Overview of the RN-BSN Track

Admission and Acceptance Requirements for the RN-BSN Track include:

• A minimum overall (cumulative) 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
• Current unencumbered RN license in state of residency
• A grade of "C" or better in all required prerequisite courses.
• Completion of 60 lower division college credits from an accredited institution and an associate's degree in nursing from an ACEN accredited institution    or its international equivalent.
• The final step in the admission process is the federal background check and fingerprinting. The cost of all components of these procedures, including any repeat procedures if needed, is the responsibility of the applicant/student. The drug screen and immunizations are to be completed within 30 days of admission. 

Prerequisite Requirements Prerequisites may be completed after admission into the RN-BSN Track

Anatomy and Physiology I & II with labs

Microbiology with lab

Chemistry (no lab required for RN-BSN track only)

College Algebra or Math for Liberal Arts

Statistics

Nutrition

English Composition I & II

Introduction to Sociology

Introduction to Psychology

Human Growth & Development Through the Life Span

OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION

General education requirements can be taken prior to admission or while in the BSN program or will be satisfied with an AA degree from a Florida public community college, state college or university.

1. General Education Requirements

• • Additional Enrichment (6 credits)
  • Humanities (6 credits)

 2. Civic Literacy

Beginning Fall 2018, students entering a Florida public institution as a degree-seeking student for the first time need to demonstrate civic literacy. There are four cohorts of students currently matriculated at Florida public institutions subject to varying requirements. The exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.  https://www.fau.edu/ugstudies/civic-literacy-requirement/ 

3. Foreign Language

Completion of 2 years of the same foreign language in high school or through the 2nd semester in college. Students who do not meet the requirement upon admission must satisfy it for any degree from FAU.

 

FAU Catalog: This links you to the FAU catalog course descriptions and other requirements for graduation:

http://www.fau.edu/registrar/registration/catalog.php 

Thirty (30) credit hours of upper division course work must be completed at FAU in order to be awarded a Bachelor’s Degree. If you are transferring in with an Associate of Arts from a non-public Florida University or an Associate of Science from any university (in-state or out-of-state), you may have additional core classes that are required by the university. At the time of application, a program assistant will review with you to determine if you will need to incorporate it within your curriculum.

1. Step One: Apply to Florida Atlantic University
   • Complete the FAU Undergraduate Online Application
     Note: Being accepted into FAU does NOT guarantee acceptance into the College of Nursing and the Undergraduate Nursing Program
   • When filling out your application:
   1. Click on "Application Type"
   2. Choose "Transfer" - Even if you have a Bachelor's degree in something else, do    NOT    check Second Baccalaureate
   3. Then choose "RN-BSN"
   • Send your official transcripts to the FAU Admissions Office
   • If you have an International Degree, follow the directions at  FAU's International Admissions page

   • When all FAU admission application requirements are received, University Admissions forwards all applications to the College of Nursing Admission, Progression and Retention Sub-Committee for review and preliminary acceptance.

2. Step Two: Complete a Level Two Federal Background Check and Fingerprinting
   • After notification of preliminary acceptance, complete a level two federal background check and fingerprinting through Complio as directed by the College of the Nursing
   • The cost of all components of these procedures including any repeat procedures if needed is the responsibility of the applicant/student
3. Step Three: Full admittance to the program
   • Once your background check and fingerprinting are cleared, you will receive full admittance to FAU and the BSN program RN-BSN Track.
   • Students are eligible to register after all FAU holds are removed, have met with the advisor and have a plan-of-study in place.

"All materials submitted in support of your application become the property of Florida Atlantic University. We cannot return materials or copies to applicants. Thank you for considering Florida Atlantic University."

Important Deadline Dates

Florida Atlantic University Application	Fall	Spring	Summer
Transfer Students	July 1	November 01	April 15

Dates for the Virtual Information Sessions are below. Please note that all events are Eastern time.

Thursday, January 16, 2025| 2:00PM - 3:00PM

Thursday, February 20, 2025| 2:00PM - 3:00PM

Thursday, March 20, 2025| 2:00PM - 3:00PM

Thursday, May 22, 2025| 2:00PM - 3:00PM

Thursday, June 19, 2025| 2:00PM - 3:00PM

Thursday, September 25, 2025| 2:00PM - 3:00PM

Thursday, October 23, 2025| 2:00PM - 3:00PM

**Registration link will be posted soon**

RN-BSN Track: 60 credit hours

30 credits earned at FAU and 30 validated credits from associate/diploma degree nursing program from an ACEN accredited institution. The plans of study have been designed to facilitate your successful progression to graduation. Pre-requisite and co-requisite course information is officially found in the University  catalog.

3 Semester Plan of Study

All prerequisites must be completed to do this plan of study.

