Santa Fe College BSN Program Guide
Santa Fe College’s nursing program has achieved a remarkable 93.24% NCLEX pass rate, which makes it a prime choice for future nurses. Students pay around $2,500 yearly for in-state tuition, and the program gives them exceptional training to succeed right after graduation.
The healthcare industry faces a significant challenge as 83% of hospital executives expect staff shortages. Santa Fe College steps up to address this crisis. The program’s focus on clinical skills and patient-centered care helps students build practical abilities that employers need. Strategic collaborations with local healthcare facilities provide students with hands-on training and better job prospects after graduation.
This piece covers all aspects of Santa Fe College’s nursing program – from basic requirements to various tracks and flexible study options that set the BSN program apart. Santa Fe College has created pathways to success for both new students and healthcare professionals looking to advance their careers.
Program Summary
Santa Fe College’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program welcomes registered nurses who hold accredited Associate in Science in Nursing degrees. Students complete 30 credit hours of upper-division coursework. The program covers leadership, management, nursing theory, research, culture, pharmacology, and community health. Students can take all nursing courses online through convenient 7-week asynchronous sessions.
The program’s quality is backed by accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) through June 30, 2029. This recognition shows that the program meets national academic standards.
Students need a minimum 2.5 overall college GPA to qualify for admission. They must also submit official transcripts from an ACEN or NLN CNEA accredited nursing program and provide their RN license number. Health science students must also complete background checks and show proof of immunizations.
Florida residents pay about $4,493.20 for the program. This includes $3,793.20 for tuition plus distance learning fees and books. Out-of-state students pay higher fees at around $13,564.90. Santa Fe College helps students with various financial aid options like scholarships, federal grants, and veterans benefits.
The program has two courses with hands-on components: NUR4636C Community Health Nursing and NUR4945 BSN Capstone. Each course needs 45 hours of practice experience. Students must earn a C or better in all 3000 and 4000 level courses.
BSN graduates find excellent career opportunities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that BSN-prepared nurses earned a median annual wage of $81,220 as of May 2022. The full program requires 120 credit hours – 31 preprofessional courses, 21 general education courses, 38 lower division electives, and 30 BSN core courses.
Available Program Tracks
Santa Fe College provides several nursing pathways that fit different educational needs and career goals. The Associate in Science in Nursing (A.S.N.) program serves as the foundation through a 3.5-semester program beyond prerequisite coursework. Students can start this track twice a year—fall and spring—with carefully planned coursework across classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings.
Students starting in fall begin their A.S.N. program with fundamentals, older adult care, and pharmacology courses in Term 1. Medical Surgical 1 and 2 follow in Term 2. Spring entry students take a slightly different path with Medical Surgical 1 alone in Term 2 (summer). Both paths conclude with advanced medical-surgical nursing, psychiatric care, and transition practicum.
The RN to BSN Program gives working professionals great flexibility to advance their careers. Students take all nursing courses online in 7-week formats with multiple yearly entry points. NUR3805 Professional Nursing must be completed with at least a C grade in your first term before core coursework begins. Students can choose between two options:
- Part-time: Complete the program over five semesters
- Full-time: Finish in just three semesters
The Practical Nursing Program offers a twelve-month certificate option for nursing beginners. Students must complete 1,350 hours of program class and clinical assignments. Graduates can then take the NCLEX® Examination to become licensed practical nurses.
Every program requires students to achieve a minimum “C” grade in all nursing courses while maintaining a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
Flexible Learning Formats
Santa Fe College’s nursing program stands out with its flexible scheduling options. The BSN nursing courses follow an online, 7-week (half semester) format that works perfectly for working professionals. Students can focus deeply on fewer subjects at once instead of managing multiple courses throughout a traditional semester.
Working nurses can advance their education through flexible, asynchronous instruction. Course materials, lectures, and assignments are available whenever students can study – early morning, late evening, or during weekends.
They employed online learning at Santa Fe College while maintaining high academic standards. Students receive the same academic quality as in-person classes at the time they study online. The program offers instruction from award-winning faculty, specialized support services, and available resources. This steadfast dedication will give a high-quality online education.
The program structure remains digital, but hands-on components play a vital role in BSN education:
- Undergraduate nursing students spend approximately 50% of their educational experience in clinical facilities and 50% in lab and classroom settings
- The BSN program has two courses with practical components: Community Health Nursing and BSN Capstone, each requiring 45 hours of practice experience
Students complete the program in one to two years based on their enrollment choice. Full-time students finish in just three semesters, while part-time students complete coursework over five semesters.
Students must start with NUR3805 Professional Nursing in their original term and earn at least a C before moving to core nursing coursework. The program requires students to maintain at least a C in all 3000 and 4000 level courses to advance successfully.
Entry Criteria & Prerequisites
The Santa Fe College nursing program has a well-laid-out admission process with specific prerequisites that show student readiness. You need a minimum 2.5 overall college GPA to qualify for the RN to BSN program.
Here’s what you need to submit your application:
- Enroll in Santa Fe College
- Submit official transcripts showing graduation from an ACEN or NLN CNEA accredited A.S. Nursing program
- Email your RN license number to Advising@sfcollege.edu (include your SFID)
New A.S. Nursing graduates without a license number can ask about conditional admission options. Health science students must complete state and federal background checks and show proof of required immunizations and negative drug screenings that clinical affiliates require.
The A.S. Nursing program pathway has comprehensive prerequisites. You must earn a C or higher in specific courses beyond the 2.5 GPA requirement:
- English Composition
- College Algebra or Statistics
- General Psychology
- Anatomy & Physiology I and II with labs
- Microbiology with lab
- Human Nutrition
Santa Fe College must evaluate and accept all your transcripts and coursework before your application date. Once your prerequisites are verified, you can apply through your eSantafe account. Just go to the Advisement tab, select “Apply to Program,” and complete the submission steps.
You can upload documentation of your work experience to make your application stronger.
What Sets the BSN Programs Apart at Santa Fe College
Santa Fe College’s nursing program delivers outstanding results that show how well it works. 93.2% of students finish the program, which is a big deal as it means that the 5-year old standard of 70%. Job placement rates stay above 96%, with 96.7% in 2023, 96.1% in 2022, and 98.6% in 2021.
Students’ career growth after graduation tells an impressive story:
- 3% handle more professional duties
- 4% earn promotions
- 7% receive higher pay
- 4% step into leadership roles
The program’s CCNE accreditation runs until 2029, which proves it meets strict national quality standards. Students spend about 50% of their education time in clinical facilities. Strategic collaborations with top institutions like North Florida Regional Medical Center, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, and UFHealth improve the hands-on training experience.
Affordable tuition makes this program an excellent choice for future nurses who want quality education. Yes, it is the program’s focus on clinical skills and patient-centered care that helps graduates succeed in both NCLEX exams and their careers.
The program welcomes students from all backgrounds. Students benefit from excellent teaching, innovative programs, and community healthcare service that creates a detailed educational journey.