University of North Florida

What you'll study

The BSN curriculum combines foundational science and liberal arts with nursing theory, evidence-based practice and supervised clinical experience. Core subjects typically include human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology and statistics. Nursing-specific modules focus on health assessment, adult medical-surgical nursing, maternal-child health, paediatrics, mental health nursing, community and public health nursing, care of older adults, and family nursing.

Students also study leadership and management in nursing, health policy and ethics, and nursing research methods and evidence-based practice to prepare for roles in administration and quality improvement. Practical learning includes skills labs, high-fidelity simulation and multiple clinical placements across acute, community and primary care settings. Most programmes culminate in a practicum or capstone project that integrates clinical practice with a research or quality-improvement focus.

Entry requirements

• Traditional pre-licensure applicants: secondary school completion with strong performance in science and maths; completion of prerequisite college coursework (for example human anatomy & physiology, microbiology, general chemistry and college-level statistics or equivalent). A competitive cumulative GPA in prerequisites is typically required.
• RN-to-BSN applicants: an active, unencumbered Registered Nurse licence and an associate degree or diploma in nursing; completion of any required general-education prerequisites.
• All applicants should expect additional screening such as immunisation and health requirements, background check, and drug screening prior to clinical placements. Some programmes require an admissions test (for example a nursing entrance exam) or submission of a personal statement and references.
• Successful completion of clinical clearance items (CPR certification, immunisations, tuberculosis screening) is normally required before starting clinical courses.

Career prospects

Graduates are eligible to sit for the licensing examination required to practice as a Registered Nurse and typically begin careers as staff nurses in hospitals, community health agencies, primary care clinics and long-term care settings. With the BSN emphasis on leadership and research, graduates are also prepared for roles such as charge nurse, case manager, clinical educator, quality improvement coordinator and public health nurse.

Those interested in management, policy or research can move into nursing administration, clinical leadership positions or work as research coordinators. The BSN is also the standard academic prerequisite for advanced study (master’s and doctoral degrees) leading to nurse practitioner, clinical specialist, nurse educator or executive-level positions.

Why study at University of North Florida

The University of North Florida offers a BSN built around applied learning in an urban and regional health-care environment. Students benefit from modern simulation facilities and supervised clinical placements across a wide range of health-care settings in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, helping to develop practical competence and professional networks.

The nursing faculty bring current clinical experience and a focus on evidence-based practice, leadership and community engagement. The programme follows recognised professional standards and prepares graduates for licensure and for further professional development in administration, research and advanced clinical roles.