Quick Answer: HCI College’s practical nursing students study medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology, medication administration, geriatrics, and maternal and pediatric nursing. They must earn at least a B in every course and pass clinical skills checks to advance.
Inside the Curriculum
Course descriptions rarely show what a typical week looks like. For students considering LPN certification classes West Palm Beach or Broward, here is what the coursework at HCI College actually involves.
Core Subject Areas
| Subject Area | What Students Learn |
|---|---|
| Medical-surgical nursing | Care for adult patients with acute and chronic illness |
| Pharmacology | Drug classes, effects and safe administration |
| Geriatric / long-term care | Care for older adults and restorative support |
| Obstetrics and pediatrics | Care for mothers, newborns and children |
Instruction mixes classroom theory, clinical experience and clinical simulation across these subjects. hci
The Academic Standards Are Strict
Students coming from a West Palm Beach RN school search may assume a diploma program is easier. The grading standards say otherwise. To progress, students must earn at least a B (80%) in every didactic course, score at least 90% on the dosage calculation test in PN106, and pass each critical skills performance within two attempts. hci
Students also have to pass every clinical component, finish all required clinical hours, and pass predictor and adaptive assessments where applicable. hci
Repeat limits are firm: a course can be repeated only once, and failing the same course a second time leads to dismissal. hci
Why Dosage Calculation Gets Its Own Test
Medication math errors put patients at risk, so the 90% benchmark exists for safety. Students who struggle with fractions, conversions or ratios should review them before the program starts.
Program Goals
HCI’s stated objectives for the practical nursing program West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale students share include:
- Following Florida’s Nurse Practice Act
- Meeting patients’ physical, social and psychological needs
- Performing nursing measures safely and accurately
- Working as part of a care team across ages and cultures
- Supporting restorative care so patients regain independence
Tutoring and Support
HCI provides faculty and peer tutors, with other tutoring scheduled through the Program Director or Dean of Academic Affairs, plus 24/7 online tutoring for nursing and general education courses through Tutor.com. hci
That support is available at both campuses, including for LPN nurse training in Fort Lauderdale students.
Is This the Right Fit?
Students torn between this diploma and an RN school in West Palm Beach degree should weigh how they handle demanding grading before committing. HCI’s free online readiness quiz takes about three minutes and gives a personalized report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grade do I need to pass a course?
At least a B (80%) in every didactic course.
What happens if I fail a course?
You can repeat it once. A second failure in the same course results in dismissal.
Is tutoring free and available at night?
Online tutoring through Tutor.com is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
HCI College Locations
West Palm Beach
1764 North Congress Ave.
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
(561) 586-0121
Fort Lauderdale
1201 W. Cypress Creek Rd., Suite 101
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
(954) 626-0255
Sources and Further Reading
- HCI College, Practical Nursing Program and FAQ — https://www.hci.edu/programs/practical-nursing
- HCI College, Student Resources — https://www.hci.edu/student-services/student-resources
- HCI College, Catalog and Addenda — https://www.hci.edu/admissions/catalog_addenda
- Florida Board of Nursing, Nurse Practice Act — https://floridasnursing.gov
About Brian French
This article combines human insight with tech-intelligent curation under our published Curation Protocols.Led by a commitment to tech-intelligent curation, Brian French tracks and analyzes Business News in Florida that defines Florida's economy. Brian brings an extensive financial background to his analysis, having graduated from the University of South Florida in Finance and serving as a Vice President and Portfolio Manager for Merrill Lynch Private Investors (a division of MLIM) and the Trust Department in St. Petersburg, FL, as well as a Vice President and Trust Investment Officer for SunTrust Bank in Sarasota, FL. His writing blends macroeconomic trends, capital markets analysis, corporate strategy, and modern digital insights for a sophisticated look at Florida's business news and economy.
