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Professional Nursing (LPN-RN)

The application window for the Professional Nursing (LPN-RN) program will open November 3, 2025 starting at 8:00 am EST and will close on November 7, 2025 at 2:00 pm EST. 

 

When accessing the Application for New Students choose Professional Nursing Application in the Form Type field 

APPLY

Nursing students seated at cafeteria table

Program Information

The Professional Nursing (LPN-RN) program is designed to prepare students who currently hold a valid, unencumbered Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license issued by the Florida Board of Nursing, for employment as Registered Nurses (RN).  The program includes classroom, simulation, and clincial experience in healthcare facilities.

The program must be approved by the Florida Board of Nursing in order for graduates to apply and take the examination to practice as Registered Nurses.

Pursuant to the Florida Board of Nursing and F.S. 464.019, diploma nursing education program content includes but is not limited to at least fifty percent clinical training, and no more than half of that clinical training can be comprised of simulation. This program includes a professional nursing curriculum plan that documents the clinical experience and theoretical instruction in medical, surgical, obstetric, pediatric, geriatric, and psychiatric nursing, in acute care, long-term care, and community settings. The program provides theoretical instruction and clinical application as set forth below in the Program Content section.

 

This is a Professional Nursing program.  According to the Florida Department of Education, this is a Professional Nursing (LPN-RN) program.  According to the Florida Board of Nursing, this is a Diploma Nursing program.  This program does NOT provide an Associate Degree; however, graduates are able to sit for the same NCLEX-RN exam as Associate Degree and Bachelor Degree nurses leading to the designation Registered Nurse (RN).

Withlacoochee Technical College (WTC) is a part of the Citrus County School District (CCSD).  WTC is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE).  Governing agencies for this program include the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) and the Florida Board of Nursing (FBON) under the Florida Department of Health. The FLDOE approved the Professional Nursing (LPN-RN) Curriculum Framework in March 2024.  The FBON approve the Diploma Nursing program in March 2023. 

 

Pursuant to Florida Statute 464.019(11)(c)  a professional nursing program has five (5) years to become programmatically accredited after the first students are enrolled.  The WTC Professional Nursing (LPN-RN) program is in the process of applying for pre-accreditation status from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20037, 202.909.2487.  Application for pre-accreditation status does not guarantee that initial accreditation by NLN CNEA will be received.

 

The Professional Nursing (LPN-RN) program is a 900-hour program.  Classroom instruction will be held on Wednesdays from 0730 to 1600 (7:30 am to 4:00 pm). Clinical hours will occur from 0630 to 1900 (6:30 am to 7:00 pm) on either Tuesdays or Thursdays (these days will be determined during orientation).  Clincal hours during the practicum portion of the program may include evenings, night, and / or weekend assignments and will be 12 hours in length. 

NOTE: The attendance policy of this program is stringent. Students will only be allowed to miss a maximum of 45 hours during the entire program year.

 

Applicants to this program must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED(R) and meet the basic skills requirements or have an exemption.

A group of students in blue scrubs collaborate at tables in a bright room.

Program Content

  • The professional role of the registered nurse
  • The legal scope of practice both in theoretical instruction and clinical experience
  • Instruction in body structure and function
  • Acute, long-term care, and community settings in the areas of geriatric, psychiatric, medical, surgical, pediatric, obstetric, and professional nursing
  • Pharmacology
  • Administering medications

 

  • Mental health
  • Interpersonal and personal relationship skills
  • Health teaching and counseling skills
  • Human growth and development over the lifespan
  • Nutrition
  • Professional nursing

Important Information

The following is vital information needed to understand the requirements of admission to this program.  Please read carefully and completely.

Hours

900 Clock hours
Full Time: Approximately 12 months

Cost

Cost Sheet

Industry Certifications

The program prepares students to take the NCLEX-RN.

 

Admission

Admission to the Professional Nursing (LPN-RN) program is considered limited access. All applications will be reviewed by the admissions committee using WTC’s Selection Criteria Matrix. Top candidates from Stage 1 (Selection) will participate in additional on-campus appointments. Stage 2 (Appointment) will consist of a personal interview, an essay, and further program information. Successful candidates will be notified by email to the contact information on file approximately one week after the close of interviews. You must RSVP to this email within 48 hours. If an applicant is chosen and does not respond to the email of acceptance within this window, the admission is automatically forfeited. Please note: it is possible to increase points on the matrix by submitting newly acquired qualifying criteria, such as volunteering, employment, retaking the TEAS, etc.

 

What You Will Learn

  • Critical thinking
  • Professional behavior
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Health promotion
  • Coordination of care
  • Health teaching/education
  • Quality of practice
  • Environmental health
  • Professional practice
  • Environmental health
  • Scope of practice

Software

Software and systems used include but are not limited to:

  • Learning Management System – Canvas
  • Focus
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Electronic Health Record systems

Course Projects

  • Nursing care plans
  • Concept maps
  • PowerPoint presentations
  • Research papers
  • Medication maps
  • Discussion boards
  • Reflective journals
  • Clinical judgment maps

Uniforms

Clinical uniforms are white scrub tops with maroon scrub bottoms.  Classroom uniform will be maroon top and any bottoms with the exception of shorts, torn jeans, or leggings.

Steps to Enroll – See Application Process Document for Full Details

Step 1: Download and read the following Professional Nursing (LPN-RN) documents:

Step 2: Check your eligibility for the Professional Nursing (LPN-RN) program

Step 3: Gather application documents and save them to your computer
Note for Alumni of WTC’s Practical Nursing program: Your transcript will be retrieved by WTC from our system and included in your application package 

Step 4: Complete the online application by uploading the appropriate documents and submitting the completed application online during the application window

Step 5: IF YOU ARE SELECTED for an Appointment, sign up with the link you received

Step 6: Prepare for and come to the Appointment

Step 7: Wait patiently

Step 8: IF YOU ARE SELECTED for the program, RSVP within 48 hours of receiving your acceptance email 

Step 9: Fingerprints, background checks, drug screenings, health screenings, and signed releases will be required seven (7) days prior to the first day of class

 

Instructor

Donna Llerandi, MSN, RN
Email

 

Employment Opportunities

Students who complete this course and pass the NCLEX-RN can expect to be eligible for employment in a variety of healthcare settings, such as:

  • Hospitals – acute and long-term care including maternal-newborn, pediatrics, and other specialty areas
  • Assisted living facilities
  • Nursing homes
  • Home health care
  • Doctor’s offices
  • Clinics
  • Hospice care
  • Travel nursing

 

Career Ready Skills

  • Act as a responsible and contributing citizen and employee
  • Apply appropriate academic and technical skills
  • Attend to personal health and financial well-being
  • Communicate clearly, effectively and with reason
  • Consider the environmental, social and economic impacts of decisions
  • Demonstrate creativity and innovation
  • Employ valid and reliable research strategies
  • Utilize critical thinking to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them
  • Model integrity, ethical leadership and effective management
  • Plan education and career path aligned to personal goals
  • Use technology to enhance productivity
  • Work productively in teams while using cultural/global competence