Online Bachelor of Science Nursing (RN to BSN)

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Student Handbook

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Information Package

Please note: This fully online program is designated for Licensed Registered Nurses only. 

The online RN to BSN curriculum only takes 1 year (3 semesters) to complete! You'll earn your BSN with a minimum of 33 additional credits (3 full-time semesters) of upper division online coursework and an additional 27 credits earned through clinical proficiency evaluation, bringing your total credits to 120 credits which include the 60 lower division credits from your previously earned Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree. Graduates of the RN to BSN program track are eligible to apply for graduate programs with advanced nursing degrees, such as a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN), or doctoral programs such as the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or the BSN to PhD in Nursing program. 

Accreditation

The Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences (NWCNHS) offers a professional program of study leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The BSN program was approved by the Board of Regents of the State University System in 1982. The RN to BSN program track is open to registered nurses who wish to complete the BSN degree.

The BSN nursing programs of the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) (One Dupont Circle, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036-1120, 202- 887-6791), the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (222 S. Prospect Ave., Suite 304, Park Ridge, IL 60068, 847-692-7050), and approved by the Florida State Board of Nursing, (4052 Bald Cypress Way, BIN CO2, Tallahassee, FL 32399, 850-245-4125).

The following is a list of the nursing core courses which are taken by all RN to BSN students. The program of study also includes three (3) upper division electives, one of which must be a nursing elective course.

The BSN degree requires a minimum of 120 credits. In addition to 60 transferable lower division credits, the degree requirements include a 24 credit nursing core, a 30 credit clinical proficiency evaluation (completed by equivalency exams), 4 credits each of human anatomy & lab, human physiology & lab, microbiology & lab, and survey of chemistry & lab; and 3 credits each of human growth & development, statistics, psychology, principles of nutrition, and ethics. No more than six (6) transferable credits from other nursing baccalaureate programs will be accepted for the RN-BSN program of study. Students must complete at least 30 upper division credits at FIU.

Please note: This fully online program is designed for Licensed Registered Nurses.

To ensure every student’s success, we have certain admissions requirements for each of our programs. To help you through the application process, our enrollment advisors are here to answer your questions and guide you every step of the way.

Program Eligibility Requirements

1. Active, unencumbered Florida Registered Nurse (RN) license or enhanced licensure through the Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).

2. 2.75 Cumulative GPA (no prerequisite grade below a C) from an ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, formerly NLNAC) accredited ASN or Diploma Nursing program. You may verify your nursing program’s accreditation at the following link:  http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm

3. Minimum 60 transferable lower division college credits,

4. Meet a) Florida mandated Gordon Rule requirements; b) University Core Curriculum requirements; and c) University foreign language requirement.  These requirements can be met with an Associate in Arts (AA) from a Florida State College System  or nonnursing Bachelor’s degree in another field from an accredited institution.

5. Applicants with foreign degrees that have Florida RN licensure can apply if degree earned is evaluated to be equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree or Doctorate in Medicine degree at an accredited U.S. institution,

6. RN-BSN applicants who have taken BSN courses at another  institution  and are requesting a transfer into the NWCHNS RN-BSN track must have all coursework evaluated by FIU Nursing Faculty to determine course equivalency and are allowed a maximum of 6 transfer upper division Nursing credits and,

7. Approved transferred nursing coursework must be completed within 5 years of enrollment at the time of admission.

8. All students of the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences participating in clinical work must submit to background checks, fingerprint searches, drug screenings, and immunizations.

Prior to admission, degree seeking applicants without an Associate in Arts degree from a Florida State Institution must satisfy the same current admission Undergraduate Catalog Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences requirements as beginning freshmen. Graduates of diploma nursing programs who do not have transferable college credit will be required to complete the FIU lower division credit requirements prior to admission.

The following nursing prerequisites must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher:

• Microbiology with lab

• Chemistry with lab (CHM 1033/L or CHM 1045/L or equivalent)

• Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs

• Human Growth & Development

• Nutrition

• Intro to Psychology

• Intro to Ethics

• Statistics

• Minimum 60 transferable lower division college credits (including University Core Curriculum and Nursing Prerequisites)

• Meet FIU foreign language requirement ( FLENT/FLEX) and all other undergraduate admissions requirements      

Note. Courses completed are subject to approval by the program committee upon submission of official transcripts to satisfy the prerequisites. Up to two of the following prerequisites may be taken as upper division electives in the program: Statistics, Ethics, and Nutrition.

