Florida Gateway College

Florida Gateway College, based in Lake City, Florida, is a public state college with two-year offerings and selected bachelor’s programs. Its nursing department is centered on hands-on, campus-based training and includes a Practical Nursing certificate and an Associate in Science in Nursing. Students learn patient care, health assessment, pharmacology, clinical judgment, communication, and professional standards through classroom instruction, skills labs, simulation, and supervised clinical experiences at regional healthcare sites.

The Practical Nursing option is typically completed in about one year, while the ASN usually takes about two years once admission requirements are met and totals 72 credits. Nursing coursework is delivered mainly in person, with clinical requirements varying by track. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN, depending on program level. Florida Gateway College’s nursing programs are approved by the Florida Board of Nursing, and the associate program holds ACEN accreditation. For students in North Florida, it can be an appealing choice compared with larger nearby programs in places like Gainesville or Ocala, especially for those seeking a smaller campus and strong local clinical partnerships.