TCL TCI LPN Program: Complete 2024 Guide for Lowcountry Students

Table of Contents#

1. What Is the TCI LPN Program at TCL?
2. Core Program Details: Duration, Curriculum, and Format
3. 2024 Admissions Requirements
4. Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid Options
5. NCLEX-PN Pass Rates and Program Outcomes
6. Student Support Resources for LPN Students
7. Career Paths After Graduation
8. Is the TCI LPN Program Right for You?
9. How to Apply: Step-by-Step

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What Is the TCI LPN Program at TCL?#

The TCI LPN program is a workforce-focused nursing training track designed for students who want to enter the nursing field without completing a 4-year degree. It is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and approved by the South Carolina Board of Nursing, meaning graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN licensing exam in any U.S. state and can transfer credits to advanced nursing programs later.

Unlike 2-year associate degree nursing tracks, the TCI LPN program prioritizes hands-on, job-specific skills that align with the needs of Lowcountry healthcare employers, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and outpatient clinics.

Core Program Details: Duration, Curriculum, and Format#

Duration#

• Full-time track: 12 months (3 consecutive semesters, including summer)
• Part-time track: 18–24 months (designed for working students)
• 3 start dates per year: January, May, and August

Curriculum#

The program is split into three core learning components, with a total of 1,200+ training hours:

1. Didactic coursework (40% of hours): Hybrid online/in-person classes covering core nursing knowledge, including:
   • Anatomy & Physiology for Practical Nurses
   • Fundamentals of Patient Care
   • LPN Pharmacology
   • Maternal and Pediatric Nursing
   • Geriatric and Long-Term Care Nursing
   • Mental Health Nursing for LPNs
   • Infection Control and Regulatory Compliance
2. Skills lab (20% of hours): In-person hands-on training at TCL’s state-of-the-art nursing simulation lab, where students practice wound care, medication administration, vital sign monitoring, and patient communication in a low-risk setting.
3. Clinical rotations (40% of hours): 300+ hours of supervised, paid? No, unpaid supervised clinical experience at TCL’s local partner facilities, including Beaufort Memorial Hospital, Coastal Carolina Hospital, local assisted living centers, and community health clinics.

Format#

Most didactic coursework is available asynchronously online, with mandatory in-person lab sessions 1–2 times per week and clinical shifts scheduled at times that align with student availability (including evenings and weekends).

2024 Admissions Requirements#

Admissions are competitive, with approximately 40 spots available per cohort. All applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• High school diploma or GED with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
• Active, unencumbered South Carolina Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification
• Minimum 60% score on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association
• Clean background check and negative 10-panel drug screen
• Complete immunization records (MMR, varicella, hepatitis B series, annual flu shot, negative TB test, and updated COVID-19 vaccine)
• 500-word personal statement explaining your motivation for pursuing an LPN career
• 1 professional or academic reference

Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid Options#

The TCI LPN program is one of the most affordable accredited LPN tracks in South Carolina:

• In-state total tuition and fees (full-time): ~$6,800
• Out-of-state total tuition and fees (full-time): ~$12,200

Tuition covers all textbooks, lab supplies, program uniform, one NCLEX-PN practice test bundle, and liability insurance for clinical rotations.

Available financial aid for eligible students includes:

• Federal grants and student loans via FAFSA
• South Carolina Need-Based Grant for low-income in-state students
• TCL Foundation scholarships (including the Lowcountry Healthcare Heroes Scholarship for nursing students)
• Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding for displaced workers and low-income applicants
• Tuition reimbursement programs for students working at TCL’s partner healthcare facilities
• No-interest monthly tuition payment plans

NCLEX-PN Pass Rates and Program Outcomes#

Program performance metrics are consistently above state and national averages, per 2023 TCL institutional data:

• 2023 NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate: 92% (vs. 85% South Carolina state average, 79% national average)
• 96% of 2023 graduates secured full-time LPN roles within 3 months of graduation
• Average starting salary for 2023 TCI LPN graduates: $49,200 per year
• 88% of 2023 graduates accepted job offers from their clinical rotation sites

Student Support Resources for LPN Students#

TCL offers dedicated support for nursing students to help them succeed:

• Free weekly NCLEX-PN prep workshops and practice test access
• Peer tutoring for all nursing coursework, led by current RN students and faculty
• Career services support including resume writing, interview coaching, and exclusive job fairs with 20+ local healthcare employers
• Dedicated nursing faculty advisors for one-on-one academic and career guidance
• Disability support services for students with learning or physical accommodations
• On-campus childcare for student parents
• Flexible clinical scheduling for students working part-time jobs

Career Paths After Graduation#

TCI LPN graduates are qualified for entry-level nursing roles across a wide range of settings:

• Long-term care and assisted living facilities
• Hospital medical-surgical, pediatric, and emergency departments
• Physician offices and outpatient clinics
• Home health agencies
• Correctional healthcare facilities
• School health clinics

For students who want to advance their nursing career later, TCL offers an LPN-to-RN bridge program that accepts all credits from the TCI LPN program, allowing graduates to earn their Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and become registered nurses in as little as 12 additional months of full-time study.

Is the TCI LPN Program Right for You?#

This program is an ideal fit if you:

• Are a current CNA looking to advance your healthcare career
• Want a fast, low-cost path to a stable, high-demand career without a 4-year degree
• Live in the Lowcountry (Beaufort, Jasper, Colleton, or Hampton counties) and want access to local clinical placements and job connections
• Can commit to a minimum of 20 hours per week of coursework, lab, and clinical time

It may not be the right fit if you:

• Are seeking a fully online nursing program (lab and clinical hours are required in-person)
• Want to work as a registered nurse (RN) immediately without additional schooling
• Cannot meet the immunization or background check requirements for clinical placements

How to Apply: Step-by-Step#

1. Submit a free TCL general admissions application online, and select “TCI Practical Nursing” as your intended major
2. Complete all prerequisite requirements (earn CNA and BLS certification, take the TEAS exam)
3. Upload all supporting documents (transcripts, test scores, immunization records, personal statement, reference) to your TCL student portal
4. Register for and attend a mandatory TCI LPN program information session (in-person or virtual options available)
5. Complete the required background check and drug screen via TCL’s approved vendor
6. Receive your admissions decision within 2 weeks of completing all requirements. Cohort spots are awarded on a rolling basis, so early application is recommended.

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References#

1. Technical College of the Lowcountry Official Website. TCI Practical Nursing Program Page. Accessed March 2024.
2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational-nurses.htm. Accessed March 2024.
3. South Carolina Board of Nursing. 2023 Approved Practical Nursing Program Outcome Report. https://www.llr.sc.gov/nursing/. Accessed March 2024.
4. TCL Office of Institutional Research. 2023 Graduate Career Outcome Report. Internal Publication, 2024.