LPN to RN in South Florida: How It Works

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A licensed practical nurse in South Florida becomes a registered nurse by completing an approved RN program, most often an Associate Degree in Nursing, and passing the NCLEX-RN. Some colleges run dedicated LPN-to-RN transition tracks that give credit for the practical nursing license; others enroll LPNs in their standard associate degree program. HCI College offers both a Practical Nursing diploma and an ACEN-accredited Associate Degree in Nursing at its West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale campuses.

The Two Licenses Compared

Pay and growth figures are national estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Local wages vary by employer and experience.

Why Practical Nurses Consider the Move

Practical nurses usually name three reasons for going back to school. The first is scope. Registered nurses carry out comprehensive assessments, develop and manage plans of care, and take on tasks that Florida law reserves for the RN license. The second is setting. Hospitals, especially acute care and specialty units, hire far more registered nurses than practical nurses, so the RN license opens workplaces that are harder for an LPN to enter. The third is pay. The national median wage for registered nurses in May 2024 was roughly $31,000 a year higher than the median for practical nurses.

Those are averages, and the decision is personal. School takes time and money, and the difference in pay has to be weighed against tuition, reduced work hours during the program, and family obligations. A practical nurse who enjoys long-term care and has a stable schedule may reasonably decide to stay at the practical level.

Routes From LPN to RN

South Florida nurses generally have three routes. The names schools use differ, so it helps to ask what a program actually requires instead of relying on its label.

1. A Dedicated LPN-to-RN Transition Track

Some colleges, including several public state colleges in the region, run a transition or bridge track for nurses who already hold an active, unrestricted Florida LPN license. These tracks typically award credit or advanced placement for the first part of the nursing sequence, so the student joins the associate degree program partway through. Admission is usually limited and may require prerequisite courses, an entrance exam, and sometimes a placement or challenge exam.

2. A Standard Associate Degree in Nursing Program

An LPN can also enroll in a regular associate degree program alongside students who are new to nursing. This route can take longer than a transition track, but it may offer more start dates or a schedule that fits around work. Whether previous practical nursing coursework earns any credit is decided by the receiving school, case by case.

3. An LPN-to-BSN Program

A smaller number of universities admit practical nurses directly into a bachelor’s degree program. This is the longest route, and it ends with the degree that some hospital employers prefer.

Times are general ranges. Each school publishes its own program length.

Prerequisites, Testing and Paperwork

Whatever the route, practical nurses returning to school should expect a similar checklist:

• General education courses. Anatomy and physiology, microbiology, English composition, mathematics and psychology are common requirements. Credits earned years ago may or may not still count.
• An entrance exam. The TEAS is widely used. Schools set their own minimum scores and limits on retakes.
• Health and safety clearances. A physical exam, immunization titers, tuberculosis screening, a current Basic Life Support card, a Level II background check and a drug screen are standard for clinical placement.
• Transcripts. Official transcripts from the practical nursing program and any college coursework.

Collecting transcripts and immunization records often takes longer than applicants expect, so starting several months ahead is sensible.

Profile: Nursing Programs at HCI College

HCI College is a private college with campuses in West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. It opened in 1993 as Health Career Institute and introduced its Associate Degree in Nursing program in 2013, according to the college’s published history. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and licensed by Florida’s Commission for Independent Education.

Both campuses offer the two programs that make up the practical-nurse-to-registered-nurse ladder:

• Practical Nursing diploma. A program of about 16 months, 46 semester credits and 1,350 clock hours, leading to eligibility to apply for the NCLEX-PN.
• Associate Degree in Nursing. A 72-credit-hour program that the college says may be completed in as little as two years, leading to eligibility to apply for the NCLEX-RN. The college reports that the program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) at both campuses.

Details of the Associate Degree in Nursing program that matter to a working practical nurse include the following, as published by the college:

The college’s public materials describe how general education credits from other accredited institutions are evaluated. They do not set out a separate published bridge schedule, so a practical nurse considering the program should ask the admissions office directly how prior practical nursing coursework and licensure are treated, and should get the answer in writing before enrolling. More detail on the diploma is on the Practical Nursing program page.

Working While You Study

Most practical nurses keep working during an RN program, which makes the schedule the deciding factor for many. A few points are worth checking with any school:

• How many fixed days per week. Programs with online general education and one or two campus days leave more room for work shifts than programs with daily attendance.
• How clinical days are assigned. Clinical shifts depend on hospital partners and can change from term to term. Ask how much notice students receive.
• Employer support. Some healthcare employers offer tuition assistance or flexible scheduling to staff in nursing school. A conversation with a manager or human resources office before enrolling can uncover benefits that are easy to miss.
• Travel. Students are generally responsible for their own transportation to clinical sites, which may be anywhere in the tri-county area.

Paying for an RN Program

Cost is often the largest obstacle for a working nurse. A realistic plan looks at four sources of funding, in this order.

