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Prelicensure BSN

• What are the admission requirements for the track?

  A full list of admission requirements is located under the Nursing Admissions page. Click on the name of the track to view the details.  Note:  While an undergraduate college Chemistry course is not required for admission, candidates for the program are strongly encouraged to take Chemistry as it has been found to better prepare students for many of the concepts encountered in the BSN coursework.

  The GPA requirements and minimum PRQ course completion count must be met at the time of the materials, not application, deadline for the term sought.  The remaining balance of PRQ courses (if any) and any pending degrees may be completed after the deadlines, but must be done prior to matriculating in the program if one is offered admission. 

  Proof of enrollment in all final courses toward BSN PRQs, General Education, Gordon Rule, &/or initial degree completion (AA for transfers from other FL public institutions or baccalaureate degree for post-baccalaureate candidates) must be supplied to Dr. Dibble in the School of Nursing with a PDF copy of one's student schedule for courses from outside of ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ.

  Effective for Spring 2025, the School of Nursing will admit the first 50% of available seats for each admission period based on a priority BSN prerequisite coursework GPA of at least 3.60; those applicants who meet the minimum requirements, but not the priority prerequisite GPA requirement, will be waitlisted and notified of the program's decision after the deadline. 

• Are General Education &/or Florida Gordon Rule required for admission to the track?

  For those who are seeking to enter the Prelicensure BSN track as college juniors or above, but without a previous bachelor's degree, General Education and Florida Gordon Rule must be completed by the time one matriculates in the track. Applicants who are post-baccalaureate candidates are exempt from these requirements based on the completion of a previous baccalaureate degree by the start of the track.

  In order to meet the General Education and Florida Gordon Rule requirements, candidates may: 1) Possess an Associate of Arts (A.A.) from a Florida public institution prior to program matriculation; or, 2) Meet the requirements as listed in the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ Ccatalog on a course-by-course basis.  Prospective candidates who are currently enrolled at any other public institution in Florida should consult with an academic advisor at their home institutions to ensure that all proper paperwork is submitted to request an A.A. prior to transferring.

  Prospective candidates who are currently enrolled at private or out-of-state institutions should consult with an academic advisor in the Brooks College of Health (BCH) Advising Office after application. They may be reached at (904) 620-2812 or at cohadvis@unf.edu.  These candidates typically need to enroll at ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ under another major temporarily to complete missing General Education &/or Gordon Rule requirements that are not required by other institutions.

• Do General Education and Florida Gordon Rule requirements need to be completed to make application?

  No; candidates may complete General Education &/or Florida Gordon Rule requirements while making application. However, for those seeking admission to a spring cohort, the requirements must be completed by the end of the fall term prior to entry.  Similarly, for those seeking admission to a summer cohort, requirements must be completed by the end of the spring term prior to entry just as those seeking admission to a fall cohort must complete the requirements by the end of the summer term prior to entry.

  Candidates who are extended an offer of admission must provide proof of completion of all requirements prior to starting courses in the program. Failure to complete all necessary requirements may result in the revocation of admission.

• I've met the General Education &/or Florida Gordon Rule requirements as a student at another FL public university or college. Does this mean that I meet ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ's requirements?
  No; General Education and Florida Gordon Rule requirements may vary across the public universities, state colleges, and community colleges within Florida. Meeting the requirements at another Florida institution does not guarantee that the requirements for ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ have been satisfied. You should request an Associate of Arts (A.A.) from your home institution in order to ensure that you will meet the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ requirements if you transfer.
• May I make application to the program while I am still completing my Nursing prerequisites?

  Yes; however, the program does have a minimum number of prerequisites that must be done by at the time of the materials deadline to be considered a qualified applicant (see next paragraph), and all remaining prerequisites must be completed by the start of the program with a "C" or better in each.

  Minimum prerequisite course count policy: Applicants are required to have at least six (6) of the eight (8) nursing prerequisites completed at the time of the materials deadline for the admission term sought, and of these courses, at least three (3) of the four (4) science prerequisites must be done (i.e., Microbiology, A&P I, A&P II, or Additional Science in any combination).

• I have started in a BSN program elsewhere. May I apply to transfer into your BSN program with those nursing courses?

  Candidates who have completed at least one (1) semester of Nursing courses at another institution that holds appropriate institutional accreditation as well as national accreditation for the program may be considered as "In-Progress BSN Transfers" for admission to the program; however, the consideration process for such candidates differs slightly from that posted under the "Admissions" area of the SON webpage.

  First, such candidates should contact our Prelicensure Program Director, Dr. Judy Comeaux, at jcomeaux@unf.edu and identify themselves as students from another BSN program seeking an in-progress transfer with their nursing courses to our Regular or Accelerated Prelicensure BSN track.  These candidates will be required to provide unofficial copies of their BSN transcripts and syllabi for all completed and in-progress BSN coursework; all files should be clearly labeled and provided in PDF format directly to Dr. Comeaux.  These candidates should not apply to the university yet.  Each candidate's documentation will be reviewed by Dr. Comeaux with potential additional consultation made with other SON administrators.

  Note that each candidate is handled on a case-by-case basis to determine if the coursework completed will fulfill any of our BSN requirements and if there is space in the courses the candidate still needs to complete the BSN.  Additionally, candidates must be able to complete no fewer than 30 semester hours at ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ in order for a BSN degree to be conferred by the university.  Finally, candidates may also be required to submit a Letter of Good Standing from the highest ranking administrator of their current/former program.

  If the candidate is found to be potentially eligible to transfer in previous Nursing courses, Dr. Comeaux will alert the candidate and Nursing Admissions as the candidate will then need to make application to ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ under an open application pool.  The SON admits for spring, summer, and fall, annually, for its BSN tracks.  The candidate will be required to meet the same basic admission requirements and deadlines for the program as any other candidate seeking to start new in the Nursing major.  Admission will be granted only after the candidate has fully applied and been confirmed to meet all minimum requirements.  Shortly after admission, Dr. Comeaux will provide the student, Nursing Admissions, and the advising team with the In-Progress BSN Transfer student's specialized enrollment plan.  The new transfer admit will be required to attend university and Nursing orientation sessions like any other new program admit.

  Note that those who started their Nursing education in an Associate of Science (AS) in Nursing or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing track will need to apply as first-time Nursing students like any other candidate since Associate-level courses do not transfer into the Prelicensure BSN track in the same manner as courses taken in a BSN track.  Those who complete an AS in Nursing or AAS in Nursing should apply to the RN-BSN Bridge track, instead.

• I have completed both Biology and Chemistry. Do each of those count for Additional Science?

  For the BSN prerequisite courses, there are eight (8) course requirements.  Additional Science is one (1) of the course requirements, and this requirement is fulfilled with one course from Biology (BSC), Biochemistry (BCH), Chemistry (CHM), Process Biology (PCB), or Physics (PHY).  Applicants who have multiple courses that will fulfill this category will not have the additional courses included in the BSN prerequisite course count policy or PRQ GPA calculations.  That is, when the School of Nursing conducts an applicant's academic review, the best Additional Science (or similarly, Social Science) course will be used on the degree evaluation to count as one (1) of the eight (8) course requirements total.  Two (2) Additional Science courses will not count as two (2) different BSN prerequisite courses being met.  Please direct additional questions regarding this policy to Dr. Beth Dibble at nursingadmissions@unf.edu.

  Note:  While an undergraduate college Chemistry course is not required for admission, candidates for the program are strongly encouraged to take Chemistry as it has been found to better prepare students for many of the concepts encountered in the BSN coursework.

• I was previously in the Freshman Admit Nursing (FAN) track, but I decided to leave it prior to completion. May I now apply for the Regular Prelicensure track?
  Unfortunately, those who begin the Freshman Admit Nursing (FAN) track and decide to not complete it or are otherwise exited from the track prior to completion may not apply under the Prelicensure BSN track at a later time.  This is due to the very limited number of seats in each track; a seat left open in the FAN track cannot typically otherwise be filled once students have matriculated.
• Is there a limit regarding how old prerequisite courses may be?

  No; as long as the courses were taken at the undergraduate level through an institution accredited by an acceptable institutional accreditor, accelerated credit mechanisms like AP, CLEP, IB, etc., or via evaluated foreign equivalent enrollment then they will be considered. 

  The age of the course does not matter.

• May I retake prerequisites? If I retake prerequisites, which attempt is considered?

  Yes; candidates are welcome to retake prerequisites to boost the competitiveness of their academic profiles. Candidates with multiple low grades (i.e., many "C" or "B-" grades) are strongly encouraged to retake prerequisites prior to applying to the program. Individuals seeking to retake prerequisites should consult directly with the institution at which they wish to retake such courses as some will have policies against retaking "passed" coursework. If a letter is required from the School of Nursing to confirm the need for retaking courses, please contact Dr. Dibble at nursingadmissions@unf.edu with all pertinent details and contact information for the other institution.

  We cannot consider a repeated course until the new grade is on file with ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ.

  Candidates who submit grades for repeated courses after they have been notified that their nursing audits (reviews) were completed should immediately contact Dr. Dibble at the above email address to report that the repeat is completed and to ensure that the new course grade is applied to the Degree Evaluation (DE). Failure to do so may impact the outcome of one's application.

  The School of Nursing, when calculating prerequisite GPAs, will use the best attempt of all credits that transfer to ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ. Usually, the second (2nd) attempt holds the transfer credit.

• Will I be permitted to take the prerequisites at another institution?
  Yes; as long as the institution is accredited by an acceptable institutional accreditor, candidates are welcome to take the courses at the institution of their choice.
• What grades are considered toward my application?

  With respect to minimum eligibility and competitiveness, only undergraduate-level coursework will be considered for the overall undergraduate GPA and BSN PRQ GPA.  Candidates should ensure that all grades through the most recent term are on file at the time of the materials deadline for the term sought.  If necessary, new grades may be added to the application profile after the application has been submitted and by the materials deadline.  If offered admission, the program will reach out regarding how and by when to submit final grade &/or degree proof.

  All courses that are completed after the materials deadline and prior to program entry that are required to complete a candidate's General Education, Gordon Rule, &/or BSN prerequisites must be completed with a C or better if the candidate has been offered admission.

• What if I am expecting a degree that is not yet reflected on my transcripts?
  It is highly common for program applicants to be pending Associate of Arts (AA) or baccalaureate degrees when application to the track is made. If the degree will not be reflected on transcripts submitted to ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ by the materials deadline then the applicant must email Dr. Dibble at nursingadmissions@unf.edu to report the expected degree. The email should include the applicant's name (as it appears in myWings), ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ ID (N#), degree awarding institution, expected completion date, and expected degree (i.e., AA, BS, MPH, etc.). This is due by the materials deadline at the very latest; however, given the new partial rolling admission format, it would be best to submit this as soon as you apply.
• What if I am offered admission and do not complete my degree by the start of the track as intended?
  Unfortunately, if you are expecting a baccalaureate or an Associate of Arts (AA) degree when you apply and do not complete it by the time you matriculate in the Prelicensure BSN track, you may not start the track.  That is, you will not have met the admission requirements as expected.  In such a case, you may work with the SON to identify a possible future term for reapplication for once you address your incomplete degree and related issues.
• How do I document my enrollment in missing coursework?

  Missing coursework may be documented through a copy of the student schedule and written enrollment plans. A PDF copy of the student's schedule for the term will be accepted by Dr. Dibble in the School of Nursing at nursingadmissions@unf.edu.

