Florida State University BSN Programs

The nationally accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Florida State University’s main campus in Tallahassee offers detailed preparation to become a nurse in any specialty. This intensive program, structured as a Specialized Admission upper division major, spans four consecutive semesters (15-16 months). Students can complete their path to nursing licensure quickly through this program.

The program accepts students three times a year—Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Each term receives 300-400 applications for 150 available slots. Students must complete all prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C or better and maintain a minimum 3.00 overall GPA.

Students take part in clinical experiences at community health agencies, clinics, hospitals, and homes. These practical rotations blend with classroom and laboratory activities to help develop patient management skills across different backgrounds and cultures. This approach will give you steady progress through varying levels of care complexity across the lifespan.

The program builds on liberal studies, biological and behavioral sciences, and nursing theory. It also emphasizes nursing process application through research and interdisciplinary teamwork. This detailed education helps you guide individuals, families, and groups toward achieving optimal physical and psychosocial health.

Graduates are ready to take the national licensure examination for registered nurses (RN). Hospitals and healthcare agencies actively seek Florida State University’s BSN graduates. Plus, these nurses often advance faster into roles with increasing responsibility and leadership.

Students planning their academic experience should note that all prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of the application semester. The program requires completed general education requirements before starting. Students must attend full-time in Tallahassee for the first three semesters. The fourth semester offers asynchronous completion options anywhere in Florida where the university has affiliation agreements.

Available Program Tracks

FSU’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree programs cater to students with different educational backgrounds and career goals.

The Traditional BSN Program serves as the core of FSU’s nursing education. This upper-division major features a well-laid-out sequence of courses over four consecutive semesters. Students move through their nursing courses in a set order from semesters I through IV. Students build on their liberal education foundation to prepare for future graduate studies. New students can join during Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.

Students with a bachelor’s degree in another field can choose the Accelerated BSN Program to become a licensed nurse faster. This intensive program maintains high standards while following a compressed schedule. Spring semester starts with basics like Nursing Practice, Health Assessment, and Pharmacological Concepts. Students head over to more advanced topics in Summer, including Nursing Care of Adults and Evidence Based Nursing. The Fall semester covers complex health disorders and leadership courses before students complete their Professional Nursing Internship.

The College of Nursing welcomes academically outstanding students to take honors coursework within the baccalaureate program. Students get opportunities to explore scholarly work in depth and gain individual-specific experiences.

Every BSN track shares some common features. Students gain clinical experience in a variety of settings such as community health agencies, clinics, hospitals, and homes. These programs help students develop significant skills to manage patients from different backgrounds and cultures. The clinical scenarios become more complex as students progress through the patient lifespan.

Your chosen track requires completion of all prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C (not C-). You must also maintain a minimum 3.00 GPA for admission. First-time applicants should consider the Pre-Nursing Pathway and Badge program. This program helps you decide if nursing fits your career goals while introducing relevant certifications and application processes.

Graduates from any BSN track can take the national licensure examination to become a registered nurse.

Flexible Learning Formats

The Florida State University BSN Programs learning formats play a vital role in planning your BSN education. The program combines traditional classroom teaching with modern delivery methods to prepare future nurses.

FSU stands firm on providing in-person learning experiences for its BSN program while other schools direct their focus toward remote education. The main campus in Tallahassee, FL exclusively offers face-to-face instruction. You won’t find online or distance learning options here. This approach gives you hands-on training and direct mentorship from experienced faculty.

The program becomes more flexible as you advance. The fourth semester includes asynchronous coursework. You can complete your studies anywhere in Florida where FSU’s affiliate agreements exist. This mix of intensive in-person education and remote options in your final semester works well for most students.

FSU runs several information sessions each semester to help students understand program requirements and application steps. These sessions run both in-person and online, so you can pick what suits your schedule best.

The BSN program’s campus-based structure shows FSU’s focus on creating skilled nursing professionals through immersive learning. Face-to-face sessions help develop clinical skills, build professional networks, and encourage team learning—vital elements for a successful nursing career.

The program strikes a balance between quality education and student convenience through required campus attendance and some flexible options. This setup helps you master nursing skills while offering some location flexibility near graduation.

Graduate nursing students can enroll in FSU’s fully online MSN program. However, undergraduate nursing students should plan for mostly in-person classes at the Tallahassee campus.

Entry Criteria & Prerequisites

FSU’s BSN program evaluates candidates through a comprehensive process. The College of Nursing reviews academic achievements and then looks at your unique experiences, community participation, and work history.

Students must meet these basic requirements:

• Completion of all prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better (C- is not accepted)
• Minimum overall GPA of 3.0
• Completion of general education requirements prior to admission
• Completion of at least 60 credit hours or an Associate of Arts degree from an accredited Florida public institution
• Science prerequisite courses must not be more than 10 years old at application time

Clinical learning facility limitations restrict the program to only 150 students per admission cycle. Students must complete all prerequisites by the semester’s end when they apply. To name just one example, see Fall admission requirements – all coursework must be finished by Spring semester’s end.

The prerequisite coursework spans 30-33 credits and includes: General Chemistry I (3 credits), General Biology (3 credits), Nutrition (3 credits), Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab (4 credits), Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab (4 credits), Microbiology with Lab (4 credits), Statistics (3 credits), Individual & Lifespan Development (3 credits), and General Psychology or Sociology (3 credits).

Admitted students need current health insurance proof before enrollment. The application process requires submissions to both the University and the College of Nursing separately.

Students should take both psychology and sociology courses. Meeting minimum requirements doesn’t guarantee acceptance due to the program’s competitive nature. Students who aren’t accepted initially can reapply for future terms.

Accepted students must provide health examination results, immunization records, two-year CPR certification, criminal background check, and drug screening documentation.

What Sets the BSN Programs Apart at Florida State University

Florida State University’s nursing education stands out because of its exceptional faculty. Educators in the College of Nursing combine clinical expertise with academic excellence and provide mentorship beyond traditional classroom boundaries.

The BSN program at FSU emphasizes evidence-based practice that prepares students to deliver care grounded in scientific research. Graduates develop critical thinking skills essential for complex healthcare environments.

Students benefit from a diverse clinical rotation structure. The program offers exposure to specialized facilities instead of limiting experiences to one healthcare setting. This approach provides broader experience compared to similar programs.

Student success drives FSU’s mission. The university provides complete support systems with dedicated academic advisors, simulation laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment, and peer mentoring opportunities. These resources help students achieve impressive NCLEX pass rates.

The university fosters strong partnerships with healthcare organizations throughout Florida. These relationships create employment pathways after graduation and explain why employers actively seek FSU nursing graduates.

Students gain additional advantages through collaboration opportunities with FSU’s medical school and other health professions programs. This interprofessional approach reflects the real-life healthcare team dynamics graduates encounter in their careers.

The program’s reputation for producing practice-ready nurses makes it distinctive. FSU graduates show exceptional clinical judgment, communication skills, and professional values. Healthcare employers consistently recognize and seek these qualities in Florida State nursing alumni.