Nursing Program FAQ's
How do I apply to a Nursing program at SCF?
First, you must apply and be accepted to State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota. Complete the prerequisites for the Nusing program earning the required minimum grade point average, take and pass the Nurse Entrance Exam and complete and submit an application during the application period.
How will I be contacted regarding my application status?
The nursing department will notify students of their application status via their SCF Student e-mail account. It is the student's responsibility to check their SCF Student e-mail account. It is also the student's responsibility to update the Educational Records office with any changes in contact information.
Why won't you notify me via my personal e-mail account?
We can not be certain that personal e-mail accounts actually belong to and are only read by the student providing the e-mail account information. As we are informing students of information of a personal and academic nature, we are obligated to provide for your privacy. All SCF students are automatically set up with a student e-mail account upon application to the College. SCF has designated e-mail as an official method of communication with students regarding topics of an academic or administrative nature. The College expects each student to be responsible for all information sent to them via their College e-mail account. Students can access their e-mail account via the http://student.scf.edu web site.
How many semester hours does it take to complete the nursing program?
The basic program requires 72 semester hours (14 hours of prerequisite work, 16 hours of general academic requirements, and 42 hours of nursing course work) The transition program also requires 72 semester hours (14 hours of prerequisite work, 16 hours of general academic requirements, 28 hours of nursing course work - 14 additional hours are awarded to the LPN at the completion of the nursing program).
What is the estimate cost of the program?
Information is provided in our website for informational purposes only. These costs are subject to change. Please click the name of the appropriate program for a listing of estimated costs: Nursing LPN-RN Transition
Would it benefit me to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) first, and then complete the transition program?
This is a personal decision. If immediate employment is a concern, students could be eligible to work as a LPN upon graduation from an accredited LPN program.
Does SCF offer a program for a student to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)?
No, SCF does not offer an LPN program. In this area, students are encouraged to contact Manatee Technical Institute or Sarasota County Technical Institute for more information about LPN programs, including admission requirements.
When should I take the Nurse Entrance Exam?
You should not take the Nurse Entrance Exam until you have met the minimum grade point average required for application to the Nursing program. After careful preparation consider taking the Exam no earlier than 6 months before application to the Nursing program. Please review all entrance exam information before proceeding. Nurse Entrance Exam Website
How can I prepare for the Nurse Entrance Exam?
Study! Review the information on our Nurse Entrance Exam page - which includes how to sign up and links to study sites. Prepare for the TEAS. Please use this information!
I completed the Nurse Entrace Exam at another school, can I use those results at SCF?
No. The TEAS must be taken at State College of Florida in order to be used for our admission process. TEAS scores from other institutions will not be accepted. Please refer to the Nurse Entrance Exam web pages.
What classes should I be taking, after completing all general academic courses required by the Nursing program, while applying to the RN program?
Students are encouraged to complete an American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) Health Care Provider CPR course through SCF's Center for Corporate & Community Development.
Students are also encouraged to contact their Academic Advisor concerning course selection.
Where should I seek advisement, if I have questions regarding the nursing program?
Please contact an Academic Advisor in Enrollment Services.
Are there any evening or weekend options with the SCF nursing program?
An evening program began in the Fall 2006 semester. We hope to offer another evening program in a future semester. Please continue to check our website for future updates.
I'm having problems printing a CAPP/Degree Audit, what should I do?
Please follow these steps:
• Click on ‘SCF Connect ’
• Type in your SCF e-mail User ID (ex: jsmith) and PIN.
• Click on “Student” folder at the top
• Click on ‘Student Services and Financial Aid’
• Click on ‘Student Records’
• Click on ‘CAPP/Degree Audit’
• Select a Term – choose “Spring 2011”, click “submit”
• Click on ‘What-If Analysis’ at the bottom of the page
• Entry Term – choose “Spring 2011”, click “continue”
• Program – choose “AS, Pre-Nursing”, click “continue”
• First Major – choose “AS, Pre-Nursing and Department: None”, click “submit”
• Evaluation Term – choose “Spring 2011”, click “Generate Request”
• General Requirements is the default, click “submit”
• Print the results.
I have credits from another institution, how will I know if they transfer to SCF?
Once you apply to SCF, you must have ALL official transcripts sent to the SCF Educational Records office. The Educational Records office will evaluate your transcripts once all official transcripts have been received. The Educational Records office will also notify you of the evaluation by sending you an unofficial copy of your transcript.
I'm a transfer/new student and am having problems printing a CAPP/Degree Audit, none of my classes appear. What should I do?
You will not be able to print a CAPP/Degree Audit until ALL official transcripts from other colleges/universities are processed by the Educational Records office. If you have been admitted to SCF for a future term your CAPP/Degree Audit will not indicate completion of any courses. In this case, include an unofficial SCF transcript, with your application, once your transfer credits have been processed.
If I am just starting from high school, can I complete the nursing program in two years?
No, it typically requires at least two semesters to complete the Nursing Program Application Requirements (prerequisites) and general academic requirements listed in the college catalog and this website. The Basic nursing program then takes an additional four semesters to complete.
If I finish all my required prerequisite and general academic requirements, am I guaranteed to be accepted?
The nursing program is a limited enrollment program. Completion of all or part of the required courses does not guarantee acceptance into the next program.
Please note, the College may consider past actions of any person applying for admission or enrollment and may deny admission or enrollment to an applicant based on misconduct if determined to be in the best interest of the College. Further, failure to fully disclose information in response to all questions on the College or Nursing department application for admission may result in the applicant's denial of admission, and/or expulsion/suspension from a course, program, or the College.
If I enter SCF and I have earned all my required prerequisite and general academic requirements at another school, do I have to apply for admission to the nursing program?
Yes, you must make a separate application to the nursing program.
As a student in the nursing program, will I have to submit to background checks?
Yes, all students entering any of the College's Health Professions programs are required to submit to Civilian Criminal Records checks.
Are students in the Nursing program drug screened?
Yes, random testing will be done at intervals throughout the Program. As the testing is random, individual students may be tested a varying number of times.
When I complete the Associate in Science Nursing program at SCF am I a Registered Nurse?
No, upon successful completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become licensed as a registered nurse.
If I have been convicted of a crime can I become a nurse?
Any student who has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty, nolo contendere, or no contest to, a crime in any jurisdiction other than a minor traffic offense will need to obtain approval from the Florida Board of Nursing for permission to take the licensure examination upon completion of the SCF nursing program. Driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI) is not a minor traffic offense for purposes of this matter.
In addition, students will not be eligible to take the examination unless their civil rights have been completely restored.