  As with the degree plans (see above in the FAQs list), candidates should include their full name (as it appears in myWings), ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ ID (N#), and clearly note the term (spring, summer, or fall) and year to which they are applying.  This information is due by the materials deadline for the term sought.

• I was admitted with missing course requirements still in progress. How do I document the completion of those requirements and by when?

  For those who are offered admission conditional to completing missing degree requirements or General Education, Florida Gordon Rule, &/or BSN prerequisite courses prior to starting the track, information will be provided in our Canvas program onboarding course, Nursing Taking Flight, as well as sent to ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ student emails for those who owe any degree proof or proof of external grades.  Program administrators will be able to see official ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ grades for the term prior to students having access to the official grade postings.  Any posts/correspondence will outline how and by when to document your outstanding requirements as successfully completed.

  Any missing General Education, Gordon Rule, &/or BSN prerequisite courses must be completed with a C or better to be considered successful attempts.

• How do I apply for the track?

  All transfer and post-baccalaureate degree-seeking candidates should refer to the steps enumerated under our Nursing Admissions page.

  Those who are current ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ students who will not graduate from ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ with a bachelor's degree prior to Nursing enrollment will not use the university application form; instead, those candidates must supply a Change of Major (COM) request via BCH Advising during Nursing's window for accepting such submissions.  These windows are shared through the Important Dates page.

  Effective July 11, 2024, the School of Nursing moved to having smaller application windows (roughly four [4] weeks each) with a longer window during which to submit the application fee, transcripts, enrollment proof, and degree plans to the appropriate campus unit.  As such, there are now application deadlines and materials deadlines for each application pool.  Please review those closely under the Important Dates area.

  Please recall that our application pool dates are subject to change at any point in time as determined necessary by the department.  These are simply the windows during which to request consideration; the materials deadlines will fall at later dates per entry period as outlined under the Important Dates area.

• How are track seats filled? Is there a waiting list?

  Effective for Spring 2025, the School of Nursing will change its approach to filling open cohort seats for each application period.  Using a priority prerequisite GPA of 3.60, which is above and beyond the minimum requirement of 3.40, the program will offer admission on a rolling basis for the first 50% of a cohort's seats to those candidates who meet minimum qualifications and the priority prerequisite GPA.  

  Candidates who meet the 3.40 minimum prerequisite requirement, but not the 3.60 priority prerequisite GPA, will be waitlisted for seats as the first 50% of the cohort seats are filled.  Once the first 50% of the seats are filled, all remaining qualified candidates will also be waitlisted.  The final 50% of the seats will then be filled from the waiting list after the materials deadline closes.  The waiting list will be ranked by prerequisite GPA, and consideration will be given to candidates with earlier file review dates when the prerequisite GPAs are the same among candidates.  Given this approach, rank is not revealed as it may fluctuate through the finalization of the pool.

  Candidates who do not immediately meet admission requirements upon program consideration will be maintained on a pending list and emailed regarding what they need to supply to the program as well as how and by when.  Once those candidates submit all items necessary to meet minimum admission requirements, their statuses will be updated depending on the availability of seats under the application term sought.

  Note:  The clock as to first come, first served status begins once a candidate's application is sent through to Nursing Admissions by either the university team for external applicants or BCH Advising for in-house Change of Major requests.  Both of those campus units process received applications or requests in the order that they are properly completed and not by when they were started.

   

• Are graduate-level courses considered for admission or in my GPA calculations?
  No; graduate-level courses may not be used to influence GPA or to satisfy program prerequisites. This is because graduate courses do not transfer to the university for undergraduate-level programs. There are no exceptions to this policy.
• I'm not sure if I'm eligible to apply yet and would like to discuss my potential application with someone. What should I do or who should I contact?

  General inquiries regarding the application process and admission requirements should be directed to Dr. Dibble at nursingadmissions@unf.edu. Note that transcripts cannot be reviewed or commented on prior to application and transfer evaluation with the Enrollment Services team at the university level.  To have transcripts officially reviewed, please begin the application process.

  Further, those with programmatic questions such as how the track operates/functions, and not those related to applying/getting in, should be directed to Dr. Judy Comeaux, Prelicensure Program Director, at jcomeaux@unf.edu. 

• What transcripts do I need to supply?
  Transcripts from each individual institution at which any college credit was attempted must be supplied by the deadline to the One-Stop at ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ. This includes actual transcripts for AICE, IB, AP, DANTES, and CLEP courses as well as course-by-course evaluations for any coursework taken abroad. Note that if you enrolled transiently/concurrently or attended multiple colleges or universities, a transcript from each is required. ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ will not lift, consider, or otherwise review courses that are not from the actual institutions regardless of their presence on transcripts.
• Does the School of Nursing issue early admission letters for ROTC, NCP, STA-21, NECP, MECP, or AECP/AMEDD candidates?

  Yes; for more information, please contact Dr. Dibble at nursingadmissions@unf.edu.

  Please note that we are not currently able to provide early admission letters under the Army's AECP track as our 2021 and 2022 overall NCLEX-RN pass rates for first-time testers were just below the Army's mandatory 90% pass rate requirement while pass rates did rebound to over 90% for 2023.  We will revisit our eligibility with the Army in the future.  Please contact Dr. Dibble with questions.

• What is the NCLEX pass rate for the School of Nursing's first-time testers?
  The School of Nursing's pass rates (first-time testers) for the last several years are as follow:  2018 - 95%; 2019 - 96%; 2020 - 95%; 2021 - 88%; 2022 - 88%; 2023 - 94%; 2024 Q1 - 97%, Q2 - 95%; Q3 - 93%.  Pass rates posted here have been rounded to the closest whole number.
• Generally, what does the schedule for the Prelicensure track look like?

  For the Prelicensure BSN track, students typically engage in classroom &/or lab activities as well as clinical rotations every day of the week, and possibly some weekend hours. Clinical rotation days are typically 12-hour days.  Also note that students will have clinical simulation activities and community engagement activities throughout each of the terms of the track.

  As expected, working while enrolled in the track will be difficult.  Those who choose to or must work while enrolled are encouraged to do so through extremely flexible employment.

  For more information about how the Prelicensure BSN track operates (not admission questions), please contact Dr. Judy Comeaux, Prelicensure Program Director, at jcomeaux@unf.edu. 

• What are the costs related to the Prelicensure BSN track?

  The largest expense in the Prelicensure BSN track is related to tuition and fees.  These costs are set annually by the university and published for review at www.unf.edu/tuition/.  To roughly estimate your tuition and fees costs, multiple the current rate (in-state versus out-of-state residency status) by the number of credits for the degree track (not including preparatory courses such as General Education, Gordon Rule, or PRQs as those will be done prior to Nursing enrollment).  Lab ("L" on the course number) courses will also incur a $15 lab/materials fee.

  Previously, a large program cost involved textbooks for the program.  However, books for the track are now covered under the Evolve 360 package of resources.  The only book resource that is not included in Evolve 360 is the 7th edition of the Concise Guide to APA Style, which runs approximately $40.   Another large cost for both tracks is related to the equipment used in labs and clinicals; the nursing skills kit is a one-time purchase for $440 that includes various materials for skills lab as well as a stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, pen light, and bandage scissors.

  In addition to the above costs, students will purchase and utilize Evolve 360, a learning platform available through Elsevier.  All textbooks and resources to aid you on your Nursing educational journey are included in Evolve 360 except for the APA manual.  Evolve 360 costs approximately $625 per semester for four (4) consecutive semesters.  This cost will be added to your ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ bill by the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ Bookstore each semester.

  Also, students must purchase scrub uniforms and community engagement uniforms.  ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ-desingated scrub uniforms for hospital experiences run about $50-60 per set; two (2) sets are required.  A community experience uniform is also required that includes khaki pants (prices vary) and a ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ Nursing polo shirt ($35).  Also, students with visible arm tattoos must cover them with a ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ long-sleeved shirt while in hospital or community engagement settings; this shirt is $20.  An optional scrub jacket is also available that may be worn in the clinical area outside of patient care experiences and is currently about $35.  Appropriate footwear for each uniform will vary by store and brand.  Students are required to obtain a ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ Nursing ID badge for $8.  For those who also need a new ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ student ID, which also serves as an access card for the library, gym, and sporting events, the total cost is $15.  Also, a virtual ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ parking decal will be required; annual decal rates range from $95-$280 depending on parking preferences.

  Additionally, background checks, fingerprints, drug screens, health histories, immunization records, and CPR certification are required for program enrollment and are documented through centralized systems. All students will purchase access to myClinicalExchange (myCE), which is used to monitor clinical compliance with our partner sites for immunizations, CPR certifications, etc.  This is $40 initially and renewed annually for an additional $40 fee.  All students will also use CastleBranch (CB) for initial background checks, fingerprinting, and drug screens.  This is approximately $140. Drug screens must be renewed annually for approximately $57, and please know that some facilities may require an annual background check, which is approximately $38.  Students will be notified if a background check renewal is needed.

  Further, all students should have access to and use of a reliable laptop.  Price will vary my make and model; note that Chromebooks, tablets, and netbooks are generally not compatible with ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ platforms and some software packages.

  Also, students who plan to park on the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ campus will need to invest in ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ parking decal (decals vary in terms of parking access and price from $95-$280 per year).  Passes for the FSCJ Deerwood campus at which labs and simulations take place are provided directly to the students through Canvas.  Those who do not purchase a ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ annual parking pass should consider that the daily parking fee on campus is currently $5.

  Finally, students are now required to have health insurance coverage.  Additional information regarding how to provide proof of private insurance coverage or opt into a plan through the university will be provided to all admits during the onboarding stages that occur prior to program matriculation.

  Costs associated with the program are subject to change without notice.  A full list of updated costs is provided in the Canvas onboarding course utilized by the program.  Many of the up-front costs will be incurred prior to the release of financial aid by the university.

  Questions regarding financial aid and scholarships should be directed to fa@unf.edu.

• Will my financial aid cover the starting costs for the Prelicensure track?
  While financial aid may cover items billed to your student account by the university such as tuition and fees as well as your Evolve 360 package, other costs related to starting the Prelicensure track are up-front costs that must be paid before aid refunds are released.  Candidates should take this into consideration when planning for future program enrollment.  Items such as the immunization requirements, CastleBranch, myClinicalExchange, skills kit, and uniforms are incurred costs ahead of the program.
• Do I need a car for the Prelicensure Nursing track? How does campus housing work?

  All students enrolled in any of the SON's Prelicensure track must have access to reliable transportation; while this does not mean that students must own a vehicle, candidates for the program should consider their options.  Most students have vehicles while those who do not learn to navigate Jacksonville's public transit system (JTA) or arrange to carpool with other students.  Classes may be held at the FSCJ Deerwood MexNexus simulation center while clinicals and community engagement hours take place weekly off campus around the greater Jacksonville metropolitan area.

  While campus housing is available, it is limited and likely fills quickly each year.  Candidates who are considering on-campus housing should consult directly with Housing & Residence Life.

Freshman Admit Nursing (FAN) Prelicensure BSN Track

• How is the FAN class schedule different from that of the Prelicensure track? For example, how does it work to take nursing courses with program prerequisites?

  The Freshman Admit Nursing (FAN) concentration is one (1) of two (2) concentrations of the Prelicensure BSN track.  The FAN concentration allows First Time in College (FTIC) students to enroll in the actual nursing program in their very first fall semester rather than as Pre-Nursing/Health student and have guaranteed upper-level seat admission as long as the student meets the FAN track progression standards outlined on the degree track's webpage.  FAN students will also take several health-related elective courses during their first two (2) years of enrollment such as Intro to Nursing and Medical Terminology.

  Assuming successful, on-time progression in each college semester of either track, total enrollment is expected to be four (4) years.  For FAN students, the enrollment is from day one to degree completion; for general Prelicensure students, the first two years are generally for the Associate of Arts (AA) and the final two years are for nursing program courses.

• Can I graduate from the university in less than four (4) years if I am admitted into the FAN program and come in with college hours from high school?

  The FAN concentration of the Prelicensure BSN track is a cohort-based delivery with courses that must be taken in a set order.  Graduation from the program cannot be expedited; rather, students who enter the program with hours earned in high school through dual enrollment or accelerated mechanisms such as AICE, AP, &/or IB will be permitted to take fewer courses in certain semesters or fill those spots on the schedule with elective hours.  In those cases, earning a minor is strongly encouraged.

  Assuming successful, on-time progression per semester, the program should be completed in no more than four (4) years.

• If I earned college credits in high school, will I need to retake the courses at ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ? May I do a minor if I have fulfilled requirements on my degree evaluation already with transfer credits?

  The FAN concentration will accept students with less than 30 college credits earned in high school through dual enrollment and other accelerated mechanisms such as AICE, AP, &/or IB scores.  Those courses with passing grades/scores will be honored toward the BSN program of study and do not need to be retaken.

• I matriculated in the FAN track, but I did not complete it. May I apply to be considered under the Regular Prelicensure track instead?
  Unfortunately, those who begin the FAN track and decide to not complete it or are otherwise exited from the track prior to completion may not apply under the Prelicensure BSN track at a later time.  This is due to the very limited number of seats in each track; a seat left open in the FAN track cannot typically otherwise be filled once students have matriculated.
• I earned more than 30 credits or an Associate of Arts (AA) while in high school. Am I eligible for FAN?

  Students entering ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ from high school with more than 30 credit hours are discouraged from the FAN track due to their advanced college standing.  Instead, they are encouraged to enroll as pre-nursing for one (1) year (roughly 30 semester hours; less if more hours are transferred into ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ) and then try for upper-level Prelicensure BSN admission.  In those cases, the advanced hours standing will allow the students to graduate in less than four (4) years at ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ. 

  Students entering ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ from high school with an Associate of Arts (AA) earned at another FL public institution are not eligible for FAN as they are already college juniors by credit hour.  Instead, those individuals should contact Dr. Beth Dibble, Assistant Director for Admissions: Nursing Programs, at nursingadmissions@unf.edu to ensure that they are considered for fall admission under the upper-level Prelicensure BSN track if they will meet that concentration's admission requirements/policies on time.  If additional prerequisites are needed, those candidates are encourage to change to another major and then change back once ready.  Such candidates also stand to graduate from ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ in less than the traditional four (4) years.

• Will I be permitted to take prerequisites at another institution?
  University requirements and track prerequisites may be fulfilled prior to program enrollment with transfer hours earned through high school dual enrollment and accelerated mechanisms such as AICE, AP, &/or IB.  Once matriculated in the program, however, only Microbiology may be taken outside of ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ and only with program/advisor approval.
• Is summer enrollment required?
  Summer enrollment between the freshman and sophomore years of the FAN track is required.  Courses during the summer semester are typically offered in the Summer C session (12 weeks; May through August).  FAN students may use the following summers in the program to satisfy any remaining courses for the university's General Education, Florida Gordon Rule, &/or Civic Literacy requirements.
• Will I be a Pre-Nursing major or a Nursing major if I am admitted to the FAN program?
  Those admitted to the FAN concentration of the Prelicensure BSN track are considered actual Nursing majors, not Pre-Nursing majors, upon matriculation at ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ.  Those who are not selected for FAN are still welcome to maintain their FTIC admission to ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ and enroll as a Pre-Nursing major to complete university requirements and program prerequisites during their freshman and sophomore years and compete for admission to the upper-level concentration to begin junior year.  Note that shortly after being admitted, all Pre-Nursing students are updated to Pre-Health with a Nursing intention/focus.  Pre-Nursing students are not actually matriculated in the program until Nursing courses start upon program admission.
• What does the university consider when looking at FAN candidates? Is a resume or volunteer experience required?

  There is currently no method by which to apply to the FAN concentration; rather, candidates for the FAN concentration are selected from the university's fall FTIC Pre-Nursing admission list and must meet the FAN criteria, which is above and beyond the requirements for Pre-Nursing admission.  There is no separate method or form by which to indicate you are interested in the FAN concentration.

  Beginning with the FAN 2024 cohort, there are no longer required admission interviews for FAN at this time.  Also, for FAN 2024, the university team will now handle FAN admissions processing and offers.  

  Questions may be directed to admissions@unf.edu. 

• What happens if I am waitlisted or denied for the FAN program?

  Those who are waitlisted or denied for the FAN track will still be afforded university admission as Pre-Nursing students.  Again, the university admissions team will handle this process.  Those who are waitlisted and not called up as well as those who were denied after interview are welcome to later try for the upper-level concentration during sophomore year for junior year program admission.  Questions may be directed to admissions@unf.edu. 

• Do I still have to attend New Student Orientation (NSO) for the university if I am admitted to the FAN program? Does the program have separate orientation?

  As a new student entering from high school, NSO is required even with FAN admission.  

  The program will onboard new FAN students to the School of Nursing through the use of standing courses in Canvas.  Invitations to join the courses will be issued to ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ email accounts upon FAN program admission.

• Who do I contact with questions about FAN?

  Questions regarding your university-level FTIC and FAN admission statuses should be directed to admissions@unf.edu or One-Stop Student Services at (904) 620-5555.

  Questions regarding your degree plan for the FAN concentration should be directed to Brooks College of Health Advising at cohadvis@unf.edu or (904) 620-2812. 

  Questions regarding other aspects of enrollment in the FAN program, its policies, and its expectations may be directed to Prelicensure Program Director, Dr. Judy Comeaux, at jcomeaux@unf.edu.

RN-BSN Bridge

• What are the admission requirements for the program?

  A full list of admission requirements for both tracks may be located through the Nursing Admissions area. From there, click on the name of the track to view the details. Note that there are online and on-campus options for enrollment when you submit the university application form.  RN licensure (or NCLEX-RN appointment proof) must be submitted as an application checklist item. This may be done through the application portal as a self-upload to the application checklist; for assistance with the application checklist document upload process, please contact ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ Online at BCHonline@unf.edu or (904) 620-3577.

  Acceptable documents for RN licensure or NCLEX-RN appointment proof include a copy of the RN licensure wallet card, a screenshot of the state licensure verification system, or an email from Pearson showing the date, time, and location of the NCLEX-RN testing appointment.  Note that for those who submit testing appointment proof, admission cannot be granted without proof of passing the exam (generally available approximately two days after testing).

• Is foreign language required for admission to the program? How can I meet this requirement?

  While completion of a foreign language is not required for admission to the RN-BSN Bridge, it must be completed prior to a certain point to continue with program enrollment. Prior to admission, the Coordinator for Online Nursing will work with applicants on developing an approved plan for completion of this requirement. For the on-campus cohorts, the language requirement must be fulfilled by the end of the second (2nd) semester; for the online cohorts, it must be completed before the final full term in the program. Those who wish to complete the foreign language requirement alongside program enrollment may do so at ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ or with another regionally accredited institution. 

  For those who are missing foreign language and plan to complete the language requirement while enrolled in the RN-BSN program, all of the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ General Education & Gordon Rule, Florida Civic Literacy, and BSN prerequisite course requirements must be completed prior to admission--the maximum deficiency allowance of six (6) semester hours will not apply.

  Those entering the RN-BSN track without a previous baccalaureate degree may satisfy the language requirement in one (1) of three (3) ways:

  1. With two (2) consecutive years of a single foreign language (or American Sign Language) in high school with passing grades in all grading periods (submit HS transcripts to One Stop in this case);
  2. With eight (8) passing credit hours of a single college-level foreign or American sign language; or,
  3. Receive certification as a bi- or multilingual student (done after admission) via ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ's language department.
• Are General Education and Florida Gordon Rule required for program admission?

  The program does not necessarily require General Education and Florida Gordon Rule to be met to enroll in the program; however, those requirements must be met by a certain point in program enrollment as determined by the RN-BSN Program Director and tracked by the Coordinator for Online Nursing.  Prior to admission, the Coordinator for Online Nursing will work with applicants on developing an approved plan for completion of this requirement. Note that those who wish to complete an Associate of Arts (AA) at ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ or with another Florida public institution may do so alongside RN-BSN program courses for both the on-campus and online formats. A maximum deficiency of six (6) total semester hours is allowed for admission with the exception of those who are missing foreign language.

  Final transcripts for courses taken at all institutions outside of ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ must be submitted to the One-Stop. Admission under this policy is handled on a case-by-case scenario. Note that candidates must still have enough credit hours (60 semester hours) to matriculate in the program. Additional details regarding this policy and practice may be obtained from Online Nursing. 

  Candidate who received an Associate of Arts (AA) from a Florida public institution or a baccalaureate from an institution accredited by an acceptable institutional accreditor will be exempt from General Education and Gordon Rule requirements.

• How will I know if I am missing required coursework?
  After you have applied with all required materials for the application checklist in myWings, your transcripts will be evaluated first by the university's enrollment team. Those applicants who meet the minimum GPA and credit hour requirements for the RN-BSN Bridge will then be referred to the School of Nursing for program review. At that time, the Assistant Director for Nursing Admissions will evaluate the applicant's coursework for missing requirements such as program prerequisites, General Education, Florida Gordon Rule, Civic Literacy, and foreign language. Those applicants who fully meet requirements will be admitted and will receive a welcome notice from the Coordinator for Online Nursing Programs. Those applicants who are missing coursework will be referred to the coordinator for follow-up regarding those requirements, and the coordinator will contact the applicant to discuss a potential plan for completion. A maximum deficiency of six (6) total semester hours is allowed for admission with the exception of those who are missing foreign language. Questions about this may be directed to Online Nursing.
• How do I know if my nursing program was nationally accredited?

  If you are not sure if your nursing program was nationally accredited, you should check directly with the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN; formerly NLNAC) before applying. They have a search function for program status.

  While more rare, you may also check with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

• I'm not sure if I should apply yet and would like additional information. Who should I contact?
  General questions regarding the application and enrollment process may be directed to ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ Online at (904) 620-3577 or unfonline@unf.edu.  Information may also be obtained from .
• What transcripts do I need to supply? How is my GPA calculated for admission?

  Transcripts from each individual institution at which any college credit was attempted must be supplied by the deadline to One-Stop Student Services at ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ. Note that this includes actual transcripts for AICE, IB, AP, DANTES, and CLEP courses as well as course-by-course evaluations for any coursework taken abroad. Note that if you enrolled transiently/concurrently or attended multiple colleges or universities, a transcript from each is required. ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ will not lift, consider, or otherwise review courses that are not from the actual institutions regardless of their presence on transcripts.

  Consideration for the RN-BSN Bridge requires no less than a 2.80 overall undergraduate GPA based on the courses that transfer for credit. When transcripts are submitted as part of the application process, they are evaluated for transfer by Enrollment Services. Hours from ASN program enrollment do not generally transfer to the university. This usually applies to ASN degrees completed at community or state colleges; in some cases, ASN courses completed at universities will transfer for credit. 