	First Semester
Course Number	Course Title	Credits
NUR 3821	Professional Nursing Practice	2
NUR 3115	Foundations of Caring in Nursing Situations	3
NUR 4125	General Pathophysiology	3
NUR 4937	Scholarship for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice	3
	TOTAL	11

	Second Semester
Course Number	Course Title	Credits
NUR 4638	Populations Health: Nursing Situations	3
NUR 4638L	Populations Health: Nursing Situations in Practice	1
NUR 3065	Health Assessment in Nursing Situations	2
NUR 3065L	Health Assessment in Nursing Situations Lab	1
NUR 3145	Pharmacotherapeutics	3
	TOTAL	10

	Third Semester
Course Number	Course Title	Credits
NUR 4079	System, Quality, and Information Technology	3
NUR 3171	Creating Healing Environments	3
*NUR 4829L	Nursing Practice Immersion	3
	TOTAL	9

Note: *NUR 4638L and NUR 4829L are practicum experiences. The NUR 4638L practicum requires 45 hours and the NUR 4829L practicum requires135 clinical hours.

4 Semester Plan of Study

Applicants can apply for admission to the RN-BSN Track in the Nursing major before or after completion of all prerequisites. The 4-semester schema will be individualized based upon progression and graduation requirements. Therefore, the 4-semester plan shown below reflects only the nursing courses and may need to be adjusted when you meet with your advisor if prerequisites are still needed.

	First Semester
Course Number	Course Title	Credits
NUR 3821	Professional Nursing Practice	2
NUR 3115	Foundations of Caring in Nursing Situations	3
NUR 4125	General Pathophysiology	3
	TOTAL	8

	Second Semester
Course Number	Course Title	Credits
NUR 3171	Creating Healing Environments	3
NUR 3145	Pharmacotherapeutics	3
NUR 3065	Health Assessment in Nursing Situations	2
NUR 3065L	Health Assessment Lab	1
	TOTAL	9

	Third Semester
Course Number	Course Title	Credits
NUR 4937	Scholarship for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice	3
NUR 4638	Population Health: Nursing Situations	3
*NUR 4638L	Population Health: Nursing Situations in Practice	1
	TOTAL	7

	Fourth Semester
Course Number	Course Title	Credits
NUR 4079	Systems, Quality, and Information Technology	3
*NUR 4829L	Nursing Practice Immersion	3
	TOTAL	6

Note:    *NUR 4638L and NUR 4829L are practicum experiences. The NUR 4638L practicum requires 45 hours and the NUR 4829L practicum requires135 clinical hours

5 Semester Plan of Study

Applicants can apply for admission to the RN-BSN Track in the Nursing major before or after completion of all prerequisites.  The 5-semester schema will be individualized based upon progression and graduation requirements. Therefore, the 5-semester plan shown below reflects only the nursing courses and may need to be adjusted when you meet with your advisor if prerequisites are still needed.

	First Semester
Course Number	Course Title	Credits
NUR 3115	Foundations of Caring in Nursing Situations	3
NUR 4125	General Pathophysiology	3
NUR 3821	Professional Nursing Practice	2
	TOTAL	8

	Second Semeste
Course Number	Course Title	Credits
NUR 3171	Creating Healing Environments	3
NUR 3145	Pharmacotherapeutics	3
	TOTAL	6

	Third Semester
Course Number	Course Title	Credits
NUR 3065	Health Assessment in Nursing Situations	2
NUR 3065L	Health Assessment Lab	1
NUR 4937	Scholarship for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice	3
	TOTAL	6

	Fourth Semester
Course Number	Course Title	Credits
NUR 4638	Population Health: Nursing Situations	3
*NUR 4638L	Population Health: Nursing Situations in Practice	1
	TOTAL	4

	Fifth Semester
Course Number	Course Title	Credits
NUR 4079	Systems, Quality, and Information Technology	3
*NUR 4829L	Nursing Practice Immersion	3
	TOTAL	6

Note:    *NUR 4638L and NUR 4829L are practicum experiences. The NUR 4638L practicum requires 45 hours and the NUR 4829L practicum requires 135 clinical hours.

6 Semester Plan of Study

Applicants can apply for admission to the RN-BSN Track in the Nursing major before or after completion of all prerequisites.  The 6-semester schema will be individualized based upon progression and graduation requirements. Therefore, the 6-semester plan shown below reflects only the nursing courses and may need to be adjusted when you meet with your advisor if prerequisites are still needed.

	First Semester
Course Number	Course Title	Credits
NUR 3115	Foundations of Caring in Nursing Situations	3
NUR 4125	General Pathophysiology	3
	TOTAL	6

	Second Semester
Course Number	Course Title	Credits
NUR 3821	Professional Nursing Practice	2
NUR 4937	Scholarship for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice	3
	TOTAL	5

	Third Semester
Course Number	Course Title	Credits
NUR 3145	Pharmacotherapeutics	3
NUR 3065	Health Assessment in Nursing Situations	2
NUR 3065L	Health Assessment Lab	1
	TOTAL	6

	Fourth Semester
Course Number	Course Title	Credits
NUR 4638	Population Health: Nursing Situations	3
*NUR 4638L	Population Health: Nursing Situations in Practice	1
	Total	4

	Fifth Semester
Course Number	Course Title	Credits
NUR 4079	Systems, Quality, and Information Technology	3
	Total	3

	Sixth Semester
Course Number	Course Title	Credits
NUR 3171	Caring Healing Environments	3
*NUR 4829L	Nursing Practice Immersion	3
	TOTAL	6

Note:    *NUR 4638L and NUR 4829L are practicum experiences. The NUR 4638L practicum requires 45 hours and the NUR 4829L practicum requires 135 clinical hours.

