St. Petersburg College Nursing Program Review

St. Petersburg College (SPC) opened in 1927 as St. Petersburg Junior College with the goal of providing job skills and training to residents of the city who could not afford to travel to other cities for higher education. The college has grown from an enrollment of 102 students to over 64,000 in credit and non-credit programs.

According to recent statistics published by the college, 98% of students would recommend St. Petersburg College, 70% of students attend classes on a part-time basis and the average student is 28 years old. St. Petersburg College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Nursing Degree Programs

The college has over 1,000 nurses in training according to college statistics. The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program is accrediting by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The Nursing Department offers associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs and certificate programs. Through the University Partnership Center, students may enroll in graduate level nursing programs.

St. Petersburg College Undergraduate Nursing Programs

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

The ADN program prepares student without previous nursing education to serve as a nurse in healthcare settings and take the national licensing exam to become an RN, the NCLEX-RN. Students are required to complete 11 general education units before beginning the ADN program. Students must earn a “C” in all nursing program course pre-requisites. The program can be completed in 4 terms, and upon completion awards an ADN qualification. The ADN program is fully transferable to any Florida State BSN program including the BSN program at St. Petersburg College.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to ADN Transition Program

The LPN to ADN transitional program is for LPNs who hold a diploma and are seeking to take the next steps in their career by earning the ADN degree. The program can be completed in 3 terms. Upon completion students are awarded an ADN and are eligible to take the national certification exam for licensure as an RN.

Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)

The RN to BSN program at St. Petersburg College is a degree completion program that allows RNs to build on their previous education and career experience to earn a bachelor’s degree. The program prides itself on accommodation, focused learning and flexible clinical practicum options. The RN to BSN program accommodates students by offering both face-to-face and online classes to accommodate a variety of learning schedules and needs. The program allows students to take one class at a time, but complete up to three courses in one term. Students work with their faculty supervisors to coordinate hours required for practicum experience which can be scheduled around each student’s busy schedule. Admission requirements for the program include a degree or diploma in nursing from a NLNAC accredited program, RN license, and completion of general education and foreign language requirements. Students should also have completed course pre-requisites in Anatomy and Physiology (levels 1 and 2), Microbiology and Statistics. The program length is 4 terms, and upon completion students will receive a BSN.

St. Petersburg College Graduate Nursing Programs

St. Petersburg College, in collaboration with the University Partnership Center offers several graduate program options which can be completed through other schools, including MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) and a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) program. The programs and institutions which award the qualifications are below.

MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) Nursing Education-University of South Florida

The MSN program offered through the University of South Florida offers a MSN in Nursing Education for nurses who would like to participate in education programs for aspiring nurses as well as patient education in a clinical setting.

MSN Population Health-Cleveland State University

Nurses interested in working in a community health or public service agency that focuses on population-based health care will find the MSN programs at Cleveland State University especially relevant. The program offers four concentrations in population-based health care for the MSN qualification. The four specializations are Specialized Populations, CNL (Clinical Nurse Leader), Nursing Education and Forensic Nursing. In the Specialized Populations track, students are able to choose which community or population they would like to explore for their studies.

The CNL specialization prepares nurses to be generalists specializing in providing and supervising care programs to individuals and groups. The role is not executive, but rather a practitioner role.

The Nursing Education specialization is specifically for nurses who would like to provide education as well as supervision to nurses in clinical education programs. In addition to developing a thorough knowledge of the nursing program, students will learn aspects of curriculum development, assessment and design to prepare for a career educating their nursing peers.

Nurses in the Forensic Nursing specialization are required to take courses which prepare them to care for victims and criminals while working in collaboration with law enforcement bodies and in some cases the judicial system. The fundamental courses of this program are similar to courses in the Specialized Programs concentration.

DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice)-Case Western Reserve University

The DNP program is a practical nursing qualification program for nurses seeking to be the most qualified practitioners in their career. The program offers a Clinical Leadership track and an Educational Theory Track. The Clinical Leadership Track is suitable for nurses who would like to remain practitioners in the field, possibly through management and leadership positions in a healthcare organization. The Educational Theory track is suitable for nurses who would like to pursue careers educating future nurses, as there is a currently a large need for nursing faculty in nursing programs.

St. Petersburg College Certificate Programs

St. Petersburg College offers several certificate programs for students who are already RNs. Admission requirements for each program require nurses to have a valid, unrestricted, and unencumbered RN license and an ADN degree. Students can earn certificated in Critical Care (9 credits), Sepsis Awareness and Education (9 credits) and Emergency Care (11 credits).

Contact:
St. Petersburg College
6605 Fifth Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33710

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