Jacksonville University BSN Programs

The Keigwin School of Nursing at Jacksonville University is the core of nursing education. Its mission focuses on developing self-assured, clinically competent healthcare professionals. The school values students from different backgrounds and experiences. It emphasizes a liberal arts foundation, scholarly research, and hands-on learning opportunities in nursing education.

Jacksonville University has several distinct BSN program tracks that fit different educational backgrounds and career goals. The Traditional BSN Program follows a 28-month curriculum plan with start dates in August and January. Students complete their program in December or May. Students attend campus four days each week and have clinical rotations one day per week.

Jacksonville University offers multiple faster paths to nursing through mutually beneficial alliances with healthcare providers:

• 12-Month Baptist Health Partnership Program – Perfect for degree-holders who want to switch careers with a focus on Critical Care
• 16-Month St. Vincent’s Ascension Partnership Program – Features mentorship opportunities and potential scholarships
• 20-Month Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing Program – Northeast Florida’s first program of its kind, starting Fall 2025

The Online RN-BSN program lets registered nurses earn their bachelor’s degree in just 12 months through a flexible, 100% online format.

Jacksonville University’s nursing students achieve an impressive 90-100% first-time NCLEX pass rate average. This success shows the program’s academic excellence. The university ranks #48 on Niche’s 2025 Best Colleges for Nursing in America list, placing it in the top 10% nationwide.

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredits all nursing programs at Jacksonville University. This accreditation ensures graduates receive education that meets high professional standards. BSN graduates learn to provide culturally appropriate patient-centered care. They can apply evidence-based knowledge to practice and show leadership in interdisciplinary healthcare settings.

Students learn through simulation labs, varied clinical rotations, and detailed coursework to succeed in today’s complex healthcare world. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an average registered nurse salary of $86,070. Jacksonville University’s BSN programs create a promising path to a rewarding nursing career while meeting critical healthcare workforce needs.

Available Program Tracks

Jacksonville University’s Keigwin School of Nursing has multiple program tracks that fit different educational backgrounds and career goals. Each track meets high-quality nursing education standards and adapts to specific student needs.

The Traditional BSN Program follows a well-laid-out 28-month curriculum that students must complete fully. Students can start in Fall or Spring terms, and all courses take place on campus. Clinical rotations happen one to two days weekly at affiliated hospitals, which gives students ground experience in healthcare settings. This program also qualifies for the Navy’s Military Enlisted Commissioning Program (MECP).

Students with prior degrees looking to switch careers can choose from several Accelerated BSN Options at Jacksonville University:

• The 12-month Baptist Health track combines four 8-week terms with one 16-week semester at the Arlington campus
• The 12-month Mayo Clinic partnership track starts in late April/early May and provides specialized training at this prestigious institution
• The 16-month track includes four 16-week semesters at the Arlington campus and allows students to work part-time while studying
• The new 20-month Accelerated Direct Entry MSN Program launches in Fall 2025 as Northeast Florida’s first program of its kind

The Freshman Acceptance Program gives high school graduates a direct path to nursing education through early admission and a well-laid-out curriculum plan from day one.

Registered nurses can advance their education through the RN-BSN Completion Track. This fully online program takes as little as 12 months to complete and gives 30 credit hours toward the 120-hour requirement for an active RN license. Working professionals benefit from small class sizes and part-time options that ensure individual attention.

These tracks stand out because they match industry needs perfectly. The accelerated programs partner with leading healthcare institutions like Baptist Health, Mayo Clinic, and St. Vincent’s Ascension to blend academic excellence with ground clinical experience.

Flexible Learning Formats

Jacksonville University’s nursing education philosophy puts flexibility first. This approach works great for working professionals who want to advance their careers while keeping their current lifestyle. The university’s programs fit students’ priorities and schedules through different program tracks.

The RN-BSN program gives you amazing flexibility with its 100% online format, which works perfectly when you have a busy professional life. You can finish this program in just 12 months with full-time study. The part-time options let you adjust your course load based on your life situation. Whatever your pace, dedicated academic advisors help you customize your program to match your schedule.

