Florence-Darlington Technical College Nursing Program Review

Florence-Darlington Technical College (FDTC), founded in 1963, offers professional training programs to residents of Florence, Darlington, and Marion counties. Over 5000 students take advantage of the opportunities provided, taking classes at the main campus in Florence, as well as at the satellite campuses in Hartsville, Lake City, Mullins, and at the health sciences campus in downtown Florence. At the downtown Florence health sciences campus, Florence-Darlington Technical College offers several nursing programs, which are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and approved by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation Board of Nursing.

Practical Nursing Program

The Practical Nursing Program is a three-semester course sequence that prepares students to successfully take the National Council Licensing Exam for Practical Nurses (NLCEX-PN) and find entry-level work as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). The three-course sequence begins in the fall, and wraps up in the summer. Students in the Practical Nursing Program take a combination of nursing support classes (in anatomy and physiology, math, English composition, and psychology) and nursing courses. They also complete clinical rotations. In total, over the three semesters, students must earn forty-eight credits.

Associate Degree Nursing Program

The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program prepares students for the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and careers as Registered Nurses (RN). Before beginning the program, a prospective RN must take prerequisite courses in anatomy and physiology, psychology, English composition, and college algebra. With these completed, he may begin the ADN course sequence. Over the course of the next five semesters, he will take nursing classes and additional general education/nursing support classes, and complete clinical rotations. In total, he must earn sixty-eight credit hours to graduate. An ADN student has the option of beginning the nursing sequence of courses in either the fall or the spring. Upon graduation, he will receive an Associate in Applied Science Degree with a major in nursing.

Associate Degree Nursing Program – LPN to ADN Transition Program

An LPN’s career potential will increase drastically if she earns an ADN degree and becomes an RN, so Florence-Darlington Technical College provides an easy path for her to do so. Like the traditional ADN students, she must complete prerequisites in anatomy and physiology, psychology, English composition, and college algebra. The incoming LPN will receive advanced placement credits toward the lower-level nursing courses. So with the prerequisites completed, the LPN only needs three semesters on a full-time basis to complete the ADN program. In total, she must earn thirty-two credit hours. Special approval is necessary if the LPN wishes to study on a part-time basis.

Certified Nursing Assistant Program

Through Florence-Darlington Technical College’s Continuing Education department, a student can complete the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program. While the other nursing programs are offered on the health sciences campus in downtown Florence, this program is offered on the main campus in Florence. The program includes forty-four hours of classroom instruction and forty-four hours of clinical practice in a long-term care facility. After completing the program, a student is eligible to take the state exam for CNAs and seek entry-level work in a healthcare facility.

Contact:
Florence-Darlington Technical College
2715 W. Lucas Street,
Florence, SC 29502