Application Cycles

The program application is available on this web page only during the application window. Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline or outside of the application window(s) will not be considered. Any changes to application dates are published on this page. 

January 2025 Admission

Admissions for spring 2025 will be accepted from July 8, 2024 until 4 p.m. on September 9, 2024.

Note: The application fee, online application, and all supporting documents must be submitted to complete the Practical Nursing Application Admission Process. All items can be found in the Application Checklist below.

Application Checklist

  • PHSC application with a $25 non-refundable fee for new students or a PHSC readmission application for returning PHSC students not enrolled for more than 3 consecutive terms.
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing application.
  • Payment receipt of the separate $25 non-refundable limited access Practical Nursing application fee.
  • Clear, enlarged copy of current driver’s license indicating a physical mailing address (PO Box addresses will not be used for residency preference in the selection process). If a driver’s license, or equivalent, does not prove Pasco or Hernando County residency, it will be processed as a non-resident (out-of-county) application.
  • Copy of current TEAS test scores with Proficient or Higher in the ATI Academic Preparedness Category.  Applicants may only submit ONE valid set of scores taken within the past two years of the application submission.  Scores submitted with the application will be the only ones considered.
  • Official high school transcript with graduation date indicating receipt of a standard high school diploma or an official transcript of GED scores indicating receipt of a high school equivalency diploma, if not already submitted.

Selection Statistics

Average TEAS score of selected applicants
Term Average TEAS
 Spring 2023      70.7
 Spring 2022      74.6
 Spring 2020      71.3

 

The scores listed above are averages for those students selected in the initial selection of Practical Nursing candidates. All qualified applicants are ranked via a 100 point ranking system based on their composite TEAS score (95%) and their county residency (5%). Residency is determined based on the mailing address listed on the driver’s license submitted with the application only. Applicants not selected maintain their score and ranking. If a seat becomes available, applicants are contacted in the order that they are ranked. Scores listed are averages and are not associated with an individual applicant. Some applicants selected may have scores above or below the average listed.

Job Outlook

Employment of LPNs is projected to grow 12% between 2016 and 2026, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Overall job prospects are expected to be very good, but job outlook varies by industry. The best job opportunities will occur in nursing care facilities and home health care services.

Job Potential Earnings

According to the 2018 Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Labor Market Statistics, the starting hourly wage for licensed practical nurses is approximately $16.91. Experienced professionals can earn near $24 per hour.

Special Notice

Limited Access Admissions - admits the following number of students:

  • Fall term Practical Nursing limited access program admits:
    • 24 students – East Campus
    • 24 students – North Campus

Other Notes:

  • Students entering this program should have basic computer skills.
  • Clinical agencies require the student to submit a negative criminal background check and drug screening.
  • Upon successful completion of this program, the graduate is eligible to apply to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses in accordance with regulations set forth in the Nurse Practice Act, Chapter 464.008 and 464.108. A graduate is also eligible to apply for admission to the Associate Degree in Nursing Program at the ADN-LPN entry point.

Money-Back Guarantee Program

The Money-Back Guarantee is a tuition refund program under Section 1011.803, Florida Statutes for students who complete eligible workforce education programs and are not employed within six months after successful completion of the program.

Eligible Programs

PHSC has designated the following eligible programs for the Money-Back Guarantee:

  • Practical Nursing Career Certificate
  • Fire Academy Career Certificate 
  • Unmanned Vehicle Systems Operations Associate in Science Degree

Student Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply for the tuition refund, a student must meet all the following criteria:

  • A student who does not receive a job offer in their respective industry within six months after successful completion of an eligible PHSC program will be considered eligible to participate in the Money-Back Guarantee Program and may request a refund for out-of-pocket tuition not to include: non-resident fees, lab fees, uniform fees, student activity fees, financial aid fees, testing and examinations fees, insurance fees, or other fees or expenses (such as books).
  • Students must apply for this program no later than 240 days (6 months of job searching plus 60 days to apply for the program) after the date the degree is conferred on the student’s transcript.
  • Students cannot be enrolled in an upper-level stackable program or continuing coursework in an advanced degree.
Student Attendance
  • Students must be continuously enrolled full-time (as defined by the program) through the duration of the program and meet the program’s enrollment verification standards each term. Students must meet minimum attendance requirements as specified by the program of study.
Student Program Performance
  • Students must successfully complete all required courses, earning a minimum grade point average of 3.5 or higher in all coursework.
  • Students must remain in good academic standing throughout the duration of the program.
  • Students must pass all credential and licensure exams associated with their program/required for employment in the field of study.
  • Students must be in good financial standing with PHSC.
Career Service or Career Day Attendance
  • Student must provide verifiable documentation as evidence of career service or career fair participation to include completion of at least 4 career development workshops while enrolled at the College or during the 6 months after graduation.
Participation in Internship, Work-Based Learning, Clinical or Practicum
  • As applicable, students must provide verifiable documentation of satisfactory participation in an internship, work-based learning, clinical or practicum related to the degree for which the guarantee is being considered.
Job Search Documentation
  • Student must be legally eligible for employment within the U.S.
  • Student must not have a criminal background that prevents employment within the career field.
  • Student must successfully pass background checks and drug screenings as required by prospective employers.
  • Student must provide verifiable documentation that they have worked with their local Career Source office to search for employment in the field of interest.
  • Student must demonstrate through verifiable documentation they have been actively searching for in-field employment for at least 6 months from the date of program completion. This search must include the verifiable submission of at least 30 applications that are related to the field of study. Student must provide documented evidence such as an email or letter of invitation to interview, documentation of application submission, confirmation of non-selection, etc.
Development of Student Career Plan with PHSC’s Career Services Department
  • Students must provide verifiable documentation as evidence of the creation of, and adherence to, a career plan in conjunction with an PHSC Career Services.
  • Students must have met directly with PHSC Career Services department to receive resume/employment assistance within three months of completing the PHSC program of study. Students must have met with PHSC Career Services and completed the following activities:
    • Resume building
    • Portfolio development
    • Job search assessment
    • Interview preparation

Have any questions? Please email workforcedev@phsc.edu.

State Licensure Information

To determine the state(s) in which the program meets or does not meet the requirements, or if PHSC was unable to determine if the program meets the licensing requirements, see below.

  • Meets: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Virgin Islands, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
  • Does Not Meet: Alaska, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico