University of Central Florida BSN Programs

The University of Central Florida serves as the core of nursing education. UCF produces the highest number of newly licensed registered nurses in the Florida State University System. The university’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs give students the skills to provide complete care in healthcare settings of all types. This includes acute, community, and rehabilitative environments.

UCF’s BSN curriculum focuses on clinical nursing practice, health promotion, and leadership development. The program creates a strong foundation for students who want to pursue graduate studies. The program design works well for students from different educational backgrounds and career stages. Students can choose from flexible, convenient, and affordable options that help them balance their studies with work and family life.

The Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) has accredited UCF’s nursing programs. This ensures students meet Florida’s educational requirements for registered nurse licensure. The university’s recent BSN graduates achieved an impressive NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate of 97%. This is a big deal as it means that they performed better than state and national averages.

Students get more than just classroom instruction. They learn hands-on skills at UCF’s internationally recognized healthcare simulation center. The college supports students’ educational experience by awarding over 100 scholarships each year to BSN and graduate nursing students.

UCF offers four distinct BSN tracks:

• Traditional BSN: Available at Orlando, Cocoa, and Daytona Beach campuses, this track provides a foundation for professional nursing practice
• Accelerated Second Degree: Designed for those with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees, this full-time program spans four consecutive semesters including summers
• Concurrent ASN to BSN: Allows students to simultaneously take ASN courses at approved state colleges while earning BSN credits at UCF
• RN to BSN: Created for registered nurses with associate degrees or diplomas seeking to advance their education

UCF’s nursing programs have a lasting effect throughout Florida. About 92% of BSN graduates stay in the state after graduation. This helps address the state’s nursing workforce needs. Florida has one of the highest employment levels of registered nurses nationwide, with graduates earning an annual mean wage of $69,510.

UCF’s steadfast dedication to diversity in nursing education shows in its status as a Hispanic Serving Institution. The university prepares graduates who can handle the challenges of 21st-century healthcare effectively.

Available Program Tracks

UCF College of Nursing offers several paths to earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Each path fits different educational backgrounds and career stages. UCF stands out as the institution that produces the most newly licensed registered nurses in Florida’s State University System. The college has created a detailed range of program tracks that match student needs.

The Traditional BSN track builds the foundation for professional nursing practice. Students can join this limited-access, upper-division program twice a year at the Orlando campus. The Cocoa and Daytona Beach locations accept students once yearly. The program runs full-time in a “lock-step” format and takes five consecutive semesters to finish, including summers. Students who graduate become eligible to take the RN licensure exam.

The Second Degree BSN gives professionals with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees a faster route to change careers. This focused track runs for four consecutive semesters, including summers. The Orlando campus welcomes new students each summer with limited spots. The simplified curriculum stays rigorous while recognizing your previous degree work.

The Concurrent ASN to BSN track brings a fresh approach to nursing education. Strategic collaborations with Seminole State College (Altamonte Springs campus) and Valencia College (West campus) let you take ASN courses at these state colleges while studying BSN courses at UCF. Students from any Florida College System ASN program can also choose a fully online concurrent option after their first semester. This approach helps you finish your ASN with more than half of your BSN credits completed, so you get your bachelor’s degree faster.

The Online RN to BSN track serves registered nurses who have completed an Associate of Science in Nursing degree or diploma program. This web-based program offers most courses online, with optional face-to-face classes at UCF Connect regional campuses. Working nurses can advance their education while keeping their jobs.

Students in both the RN to BSN and Florida College System Concurrent programs have an extra advantage. They can take up to 9 credit hours of graduate courses during their bachelor’s program, getting ahead on graduate studies.

Flexible Learning Formats

UCF’s BSN Programs offer learning formats that adapt to your lifestyle. You can choose between online learning or face-to-face instruction based on what works best for you.

The fully online RN to BSN program comes with a reduced tuition rate that excludes campus-based fees. You can complete this program quickly in three semesters or take up to ten semesters. The program gives you the freedom to learn at your own pace. While all courses are available online, some classes and labs are offered in person at select campuses.

The quality of education remains consistent at UCF. Online programs employ the same faculty, academic standards, and learning activities as their campus-based counterparts. These programs are extensions of the on-campus experience with similar policies and course expectations.

The programs become more accessible through technology features:

• Live streaming video and audio capabilities
• Recorded and archived lectures for on-demand viewing
• Software-based readers for text accessibility
• Mobile applications optimized for tablets and smartphones via Canvas LMS

Students can watch most online classes anytime since they’re recorded and archived. The distance learning format doesn’t stop you from joining campus activities and commencement ceremonies.

Your clinical practice requirements can be completed right in your home community. This setup means you won’t have to relocate for hands-on training. You’ll gain real-life experience in the healthcare environment where you might end up working.

UCF’s academic progression options add more flexibility. You can jumpstart your graduate education by substituting up to 9 credit hours of graduate coursework during your RN to BSN program. Of course, this path helps you earn advanced nursing credentials faster without spending extra time in school.

Entry Criteria & Prerequisites

The University of Central Florida’s BSN Programs operate as limited-access programs with specific admission criteria. The original application process starts with submitting your UCF application about three months before the College of Nursing’s deadline.

The Traditional BSN or Second Degree BSN tracks require:

• A minimum 3.0 overall/cumulative GPA
• A minimum TEAS test score of 78%
• Completion of at least 7 out of 8 prerequisite courses by the application deadline
• UCF admission before applying to the College of Nursing
• A clean background check (submitted within one week of conditional admission)

The RN to BSN program candidates must meet these requirements:

• 8 cumulative GPA
• Valid Florida RN license
• 7 of 8 prerequisites completed

Students must complete prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” (2.0) or better. These courses include Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Microbiology with lab, Chemistry, Psychology or Sociology, Human Growth and Development, Human Nutrition, and Statistics.

Campus-based BSN program students need either an AA degree from a Florida public institution, completion of UCF’s General Education Program requirements, or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

Students must maintain Florida residency throughout their educational program.

What Sets the BSN Programs Apart at University Of Central Florida

The University Of Central Florida BSN Programs set themselves apart through exceptional quality markers that go beyond numbers and program options. The UCF College of Nursing holds a prestigious Nursing Education Program designation from the National League for Nursing Center of Excellence. This recognition places UCF among the top 10% of nursing schools nationwide.

UCF’s nursing education stands out because of its outstanding clinical experiences. Students get hands-on practice at more than 400 healthcare organizations throughout Central Florida. Major hospital systems and specialized clinics provide practical settings where healthcare decisions affect lives every day.

Your educational experience becomes even more valuable with UCF’s exceptional faculty composition. UCF stands out from other nursing programs by maintaining 93% of courses taught by full-time faculty. These educators bring doctoral degrees and extensive clinical experience to the classroom.

UCF offers numerous research opportunities to undergraduates. Faculty members secure about $3 million yearly in external funding for health-related studies. Students can join groundbreaking investigations that tackle today’s healthcare challenges in this research-rich environment.

Quality shines through the program’s outcomes. UCF nursing graduates achieve 90%+ employment rates within six months after completing the program. Many students receive job offers even before graduation. Students looking for a BSN program in Orlando Florida will find UCF offers outstanding value through its combination of strong academics and comprehensive clinical training.