  Courses taken at institutions accredited by acceptable institutional accreditors in preparation for nursing enrollment such as prerequisites and General Education courses typically comprise the overall GPA. Candidates are encouraged to review where their overall GPAs stand with their ASN hours excluded in the event that those hours do not transfer.

  Graduate courses will not be considered toward the GPA or course requirements for the program.

• Is work experience required for enrollment in the RN-BSN Bridge?
  Work experience is no longer required to enroll in the program.

Graduate Nursing Programs

• What programs do you offer at the graduate level?

  As detailed under our graduate programs area, the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ School of Nursing currently offers DNP studies for Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Nurse Anesthesiology (CRNA), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), and the generic post-MSN DNP track. Currently, the generic post-MSN DNP and PMHNP tracks are offered online, and the generic post-MSN DNP track offers courses in the traditional-semester length (this option is ending in Fall 2021 with a final cohort) and in the accelerated, 8-week length formats (must choose format upon application; this format will continue past Fall 2021).  The School of Nursing also introduced the PMHNP Certificate track for those who wish to obtain certification as a PMHNP yet do not desire a clinical doctorate.  The first cohort began in Fall 2021.  Further, the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program was reactivated with two new tracks in Fall 2021.  Those tracks include Nursing Education as well as Nursing Leadership & Administration, and both are fully online programs with full-time enrollment only.

  With the exception of the CRNA and PMHNP tracks, which make competitive selections post-deadline, admission is offered on a rolling basis to the advertised start terms annually.  That is, the School of Nursing renders decisions on files as they are completed for consideration rather than queuing decisions until after the deadlines have passed.

• I applied for the PMHNP DNP or Certificate track. What is the process for candidate selection?

  Beginning with the Spring 2024 pool, the PMHNP tracks moved from rolling to competitive admission with the introduction of proctored essay and interview phases.  Candidates must apply through the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ Graduate School and submit all supplemental materials by the application deadline through the online application portal with the university.  This track does NOT utilize NursingCAS.  

  The ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ Graduate School receives and processes the applications and materials prior to referring a file in the application portal to the School of Nursing for consideration and review.  Dr. Dibble enters required data to an Excel workbook that is shared with PMHNP program leadership after the application pool has closed.  Program leadership then determines who is invited to participate in the proctored essay and interview phases.  Those invitations are sent out via email with links to access those phases; deadlines for those phases are also noted in the communication.  Once the essay and interview phases are closed, program leadership will individually rate the candidates on those items.  The scores will be recorded and combined by leadership with candidates identified to whom to offer admission or waiting list spots as well as to whom to notify of denial.  Leadership then relays that data back to Dr. Dibble who will release the decisions.  Those who are offered admission must RSVP to enroll.

  The program aims to have all decisions out shortly into the fall semester each year to allow new admits time to make arrangements for spring enrollment.  Dates may vary and change slightly based on program needs.

• Am I able to pursue two different graduate Nursing tracks at the same time?

  Unfortunately, students may not have dual concentrations in the same major.  For example, the major is Nursing for the new MSN program, and the concentrations are Education or Leadership & Administration.  Candidates must decide what track to which they wish to be enrolled before applying.  The same applies at the doctorate level.  Also, students may not dually enroll in the generic post-MSN DNP track and the post-MSN PMHNP Certificate track; instead, candidates should complete one program before applying to and enrolling in the next one.

  If students enroll in one graduate track and later wish to change mid-program, this may be done with program director and advisor approval one (1) time and must align with the application period associated with the track into which the students wish to change.  The School of Nursing does not typically allow the submission of graduate-level major changes.

• If I am not able to complete two MSN or two DNP tracks at the same time, may I complete one, graduate from it, and then return to complete another track of the same degree?
  No; if you complete a MSN, you may not return to ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ to complete another MSN.  Similarly, if you complete a DNP, you may not return to ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ to complete another DNP.  However, if you complete a MSN, you may apply to the DNP or certificate tracks that are offered by the School of Nursing if you otherwise meet the admission requirements for the track sought. Similarly, if you complete the DNP, you may apply to the certificate track offered by the School of Nursing if you otherwise meet the admission requirements for it.
• Are entrance exam scores required to apply?

  The GRE is required for all BSN-DNP CRNA applicants.  Effective for Fall 2021, the entrance exam requirements for the DNP-FNP track have been discontinued.  Additionally, entrance exam scores are not required for the PMHNP DNP, PMHNP Certificate, generic post-MSN DNP, and MSN tracks.

  For BSN-DNP CRNA candidates applying under the Spring 2026 cohort and beyond, GRE scores will now go to NursingCAS.  The testing companies will generally only archive scores for a five-year period. There are no extensions to the application deadlines. Candidates may take the entrance exam as many times as is desired, but the School of Nursing will not combine test sections from different attempts (known as super-scoring).

• What are the prerequisite course requirements for the MSN, FNP, or CRNA tracks?

  There are no specific prerequisite courses required for entry to the BSN-MSN and BSN-DNP FNP tracks; rather, those with baccalaureate nursing degrees from nationally accredited programs at regionally accredited institutions should find that they have the necessary foundations in nursing to continue into graduate studies. 

  The BSN-DNP CRNA track has started reviewing overall undergraduate GPAs as well as science GPAs based on reported coursework in NursingCAS.  This track requires candidates to have at least one (1) undergraduate Chemistry course from within the previous seven (7) years.  General Chemistry I with lab (or higher) is preferred.

  Students with lower grades in undergraduate sciences courses such as Chemistry and Biology may be counseled &/or encouraged to repeat undergraduate courses in these subjects as a matter of bolstering one's proficiency.  Doing so through traditional course mechanisms rather than through self-paced course enrollment is highly preferred.