Nursing Prerequisite Equivalencies at Local Colleges

• Statistics

  • Florida International University - Any Intro Stats

  • Miami Dade College - Any Intro Stats

  • Broward College - Any Intro Stats

  • Palm Beach State College - Any Intro Stats

• Anatomy & Physiology with Labs*

  • Florida International University - ZOO 3731/3731L or PCB 2099/2099L

  • Miami Dade College - BSC 2085/2085L - BSC 2086/2086L

  • Broward College - BSC 2085/2085L - BSC 2086/2086L

  • Palm Beach State College - BSC 2085/2085L - BSC 2086/2086L

• Microbiology & Lab

  • Florida International University - MCB 2000/2000L

  • Miami Dade College - MCB 2010/2010L

  • Broward College - MCB 2010/2010L

  • Palm Beach State College - MCB 2010/2010L

• Survey of Chemistry & Lab

  • Florida International University - CHM 1033/1033L

  • Miami Dade College - CHM 1033/1033L

  • Broward College - CHM 1032/1032L

  • Palm Beach State College - CHM 1032/1032L

• Nutrition

  • Florida International University - HUN 2201

  • Miami Dade College - HUN 1201

  • Broward College - HUN 1201/1202

  • Palm Beach State College - HUN1201

• Growth & Development

  • Florida International University - DEP 2000

  • Miami Dade College - DEP 2000

  • Broward College - DEP 2004

  • Palm Beach State College - DEP 2004

• Ethics

  • Florida International University - PHI 2600

  • Miami Dade College - PHI 2604

  • Broward College - PHI 2600

  • Palm Beach State College - PHI 1600

• Psychology

  • Florida International University - PSY 2012

  • Miami Dade College - PSY 2012

  • Broward College - PSY 2012

  • Palm Beach State College - PSY 2012

*Entire series (Part I & II) must be completed at college level in order to meet A&P requirements at FIU.

Dismissal Policy

• To remain in good academic standing students must achieve a grade of 'C' or higher in nursing courses. Students who have failed (‘D’ or ‘F’ grade) two nursing courses or have two failures in the same nursing course will be dismissed from the program.

• RN to BSN coursework completed six (6) or more years previously may not be used towards degree completion and/or may need to be repeated. Dismissed students must wait 5 years before reapplying and petitioning for readmission.

Clinical Placement Requirements

ALL RN to BSN students are required to complete a criminal background check, required health information, drug testing, and RN Liability Insurance prior to placement in the clinical setting during their final semester of the program.

Scholastic Requirements

To remain in good academic standing, students must achieve a grade of 'C' or higher in all nursing courses. A student who earns less than a 'C' in any nursing course will be required to repeat the course in order to progress in the nursing program. A student may repeat a course one time only. Students who have failed (C- or lower) two nursing courses – or have two failures in the same nursing course – will be dismissed from the program. RN-BSN students are only allowed two “C’s” in nursing courses.

Program Completion Requirements

Total of 120 credits:

• 60 transferable lower division credits

• Florida L icensed Registered Nurses with an associate degree in nursing (ADN/ASN) from an ACEN accredited institution,  who meet admission criteria are eligible to receive up to 27 credits awarded through FIU nursing faculty-led Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). The PLA process takes place within the context of a 3 - credit course designed to support RN-to-BSN students’ transition and socialization to the role of baccalaureate prepared professional nurses

• 33 credits in RN to BSN curriculum (must be taken at FIU)

  • 27 credits (FIU RN to BSN PLA validation)

  • 6 upper division elective credits (any 3000 or 4000 level courses)

Level IV - Practicum Requirements:

NUR 4636C – 30 practicum hours (this course also has an online theory component)

NUR 4945L – 120 practicum hours (this course also has an online theory component)

• Required prerequisites for registering for NUR 4636C and NUR 4945L are: 1) Completion of all FIU Core Curriculum Requirements, 2) Successful completion of all nursing core courses and nursing prerequisites, and 3) One year post-RN licensure nursing experience (PREFERRED). If you do not meet these requirements, you MUST contact your advisor for an appointment.

• Unless otherwise determined by the faculty member, practicum experiences are the responsibility of the student. Student responsibilities include choosing a preceptor and practicum setting, and completing the required paperwork (see below). Clinical placement requests are not guaranteed. No paid time may be used for clinical hours. Clinical hours must be completed within the term of course enrollment only (hours completed before/after the term of course enrollment will not be approved as clinical hours).

• Practicum requirements are NOT waived if you move out of the South Florida area, if you reside out of the state of Florida, or if you cannot locate a practicum setting/preceptor. Faculty members and advisors are not responsible for locating practicum experiences for students. Out-of-state students must self-identify to the Program Coordinator.

