University of Florida BSN Programs

The University of Florida BSN program is the core of nursing excellence. The program ranks #1 in Florida and sits among the top 20 nationally. The online RN-to-BSN program leads its category as the #1 online program. These rankings show the program’s exceptional ability to prepare students for successful healthcare careers.

UF College of Nursing builds its curriculum around three key ideas: Care, Lead, and Inspire. Students embrace these principles throughout their educational experience as they grow into skilled, compassionate healthcare professionals. A BSN degree opens the door to a rewarding career in professional nursing. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing recognizes it as the minimum educational requirement for professional nursing practice.

Student success sets the University of Florida BSN program apart. Graduates achieve passing rates well above 90% on nursing licensure exams. About 80% of baccalaureate alumni go on to pursue graduate education within five years. These numbers prove how well the program prepares students for advanced academic pursuits.

Students progress through a well-laid-out curriculum that moves from simple to complex concepts. The first two semesters focus on foundational knowledge and principles of individual-specific nursing care. Students then tackle more complex content in the final two semesters to boost their clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills.

UF Health is one of only three prominent health science centers in Florida. The College of Nursing gives students exceptional access to educational and clinical experiences. Expert nursing faculty, technological resources, and chances to explore nursing research with established researchers benefit students greatly.

The College of Nursing pioneered nursing education in Florida. It launched Florida’s first nurse practitioner programs and first PhD in Nursing Science program. This tradition of breakthroughs continues with technological initiatives and programs that connect students to international populations.

Students learn through detailed classroom instruction, laboratory activities, and supervised clinical practice experiences. These elements help them develop skills to provide holistic, individual-specific care for patients of all backgrounds. Graduates emerge as generalists who can turn nursing knowledge, theory, and research into better patient outcomes.

Available Program Tracks

UF’s College of Nursing provides several paths to earn your BSN degree. Each path fits different educational backgrounds and career stages. The well-laid-out tracks help you pursue nursing education that matches your needs.

Traditional BSN Program

This four-semester program welcomes UF students and transfer students who have finished their lower division and pre-professional requirements. You’ll get great hands-on experience in a variety of clinical settings. These include community health agencies, clinics, hospitals, and homes. The program packs 60 total credit hours and 765 clinical hours to give you both theory and practical skills. Each semester builds on your previous learning to sharpen your clinical reasoning and critical thinking.

Accelerated BSN Program

The Accelerated BSN program is the quickest way to nursing licensure if you already have a bachelor’s degree and completed pre-professional requirements. This track values your previous degree while focusing on nursing education. Career-changers find this program appealing because it doesn’t require starting from scratch.

RN to BSN Program

Registered nurses with an associate degree can raise their credentials while keeping their current job. UF Online offers this program completely online, and you can finish it in five semesters of part-time study. You need an associate degree from an ACEN-accredited program, a valid Florida RN license, a minimum 2.8 GPA, and at least a C grade in all required pre-professional courses.

UF has also created a special partnership with Edward Waters University. This allows up to five students from this historically Black university to join the Accelerated BSN program at UF Health Jacksonville campus. This partnership creates educational opportunities and promotes diversity in nursing.

Flexible Learning Formats

UF’s nursing programs feature learning formats that fit your work and life commitments. The University of Florida knows campus-based programs don’t work for everyone. That’s why they’ve created study options that blend academic quality with convenience.

Working nurses will find the RN to BSN program completely online and flexible. You can complete this pathway in five semesters as a part-time student. The program lets you move forward with your education while keeping your job.

Virtual simulation technology makes online learning more effective, particularly for clinical work. The RN to BSN curriculum has 90 clinical hours split between two semesters. Students complete 45 hours through virtual simulation in semester one and 45 hours of independent clinical work in semester four. This modern approach helps you build skills in gathering and interpreting data that you’ll use throughout your nursing career.

Flexibility extends to other programs too. The BSN to DNP program blends online classes with targeted in-person sessions – just a one-day new student orientation and clinical placements. Clinical experiences happen in Florida and are arranged near your location when possible.

The MSN to DNP pathway works well for busy professionals. Students rarely need to visit campus, and they can choose from full-time or part-time study plans starting in different semesters.

Students love how adaptable the program is. One student shared: “I really like the flexibility UF Online allowed me to have with my schedule. As a mother of three, I was very busy with my children’s activities, tending to family obligations, and having a full-time job. The online program allowed me to access lectures and assignments at times I was able to – like in the evenings, late nights, or on weekends”.

These flexible formats make advanced nursing education available to busy professionals in Florida. Now career growth is possible for everyone.

Entry Criteria & Prerequisites

The University of Florida BSN programs have specific academic and professional standards for admission. The admission process takes an integrated approach to evaluate candidates beyond their grades.

Students pursuing the Traditional BSN track need an overall GPA of at least 3.0. They must complete 60 credits of pre-professional courses before the spring semester of enrollment. Each prerequisite course requires a grade of C or better.

The prerequisite courses include:

• Anatomy & Physiology I and II (with lab components)
• Microbiology (with lab component)
• Statistics
• Human Growth and Development/Developmental Psychology
• Human Nutrition
• Social/behavioral science course
• Physical/biological science course

The Accelerated BSN track requires candidates to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The RN to BSN program has different requirements – an associate’s degree in nursing from an accredited program, a 2.8 minimum GPA, and a valid Florida RN license.

All nursing students must pass background checks and drug screening after admission. They also need to show proof of immunizations including Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Influenza, Tetanus, and Tuberculosis. Students must have current health insurance before they can enroll.

What Sets the BSN Programs Apart at University Of Florida

The University of Florida’s BSN programs demonstrate excellence that makes them stand out among nursing education choices. First-time NCLEX pass rates consistently exceed 95%. These numbers are nowhere near the national averages and showcase the program’s exceptional student preparation.

Students receive individual attention that makes UF’s nursing programs unique. Clinical settings maintain a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio. This means you get personalized guidance to improve your learning experience. Expert faculty work closely with students to help them develop critical thinking skills needed in clinical practice.

UF Health, a prominent academic health center, provides unique clinical rotations compared to other nursing programs. Students gain exposure to diverse patient populations and complex cases rarely seen elsewhere. The program’s mutually beneficial alliances with community health organizations are a great way to get experience across different healthcare settings.

Advanced simulation technology makes the UF College of Nursing exceptional. Students practice clinical skills safely in state-of-the-art simulation labs before working with real patients. The facilities employ high-fidelity mannequins that respond to interventions just like real patients, creating an immersive learning environment.

The University of Florida’s BSN program brings together academic excellence, individual attention, advanced technology, and outstanding clinical opportunities. This combination creates an unmatched nursing education experience.