A.S. Nursing

Program Costs

Estimated costs for the Nursing program are $11,000 - $14,000 including all course tuition, course/lab fees and additional equipment. Attend a Nursing Information Session for additional details.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to all eligible students each semester from the LSSC Foundation. Visit the Foundation Scholarships page to learn more.

Students graduating from high school and enrolling at LSSC may qualify for other scholarships offered through the State of Florida. You will be notified of your eligibility after you apply to the College.

Financial Aid

There are many options to finance your education. You may be eligible for Federal Grants, Work-Study, State Grants, Federal Loans, and Institutional Scholarships. For more information and how to apply, please visit the Financial Aid page.

A student must have a high school diploma or GED to apply to Lake-Sumter State College. Students should apply to the AA Nursing Transfer plan upon initial application to LSSC.

General Application Requirements

• Completion of the online application and $30 application fee
• Submission of high school and college/university transcripts

Limited Access Program

The AS Nursing is a limited access program. After admission to the College, students will apply separately to the program. The Core Information Packet and Application Preparation Packet provide additional information and calendars specific to each program acceptance opportunity.  See the Limited Access Program Application tab for more information.

To apply for the AS Nursing program, students must submit the program application form electronically during the available dates indicated in Application Preparation Packet.

Lake-Sumter State College does not currently require COVID-19 vaccinations.  However, the State of Florida and national accreditation agencies require instruction and skills validation in clinical healthcare settings.  The individual clinical facilities set the vaccination rules for their institutions.  These clinical facilities set the compliance rules (i.e., immunizations, drug screenings, background checks, etc.) that students must meet to be eligible for instruction at these sites. If a student decides not to receive a COVID-19 vaccination or meet other eligibility requirements defined by the clinical facility, they may not be allowed to participate those sites and may not be able to complete the requirements of the program and obtain the diploma/certification. If you have any questions about these requirements, please speak to the program manager or academic advisor.

In order to participate in the clinical portion of the program, students will be required to meet additional criteria. Healthcare professionals must keep ALL immunizations current. OSHA requires immunization against Hepatitis B for all individuals in a workplace environment where the potential exposure to blood exists. Students admitted to the program must have an immunization record on file and a current TB test before they can enter practicum.

• ANNUAL FLU SHOT: Have documentation of annual flu shot administered during the current flu season. If a student chooses not to have the flu shot, a signed declination/waiver form is required.
• HEPATITIS B: Begin the Hepatitis B series. The vaccine for Hepatitis B is highly recommended. There must be documentation of 3 vaccinations or positive antibody titer (lab report required). If a student chooses not to have the vaccine, a signed declination/waiver form is required.
• TB TEST: Complete a 1 Step TB Skin Test or Chest X-ray. There must be documentation of one of the following: a) negative 1 step test in the past 6 weeks; OR b) negative Quantiferon Gold Blood Test (lab report required) in the past 6 weeks. If either test is positive, a clear chest x-ray (with lab report) is required.
• TETANUS: Provide proof of a Tetanus booster within the past 10 years.
• VARICELLA (CHICKEN POX): Provide documentation of one of the following: a) 2 vaccinations; OR b) positive antibody titer (lab reports required).
• MEASLES, MUMPS, & RUBELLA (MMR): Provide documentation of one of the following: a) 2 vaccinations; OR b) positive antibody titers for all 3 components.
• CORONAVIRUS DISEASE SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19): Have documentation of the COVID-19 vaccine. If a student chooses not to have the vaccine, a signed declination/waiver form is required.

Program Length

Credit Hours: 72

Estimated Time to Completion: 0-3 semesters for pre-requisite courses, 3-4 semesters after program acceptance

Degree Planning

• Check your DegreeWorks to track your progress toward completing your degree and program.

Course Types Offered

General education pre-requisite courses will be offered online, hybrid, and/or on-campus. Learn more about course types offered at LSSC.

Program courses are offered in cohorts based out of the Leesburg or South Lake campus.

Additional Resources

• Browse for Classes
• View Course Catalog - General Track
• View Course Catalog - Bridge Track

As a limited access program, The AS Nursing program requires a separate application process once admitted to LSSC.

Information Sessions

Attend at an information is required during your application semester. This session will provide detailed information on the full application process and requirements. Click the sign up link above to sign up for an information session.

Core Applicant Information

Review the Core Information Packet for information common to all application opportunities offered by the LSSC AS Nursing Program.

• Core Information Packet

Program Tracks & Preparation Packets

Bridge Track
For students with current LPN license or Paramedic certification, or will have earned by program start

• Application Preparation Packet – Bridge Track (Summer)

General Track - Preferred Option
For students with no nursing related licensure & all required pre-requisite course work complete by end of semester concurrent with program application submission

• Application Preparation Packet – General Track Preferred (Spring)
• Application Preparation Packet – General Track Preferred (Fall)

General Track - Compressed Option
For students with no nursing related licensure & required short list of prerequisite course work complete by end of semester prior to program application submission plus remaining prerequisite course work completed concurrent with nursing courses

• Application Preparation Packet – General Track Compressed (Spring)
• Application Preparation Packet – General Track Compressed (Fall)

HESI Testing

HESI Testing is offered at the LSSC Testing Center. Testing is available at the Testing Center at the Leesburg and South Lake campuses.

• Schedule your HESI at an LSSC Testing Center
• HESI Testing Semesters

Supplemental Information

• Anticipated Program Costs
• Criminal Background Check Requirement
• Drug Screening Requirement
• Physical Expectations
• Selection Criteria Historical Data

Available Applications for AS Nursing

• AS Nursing Application

Application Withdrawal Form

Please use this link if you need to withdraw your application for any reason.

• Application Withdrawal Form

Frequently Asked Questions

• Frequently Asked Questions

Jobs/Careers

• Registered Nurse

Job Outlook (Florida)

Statewide, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (FLDEO) predicts a 3.27% job growth in Registered Nurses through 2023. This includes all 67 of Florida's counties.

In Central Florida, FLDEO predicts a 20.9% growth rate in Registered Nurses through 2029. For this data, Central Florida includes Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Sumter Counties.

Salary Data (Florida)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2021 wage data, the median salary for
Registered Nurses is $78,000 in Central Florida. Across Florida, the median salary is $75,000. For this data, Central Florida includes Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties.

Mission

The mission of the ASN Program at LSSC is to provide excellent student-centered, academic, and career-oriented education in nursing that is culturally sensitive, proactive, accessible, and responsive to our community's needs. The college provides self-motivated students with educational opportunities to become lifelong learners.

• Mission & Vision
• Program Philosophy
• Organizing Framework
• End of Program Student Learning Outcomes
• Student Achievement Outcomes

Florida State Board of Nursing (BON)

Program approval since 1983
www.floridasnursing.gov

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

The associate nursing program at Lake-Sumter State College located in Leesburg, Florida is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm.

College Accreditation

Lake-Sumter State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Learn more on our Accreditation page.

The State of Florida requires students entering a Florida College System (FCS) or State University System (SUS) institution to demonstrate competency in civic literacy by the time they graduate, pursuant to s. 1007.25(5), Florida Statutes. Beginning with the 2021-2022 academic year, newly enrolled students must demonstrate competency through completion of a civic literacy course and by achieving a passing score on the Florida Civic Literacy Examination (FCLE).

Check your DegreeWorks or the Florida Civic Literacy Requirement page for more information.