SPC in Tampa RN Requirements?

cc33702 · Oct 4, 2008

You're going to need to complete (not just be in the process of taking) the courses actually marked as pre-requisites prior to applying -- I know that includes A&P 1&2 but don't remember what else. The other courses don't have the be completed prior to applying but everything that you can do beforehand helps. From what I hear the program is pretty competitive, and they give weight to the fact that you've completed more of the support courses as well as pre-reqs. High GPA (both cumulative, and core-specific) is extremely helpful.

If you have an LPN already, you don't go through the competitive process -- the bridge program works differently.

NewGoalRN · Oct 5, 2008

Thanks for responding. I called and spoke to an advisor and I was a bit crushed. She said that they changed the selective admission deadline date for Fall 09 from May 15 to March so that knocks me out.

I am currently enrolled in A&P1, Sociology and Psych. I won't have A&P2 completed until Spring 09 and she pretty much said that I would need to have that completed.

She also said that 70% of their students are chosen from the first pool that has all of their pre reqs, gen ed and supporting classes completed. I have all of my gen ed but I won't have micro until summer 09 as I don't think that it is wise to take a&p 2 with micro at the same time

She also said that 30% of their applicants are chose from the pool which has all of their pre reqs completed and some of the gen ed/support.

The ave gpa for their classes have been around 3.6, 3.7.

It looks like I may have to go the LPN route as the RN schools have ridiculous deadlines and require that aps be submitted 5-7mths before the class actually starts.

cc33702 · Oct 5, 2008

Yeah, it's a little frustrating that SPC requires you to have pre-reqs completed essentially two semesters prior to the start of the NS classes, but there are other schools that offer ASN or BSN programs who have different reqs. I haven't really looked into them since I decided go the LPN route, then bridge to ASN. Have you checked into USF?

NewGoalRN · Oct 5, 2008

I have researched in the Tampa and surrounding areas until I know just about each programs requirements verbatim.

HCC- forget about it. I'm presently enrolled there but because I won't have a&p2 until end of spring 09 and microl until end of summer 09-July, I won't be able to apply for anything except the fall 2010 which is ridiculous- I would be wasting about 1.5yrs trying to get in a program that is not guranteed.

SPC-note above. I won't be able to apply until Spring 2010 which I guess is better than HCC.

Pasco-Hernando doesn't require micro as a pre req and their deadline is May 09 for Fall 09 class so I do have a chance here. However, u do have to take the Net and they only admit 60 students and they give preference if you live or work there and I don't for either.

Manatee Comm College in Bradenton-45mins away have a June deadline for their Fall 09 program which seems the most generous but I have to confirm their website. You do have to take the Net and you don't need micro as a pre req but they do factor into consideration how much GE classes u have completed etc.

My hopes though dim are PHCC and MCC for the RN and I am also pursuing Erwin Tech-took my app in last month. I just have to attend inof session next May and hope that my # is under 70 for the Aug 09 class if not I will have to wait for Jan or March 2010 class and if my # is over 210, forget about it, have to wait until Aug 2010.

Brewster's next LPN class is Nov 09, they also have a lottery system although they let you know from April whereas Erwin, u won't know until JUne/July.

PTech is my last choice.

What program are you looking to attend? Which LPN school, what year and how many of your pre-reqs have u done?

cc33702 · Oct 5, 2008

I'm waiting to find out if I've gotten accepted into PTEC's October class (they mailed letters out this past Friday, so hopefully I'll know tomorrow or Tuesday). Their program takes 12-15 months (not sure how they calculate it, but that's what they said, it's 1350 hours), and during that time I'm also taking my pre-reqs for SPC. I have Psych done already, as well as most of the Gen Ed requirements. I'm currently in A&P1 and one of the support classes. I'll take AP2 next semester, and Micro in the summer hopefully, so by the time I finish the LPN program, I'll be ready to apply to SPC's ASN bridge program for a May 2010 start. That's about the quickest I could finish it all up. But it will let me work as an LPN (provided I can find a job as an LPN, the Florida boards here aren't exactly encouraging on that topic, which worries me) while I get my RN.

PTEC Clearwater used to have an insane waitlist, but I believe that has been changed to committee selection the same as PTEC St. Petersburg. I never did understand how they managed to have a 2 year wait list for a 15 month program, but they did. PTEC tends to work pretty closely with the local hospitals on different programs too.

NewGoalRN · Oct 6, 2008

It sounds like you are where I am re pre-reqs. Currently, I have completed:

Statistics

College Algebra

Humanities-British Literature

English 1

English 2

Currently enrolled in:

Sociology- 4 weekends -started 10-3-08 and the work is insane

Gen Psych-Start first week in Nov also for 4 weekends

A & P 1 Lecture and Lab

Spring

I am going to take

A & P 2 lecture and lab

Growth and Nutrition- not needed for HCC or SPC but needed for PHCC and USF for BSN

English 101- thinking about retaking as I got a C during my freshman year years ago and it is a drag on my pre req gpa- all other classes are As or Bs

Summer

Microbiology 1 Lecture and Lab

Developmental Psych/Lifespan- not needed for SPC or HCC but needed for USF and Manatee Community College.

