Associate Degree in Nursing

Yes.  Both of our campuses are accredited by The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).  HCI is also accredited by The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).  HCI College is also licensed by the Florida Department of Education’s Commission for Independent Education (CIE) and approved by the Florida Board of Nursing

Complete the General Enrollment Requirements:

Must sign the Background Check and Drug Screening Acknowledgement.
Complete a pre-entrance physical examination and all required titers and vaccinations through HCI College’s approved vendor.
Provide a current American Heart Association BLS Card.
Pass the SmarterMeasure Learning Readiness Indicator with a minimum score of 70% in Technical Competency, 70% in Life Factors, and 60% in Technical Knowledge 
Pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) with a minimum composite score of 50. Please refer to HCI’s Student Catalog for more information.

If the prospective student does not achieve the minimum score for the first time, they must wait a minimum of 72 hours after the first testing date before taking the test for a second time. If a student is unsuccessful on the second attempt, they must wait 90 days before they are eligible to test again.

If the prospective student does not achieve the minimum score for the first time, they must wait a minimum of 72 hours after the first testing date before taking the test for a second time. If a student is unsuccessful on the second attempt, they must wait 90 days before they are eligible to test again, and each attempt thereafter.

High School Diploma.

A physical examination completed 4-6 weeks prior to the start of Fundamentals: – the individual’s ability and readiness for work in a professional capacity as a nurse (physically, mentally, emotionally; “Essential Functions for Coursework”).

A negative TB test and/or chest x-ray when indicated (chest x-ray required every other year with positive TB test).

Current immunizations and titers lab blood analysis to affirm active immunity (Hepatitis-B Rubeola/Rubella, varicella, Influenza and Tuberculin Skin Test).

CPR (healthcare provider) certification by American Heart Association.

Background screening (FDLE Level II), results must conform to the requirements set forth by the Florida Board of Nursing. 

Drug screening: results must be sent directly to the College. If a positive drug screening occurs without a prescription, the student may not move forward.

For clinical purposes, Medical Marijuana cards are not accepted. 

Evidence of annual renewal of TB tests, flu shots, physical exam, etc. are required at the designated intervals after the individual has started in the Associate Degree in Nursing program.

Possibly, HCI College will evaluate the comparability, applicability, source, and age of the previously earned general education credit; academic preparedness of the student at the time of credit transfer, grade earned (C or better) for the credit transferred and apply a systematic, consistent process for determining whether to accept the general education credit earned at another institution.  Please refer to the HCI College Student Catalog for additional information.

The scheduling model minimizes required on-campus time to accommodate working adults and those with busy personal schedules: 

On-Campus Class Time: Students only need to report to campus 1 day per week for their lectures or labs, although they have the option to do two days.

Online Coursework: The remainder of the lecture material and course load is completed asynchronously online.

Clinical Rotations: Students must complete 1 to 3 additional days per week of hands-on clinical rotations or simulation labs. These hours contribute to the 575 total clinical hours required to graduate. 

Clinical rotations are held across a diverse network of South Florida healthcare systems, including major hospitals, extended-care facilities, and outpatient medical offices.

Rotations: You will gain diverse experience in medical-surgical floors, pediatrics, mental health, and maternal-newborn units.

Scheduling: Clinical shifts can range from 8 to 12 hours and may include early mornings, evenings, or weekends, depending on hospital partner availability.

Commuting: Students are responsible for their own transportation to all off-site medical facilities.

Tutoring services are available to promote student academic success. There are faculty and peer tutors to assist students with specific course content. All other tutoring is by appointment coordinated through the Program Director/Dean of Academic Affairs. HCI College provides online tutoring services for nursing and general education courses twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week through Tutor.com.

The duration of the program is adapted to your selected course load and pacing: 
Depending on approved general education transfer credits, students enrolled in the Full-Time Track may complete the program in as little as 16 months, while the Standard Track can be completed within a timeframe of up to two years.

Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Passing this national exam is the final requirement to receive your RN license from the state. After the Florida Board of Nursing receives the official list of graduates from the Director of Nursing, applications are not processed until the list is received by the Board of Nursing. Instructions regarding the Application for Licensure by Examination are reviewed with students prior to graduation; the application is also available at the Florida Board of Nursing website.

HCI’s program continuously aligns its curriculum with the Next Generation NCLEX standard to maximize performance.   

HCI’s Nursing Program continuously aligns its curriculum with Next Generation NCLEX standards to support student success. For the most current NCLEX pass rates, please refer to the HCI College Catalog.

Our Commitment: Under current Florida statutes, any nursing program must maintain passing standards near or above the national average to remain in good standing. We utilize comprehensive remediation and exit testing to keep our historical pass rates competitive.

In Florida, you can retake the exam up to three times with a standard 45-day waiting period between tests. If an applicant fails three times, the Florida Board of Nursing requires the completion of an approved remedial course before a fourth attempt is authorized.

The United States Department of Education has determined HCI College is an institution eligible to participate in Federal Student Aid programs for approved programs. The Financial Aid Department at HCI College provides assistance to students requesting financial aid to pay tuition and other education-related expenses incurred while in attendance at HCI College.

The Financial Aid Department has established procedures to ensure fair and consistent treatment of all applicants. HCI College believes the primary responsibility for educational costs rests foremost with students and their families. However, financial aid is available to those who qualify to meet the difference between students’ resources and actual needs. HCI College maintains full-time Financial Aid staff to meet students’ needs. Students are encouraged to make appointments with the Financial Aid department to ensure they obtain the funding needed for their college investment.

Qualifying students may have access to several financial pathways:

Federal Aid: FAFSA-based assistance including Pell Grants and subsidized student loans.

Nursing Scholarships: Specialized institutional scholarships dedicated strictly to healthcare majors.