Florida Atlantic University BSN Programs

The Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University takes a unique approach to BSN education based on Caring Science. Their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program creates a competitive pathway for aspiring nurses. Students graduate as general clinical practitioners ready to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®).

Students can enter the BSN program through three specialized pathways. High school graduates qualify for Freshman Direct Admit, while those with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees can choose the Accelerated BSN. Licensed registered nurses seeking advancement can opt for the RN-BSN track. Each pathway stays true to the college’s philosophy while adapting to students’ backgrounds and career stages.

The program requires unwavering commitment due to its challenging nature. Pre-licensure students must complete 840 hours of clinical and laboratory experience in hospitals and community settings that serve different populations. This hands-on training helps graduates develop detailed practical skills and theoretical knowledge.

The College of Nursing’s excellence shows through its Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accreditation and several achievements. FAU BSN graduates have shown exceptional performance in licensure examinations. First-time test takers rank among the highest in Florida and the United States with a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN examination in 2017.

The College stands out because all its programs have earned endorsement from the American Holistic Nurses Certification Corporation. BSN graduates can pursue AHNCC certification right after graduation. This endorsement matches the institution’s all-encompassing approach that sets it apart from other nursing programs nationwide.

Students gain clinical experience in healthcare settings of all types and work with diverse patient populations. The faculty includes prestigious practitioners and scholars who excel in caring science.

RN-to-BSN students benefit from online didactic courses combined with in-person clinical experiences in their local communities. Working nurses can advance their education without moving or interrupting their careers.

FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing has earned national recognition for excellence. U.S. News and World Report ranked No.1 in online graduate nursing programs in Florida and No. 23 nationwide, proving it right the quality education students receive across all tracks.

Available Program Tracks

FAU’s nursing program has three different BSN tracks that are tailored to students’ educational backgrounds and career stages. Students can choose their path to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree based on their previous education and professional experience.

The Freshman Direct Admit Track welcomes high school seniors who plan to start at FAU in the fall semester right after graduation. Students attend this full-time, four-year program at the Boca Raton campus, which has nursing courses throughout all eight semesters. High school seniors who already have AA degrees or college credits can still join this track, but these credits won’t make the program shorter.

Students with a bachelor’s degree in another field can take the Accelerated BSN Track to become a nurse faster. This demanding program runs for four semesters (15 months) of full-time study. Starting Fall 2024, students can attend this track at both Boca Raton and Davie campuses. Classes and clinical practice take 24-40 hours each week, so the College recommends students don’t work during this intensive program.

The RN-BSN Track works well for registered nurses who have associate degrees or diplomas from ACEN or CNEA-accredited nursing programs. Students can take their didactic courses online and complete clinical experiences in their local community. The program starts in Spring, Summer, or Fall semesters, letting students begin when it fits their schedule. Students need 32 credits and can finish in just 12 months.

The Second Degree Part-Time BSN Track at the Davie campus isn’t accepting new students right now. This program helped working professionals with bachelor’s degrees in other fields become nurses through evening classes, weekend labs, and online coursework.

Flexible Learning Formats

FAU’s nursing programs offer modern educational flexibility that works around students’ needs and schedules. The RN-BSN track shows this perfectly with fully online didactic courses combined with in-person clinical experiences. Students can easily balance their work life with academic goals through this hybrid format.

Students don’t need to relocate to complete their degree. They can finish their practicum clinical experiences right in their local community. This benefit becomes crucial when you have ongoing career and family commitments.

The program’s schedule options are extensive. Students can choose from:

• Live classes one evening per week
• Weekend sessions
• Online coursework
• Live streaming options

Students pick learning formats that work best with their personal and work schedules. The part-time track lets students keep their jobs as they start their educational experience.

Flexible timing serves as the core of FAU’s approach. Many programs stick to fixed start dates, but RN-BSN students can begin their studies any semester – spring, summer, or fall. Students can advance their careers right away thanks to this year-round admission cycle.

The Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing adapts to students’ needs for program duration. Students earn their BSN degree in just two years through six consecutive semesters. The RN-BSN track even has an accelerated 12-month completion option that needs 32 credits of coursework for those wanting faster progress.

Clinical arrangements at FAU showcase flexibility too. Faculty and students work together on preceptor and practicum site decisions. The university makes every effort to meet needs in locations of all sizes. The university can offer online nursing programs in many states, making quality education available to qualified applicants nationwide.

This integrated approach to flexibility makes Florida Atlantic University’s BSN programs perfect for working professionals. Students can advance their careers while keeping up with their current responsibilities.

Entry Criteria & Prerequisites

Getting into Florida Atlantic University’s nursing programs requires meeting specific criteria for each track. The BSN program has limited spots and high competition. Students just need to be ready for a challenging journey.

The RN-BSN track requires students to keep a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale with a current unencumbered RN license in their state. Students should complete 60 lower division college credits from an accredited institution. They also need an associate’s degree in nursing from an ACEN-accredited institution. A grade of “C” or better in all prerequisite courses is essential, though students can finish these after admission.

Students pursuing the Accelerated BSN track must have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in all undergraduate work. They need to complete all prerequisites with a grade of “C” or better before applying. The program requires a cumulative Science GPA of 3.0 or higher. The admission team evaluates candidates based on cumulative GPA, prerequisite science GPA, and their performance during a personal interview.

Common prerequisites across programs include:

• Anatomy and Physiology I & II with labs
• Microbiology with lab
• Chemistry (lab not required for RN-BSN)
• College Algebra or equivalent
• Statistics, Nutrition
• English Composition I & II
• Introduction to Sociology and Psychology
• Human Growth & Development Through the Life Span

Students must meet additional graduation requirements. These include general education components, civic literacy (for first-time Florida public institution students since Fall 2018), and foreign language proficiency. The language requirement means two years of the same language in high school or through second semester in college.

Whatever track you choose, the final admission step includes a Level 2 criminal background check and fingerprinting. Any violations in this check might lead to admission denial. Even admitted students could face challenges with licensure or clinical agency placement.

What Sets the BSN Programs Apart at Florida Atlantic University

Florida Atlantic University’s BSN programs stand out because of their Caring Science foundation – a unique philosophy that only a few nursing programs in the country follow. Students learn to combine compassionate care with clinical excellence, which helps them become skilled professionals with strong interpersonal abilities.

The Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at FAU has earned prestigious endorsements. It belongs to a select group of institutions endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Certification Corporation. BSN graduates can pursue holistic nursing certification right after graduation without needing additional practice.

The program’s excellence shows in its graduates’ success. First-time test takers consistently rank among Florida’s and the nation’s highest for NCLEX-RN examination pass rates. The program achieved a 100% pass rate in 2017, which proves its curriculum works.

The college’s faculty members have earned national recognition as accomplished practitioners and scholars in caring science. They provide expert mentorship throughout students’ learning experience. Their expertise has helped the program gain national attention. U.S. News and World Report ranks it first in Florida’s online graduate nursing programs and 23rd nationwide.

Students get real-life preparation through extensive clinical experiences in a variety of healthcare settings. They gain detailed exposure to different patient populations and healthcare environments. This preparation creates well-rounded nursing professionals ready for today’s complex healthcare challenges.