University of West Florida BSN Programs
UWF’s BSN Programs provide multiple paths to nursing success and give you the leadership, management, and lifelong learning skills to become a clinical generalist. The UWF School of Nursing helps create nursing professionals who use the nursing process effectively to care for patients from diverse backgrounds in healthcare settings of all types. Students graduating from UWF’s Dr. D.W. McMillan Traditional BSN program have achieved an impressive 91% first-attempt pass rate on the National Council Licensure Exam-RN in the last three years.
The program sharpens your clinical skills while building research awareness. It also promotes critical thinking and encourages advanced study goals. Your completion of this program helps meet healthcare community needs by adding more professional nurses who deliver quality care.
UWF’s nursing education options align with your career goals and educational background:
- Traditional BSN (pre-licensure) for first-time nursing students
- RN to BSN Online program for registered nurses seeking degree advancement
- Graduate nursing degrees with specializations in Nurse Executive, Nurse Educator, or Family Nurse Practitioner
- Entry into Practice ‘Direct Entry’ Master of Science in Nursing program for those with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees
The RN to BSN Online program as one of Florida’s best for 2023. This CCNE-accredited program lets working nurses earn their degree in just one year through a flexible online format.
The BSN program prepares you to:
- Provide evidence-based nursing care
- Develop leadership and communication skills
- Exercise quality care principles
- Meet growing healthcare needs
This specialized program requires a separate application to the School of Nursing beyond general university admission. You’ll need to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and score at least 75% on the TEAS entrance exam.
Graduates can explore many career opportunities with RN’s median annual earnings at $89,440. The job growth looks promising at 15% from 2024 to 2034.
Available Program Tracks
UWF designs nursing education pathways that align with your career goals and educational background. Each program track brings unique advantages to help you succeed in nursing.
The Traditional BSN Program (Dr. D.W. McMillan Bachelor of Science in Nursing) requires 60 credit hours distributed over four consecutive semesters. Students progress through this pre-licensure program as follows:
- First semester: 15 credit hours (Junior semester 1)
- Second semester: 15 credit hours (Junior semester 2)
- Third semester: 14 credit hours (Senior semester 1)
- Fourth semester: 16 credit hours (Senior semester 2)
The RN to BSN Online program gives registered nurses a flexible path to advance their education. Students can complete this CCNE-accredited 30 credit hour program in about 12 months. The 8-week course sessions let you keep your current job while earning your degree. This program is the #2 Online RN-BSN Program in Florida for 2023.
The Entry into Practice (Direct Entry) Master of Science in Nursing (DEMSN) provides an accelerated path into nursing for those with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees. This five-semester, full-time program maintains excellent student-to-faculty ratios—1:20 in classrooms and 1:8 in clinical courses. Students complete over 600 clinical hours in specialties like labor and delivery, surgical, pediatrics, population/public health, and mental health.
BSN-prepared RNs can choose from three specialized MSN tracks:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): Learn to provide primary care throughout the lifespan with a detailed foundation in family, pediatric, and gerontological medicine. UWF’s FNP graduates score 10% higher than the national average on the AANP Certification exam.
- Nurse Executive: Build leadership skills for roles in nursing informatics, case management, risk management, and quality improvement.
- Nursing Education: Blend your clinical experience with adult teaching methods to train future nurses or deliver patient and community education.
UWF nursing programs support different learning styles through face-to-face, hybrid, and online formats.
Flexible Learning Formats
UWF offers nursing education in a variety of learning formats that fit your busy lifestyle. The University of West Florida BSN Programs come with multiple delivery methods – face-to-face, hybrid, and fully online options. You can pursue your nursing education whatever your personal or professional commitments.
The RN to BSN program excels with its 100% online, asynchronous format. You can complete coursework at your own pace without fixed class times – perfect for working nurses who juggle professional duties and family life. Canvas, UWF’s online learning management system, hosts all course materials. The platform lets you connect with recorded lectures, readings, assignments, and discussion groups.
