Nursing
Associate in Science (Program Code: 2301)
- Online
Courses in online mode can be accessed when it best suits your schedule.
- In Person
Meet on Lake Worth and Belle Glade campuses in our classrooms and clinical skills labs.
Earn a degree that will put you on a path to employment and licensure as a registered nurse (RN).
Program Overview
Nurses play a vital role in delivering high-quality care for patients, families and communities. Palm Beach State College's Associate in Science (A.S.) in Nursing prepares students to enter this impactful field with the knowledge, skills and compassion needed to make a difference in health and wellness.
Through a combination of coursework, simulation, clinical experiences and hands-on training, students build a strong foundation in providing safe, individualized care. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice and sound clinical judgment. You'll be ready to promote health, enhance quality of life and support diverse communities.
This program focuses on the core principles of nursing, preparing students to practice with integrity, ethical responsibility and a patient-centered approach. You'll graduate ready to meet the demands of today's health care environments with confidence and essential clinical expertise.
Program Details
- Admission requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Pass the HESI Admissions (A2) exam
- LPNs and paramedics may meet requirements for an accelerated version of this program
- Refer to Course Catalog for required prerequisites
- Location: Online and on-site at Lake Worth and Belle Glade campuses
- Credits: 72
- Program length: Two years (full-time), three years (part-time)
- Start Terms: Fall and Spring. View academic calendar.
- Cost: Approximately $9,000 for Florida residents, including tuition, fees, books, uniforms and medical and background screening. View tuition details.
- Financial aid and scholarships: Available to qualified students. Learn about financial aid options.
This program is part of the Health Sciences Pathway. Learn more.
Career Outlook
At the heart of patient care, is nursing — the largest health care profession. Graduates of PBSC's A.S. in Nursing are positioning themselves for a high-demand career filled with unique opportunities across health care environments. You can pursue opportunities in hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health services, government agencies, outpatient care centers and more.
This program equips you to become a licensed registered nurse, with room to grow into other health care sectors, such as specialized nursing, nursing education and health information and services.
Stackable Credentials
After completing your A.S. in Nursing, you can:
- Take the National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEX) to become a registered nurse (RN).
- Transfer credits seamlessly to PBSC's Bachelor of Science in Nursing or the Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management, with a concentration in health management.
Why Choose PBSC?
- High Standards: Learn practices established by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
- Student Leadership: Get involved in PBSC's chapter of the Nursing Student Association.
- Affordable Tuition: PBSC offers some of the lowest tuition rates in Florida, making a cutting-edge nursing education accessible to all.
- Career-Ready Mindset: Learn from expert faculty and graduate with the skills employers need in today’s health care.
- Supportive Community: Access internships, industry networking and daily interaction with faculty dedicated to your success.
How to Apply
- Step 1: Attend a mandatory program information session.
- Step 2: Fill out PBSC's general application on the Admissions webpage. Select A.A. degree-seeking or non-degree-seeking as your primary objective.
- Step 3: Complete course prerequisites listed on the A.S. in Nursing page in the Course Catalog.
- Step 4: Pass the HESI (A2) exam.
- Step 5: Fill out a limited-access program application for the Nursing program before the deadline listed on the application page.
- Important Note: Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and paramedics may be eligible to apply to an accelerated RN program at PBSC. Reach out to the Program Contact for more information.
Take the Next Steps
Program Contact
- Rhonda Boles
- bolesr@pbsc.edu
- 561-868-3441
Program Accreditation
Palm Beach State College's Associate in Science in Nursing degree program, offered at the Lake Worth and Belle Glade campuses, is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for Palm Beach State's program is Continuing Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at www.acenursing.org/search-programs.
Contact Information
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
404-975-5000
www.acenursing.org
PBSC's Associate in Science in Nursing degree is also approved by the Florida Board of Nursing.
Additional Information
Licensure
Completion of the Associate in Science in Nursing degree program requirements grants students eligibility with approval to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) in Florida or one of the other nursing compact states if you apply for a multistate license under the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) and by meeting all nursing board requirements. A list of current compact states is located on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website: www.nursecompact.com
The A.S. degree in Nursing program at Palm Beach State College is nationally accredited, so the curriculum should meet the requirements of other states; however, some states may have additional requirements. If you wish to take the NCLEX-RN exam in a non-compact state, please contact the professional regulatory agency in that state to determine whether this degree will meet their licensure requirements. Please review the state statute for student eligibility to apply to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam in Florida as defined in 464.008, F.S., and visit the Florida Board of Nursing to ensure your eligibility.
Program Mission, Vision and Philosophy
Program Mission
Mission Statement The Palm Beach State Nursing Program’s mission is to create a learning environment which integrates innovative technology and evidence based educational practices. Graduates, upon licensure, will be collaborative, integral members of a dynamic health care system, advance the economic and social growth of our community and global workforce through innovative, high quality learning experiences that transform students’ lives. Their uniqueness will be evidenced by leadership in the profession as they provide and coordinate ethical and holistic care to our diverse community.
Vision Statement
We envision a nursing program of diverse students who are engaged in dynamic learning environments, to foster excellence in intellectual, social, and personal growth, thereby enhancing the health outcomes of our community.
Philosophy
- Nursing is a caring and humanistic discipline. Nursing encompasses evidenced based practice, the use of critical thinking and commitment to life-long learning. The goals are to improve the overall health and wellness, to enhance the quality of life, and to meet the needs of our diverse community.
- Core values of the art and science of nursing encompass caring, compassion, diversity, ethics, excellence, holism, integrity, and patient-centeredness.
- Nursing education is a systematic and continuous process based on scientific knowledge.
The nursing curriculum consists of the following integrated concepts, which are woven
throughout the nursing program:
- Context and Environment
- Knowledge and Science
- Personal and Professional Development
- Quality and Safety
- Relationship-Centered Care
- Teamwork
- Nursing practice incorporates professional identity, spirit of inquiry, nursing judgment, and human flourishing.
- Promote a culture of nursing excellence that provides individualized, safe care for patients, families, and communities.