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. 

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

To register for a Virtual Information Session, select one of the dates listed. Please note that all events are Eastern time.

Virtual Information Sessions for RN-BSN Track
	Month: August	Month: September	Month: October
RN-BSN	Thursday  August 22, 2024 2:00PM - 3:00PM RSVP HERE	Thursday  September 19, 2024 2:00PM - 3:00PM RSVP HERE	Thursday  October 17, 2024 2:00PM - 3:00PM RSVP HERE

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 4829L is practicum and NUR 4638 is a pre-requisite.  The practicum requires 180 clinical hours in a community setting within the student’s area of residence. Please scroll to the end of the web page for more information re: NUR 4829L.

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 Semester

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.

*NUR 4829L 

RN-BSN Track

NUR4829L: Nursing Practice Immersion 4 credits

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

 

Clinical Experiences

There are two clinical courses NUR4638L and NUR4829L

Course Schedule: Clinical hours can be completed in one of the following formats:

• Intensive: Clinical hours are completed in a condensed clinical experience:Oklahoma Native American Practicum
• All Semester: Clinical hours are completed over the full 15 week semester at community sites.

Course Registration: This course requires department permission. For permission, please contact the Academic Paraprofessional: Ms. Latchmin Harrilal at lharrila@health.fau.edu .  Please include your Name, Z number, Course Number, Title and requested CRN number and Section number.

Course Requirements:

• Background Check and Clinical Requirements: Your background check and clinical requirements must be complete and in compliance prior to registration. 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. Please contact Ms. Colleen Alcantara-Slocombe if you have any questions. Email: slocombe@health.fau.edu

• Community Dress Code: Students will wear the community uniform/attire. Please see the links below for the description in the student handbook.   

Link to Handbook: http://nursing.fau.edu/academics/student-resources/undergraduate/policies-regulations/uniform_policy.php

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

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

When do I take this course?

You will take this course the last semester of Flight Plan (plan of your study). You must receive departmental permission to register for this course, as verification is needed that your Background Check is up to date. Please verify with Ms. Colleen Alcantara-Slocombe that your Background Check is compliant and then email the Program Advisor to obtain permission for registration. 

Academic Paraprofessional Advisor: Ms. Latchmin Harrilal, email: lharrila@health.fau.edu

How do I know which section to register for?  

• Your Academic Paraprofessional Ms. Latchmin Harrilal will register you for the correct section. She will need to know if you’re going do the Oklahoma experience or remaining in-state.

Do I need to set up my own clinical experience if I take the full semester format?

Students are not allowed to set up their own clinical experience. The CON 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. 

What type of community agencies will I be in if I plan for the full semester format?

In consultation with their faculty member,students are assigned to 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?

Typically no, but if your place of employment has a community outreach program you may be able to complete hours within that program. You will work with your faculty member to determine the best place for you to meet your goals and the requirements of the program. 

If I go to Oklahoma, what do I need to know?

The intensive immersion involves going to Oklahoma, so air travel, hotel and food expenditures are extra costs, in addition to the course tuition. The students have developed a video of the experience.             

Oklahoma Native American Practicum

The FAU Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing has developed a unique and caring relationship with the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians and the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma. This relationship is built on the Nursing as Caring philosophy. The well-being and wholeness of both FAU nursing students and tribal members of the two Cherokee tribes in Oklahoma are nurtured through this caring relationship. 

Nursing students who participate in this transcultural caring immersion experience are involved in disease prevention and health promotion activities with various health and educational programs within these tribal settings.  Students also experience the Nursing as Caring philosophy and the Native American history and culture within these Native American settings.

 

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 offered 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). A word of caution here: you must apply by the published FAU application deadline, be admitted to FAU first, and then apply 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 and NUR 4829L - Nursing Practice Immersion. Community and population health settings are used for this RN-BSN immersion experience.

 

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. They would be breaking the law to share it with you to give to the College of Nursing. You do need to repeat the fingerprinting and background check as a condition of admission.

Is drug testing required?

Yes

Am I required to have proof of updated immunization?

Yes