• Background checks, health information, proof of RN liability insurance, and signed contracts/agreements MUST be completed before entering the practicum setting. Background check information must be entered into the Complio system (background checks take 4-6 weeks). It is the student’s responsibility to check that all requirements are met. If you have questions regarding the clearance paperwork, please contact Complio at 1(800) 200-0853.

• A signed contract with the setting AND a preceptor agreement MUST be in place before the semester begins with the 1) setting in which you are doing practicum hours; and 2) the preceptor. Information regarding existing contracts for settings in the South Florida area can be obtained from the Clinical Education Department (AHC3 134A). Students who wish to create a new contract for clinical placement MUST contact the Clinical Education Program Specialist, Joy Kross, at jkross@fiu.edu or (305) 348-0039. Keep in mind this process may take 6 – 9 months (or longer) and securement of clinical placement is not guaranteed. If the student’s planned final semester term changes, it is the student’s responsibility to notify the Clinical Education Program Specialist immediately.

• Your preceptor MUST be a licensed RN and have at minimum a BSN degree.

• If you are employed in the same location where you plan to complete your Senior Clinical Practicum hours, you can reach out to the facility’s clinical education department to locate a preceptor. NOTE: Students interested in Jackson Health System or Baptist Hospitals may not contact the facility’s clinical education department directly. Additionally, Students who are not planning on completing clinical hours where they work are not to contact the clinical education department or human resources department of the clinical location they are pursuing.

• Practicum hours are overseen by the faculty member assigned to the course and may include preparation, projects, seminar, and other assignments as determined by the instructor. Hours can be arranged around your own and your preceptor’s work schedule.

  1. A completed Practicum Request Form,
  2. Compliance Status approved for ALL sections of the clinical clearance requirements for the entire duration of the term, and
  3. A completed Final Semester Enrollment Request Form submitted the by the following deadline dates:

     • Spring Final Semester: December 1st

     • Summer Final Semester: April  1st

     • Fall Final Semester: August  1st

Accreditation

The Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences (NWCNHS) offers a professional program of study leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The BSN program was approved by the Board of Regents of the State University System in 1982. The RN to BSN program track is open to registered nurses who wish to complete the BSN degree.

The Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences’ BSN programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) (One Dupont Circle, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036-1120, 202-887-6791), the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (222 S. Prospect Ave., Suite 304, Park Ridge, IL 60068, 847-692-7050), and approved by the Florida State Board of Nursing (4052 Bald Cypress Way, BIN CO2, Tallahassee, FL 32399, 850-245-4125).

Application Process

• Applicants must complete and submit the online FIU application and the College of Nursing: RN-BSN application at  https://nursingcas.liaisoncas.org/apply/
• Submit all application materials before applicable FIU Transfer Admissions Deadline: http://admissions.fiu.edu/apply/transfer/
• All applicants must complete both an online university undergraduate application to FIU and a NursingCAS application for RN-BSN. Transfer students must successfully meet all FIU undergraduate admissions requirements prior to being admitted to the RN to BSN program. A detailed list of required documents will be provided by FIU Online upon receiving the university online undergraduate application.
• The FIU application requires official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended as well as official test scores such as AP and CLEP directly from The College Board.  If foreign language was taken in high school, the official high school transcript is also needed.
• The Nursing CAS application requires official transcripts from all colleges attended.  If foreign language was taken in high school, the unofficial high school transcript is also needed.

Re-Admission Requirements

Once admitted, students are to remain continuously enrolled at FIU, taking at least one RN to BSN course per semester. A student who is not enrolled in any coursework for more than three consecutive terms is no longer considered an active FIU student and will be required to apply for re-admission. Students reapplying to the RN to BSN program track must meet the University and program regulations in effect at the time of re-admission, including program GPA and ASN or Diploma Nursing Program accreditation requirements. When seeking readmission, a returning RN to BSN student must meet with a CNHS academic advisor to determine how their previous coursework will fit within the current RN to BSN curriculum requirements in effect at the time of readmission. RN to BSN coursework validation of previous learning assessment completed six (6) or more years previously may not be used toward degree completion and/or may need to be repeated.

Students may be required to repeat or take additional courses to complete degree requirements.

Effective Fall 2016: Students who were dismissed from this program must wait 5 years before applying for readmission.

Returning Students

Returning students must meet the current university and degree-specific requirements to be admitted.

FIU has policies for students who left FIU, please click here for more details.

Please submit the following:

• Online application $30 application fee.

• Updated official transcripts

We’re thrilled that you’re considering online education and want you to know exactly what to expect for tuition and fees. Education is an investment in your future. Use the following student tuition and fees calculator to determine your costs.

Learn more about the details of our program by listening in to our information session.