Associate in Science Degree in Nursing
Earn a degree that will put you on a path to employment and licensure as a registered nurse (RN).
Why Choose to be an RN?
The nursing profession attracts a diverse range of people who desire a meaningful career. Nurses care for patients across the lifespan, from newborns to older adults. They practice in various settings, from hospitals and home care to outpatient surgery centers and public health agencies.
The A.S. degree in Nursing focuses on nursing as a caring and humanistic discipline and prepares students to become collaborative, integral members of the ever-changing health care system. This comprehensive program encompasses lectures, hands-on training in labs featuring advanced medical simulation technology and clinical rotations at area hospitals.
Upon graduation, students are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become registered nurses.
Program Details
Admission Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Acceptance at PBSC for general admission
- Completion of a special application for the Nursing A.S. degree program
- Licensed practical nurses and paramedics may be eligible to apply to an accelerated RN program at PBSC.
Program Length
- Two years: full-time day classes
- Two years, 8 months: part-time evening/weekend classes
Tuition
- Approx. $4,300 for Florida residents
- Approx. $15,300 for out-of-state students
- Financial aid and scholarships
- College affordability
How to Apply
STEP 1: Watch our mandatory RN Information Session video.
STEP 2: Apply to PBSC for general admission.
- Apply at least a term before applying to the Nursing A.S. program to ensure completion of all steps and prerequisites.
STEP 3: Sign into the College's Virtual Service (QLess) and request to meet with a Health Sciences advisor to discuss your plan to:
- Complete course prerequisites
- Complete general education and other recommended courses to boost application points
- Pass the HESI Admissions (A2) exam
- If you're already a licensed practical nurse or paramedic, find out if you're eligible for the accelerated RN program.
STEP 4: Apply to the limited-access Nursing A.S. program by the following deadlines*.
- Fall term entry: June 15
- Spring term entry: Sept. 15
*If a deadline falls on a weekend/holiday, it will extend to the next business day.
Career Outlook
Registered nursing is the largest occupation in the health care field. RNs are in high demand at hospitals and health care facilities in South Florida and beyond. Our students often graduate with a degree in one hand and an employment offer in the other. In addition to hospitals, our graduates find employment with government agencies, educational organizations, home health care and more.
Keep Learning
Graduates of the Nursing A.S. degree program who become registered nurses are eligible to apply to Palm Beach State's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) degree program. In addition, graduates may pursue PBSC's Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management degree with a concentration in health management. Graduates may also be eligible to transfer credits to bachelor's degree programs at other colleges and universities through our many agreements of understanding.
Alumni Stories
- The journey of a lifetime: I chose nursing at Palm Beach State College
- Honors graduate prepares for a career in nursing
Health Sciences Career Pathway
Palm Beach State’s academic programs are grouped into Career Pathways that include similar areas of study. The Career Pathways are designed to help students like you identify a career path early in your educational journey so you can finish your degree faster, lower your educational costs, and be better prepared to earn additional credentials or enter the workforce.
Each Career Pathway has its own academic community that brings students together. The Nursing programs are housed in PBSC’s Health Sciences Career Pathway.
Important Program Information
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.
Covid-19 Guidelines for Nursing Students
If you are sick, stay home and work with your instructor or professor regarding any
assignments that may be due while you are ill. Your instructor/professor will follow
the protocol outlined in the course syllabus regarding absences. Students must follow
their chain of command outlined in the program manual with notification related to
absences. Please note clinical facility learning experiences may or may not be available
for make up during the current term. Students must comply with clinical facility requirements
during their learning experiences.
Ensure you follow the CDC guidelines in accordance with your specific situation to mitigate spread and promote wellness.
Face Masks / Face Coverings
Face masks are optional. They are no longer required on campus currently. If you elect
to wear a face mask, the mask must not prohibit or impede your ability to work in
the classroom, labs, or communicate effectively with faculty and/or peers. Please
keep this in mind when selecting covering and use good judgment based on the activities
you normally would participate in at these settings.
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.
The next accreditation visit for the Associate in Science in Nursing degree is scheduled for March 25-27, 2025.
Program Mission
View Program Mission, Vision and Philosophy
Program Data
View completion rates, NCLEX pass rates and job placement rates
Program Outcomes
Get Started in Nursing at PBSC
Whether you’re starting your nursing career or ready to advance, we have a program for you.
Questions?
Our nursing program staff is happy to help!
Nursing Office
561-868-3412
nursing@palmbeachstate.edu
Nursing Program Locations
Lake Worth Campus: 4200 Congress Avenue, Lake Worth, FL 33461
Allied Health Building | First Floor | Room 110 | Campus Map
Belle Glade Campus: 1977 College Drive, Belle Glade, FL 33430 | Campus Map
Loxahatchee Groves Campus: 15845 Southern Boulevard, Loxahatchee, FL 33470 | Campus Map
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