REgarding PTech- I called several weeks ago and the adviser at the St Petersburg campus (he was really weird) told me that they are in the process of trying to change the lpn program to get both campuses to be uniform in t heir admitting procedure. They don't have a waiting list but Clearwater campus does.

I know that their program starts in NOv 09, have you thought about Erwin, their program starts Aug 09, then Jan and March 2010.

Regarding P-Tech what does the comittes selection look for, is it based on Tabe test or something else?

Good luck.

Right now, I'm studying for A&P lab test on Tuesday and I am trying to identify several tissues but it is a slow road on t his.

Jess84 · Oct 7, 2008

I am so thankful I found this post! It seems as if you have really researched all the programs, which is awesome. I too am in the process of completing pre-reqs to get into a (any!) RN program. It does suck that you essentially have to have all pre-reqs completed well in advance of the programs even starting. I just want to get in and get done asap.

I will be applying for Fall 2009 program at PHCC, Spring 2010 at SPC and accelerated 2nd BA program at USF (you may want to look into that one if you have not already!) again, thanks fo all the insight.

NewGoalRN · Oct 7, 2008

Jess, I have looked into ALL of the nursing programs at USF. Currently, I have a B.S and a M.B.A. I have looked at the accerlerated BSN for folks who have a B.S already and it is something that I plan to apply to once I get my RN.

The slight problem with the BSN program at USF is that you have to have:

Lifespan-Dev Psych

Growth and Nutrition

Chemistry

If you look above, u will see that I have planned in my course of study to take Growth and Nutrition next spring at HCC and Dev Psych next summer when I take Micro. However,t he earliest that I would be able to take chemistry would be next Fall which screws me up for admission until Fall 2010. The good news at least for me is that they look at cummulative GPA.

I took Chemistry my second year in college in the summr(don't ever do that) and I really wasn't into the class. I got a D. My only D on my entire transcript and now I regret it because I will have to do it again.

PHCC- I am holding out a bit of hope for that program but they select so few and i am already at a deficit because I don't live there. I am trying so hard to get As in all of my classes because it is so important.

Good luck with P-Tech. I hope that you getin.

I have explored ALL of the options on the best and fastest way to get to RN status and be able to work. It looks like the Technical schools come out better because of the pre-requisites having to be all done before you can apply, it doesn't make sense for me at least to wait to get into HCC or SPC because 1. entrance is not guranteed and 2. byt he time I'm eligible to apply, I could have already finished my LPN.

Does anyone know which hospitals hire LPNs here int he Tampa/Brandon market?

Jess84 · Oct 7, 2008

NewGoal- It looks as if you at least have some sort of plan. I am just curious why you wouldn't be able to apply to USF for anything sooner than fall 2010? I have many pre-reqs to take still and wouldn't be able to finish untill fall 2009 either, but since the deadline for Summer admin is presumably March 15, 2010 that means you could finish your pre-reqs next fall and still have 3 months before deadline to get into the Summer 2010 program. Unless you know something I don't know, which is totally plausible.

Am I reading something wrong??-

I just wished they still admitted in the spring.

http://health.usf.edu/nocms/nursing/Programs_of_Study/accelerated_admission.html

cc33702 · Oct 7, 2008

I got my acceptance letter for PTEC's St. Pete's October LPN class -- I start on the 23rd. :)

Re: Hospitals in Tampa area that hire LPN's -- I know the Baycare group uses them, but it's rare that they're hiring from outside (I think you have a better chance getting a position if you're already an employee, if something comes up). They do have a few postings on their employment board though. A lot of hospitals are using LPNs in a PCT or PST role, which isn't horrible if you're getting your RN right away after LPN. According to PTEC, more people move into LTC or HHC rather than hospital work right after completing the LPN courses. You can always do that while going to school, then move into the hospitals as a GN or RN. Just a thought.

NewGoalRN · Oct 8, 2008

Jess, u are not reading it wrong. However, the thing for me is that even though I would be able to apply for USF for Summer 2010, it is a crap shoot. My regular job is suppose to be 'gone' by summer 2009, if it does not and I am still employed then it makes sense for me to go the USF route where I can come out with a BSN degree in 15mths.

However, if my Jobs goes to India by summer '09 as scheduled, I need to work. The best plan for me is to get in a RN first goal as there is only 1 semester difference from going the LPN route and then bridge.

However, after doing exhaustive research, my only two options which are long shots for me go apply to for Fall 09 is PHCC in Polk County and Manatee CC in Brandenton. If these don't work out, I will be applying at the same time to Erwin Tech, Brewster, P-Tech, Travis Tech for their LPN program as if I get in, I would be finished by late summer 2010 and then I can bridge to either USF and work as a LPN or HCC/SPC.

The dates and deadlines make it a complicated process to apply to schools.