Florida International University BSN Programs

The Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences at Florida International University offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program that serves as the core of nursing education. Students learn to tackle nursing shortages and adapt to the changing healthcare environment. The program blends classroom teaching with modern approaches that include web-enhanced learning, simulation-based education, and community service experiences.

FIU’s five BSN pathways meet different student needs:

• Traditional BSN: A full-time, five-semester program requiring 120 total credits with 70 upper division credits
• RN to BSN: A pathway for registered nurses to advance their education
• Accelerated Option (AO): A four-semester curriculum with 58 upper division credits
• RN to BSN/MSN: A direct path from bachelor’s to master’s education
• Foreign Educated Physician BSN: A program created for international medical graduates

The Traditional BSN program accepts students in Fall and Spring semesters and welcomes about 100 students each year. Students attend classes at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus, which creates a stable learning environment.

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits all BSN programs at Florida International University. Students receive hands-on, learner-centered education based on proven practices. This approach gives you the clinical skills, critical thinking abilities, and ethical reasoning needed for success in the field.

BSN graduates can take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®). A passing score leads to registered nurse licensure and opens many career paths. The BSN degree also builds a strong base for master’s and doctoral studies in nursing.

Competition for admission runs high. The Traditional BSN program reviews applications on a rolling basis for both Fall and Spring terms. Each semester, only 100 students join the program, which shows its selective nature and academic standards.

Expert nursing faculty with rich experience as clinicians, educators, and scholars will guide your learning at FIU. Modern facilities like the S.T.A.R. Center (Simulation Teaching and Research) combine with faculty expertise to create an ideal environment. Here, you’ll develop skills crucial for today’s complex healthcare settings.

Available Program Tracks

Florida International University has five different BSN pathways that cater to various types of students who want to become nurses.

The Traditional BSN program is the cornerstone of FIU’s nursing education. This full-time program runs for five semesters and needs 70 upper division credits. Students attend classes at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus, with new groups starting in Fall and Spring semesters. The program takes about 100 students each year, which makes it very competitive. After graduating, you can take the NCLEX-RN® examination to become a licensed registered nurse.

The Accelerated Option BSN (AO BSN) helps career-changers with bachelor’s degrees enter nursing faster. This intensive program fits the curriculum into four semesters with 61 credits. The AO BSN accepts students once a year in fall, with classes at the Biscayne Bay Campus. Around 60 students join this focused path to nursing licensure each year.

Licensed registered nurses can advance their careers through the RN to BSN program. This online program is flexible and takes just three full-time semesters, with a minimum of 30 additional upper division credits beyond your nursing education.

The RN to BSN/MSN pathway lets registered nurses move naturally from bachelor’s to master’s level education. Students can specialize in Nursing Education or various Nurse Practitioner concentrations.

The Foreign Educated Physician BSN program gives international medical graduates a chance to practice nursing in the United States. This complete program takes 8-9 semesters with at least 60 upper division credits.

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits all five BSN pathways, which ensures quality education that meets professional standards.

Flexible Learning Formats

Florida International University offers BSN programs in different learning formats that fit students’ needs. The programs combine classroom learning with tech-enhanced instruction, simulation training, and community service projects.

Students in the Traditional BSN and Accelerated Option (AO) BSN move through their courses as a group from start to finish. The AO BSN has four semesters of full-time coursework at the Biscayne Bay Campus. New students can join this program once a year in fall.

While FIU doesn’t have completely online nursing programs at the undergraduate level, most courses include tech-enhanced learning components. These hybrid courses use computer technology to share content, give quizzes, and host discussions. Students learn both hands-on clinical skills and tech skills they’ll need in modern healthcare settings.

The RN to BSN program gives registered nurses looking to advance their careers great flexibility with its online format. Students can choose full-time or part-time options that work around their job schedules. They have three years or nine semesters to finish the program. Students must complete a minimum of 30 additional credits of upper-division online coursework plus 30 credits from clinical work and prior learning.

The RN to BSN/MSN pathway also offers flexible options based on your specialty choice. Students can take the Nursing Education track online, while the Nurse Practitioner track runs as a full-time hybrid program.

FIU’s programs feature interactive learning tech that lets students watch lectures, get feedback from nursing experts, and work with classmates on projects. This approach helps students succeed in today’s complex healthcare world while meeting their educational goals.

Entry Criteria & Prerequisites

FIU’s BSN programs have specific admission criteria, and each program follows a competitive evaluation process. The university reviews applications on a rolling basis and releases decisions quickly. Students who meet deadlines will get a fair review.

The Traditional BSN program requires you to complete an Associate in Arts (AA) degree or meet all FIU Core Curriculum requirements. You’ll need a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25, though most accepted students have GPAs around 3.7. The ATI TEAS (7th Edition) nursing entrance exam requires at least 70% detailed score and 62% science score.

Students seeking a second bachelor’s degree through the Accelerated Option BSN must have their first degree from a regionally accredited institution. A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and 3.25 GPA in nursing prerequisites are required. Science prerequisites should be finished before applying, while non-science prerequisites can be in progress.

BSN degrees for Foreign Educated Physicians have unique requirements. These include a medical degree from an accredited non-US university, transcript evaluation by Josef Silny & Associates or NACES member, and a minimum 2.5 GPA. Students must also meet FIU’s English-language proficiency standards.

Every program requires specific prerequisite courses. These include statistics, human growth and development, nutrition, anatomy and physiology with labs, microbiology with lab, and chemistry with lab. Science prerequisites must be less than 10 years old. Students can repeat science prerequisites with grades below C- only once.

Students must submit both the FIU admissions application and the NursingCAS application. The nursing school recommends attending an information session at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus before starting your application.

What Sets the BSN Programs Apart at Florida International University

FIU’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs excel beyond their curriculum and admission requirements. Our graduates consistently achieve NCLEX-RN pass rates higher than state and national averages – proof of the excellent preparation students receive here.

The state-of-the-art Simulation Teaching and Research Center (S.T.A.R. Center) provides students with immersive clinical experiences. High-fidelity mannequins simulate ground healthcare scenarios that build student confidence before actual patient care begins.

Distinguished faculty at the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences bring their clinical expertise and research credentials directly to students. These professionals hold doctoral degrees and run active clinical practices, which ensures students learn from experts with current field experience.

Strategic collaborations with South Florida’s premier healthcare facilities provide students access to clinical placements in various specialties. These connections often lead to job opportunities after graduation.

FIU’s BSN programs stand out through their focus on developing culturally competent nurses ready to serve diverse patient populations. Miami’s multicultural environment provides students with a great way to get experience working with patients from different backgrounds – a crucial skill in today’s global healthcare world.