FSW BSN Program Guide 2025

FSW’s nursing program is a great pick to launch your healthcare career. Florida SouthWestern State College handed out 159 bachelor’s degrees in nursing during the 2021-2022 academic year. The program’s graduates earn a median salary of $70,923, but this falls short of the national average of $74,888 for nursing graduates.

Planning your BSN educational path needs a good look at FSW’s nursing program costs, requirements, and application deadlines. The program draws students from different backgrounds. Recent graduation statistics show 87% women and 13% men among its graduates. The program’s latest graduating class included 50% white students, which shows FSW’s dedication to training nurses from all walks of life. This piece breaks down everything about FSW’s nursing program to help you choose the right path for your nursing education.

Program Summary

Florida SouthWestern State College has two complete nursing education paths that meet student needs in a variety of ways. The Associate in Science in Nursing (ASN) Program helps students become licensed entry-level Registered Nurses through a strong curriculum of 72 credit hours. The program has 16 credits of general education, 14 credits of program-specific courses, and 42 credits of nursing core courses.

Students can choose between two flexible ASN Program schedules. The traditional day program runs classes during daytime hours Monday through Friday. The evening/weekend schedule works well for students who have daytime commitments. Whatever schedule students pick, success in this demanding academic setting needs their full dedication. Fall semester students can finish the program in 20 months. Spring starters usually complete it in 24 months.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program serves as an online RN-to-BSN degree completion path for registered nurses. The program needs 120 credit hours and creates an uninterrupted career ladder from the ASN degree. Students build on their nursing foundation with specialized courses. The curriculum has professional issues, informatics, pathophysiology, pharmacology, research, advanced health assessment, and leadership courses.

Both programs set high academic standards. ASN program students must earn a grade of ‘C’ (77%) or better in all nursing courses to move forward. BSN program students also need a grade of ‘C’ or better in all upper-division courses.

The Associate and Baccalaureate nursing programs have full accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). This ensures the education meets national quality standards. ASN program graduates can move straight into the BSN program, which creates a clear path for advancing their education.

These programs prepare students for success in today’s faster-changing healthcare environment. They give students the essential knowledge, values, skills, and compassion needed to practice professional nursing.

Available Program Tracks

FSW provides nursing education tracks that match different student needs and career goals. The Associate in Science in Nursing (ASN) program serves students at Charlotte, Collier, and Lee campuses. Students can choose between two distinct scheduling options that fit their lifestyles. The traditional schedule runs during daytime hours Monday through Friday, while the evening/weekend option takes place during evening hours on weekdays and throughout weekends. Students benefit from classroom instruction, laboratory work, simulation education, and clinical practice through online and in-person teaching methods.

The evening/weekend schedule features a Blended-On Campus approach for didactic courses that combines required on-campus meetings with online coursework. The ASN program accepts applications according to a competitive timeline. Students must apply by May 15th for Fall entrance and September 15th for Spring entrance.

FSW also offers an RN-to-BSN Program that creates a career pathway for registered nurses with an associate degree or diploma in nursing. This bachelor’s completion track requires 120 total credit hours, with 36 hours of General Education Requirements and 30 hours of Upper Division Program Requirements. The curriculum covers advanced nursing topics including:

• Professional issues and informatics
• Pathophysiology and pharmacology
• Research methodologies and clinical decision-making
• Advanced health assessment
• Multicultural and community health nursing
• Leadership principles

The BSN program delivers all courses online to fit working professionals’ schedules[82]. Students can take full-time (12+ hours) or part-time (less than 12 hours) course loads based on their schedule. The program prepares nurses to advance their careers in academia, community health, management, and leadership roles. It also builds a strong foundation for graduate-level education[82].

The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredits both the Associate and Baccalaureate programs, which ensures high-quality nursing education standards.

Flexible Learning Formats

FSW’s nursing program adapts to modern education needs by offering exceptional flexibility through multiple learning paths. The BSN program delivers courses 100% online so you can balance work and education easily. You can choose between full-time (12+ credit hours) or part-time (fewer than 12 hours) course loads based on your schedule.

FSW’s ASN program offers two schedule options at the Charlotte, Collier, and Lee campuses:

• Day Schedule: Classes run during daytime hours, Monday through Friday
• Evening and Weekend Schedule: Classes run during evening hours Monday through Friday and weekends

Both schedules combine classroom instruction, lab work, simulation education, and clinical practice through various teaching methods. Students who choose the evening and weekend schedule follow a Blended-On Campus approach that mixes required campus meetings with online coursework. All exams take place on campus, and the online portion runs live in a virtual Zoom classroom.

The Associate Nurse Evening and Weekend (ANEW) program combines flexible hybrid nursing education with online and clinical training that works around your daytime commitments. This setup lets you handle daily activities while working toward your ASN degree.

FSW shows its dedication to flexibility through five course delivery methods:

• Traditional: In-person classroom meetings according to schedule
• Online: Asynchronous instruction via Canvas with no face-to-face meetings
• Blended: Mix of online instruction with required on-campus or virtual meetings
• Live Online: Synchronous virtual instruction via Zoom at scheduled times
• Live Flex: Simultaneous instruction for both in-person and virtual students

This comprehensive approach means you can pursue your nursing education while managing other responsibilities. You might need to try different formats to find what works best with your learning style and schedule.

Entry Criteria & Prerequisites

Careful preparation and attention to detail will help you meet FSW nursing program requirements. The ASN program requires you to complete several prerequisite courses with grades of “C” or better. These courses include Human Nutrition, Composition I, Lifespan Development, and Anatomy & Physiology I. You must also maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in your general education coursework.

The RN-to-BSN program has its own set of qualifications. You’ll need a valid Florida RN license that stays current throughout your enrollment. On top of that, you must complete 60 transferable credit hours from an accredited institution and maintain a 2.5 GPA.

Both programs require you to pass a college-approved criminal background check and drug screen before clinical rotations. You’ll need to cover these costs yourself. Missing these requirements can lead to registration holds and possible dismissal from the program.

The ASN program accepts applications until May 15 for Fall entry and September 15 for Spring entry. BSN program deadlines are August 1 for Fall, December 1 for Spring, and April 1 for Summer terms.

Your enrollment process includes submitting a completed health form, showing proof of immunizations, completing TB screening, and maintaining American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification.

What Sets the BSN Programs Apart at FSW

FSW’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program focuses on creating healthcare leaders through professional development that matters. The program gives you the advanced skills you need for patient care, education, and healthcare leadership roles.

This accredited program (reaffirmed through 2025) goes beyond simple training. Students learn critical thinking and problem-solving skills they need in today’s complex healthcare settings. The program’s Center for Healthcare Training & Simulation Excellence offers ground experience in a high-tech environment that mirrors actual hospital settings.

The numbers make a strong case—RNs earned a median annual salary of $81,220 in 2022. Those with advanced education can earn even more. A BSN degree creates paths to nursing leadership, case management, public health, and specialized clinical positions that typically need bachelor’s-level education.

The curriculum includes specialized courses in professional issues, informatics, pathophysiology, pharmacology, research, and advanced health assessment. This creates nurses who understand healthcare from every angle. Graduates can advance their careers in academia, community health, management, and leadership positions.

FSW’s nursing program stands apart because it serves two key purposes. Students can improve their careers right away while building strong foundations to pursue graduate education later.