Course Catalog Link: http://www.fau.edu/academic/registrar/FAUcatalog/nursingDES.php

 

Clinical Experiences

There are two clinical courses in the RN-BSN Track – NUR 4829L and NUR 4638L.

NUR 4829L – Nursing Practice Immersion (135 hours)

This course consists of 135 hours of clinical experience and provides a precepted integrative clinical practicum to synthesize competencies and skills required of the professional nurse. Clinical hours are completed over one full semester at a healthcare facility. 

NUR 4638L – Population Health: Nursing Situations in Practice (45 hours)

This course consists of 45 hours of clinical experience and provides practicum for nursing students in community and/or public health settings with an emphasis on population- focused nursing care across the lifespan and continuum of care.

Clinical Requirements:

All clinical requirements must be met prior to starting any clinical course.

• A level-two background check, fingerprints, and drug screen Please note, a level-two background check is required of all applicants prior to admission to the College of Nursing, and yearly while in the clinical component in the nursing program. Concompliance@health.fau.edu
• Proof of the following:  
• Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR)  
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)  
• Hepatitis B  
• Tuberculosis Screening (TB)   
• CPR Certification BLS or ACLS from American Heart Association(AHA) /Red Cross/Military  
• Tetanus (within 10 year)  
• Annual Influenza vaccine (August-May)  
• Health Insurance Card 

Additional requirements and paperwork may be requested by the health care agency.  

Link to Handbook: Uniform Policy

• Polo Shirt:    WWW.FLYNNOHARA.COM
• Name Tag:    WWW.FLYNNOHARA.COM

 

Clinical Experience Frequently Asked Questions:

1. NUR 4638L: Population Health: Nursing Situations in Practice (45 hours)

What do I need to know prior to registering for this course?

Students must have a Complio account and be compliant with all clinical requirements at least one month prior to the course beginning.

Do I need to set up my own clinical experience?

No. The College of Nursing has developed several community sites that have served our students well over the years.  Your faculty member will contact you regarding any special areas of interests you might have prior to the course beginning. 

Can I set up my own clinical experience?

Students can set up their own clinical experience, but they must do so with permission and in collaboration with the track coordinator.

What type of community agencies will I be placed in?

In consultation with the track coordinator, students are assigned to settings such as home health care agencies, community outreach programs, public health settings, nurse managed clinics and schools. 

Will I be able to complete my clinical hours at my place of employment for NUR 4829L?

If your place of employment has a community outreach program you may be able to complete hours within that program. You will work with the track coordinator to determine the best place for you to meet your goals and the requirements of the program. 

2. NUR 4829L – Nursing Practice Immersion (135 hours)

What do I need to know prior to registering for this course?

Students must have a Complio account and be compliant with all clinical requirements at least one month prior to the course beginning.

Can I complete my hours at my place of employment?

Students are allowed to complete their clinical hours in their place of employment, but the experience must take place in an area/unit different from where they work. Paid hours cannot be used to satisfy clinical hours.

Do all of my prerequisite courses need to be completed before I apply?

Applicants can apply for admission to the RN-BSN Track in the Nursing major before or after completion of all prerequisites. The plan-of-study will be individualized based upon progression and graduation requirements.

Do I have to follow a specific course plan of studies?

Yes. There are four plans of study and the student with the help of the advisor chooses one for completing the program: 3 semesters, 4 semesters, 5 semesters or 6 semesters.

How are courses delivered?

The RN-BSN track is composed of fully online didactic courses and in-person clinical experiences providing flexibility to earn the BSN degree.

Is there a specific semester to start the program?

Applicants for the RN-BSN track can begin any semester (spring, summer or fall). Applicants must apply by the published FAU application deadline and be admitted to the University before applying to the RN-BSN track

How many clinical courses are required?

There are two clinical courses required in the RN-BSN Track NUR4638L Population Health: Nursing Situations in Practice (45 hours) and NUR 4829L - Nursing Practice Immersion (135 hours).

Can I use my background check from work so I don’t have to repeat it?

No. The State of Florida protects your sensitive information. The VECHS waiver that you sign protects use of your background check and fingerprint information only for the purpose for which it was intended. For your employer, that was the purpose: employment.

Is drug testing required?

Yes, at admission and yearly while in the clinical component of the program.

Am I required to have proof of updated immunizations?

Yes.