AS: Nursing
The CFK AS in Nursing Program began in 1967. Since then, the program has consistently ranked among the top nursing schools in the country for first-time NCLEX pass rates. The program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). There are two entry points per year in fall and spring and students are given the opportunity to choose the Key West Campus or the Upper Keys Center for didactic and clinical courses. Admission to the nursing program is competitive; therefore, applicants should be aware that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the program. Applicants are encouraged to review eligibility requirements carefully and apply early.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the nursing program at The College of the Florida Keys is to prepare nursing students for personal success, responsible citizenship and entry into the nursing profession. We strive to develop nurses who can provide safe, quality evidence based patient-centered care to the diverse populations that encompass the islands of the Florida Keys as well to the greater global community.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
Approved by the Florida State Board of Nursing, this program is designed to prepare men and women to function with intellectual and technical competence as registered nurses. The instructional staff is dedicated to helping students achieve individual academic success and enter the field of nursing as competent clinicians. The Associate in Science Degree in Nursing is awarded upon completion of the twenty-two month generic RN program.
The graduate then becomes eligible to apply to the Florida Board of Nursing to take the NCLEX-RN for licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse.
CFK's Associate Degree in Nursing is a limited access program with an additional application process for admission based on selective criteria. Potential candidates must successfully complete the basic requirements as follows:
- Completion of Nursing Application with payment of applicable nursing application fee
- Copy of unofficial college transcripts or high school transcripts for first time in college students
- Minimum cumulative postsecondary GPA of 2.7
- Student interview
Meet placement criteria for College level English and Algebra. (See Entry Assessment at the College for more information)
Criteria for admission are subject to change. Students accepted into the program will also need to meet medical clearance criteria and pass a criminal background check and drug screen.
Students who do not meet these requirements will be removed from the program. For further information and updates please visit the College website or contact the Nursing Department at (305) 809–3119.
Admissions/Eligibility
Completed Application
All potential students must complete The College of the Florida Keys application including all supplemental documents.
Transcripts
Unofficial transcripts from high school and post-secondary institutions must be uploaded upon submission of application. Official transcripts will be required prior to the end of the first semester, so please proactively request them from ALL institutions of higher learning.
Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
The TEAS is no longer a requirement for admission to the Associate of Science in Nursing program.
Applicants for the AS in Nursing program that have completed the TEAS may submit minimum scores of 65 for consideration. For information about this Standardized Test including study materials, visit https://www.atitesting.com/teas/register.
Grade Point Average
The minimum GPA to apply to the AS in Nursing Program is 2.7 on 4.0 scale for High School and/or College transcripts.
Essay
All applicants are required to submit an essay with their application. Please pay particular attention to the instructions provided and answer the question(s) directly. (Essay topics are provided in the online application).
Interview
All AS in Nursing applicants who meet eligibility criteria above will be scheduled for a short 15-minute interview with Nursing Faculty. Interviews are designed to give faculty and students an opportunity to get to know one another and ask questions. Interviews are conducted face to face for in-state applicants and via Skype for those who live outside of Florida.
Our Clinical Partners (Hospitals, Clinics, Long Term Care Facilities, etc.) do not accept students with a significant criminal history into Clinical. As such, students with a criminal background that includes a felony conviction may not be able to complete program requirements for the AS in Nursing Program. Individual questions pertaining to this statement should be discussed with the program director prior to application.
ASN Program Outcomes
NCLEX Pass Rates
| 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | |
| CFK-First time test takers | 90.91% (30/33) |
62.75% (32/51) |
79.03% (49/62) |
| CFK all test takers | 96.8% | 83.6% | 93.75% |
| State | 58.7% | 58.2% | 81.89% |
| National | 78.78% | 77.91% | 88.56% |
AS in Nursing Completion Rates
The tables below shows the rate at which students completed the program on time (within two years of the first nursing course).
| Graduation Year | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 | 2023-2024 |
| Percentage on time (2 Years) | 88% (29/33) | 63% (45/72) | 73.68% (28/38) |
Job Placement Rates
The CFK Nursing and Health Sciences department conducts a survey of recent graduates during the fall of each year. This most recent survey showed that 100% of respondents who graduated during the 2023-24 academic year reported employment in nursing. The next survey will be conducted in October 2025.
Program Costs
Nursing Program Cost (72 Credits)*
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
| Tuition | $7,863.84 | $31,588.56 |
| Fees | $3,751.00 | $2,603.81 |
| Books | $3,675.00 | $3,675.00 |
| Total | $15,289.84 | $39,014.56 |
Post-graduation licensure fees:
$110.00 Application and Licensing Fee Florida Board of Nursing
$200.00 Pearson VUE testing fee for licensure exam.
Fingerprinting fees will vary by service provider.
For more information regarding Registered Nursing licensure in Florida please visit: https://floridasnursing.gov/licensing/
Students applying for licensure outside of Florida will want to check with the particular state for associated fees.
*This is an estimated cost of the program. Fees do not include the cost of required vaccinations, health screening or basic life support certification.
*** Nursing Core Classes Only and associated fees****
Nursing Courses Cost (42 Credits)*
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
| Tuition | $4,587.24 | $15,355.55 |
| Fees | $3,751.00 | $3,751.00 |
| Books | $3,000.00 | $3,000.00 |
| Total | $11,338.24 | $22,106.55 |
Post-graduation licensure fees:
$110.00 Application and Licensing Fee Florida Board of Nursing
$200.00 Pearson VUE testing fee for licensure exam.
Fingerprinting fees will vary by service provider.
For more information regarding Registered Nursing licensure in Florida please visit: https://floridasnursing.gov/licensing/
Students applying for licensure outside of Florida will want to check with the particular state for associated fees.
*This is an estimated cost of the program. Fees do not include the cost of required vaccinations, health screening or basic life support certification.
Coursework
Core Requirements – 30 credit hours
- ENC1101 English Composition I (3)
- MAC1105 College Algebra (3)
- PSY2012 General Psychology (3)
- BSC 1085 Anatomy & Physiology I (3)
- BSC 1085L Anatomy & Physiology I Lab (1)
- DEP 2004 Human Growth & Development (3)
- BSC 1086 Anatomy & Physiology II (3)
- BSC 1086L Anatomy & Physiology II Lab (1)
- CHM 1033 Chemistry for Health Sciences (3)
- MCB 2010 Microbiology (3)
- MCB 2010L Microbiology Lab (1)
- PHI 2010 Intro to Philosophy (3)
Nursing Core Classes - 42 total credit hours
Please note these classes may only be taken AFTER admission into the Nursing Program
- NUR 1020C Fundamentals of Nursing (7)
- NUR 1142 Pharmacology in Nursing (3)
- NUR 1211C Clinical Nursing I (8)
- NUR 1520C Nursing in Mental Health (5)
- NUR 2213C Clinical Nursing II (8)
- NUR 2462C Maternal Child Health (7)
- NUR 2818C Clinical Nursing III (4)
The courses listed above are only a guide. Following these tracks does not guarantee admission into a university. Course requirements may change each year. You are responsible and encouraged to work closely with your advisor.
Nursing Student Handbook
Accreditation
The associate degree nursing program at The College of the Florida Keys located in Key West, FL 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 degree in nursing program is initial.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
Licensure
Students applying for certification outside of Florida will want to check with the particular state for associated fees.