Quality education remains the hallmark of this fully online program. UWF’s Online Master of Science in Nursing has earned recognition among the Top Online Nursing Programs of 2022 by the Princeton Review. The online RN-BSN program ranks among Florida’s finest for 2023.
Distance students can easily access all coursework in UWF’s online nursing programs. Students who need practical experience can complete practicums in their local area. The RN to BSN program has guided clinical practice activities right in your community.
UWF boosts the online learning experience through:
- Live streaming video and audio capabilities
- Recorded video and audio lectures
- Applications optimized for tablet and smartphone access
- Quick instructor support with responses within 24 hours
The University of West Florida’s BSN programs adapt to your life circumstances. You choose the format that works best for you.
Entry Criteria & Prerequisites
The University of West Florida BSN Program has strict admission requirements. You need a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale with no exceptions. The TEAS entrance exam requires at least a 75% composite score.
Students must finish all general education requirements before admission. This includes foreign language proficiency. You can meet this requirement through two years of high school foreign language. Another option is two semesters of the same language at college level.
The program requires these prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better:
- Anatomy & Physiology I and II with labs (4 credits each)
- Microbiology with lab (4 credits)
- Elements of Statistics (3 credits)
- Principles of Nutrition (3 credits)
- Human Development Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
- Additional science course (CHM, BSC, BCH, PCB, or PHY prefix)
- Social science course (PSY, SOP, or SYG prefix)
Note that prerequisite coursework older than 10 years needs retaking. You can apply with courses in progress, but must complete them before starting the nursing curriculum.
Accepted students must provide immunization records and pass several checks. These include a Level 2 criminal background check, VECHS fingerprinting, and drug screening. Students applying to the Evening/Weekend program need proof of healthcare employment lasting at least one year.
What Sets the BSN Programs Apart at University of West Florida
UWF’s BSN programs excel in Florida’s nursing education through quality indicators and student-focused approaches. Students gain several advantages that prepare them for success in today’s healthcare environment.
The program’s NCLEX pass rates demonstrate excellence. Traditional BSN graduates maintain a 91% first-attempt pass rate, which sits substantially above national averages. This stellar performance showcases the program’s strong curriculum and the core team’s commitment.
There’s another reason the program stands out – its individual-specific experience. Students benefit from excellent faculty-to-student ratios—1:20 in classrooms and 1:8 in clinical settings. These numbers ensure students receive the attention they need to develop advanced nursing skills. Small class sizes help build meaningful connections with instructors who bring their real-life expertise to the classroom.
Program versatility adds value to students’ education. Many BSN schools follow rigid schedules, but UWF provides evening/weekend options among traditional formats to meet various student needs. Students can complete clinical placements in their local area when possible.
Program recognition verifies UWF’s excellence. The RN-BSN program ranks ranked #2 in Florida, while MSN programs score 10% higher than national averages on certification exams. UWF’s nursing programs provide detailed student support services. Dedicated nursing advisors and simulation laboratories with innovative technology create an unmatched educational experience at University of West Florida BSN Programs.
Start your nursing career with UWF’s nationally recognized BSN programs. The university accepts applications throughout the year with multiple start dates. Students can choose education options that match their backgrounds and goals.
The Traditional BSN track opens applications every spring for August start dates. Healthcare professionals can opt for the Evening/Weekend BSN program that runs on the same schedule but holds classes at convenient hours to fit work commitments.
Registered nurses looking to advance their careers can join the RN to BSN Online program. With starts in January, May, and August, and rolling admissions all year, nurses can begin their studies when it works best for them.
Nurses planning graduate studies can apply to the Direct Entry MSN program by February 15 for August starts. Other MSN tracks welcome students in both fall and spring semesters.
UWF nursing graduates achieve remarkable success in their careers. They consistently score high on NCLEX exams and find jobs in hospitals, clinics, schools, and community health centers. Most alumni land positions in their preferred specialty areas within six months after graduation. These graduates help address critical nursing shortages in Florida and other states.
Want to move forward? UWF’s nursing advisors will help you pick the program that best matches your career goals and education background.