Practical Nursing Selection Criteria & Application Process

All applicants must take the current version of the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) test.

Required TEAS scores must be a minimum of 69% in Reading.

Students may take the TEAS three times per academic year.  The highest score will be used. Scores for the TEAS are good for two years.

View EFSC's TEAS page for details about on-campus and remote test registration.

This program requirement must be satisfied by ONE of the following three criteria. It's recommended to discuss this TABE requirement with a health sciences advisor:

1. Submit the required TABE scores: TABE (Test for Adult Basic Education - 11/12 Level A) is required by Career and Technical Education (CTE) as an exit exam to graduate from Vocational programs. The required score to obtain for graduation is 11th grade level in all three sections – Reading, Language and Mathematics. Per Florida Statute, enrolled students must complete TABE testing by the sixth week of class so EFSC recommends completing the TABE before admission to the Practical Nursing program.

Applicants obtaining scores lower than the required minimum should follow EFSC's TABE Remediation Process to improve their test scores before program completion. NOTE: The TABE test can be taken only ONCE every 6 months. TABE scores are good for two years. The EFSC Assessment Centers offer on-campus testing for the TABE.

2. Submit a qualifying TABE Exemption form: Review the EFSC TABE Exemption process and if you qualify, work with the testing center staff  to obtain the required exemption form. Students must provide a copy of their TABE exemption form by the application deadline.

3. Provide proof of qualifying Degree completion: Students who have already earned an A.A. degree, or higher, will be exempt from the TABE test. Applicants must provide a copy of the diploma, degree and/or transcript to confirm the degree earned. Obtaining a TABE exemption form, that confirms the earned degree, can also be used, and must be provided by the deadline.

Special consideration will be given to any Practical Nursing program applicant who has earned any of the following:

1. Completion of a previous healthcare program from an accredited institution
2. Healthcare work experience as documented on a Healthcare Experience Form
3. Military service (2 years or more)
4. Completion of an AA or AS degree in any field
5. Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in any field
6. Completion of a Master’s Degree in any field

As part of the application process, you get to tell us about yourself, your motivations for a nursing career, and your interests in EFSC as your selected institution of higher learning.

Complete the following and submit them as part of the application packet described in the Application steps below:

1. Personal writing essay: This essay is a writing sample illustrating your communication and writing skills, and motivation for entering the profession of nursing. Please tell us why you want to be a nurse in 250-500 words. This is your personal statement.
2. Recommendation Letters: Please submit 1-3 recommendation letters pertinent to academic and/or healthcare experience. Letters of Recommendation must be signed.
3. Co-Curriculars/Honors/Awards/Accolades: Please share your participation in extracurricular activities, community involvement, honors and/or awards and/or leadership roles.
4. Certifications/Credentials/Work Experience/Life Experience
5. Complete five (5) short questions with answers that address the following:
   1. Working with people from different backgrounds or cultures can be complex. Can you tell us about a time when you were challenged to adapt to people from different backgrounds or cultures from your own? What did you do to resolve the situation?
   2. Provide us with five (5) adjectives describing your strengths and five (5) adjectives describing your weaknesses.
   3. Identify five essential character traits you believe are needed in nursing.
   4. Describe any community service, leadership experience, and/or healthcare experience you believe will contribute to your success in nursing school and career in nursing.
   5. Obtaining a college degree requires persistence and the ability to stay focused on the end result. Share with us a long-term goal that you had, the steps/process you took to obtain that goal, and how you overcame any obstacles that you encountered. This goal could be academic, personal, or extracurricular in nature.

It's recommended that interested students talk with a Health Sciences Advisor for guidance as they prepare to apply for the Practical Nursing program. They can also assist with questions about the TEAS and TABE testing requirements.

Students with myEFSC access should schedule Health Sciences Advising using the link in the Student Services Appointments section of myEFSC. Future Students with no EFSC login, use the guest appointment button.

Applicants must be current students at Eastern Florida State College before they can apply to the Practical Nursing program. Proceed with this step based on whether you are a New, Returning or Current student.

NEW STUDENTS: For students new to EFSC, complete the EFSC online application for admission prior to the Practical Nursing program application deadline. There is a $30 non-refundable application fee that must be paid before the application can be processed.

Please note that application processing can take up to 14 days due to the current volume of applications. Check your email frequently for your acceptance letter.

In addition, new EFSC students need to

• Submit official High School Transcripts (or GED® scores) to General Admissions.
• Submit official transcripts from any and all colleges attended prior to EFSC (if applicable)
• Provide FL Residency documentation, complete the New Student Orientation, and finalize any other EFSC General Admissions requirements.

RETURNING STUDENTS: Returning/readmit students who have not completed a course in the past year must also re-apply online. There is no application fee for a readmit application. Readmit Students need to

• Submit official transcripts from any and all colleges attended since their last enrollment at EFSC (if applicable).
• Provide FL Residency documentation, and complete any other EFSC General Admissions requirements.

CURRENT STUDENTS: Current Students may move on to the next step.

Complete the Practical Nursing online application after you have become an accepted EFSC student. You will use the EFSC student email address and credentials sent in your general EFSC admissions acceptance letter to log in as prompted to complete and submit the special application.

A $25 non-refundable fee for this application will be charged to the student's EFSC account, which can be paid online or at the Student Accounts Business Office, no later than the deadline.

All application materials and paperwork, including the items explained in the Selection Criteria's Attributes section, must be turned in to the Nursing and Health Sciences Admissions and Advising office on the Melbourne campus (Building 15, Room 101).

All applicants will be notified by mail of their status for the program approximately 8-10 weeks after the deadline. It is the applicant’s responsibility to review the completed application folder to be submitted for admission by the selection committee.

A file ready for the Admissions Committee review must include:

• Online Application to the Practical Nursing Program, with application fee paid online or to the Student Accounts Business Office.
• All unofficial transcripts: Student copy from all colleges and universities attended, including EFSC. Transcripts from other colleges should be evaluated by the Registrar’s Office prior to the application deadline.
• TABE scores or exemption form
• TEAS scores
• Work Experience Form - must be completed by Job Supervisor(s) (if applicable)
• Copy of any current healthcare license (if applicable)
• Military Experience (if applicable)
• One-page essay
• Short answer responses (5 questions)
• 1-3 letters of recommendation

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all content is received and accurate prior to the closing application date. Folders that are not complete for any reason will not be reviewed.

Eastern Florida State College is dedicated to providing a nondiscriminatory environment which promotes equal access, equal educational opportunity, and equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, race, national origin, color, ethnicity, genetic information, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, marital status, veteran status, ancestry, or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment.

EFSC recognizes the rights of students and applicants with disabilities, including those with hepatitis B, under the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.