This tailored approach shows up in the course structure too. The online format includes:

• Courses in easy-to-manage 7-week sessions that begin six times yearly
• A learning environment you can access anytime to fit your schedule
• Freedom to take one course per session or skip a term if needed
• Success coaches who help you adapt to online learning

Small class sizes ensure you get personal attention even in the online format. This mix of structure and flexibility lets you earn your degree your way without giving up quality education.

Traditional and accelerated programs have different scheduling needs. The 12-month accelerated program runs on an intensive schedule that makes outside work tough due to daytime classes (8:00am-6:00pm) and clinical rotations during nights and weekends. The 16-month program gives you a bit more room to breathe. You might even manage part-time work with a flexible schedule, like a Certified Nursing Assistant position.

Each program uses a “lock-step” curriculum. You need to complete each course in order to build your skills properly. This well-laid-out approach, combined with flexible options, creates the perfect learning environment to match different student needs.

Entry Criteria & Prerequisites

Getting into Jacksonville University’s BSN programs takes strong academic performance and specific prerequisite courses. Students who want to join these competitive nursing programs should prepare thoroughly and pay attention to every detail.

The nursing tracks at Jacksonville University require seven basic prerequisite courses:

• Human Anatomy & Physiology I with lab (4 credits, taken within last 10 years)
• Human Anatomy & Physiology II with lab (4 credits, taken within last 10 years)
• General Chemistry with lab (4 credits)
• Microbiology with lab (4 credits)
• Nutrition (3 credits)
• Human Growth & Development (3 credits)
• Statistics (3 credits)

Students must earn grades of ‘C’ or higher from regionally accredited institutions for these prerequisites. These specific courses are mandatory whatever your prior training or experience, even with a bachelor’s degree in another field.

You’ll need to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale in all programs. You can apply before finishing all prerequisites, but they must be completed before starting your program.

Students in the Traditional BSN program must either complete JU Core curriculum (current JU students can apply with maximum two incomplete Bachelor Core classes) or have an associate’s/bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.

The Freshman Acceptance Program gives high school seniors a direct entry path. They just need a weighted high school GPA of 3.50, ‘B’ or higher in Chemistry, Biology, and Algebra II, plus standardized test scores (SAT 1180, ACT 24, or CLT 77).

Your application should include the online form, unofficial transcripts from all schools attended, proof of enrollment for pending prerequisites, a nursing writing sample (200-word limit for three prompts), and a virtual interview.

The university offers courtesy evaluations of unofficial transcripts to help you check if you meet minimum requirements before applying. Healthcare workers with A&P courses older than 10 years can ask the review committee to think about making an exception.

Note that meeting minimum requirements doesn’t guarantee you’ll get in. The university evaluates applications based on cumulative GPA, prerequisite GPA, writing sample, and virtual interview performance.

What Sets the  BSN Programs Apart at Jacksonville University

Jacksonville University’s BSN programs stand out because of their fresh take on nursing education. The university helps students become confident healthcare professionals by perfectly balancing academic excellence with hands-on experience.

These programs shine with an impressive 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio that will give a more tailored learning experience. This personal attention helps explain why graduates consistently achieve an outstanding 90-100% first-time NCLEX pass rate.

Students practice crucial skills in cutting-edge simulation labs before their clinical placements. Their clinical experience takes place in a variety of healthcare settings throughout Northeast Florida. This gives them valuable exposure to different patient groups and real healthcare scenarios.

The university’s strategic collaborations with leading institutions like Baptist Health, Mayo Clinic, and St. Vincent’s Ascension make it exceptional. These partnerships improve clinical learning opportunities and often create job prospects after graduation.

The nursing school teaches evidence-based practice so students can provide quality care based on current research. This strong foundation, combined with courses covering new healthcare trends, prepares graduates to meet modern nursing’s evolving needs.

The BSN programs’ success speaks for itself – more than 95% of graduates find employment within six months of finishing their degree. This is a big deal as it means that Jacksonville University effectively prepares its students for rewarding nursing careers.