center Campus on the Web at www.mdc.edu/medical/
Note:  You have to be connected to the Internet to access this web site
 

The mission of the Medical Center Campus is to provide students with affordable, accessible, quality education in health care careers. Faculty and staff strive to respond to the changing needs of students, health care providers, and health care consumers in the community at large through collaboration with health care and business communities. The Campus provides and environment that is conducive to learning by recognizing and responding to the diverse learning styles, cultures, and resources of its students.