LPN-RN Pathway offers opportunity to upgrade nursing degree
Students now have the opportunity to stack their credentials at Fort Myers Technical College, an LPN-RN Pathway, a first in Florida.
Fort Myers Technical Director John Roszell said Fort Myers Technical College Nursing Instructor Mary Anne Enns was the brainchild behind the pathway program.
“We are fortunate enough to have her on board to make it happen,” he said.
Enns said she was frustrated with the fact that technical colleges did not allow RN programs. She said she was told years ago that if you can’t do it, if you could, how would you do it.
From there she designed a program that is not redundant.
“I’m pretty ecstatic about seeing it come to life,” she said of the process that began in 2021. “The roadblocks we had to go through — the Board of Nursing and the Department of Education — both great to work with, still took time to do. I think the biggest hurdle was when the DOE said yes, and I felt like we were on our way.”
Enns said when she first started planning and designing the program, she wanted to teach at least the first cohort, which she will do. To be able to see what she has done and how it changes students’ lives, will be humbling, she said.
Enns said DOE wouldn’t let her do a program for just Fort Myers Technical College. The program is now statewide and includes the same exam as one would take for an associate degree.
“It’s bigger than just here. It’s humbling to see the amazing reach it has had,” she said.
Roszell said there were a couple of challenges that presented themselves — the ideas had to be doable and lead to a credential, or licensure and it does; sit for an exam that is approved by the Board of Nursing, as well as receiving support from their stakeholders such as Lee Health and Cypress Cove.
They all supported it right away and were on board through the whole process.
“We were able to get this program across the finish line,” Roszell said.
Orientation is set for July 2 with the first course beginning on July 9. Applications opened April 24 and will close on May 2. The website was expected to go live within 48 to 72 hours. Those who would like more information can email maryannee@leeschools.net.
LPN-RN pathway is one day a week live on Tuesday for 52 weeks, except for winter break. The hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in class and clinical hours are 6:45 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.
The eight-week course consists of two class dates, four clinical dates and an online component.
“There are eight courses,” she said, adding that the last two weeks of the program includes 72 hours at a local facility.
Roszell said the nice thing is students can continue to hold their current nursing job while going back to school and becoming an RN.
“You don’t have to stop life to do this,” she said.
The first cohort will consist of 12 students. They will need to be a licensed LPN in the State of Florida with an unencumbered license, IB therapy certified and have an American Heart Association BLS.
Roszell said it is a restrictive program where they cannot take first-come first- served, but rather select the candidates for the program.
“They will enter this program and exit with zero to little debt,” he said, as the LPN-RN pathway can be done for less than $10,000. “Since we are a clock out program, we don’t do loans, financial aid through loan payments.”
Instead, it is a PELL grant, or out of pocket.
The LPN-RN pathway:
• Practical Nursing Program at FMTC: $7,684 and is a 1,350-hour program lasting 12 months
• IV Therapy at FMTC: $410 and is a 30-hour program lasting 1 week
• Professional Nursing (LPN-RN) Program at FMTC: $7,555 and is a 900-hour program lasting 12 months
Rozier said they are very appreciative of business partners that helped, as well as Collaboratory. He said they helped in showing the need for more registered nurses.
“We believe in stacking credentials -students having the ability to better themselves, uptrain themselves,” he said, adding that Fort Myers Technical College offers the stacking of three degrees.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com