Quick Answer: HCI College’s Fort Lauderdale campus offers both a 16-month Practical Nursing diploma (LPN) and a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (RN). Broward residents can choose a faster entry into nursing or a longer degree route without leaving the county.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Oct. 9, 2026 — HCI College is highlighting the two nursing pathways available at its Fort Lauderdale campus, 1201 W. Cypress Creek Rd., for Broward County residents considering a career in healthcare. Students can enroll in a 16-month Practical Nursing diploma that prepares them for the NCLEX-PN, or in a 72-credit Associate Degree in Nursing that prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN.
Offering both credentials on one campus lets prospective students compare timelines, costs and career goals with a single admissions team. They don’t have to research separate schools.
Choosing Between LPN and RN
Many Broward residents begin by searching for an RN school Fort Lauderdale commuters can reach easily, then realize the decision isn’t just where to study, but which credential fits their life right now.
“[Placeholder quote — e.g., on helping Broward students pick the nursing path that matches their timeline and goals.]” said [Name, Title, HCI College Fort Lauderdale].
Pathway Comparison
| Practical Nursing | Associate Degree in Nursing | |
|---|---|---|
| Credential | Diploma | Associate degree |
| Length | About 16 months | As little as 2 years |
| Credits | 46 | 72 |
| Licensing exam | NCLEX-PN | NCLEX-RN |
| Role | Licensed Practical Nurse | Registered Nurse |
The Practical Nursing Diploma
The Fort Lauderdale LPN training course runs four semesters and totals 1,350 clock hours. Students learn through classroom theory, clinical rotations and clinical simulation in:
- Medical-surgical nursing
- Pharmacology and medication administration
- Geriatric and long-term care nursing
- Obstetrical and pediatric nursing
Required materials and a set of uniforms are included at no additional cost. Graduates receive a Diploma in Practical Nursing and, after Florida Board of Nursing review, may sit for the NCLEX-PN.
What LPNs Do
Licensed Practical Nurses provide basic nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses and other licensed healthcare providers. Their duties include administering medications and treatments, monitoring patient health, promoting wellness and illness prevention, and helping care for people who are ill or injured.
In Broward County, LPNs commonly work in nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, assisted living communities, physician offices and home health settings.
The Associate Degree in Nursing
HCI’s ADN program is designed to prepare graduates for registered nurse roles in hospitals and comparable facilities. General education courses include English Composition I, Algebra, Speech, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Human Growth and Development, Psychology, Nutrition and Microbiology. Nursing coursework includes fundamentals, psychiatric nursing and clinical practicum.
Students weighing a West Palm Beach RN school against a Broward option should know HCI offers its ADN at both campuses. The West Palm Beach ADN program holds ACEN accreditation. Fort Lauderdale students should confirm that campus’s current ACEN status with Admissions.
Why Some Students Start as an LPN
The LPN diploma gets students into licensed nursing work faster. That shorter timeline can matter for:
- Career changers who can’t step away from income for long
- Parents who need a predictable, finite training commitment
- Healthcare workers such as aides or medical assistants who want to advance
- Undecided students who want bedside experience before committing to a longer degree
A Broward Campus Built for Nursing Education
HCI College has served Broward County since 2017, when it opened a branch in Lauderdale Lakes. In 2019, it moved that branch to a newly remodeled facility in Fort Lauderdale, and Health Career Institute took the name HCI College.
The Cypress Creek Road campus is close to Interstate 95 and Florida’s Turnpike corridor, giving students from Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, Tamarac, Oakland Park and central Fort Lauderdale a practical commute.
“[Placeholder quote — e.g., on the Fort Lauderdale campus’s role in meeting local demand for nurses.]” said [Name, Title, HCI College].
Admission Requirements for Practical Nursing
Applicants seeking LPN nurse training in Fort Lauderdale must:
- Complete general enrollment requirements
- Pass an FDLE Level II background check and 10-panel drug screen
- Complete a physical exam with required titers and vaccinations
- Hold a current American Heart Association BLS card
- Score at least 40 composite on the TEAS, at least 70 on each required HESI A2 section, or hold an earned associate degree or higher from an accredited school
Before clinicals, students must also provide a negative PPD test or chest X-ray when indicated, current immunizations, and screening results sent directly to the college. Medical marijuana cards are not accepted for clinical purposes.
Academic Standards and Support
HCI’s Practical Nursing students must earn at least 80% in each didactic course and 90% on the PN106 dosage calculation test. They also have to pass critical skills checks and complete all clinical hours. A course may be repeated only once.
To help students meet those standards, HCI offers faculty and peer tutoring, plus round-the-clock online tutoring through Tutor.com.
Paying for Nursing School
HCI College has been approved by the U.S. Department of Education since 2016 to award Federal Student Aid to qualifying students. The college also provides information on:
- Scholarships
- Florida Bright Futures and Florida Prepaid
- Payment options
- A net price calculator
- Support for military students
Accreditation
HCI College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and licensed by the Florida Department of Education’s Commission for Independent Education. The Practical Nursing program is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing.
Next Steps for Broward Applicants
- Schedule a tour of the Fort Lauderdale campus
- Request information about upcoming start dates
- Take HCI’s free online career readiness quiz
- Meet with financial aid to review eligibility
Frequently Asked Questions
Which program gets me working fastest?
The Practical Nursing diploma, at about 16 months.
Can I become an RN at the Fort Lauderdale campus?
Yes. HCI offers its Associate Degree in Nursing, which prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN, at Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.
Do I need my BLS card before applying to Practical Nursing?
Yes. A current AHA BLS card is an admission requirement. HCI also offers American Heart Association courses.
Is there an application deadline?
HCI accepts Practical Nursing applications year-round. Contact Admissions for start dates.
About HCI College
HCI College is a private postsecondary college with campuses in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Founded in 1993, it offers an Associate Degree in Nursing; diploma programs in Practical Nursing, Medical Assisting, Optometric Technician and Veterinary Assisting; and American Heart Association courses. HCI College is accredited by ACCSC and licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education.
Campus Locations
Fort Lauderdale
1201 W. Cypress Creek Rd., Suite 101
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
(954) 626-0255
West Palm Beach
1764 North Congress Ave.
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
(561) 586-0121
Media Contact: [Name], [Title], HCI College, info@hci.edu
Sources and Further Reading
- HCI College, Practical Nursing Program — https://www.hci.edu/programs/practical-nursing
- HCI College, Associate Degree in Nursing — https://www.hci.edu/programs/associate-degree-in-nursing
- HCI College, Fort Lauderdale Campus — https://www.hci.edu/location/fort-lauderdale
- HCI College, Payment Options and Financial Aid — https://www.hci.edu/admissions/payment-options-and-financial-aid
- NCSBN, NCLEX Examinations — https://www.ncsbn.org/exams.page
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