University of North Florida BSN Programs

Want to fast-track your nursing career? The University of North Florida BSN programs let you earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing within just one year. The program runs completely online with flexible 6- and 8-week terms that work perfectly for working professionals.
UNF’s nursing programs deliver both speed and excellence. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education has accredited all nursing programs, including the BSN program at Jacksonville FL. The curriculum helps students grasp community healthcare environments and build strong connections with local agencies. Florida residents pay an affordable tuition of approximately $5,979, while non-residents pay $20,383.
Students can complete their studies full-time in three traditional semesters or take up to three years with part-time enrollment. These accelerated nursing programs in Jacksonville, Florida prepare graduates comprehensively. After completing the program, graduates can take the NCLEX-RN licensing exam and start their professional nursing careers.
Available Program Tracks
The University of North Florida’s School of Nursing lets you earn your BSN degree through multiple pathways that match your educational background and career goals. The Brooks College of Health has created several distinct program tracks to fit your specific needs.
The Nursing Prelicensure BSN track is UNF’s core nursing education program. Students can join this traditional path during spring, summer, or fall semesters after completing at least 60 semester hours. The School of Nursing will reserve half of its available seats for applicants with a BSN prerequisite GPA of 3.60 or higher starting Spring 2025. This full-time program spans five semesters of dedicated nursing education.
The Freshman Admit Nursing BSN track is a chance to start your nursing journey right from your first day. This program welcomes up to 50 new students each fall in a cohort-based format. Students take one nursing course per semester during their first three terms. The program then transitions to full nursing coursework from sophomore year onward. You’ll graduate in four years with a spring completion date.
The RN-BSN Bridge Online track serves working professionals who already hold RN licensure. Nurses nationwide can enroll in this fully online program with an active RN license from their state of residence. The program has earned the High-Quality (HQ) designation that shows its courses meet research-based design standards. Most students complete their studies in about one year through convenient 6- and 8-week terms, equivalent to three traditional semesters.
The Accelerated Prelicensure BSN option helps you if you have a bachelor’s degree in another field. This focused program compresses nursing studies into 24 months since you’ve already met general education requirements. Your practical experience comes from two 12-hour shifts each week at local hospitals.
Each track embraces UNF’s steadfast dedication to community-based learning. You’ll gain varied clinical experiences and work with vulnerable populations. The curriculum combines scientific basics with professional nursing concepts and builds strong foundations for graduate nursing studies.
Flexible Learning Formats
The University of North Florida BSN programs offer a flexible learning experience that works well with busy professionals’ schedules. UNF takes an innovative approach with accelerated 6-week and 8-week terms throughout the year. Students can focus deeply on fewer subjects at once through this condensed timeline.
Quality nursing education becomes available to students whatever their location through the online format. Students usually take two courses in each 8-week term. This creates a workload that balances academic standards with job responsibilities. The recorded and archived online classes let students watch lectures at their convenience.
UNF’s flexibility goes beyond course structure with its support systems. UNF Online Student Success Coaches help students from their first interest through enrollment. These coaches work with program advisors to help students use resources effectively for a smooth online learning experience.
The online BSN programs run on reliable technical infrastructure with these features:
- 24/7 live technical support
- Recorded video and audio content
- Interactive discussion boards
- Detailed learning management system
- Courses designed by certified instructional designers
- Adaptive learning technology
Students can start their program in new cohorts every January, May, and August. This lets them line up their educational experience with their personal and work priorities instead of following traditional academic calendars.
The RN-BSN Bridge Online program shows UNF’s flexible approach best. Full-time registered nurses can complete their education in just three traditional semesters – about one year. Part-time options give students control over their pace.
Students outside Florida should check the State Authorization page before applying. This ensures they meet interstate education regulations. UNF maintains this detailed approach to make education available and compliant across its accelerated nursing programs in Jacksonville, Florida.
The School of Nursing understands that students often juggle many responsibilities. These well-designed flexible formats make earning your BSN at University of North Florida achievable, whatever your current commitments.
Entry Criteria & Prerequisites
Students who want to join the University Of North Florida BSN Programs need to meet several academic measures. The program accepts applications in spring, summer, and fall semesters through a competitive selection process.
You should complete UNF’s General Education and Gordon Rule requirements before starting the program. This usually means finishing 60 semester hours or having an Associate of Arts degree from a Florida public institution.
The program sets high GPA standards:
- A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- A BSN prerequisite GPA of at least 3.40
- Students with a 3.60 or higher prerequisite GPA receive priority consideration
Starting Spring 2025, UNF will reserve half of its available seats based on this priority prerequisite GPA threshold.
Students need to complete at least 6 of 8 nursing-specific prerequisite courses when they apply. This includes 3 science prerequisites from Microbiology, Anatomy & Physiology I with lab, Anatomy & Physiology II with lab, or an additional science course. Your application should include proof of enrollment in any remaining courses.
The 27-credit prerequisite curriculum includes:
- Social science course
- Lifespan Developmental Psychology
- Elementary Statistics
- Basic Principles of Human Nutrition
- Microbiology with lab
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II with labs
- Additional science course
International students need to prove their English proficiency through standardized testing scores: TOEFL (79.0), IELTS (6.5), or Duolingo (110.0).
The admission process requires completion of Florida’s Civic Literacy requirement. Students should pass a designated civic literacy course and assessment before admission.
Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. The nursing program follows Specialized Admissions with limited seats based on clinical education settings.
What Sets the BSN Programs Apart at University of North Florida
The University of North Florida BSN Programs stand out because of their dedication to educational excellence. These programs are different from other nursing education options. Students can apply their theoretical knowledge to ground healthcare settings right from the start, and the School of Nursing emphasizes practical clinical experiences throughout your educational experience.
Your instructors’ expertise makes UNF’s nursing education special. They combine extensive clinical backgrounds with academic credentials to keep instruction rooted in current healthcare practices. This mix of academic excellence and practical wisdom creates an environment where theory and application strengthen each other.
The program takes a community-based approach to nursing education that adds tremendous value. Clinical rotations go beyond traditional hospital settings. Students learn in a variety of care environments, from community clinics to schools and specialized facilities. This wide exposure prepares them for today’s healthcare world where nursing care reaches far beyond hospital walls.
Small cohort sizes in UNF’s BSN programs promote strong connections with faculty and peers. Students receive customized attention and mentorship opportunities that larger programs can’t match. These relationships often continue after graduation and create professional networks that boost career growth.
Evidence-based practice principles are part of the curriculum from the beginning. Students learn to deliver care based on current research and learn about nursing knowledge. This research-focused foundation becomes especially valuable when pursuing advanced nursing degrees.
Advanced simulation technology adds another dimension to the program. Modern simulation labs create clinical scenarios in controlled settings. Students develop critical thinking and technical skills before working with real patients. This innovative approach builds clinical confidence while keeping patient safety first.
UNF’s accelerated nursing programs in Jacksonville, Florida show their quality through high NCLEX-RN pass rates and graduate employment numbers. These results show how well the program prepares its students.