1. Federal student aid. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) determines eligibility for Pell Grants and federal loans at participating schools. HCI College states that it is approved to participate in Federal Student Aid programs for eligible programs and students who qualify.
2. Employer tuition assistance. Hospitals, nursing homes and home health agencies sometimes reimburse part of tuition for employees, often in exchange for a period of continued employment.
3. Scholarships. Schools, nursing associations, community foundations and healthcare systems offer scholarships for nursing students. Amounts vary, and many go unclaimed because few people apply.
4. Payment plans and savings. Most schools offer payment arrangements for any balance that aid does not cover.

When comparing schools, ask each one for the total cost of the program after any transfer credit, not only the price per credit hour. Books, uniforms, testing fees, clinical clearances and licensing fees should be on the same list.

A Planning Timeline for Working LPNs

This timeline is a general guide. Limited-access programs at public colleges may have application deadlines a year or more ahead of the start date, while colleges with rolling admission may move faster.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming credit will transfer. Policies differ widely. Get the evaluation in writing before paying a deposit.
• Overlooking program accreditation. A nurse who plans to earn a bachelor’s degree later should confirm that the associate program’s accreditation is accepted by the RN-to-BSN programs under consideration.
• Underestimating clinical hours. Clinical days are fixed and can run 8 to 12 hours. Plan work and family schedules around them, not the other way around.
• Letting the LPN license lapse. Transition tracks require an active, unrestricted license, and working nurses need it for income during school.

Licensing as a Registered Nurse

After graduation, the school sends its list of graduates to the Florida Board of Nursing, and each graduate applies to the Board for licensure by examination. The Board decides eligibility to sit for the NCLEX-RN. Florida allows a candidate to take the exam up to three times, and after three unsuccessful attempts requires an approved remedial course before another try.

Florida is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a registered nurse whose primary residence is in Florida can generally apply for a multistate license that is recognized in other compact states. Nurses planning to relocate should confirm the rules with the Board, because eligibility for a multistate license has its own requirements.

Benefits of Continuing Nursing Education

• Broader clinical responsibility. The RN curriculum adds assessment, care planning, critical care concepts and leadership.
• More employment settings. Hospitals and specialty units rely mainly on registered nurses.
• A base for further degrees. An associate degree can lead to an RN-to-BSN program, many of which are online.
• Use of existing experience. Practical nurses bring patient care experience that can make clinical coursework more familiar.

These are general advantages of the credential. Individual results depend on completing the program, passing the licensing exam and the job market at the time.

Questions to Ask Before You Enroll

1. Does the program give credit or advanced placement for my LPN license or coursework?
2. Which of my earlier college credits will transfer?
3. Is the nursing program itself accredited by ACEN or CCNE?
4. What are the most recent NCLEX-RN pass rates, and where are they published?
5. How many days per week must I be on campus or at a clinical site?
6. What is the total cost after transfer credit and financial aid?
7. Will the degree be accepted by RN-to-BSN programs I might attend later?

HCI College Campus Locations and Contact Information

West Palm Beach campus map:

Fort Lauderdale campus map:

Map data: OpenStreetMap contributors.

More information is available at hci.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to go from LPN to RN in South Florida?

It depends on the route and on how many prerequisites are already complete. Transition tracks often run about 12 to 20 months, and a standard associate degree program about 16 to 24 months.

Do I need to quit my LPN job to attend an RN program?

Not necessarily. Many nurses work part time or on flexible shifts during school. The clinical schedule is the main constraint, so review it before enrolling.

Will my LPN coursework count toward an associate degree?

Sometimes. Each school sets its own policy on credit for practical nursing coursework and licensure. Ask for a written credit evaluation.

Is an associate degree enough to work as an RN in Florida?

Yes. Graduates of an approved associate degree program who pass the NCLEX-RN receive the same registered nurse license as bachelor’s degree graduates.

Does HCI College offer nursing programs at both of its campuses?

Yes. The Practical Nursing diploma and the Associate Degree in Nursing are offered at the West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale campuses.

What is ACEN accreditation?

ACEN is a national accreditor of nursing programs. Program accreditation is separate from a school’s institutional accreditation and can affect credit transfer and admission to later degree programs.

Can a Florida RN work in other states?

Florida belongs to the Nurse Licensure Compact. Nurses who qualify for a multistate license can practice in other compact states without obtaining a separate license in each.

Sources and Further Reading

1. HCI College, Associate Degree in Nursing and Practical Nursing program pages, campus pages, and History and Mission page
2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses
3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
4. Florida Board of Nursing, Registered Nurse licensure by examination requirements
5. National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Nurse Licensure Compact information
6. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), accredited program search

About the Author

By Brian French | Tech Intelligent Curation

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Brian French serves as a vital strategic advisor and operator within the digital media landscape, leveraging a deep institutional background in finance and market analysis to build high-leverage content infrastructure. With foundational experience rooted in institutional research and asset management at Merrill Lynch Investment Managers (MLIM), they bring a sophisticated analytical framework to modern digital asset management. Currently directing a multi-site network of regional business news domains alongside high-end antique operations, they focus on engineering exact-match semantic power and geographic relevance to establish defensible market authority. Their signature operational methodology, Tech-Intelligent Curation, represents a precise synthesis of human editorial insight and advanced Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)—ensuring that every asset is meticulously structured for maximum technical leverage and clarity in an increasingly AI-driven economy.

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