RN-BSN Bridge Track

Admission Criteria & Guidelines
Important Dates
How to Apply
Answers to FAQs Regarding the Admission Process (pdf)
Items Required if Admitted

RN-BSN Bridge Program Description & Curriculum

This track is for those who are already Registered Nurses (RNs) from community college or diploma programs and who desire to further their nursing education and expand their career opportunities by completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.  Today’s healthcare arena is increasingly complex with its high-tech focus in the hospital, its shift toward population-based health care management in the community, and the increasing influence of political and economic forces on all phases of healthcare. The broad knowledge base found in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing provides the opportunity for RNs to gain the competencies necessary to excel in the current and future healthcare job market.

The faculty use web-enhanced technology combined with individualized attention to focus learning on the most current trends and competencies necessary for professional growth and advancement. The curriculum provides a strong scientific base of study with unique opportunities to work with vulnerable and underserved populations.  A BSN at UNF offers registered nurses a learning environment in which to:

1. increase competency in health assessment across the lifespan.
2. gain expertise necessary to the care of individuals within the context of family and community.
3. expand professional and interpersonal communication skills.
4. use critical thinking skills to nursing research for its application to practice.
5. broaden leadership competencies needed for the 21st century.

The program is offered in a RN-designated, full-time enrollment cohort twice per year (spring and summer) that allows RNs to complete the program in three (3) semesters.  Classroom-based curriculum is scheduled one day per week, (either a Tuesday or Wednesday) for the three semesters the student is enrolled in the program.  A small number of clinical hours are self-scheduled by the student during the first two semesters of study, and in the 3rd semester students self-schedule professional nursing integration clinical hours, in addition to having another day of the week dedicated to community clinicals.   The nursing program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. 

Two types of courses make up the nursing curriculum: professional courses and clinical/laboratory courses. Clinical/laboratory courses are distinguished by the C or L that follows the course number.  The nursing curriculum is a full-time course of study and follows a specific sequence:

Total credit requirements for graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing are 64 credits.  Of these 64 credits, 34 credits are the required nursing courses listed above; the remaining 30 credits are awarded based upon validation of previous nursing knowledge through satisfactory completion of the NCLEX examination within two (2) years of enrollment into the RN-BSN track.

Students may also validate credits if they have been active in their nursing practice and can document one year of full time employment over the previous three years prior to enrollment in nursing courses. If the above criteria cannot be documented, at his/her own expense, the student will be required to take the NLN Mobility Profile II Examination before starting the nursing program. Details regarding how to take the NLN exam are available from the Office of Academic Testing (contact Heather Stake) at 904.620.2789. When the above criteria have been satisfied, 30 credits will be placed in escrow until the semester of graduation. The student will then graduate with a total of 64 nursing credits. 

UNF Course Schedules

Admission Criteria & Guidelines

Admission Access:
While seats in the RN-BSN track are not governed by the Florida Board of Nursing, as are the Prelicensure and Accelerated Prelicensure seats, the seats are, nonetheless, limited each term by the size of the facility utilized for the cohort. Each cohort can typically accommodate 30 students; seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis for qualified applicants.

Admission Requirements:

1. Active license to practice nursing in Florida;
2. Prospective students must successfully complete the following to enroll in nursing courses:
   a. Sixty (60) semester hours of coursework with the satisfaction of UNF general education, and
   b. College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST)
   -OR-
   c. An AA degree from a Florida public institution
   
3.  Minimum overall GPA of at least 2.9 on a 4.0 scale
4.  Completion of nursing prerequisite courses with no grade lower than “C”;

Nursing Prerequisite Requirements

*Note that the course numbers and titles are those as offered at UNF; titles and numbers may vary from school to school.  For inquiries regarding these courses, please email the Nursing Admissions Coordinator (email found below).

Important Dates

Undergraduate Nursing Application Deadlines 2009

General deadlines for the university may be obtained via the Admissions website at: www.unf.edu/admissions/applying/deadlines.html

How to Apply

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Regarding Admission

ALL APPLICANTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR REVIEWING THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OUTLINED IN THE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS!

RN-BSN Track FAQs

Requirements for Transfer Students
Due to unprecedented demand for enrollment and a simultaneous budget reduction from the State, the University of North Florida’s upper-level transfer student admission policy has recently changed.
Click here for important UNF Transfer Polices

Items Required if Admitted

If admitted to the RN-BSN track there will be several things required before registering for courses:

1. Copy of active Florida registered nursing license;
2. Proof of current CPR certificate for adult, child, infant, and 2-person;
3. TB skin test or chest x-ray (negative for active disease);
4. Immunization (with titer proof) against Hepatitis B;
5. Positive Varicella (chicken pox) titer (vaccine, then titer if necessary);
6. Health report indicating that there is no health condition present that would prohibit providing patient care;
7. Background check and
8. Completed Nursing Credit Validation form

Note that these materials are not required to apply; rather, they are required if admitted to the program and will be provided to the student only upon admission with a Brooks College of Health academic advisor (will receive notice regarding the status of one’s application, which will direct the meeting with an advisor).

Requirements for Transfer Students
Due to unprecedented demand for enrollment and a simultaneous budget reduction from the State, the University of North Florida’s upper-level transfer student admission policy has recently changed.

Click here for important UNF Transfer Polices

Contact the School of Nursing

School of Nursing
Brooks College of Health