• I am interested in the BSN-DNP CRNA track. Do I only apply through NursingCAS? Where do I submit my materials?
  Candidates for the SON's BSN-DNP CRNA track will be required to apply through both the university and NursingCAS; however, starting with the application pool for the Spring 2026 cohort, all supplemental materials will be loaded into NursingCAS.  These items do not need to be loaded into the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ application portal unless otherwise directed to do so.
• I am interested in the BSN-DNP CRNA track, but my GPA &/or GRE scores fall a bit short of the posted requirements. What can I do to improve my competitive standing?

  Candidate for the CRNA track who have GPAs &/or GRE scores that fall a bit below the posted minimum requirements are encouraged to take some graduate-level Nursing courses that will count toward the eventual degree plan for the track &/or to take/retake some undergraduate-level sciences courses.  The undergraduate science courses are typically encouraged if one's undergraduate science course grades are less than impressive.

  Those seeking to take or retake undergraduate courses toward a CRNA application will work directly with the department that offers the coursework desired.  Those seeking to take graduate-level courses in Nursing ahead of the program &/or as part of the application may contact Dr. Beth A. Dibble about Pre-CRNA enrollment at napadmissions@unf.edu. 

• I am interest in the BSN-DNP CRNA track and already earned a graduate degree. Am I required to submit GRE scores still?
  Yes.  There are no exceptions to the GRE requirement for the BSN-DNP CRNA track's application process.  Scores must be properly on file by the application deadline or one's application will be denied for missing materials.
• What factors does the School of Nursing consider as a "strong candidate" for the BSN-DNP CRNA track?

  In general, candidates with strong overall undergraduate GPAs, strong science GPAs, shadowing experience, and certifications such as CCRN are considered strong candidates.  In addition to these factors, the selection committee also considers GRE scores and critical care work experience.  The program adheres to COA's definition of a critical care unit, which is detailed on their organization's FAQs page.

  The averaged admitted student has obtained four (4) to five (5) years of experience working as a RN in a critical care setting, has a 3.50 cumulative GPA, and earned a 306 on the GRE (verbal and math sections combined).

• Regarding the Chemistry requirement for the BSN-DNP CRNA track, may that course be "in progress" when I apply?

  It is strongly encouraged that those who are missing an undergraduate Chemistry course or who need to take another (or repeat) due to the age of their original Chemistry course have the course completed by the application deadline of the term sought; however, the program can still consider candidates who are actively "in progress" with the course at the time of the application deadline.  Proof of enrollment in the course should be submitted as part of the transcript process through NursingCAS.

  The faculty committee that reviews BSN-DNP CRNA track applications will consider each candidate's academic history.  If, historically, the candidate earned strong grades in the sciences and Chemistry subject area, the committee will anticipate success for those with "in progress" enrollment; however, if the candidate has struggled academically in the sciences, obtaining an "A" grade prior to applying would be of benefit in the application process.

• For the Nurse Anesthesiology DNP track, what is considered a critical care setting?

  The Council on Accreditation (COA) defines critical care: 

  Critical care experience must be obtained in a critical care area within the United States, its territories or a U.S. Military hospital outside of the United States. During this experience, the registered professional nurse has developed critical decision making and psychomotor skills, competency in patient assessment, and the ability to use and interpret advanced monitoring techniques. A critical care area is defined as one where, on a routine basis, the registered professional nurse manages one or more of the following: invasive hemodynamic monitors (such as a pulmonary artery catheter, CVP, arterial); cardiac assist devices; mechanical ventilation; and vasoactive infusions. Examples of critical care units may include but are not limited to: Surgical Intensive Care, Cardiothoracic Intensive Care, Coronary Intensive Care, Medical Intensive Care, Pediatric Intensive Care, and Neonatal Intensive Care. Those who have experiences in other areas may be considered provided they can demonstrate competence with managing unstable patients, invasive monitoring, ventilators, and critical care pharmacology.

• For the BSN-DNP CRNA track, are there any critical care units that are not considered for one's work history?
  No; rather, the program will consider any unit that includes ICU or CCU in the unit's name.  However, the program does look at each unit individually regarding patient acuity.  The higher the patient acuity, the better with respect to work experience.  Consider that patient acuity tends to be higher in a Level 1 trauma center or academic center when compared to a smaller facility or rural area.
• I see that Casper is required for the BSN-DNP CRNA candidates. When is this offered, and if I reapply, do I need to retake it?

  The Casper assessment is available year round, but it is typically only offered once or twice each month.  For the Spring 2026 application pool, the following testing dates/times should be available on the Casper webpage, which is linked from the BSN-DNP CRNA "admissions" area of the SON webpage:

  • Sept. 17, 2024 6 p.m. or 8 p.m.
  • Sept. 29, 2024 4 p.m.
  • Oct. 17, 2024 8 p.m.
  • Oct. 29, 2024 8 p.m.
  • Nov. 14, 2024 6 p.m.
  • Dec. 5, 2024 8 p.m.
  • Jan. 7, 2025 8 p.m.
  • Jan. 14, 2025 8 p.m.
  • Feb. 11, 2025 8 p.m.
  • March 27, 2025 8 p.m.

  Those who are invited to interview must have this requirement completed prior to their interview date.  The final testing date of March 27, 2024, will allow the program to receive the results by April 10, 2025.

  Additionally, those who previously applied and took the assessment do not need to retake it if they choose to reapply to the program.

• Where are the clinical sites located for the FNP track?
  Clinical sites for the FNP track are located in the northeast region of Florida due to contractual requirements between the university and the off-campus sites.
• My BSN is from a program that is not nationally accredited by the CCNE or ACEN &/or doesn't meet the AACN's Essentials of Baccalaureate Education. May I still apply?

  For the BSN-MSN and BSN-DNP tracks, the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ School of Nursing recognizes that there are baccalaureate nursing programs that may not be CCNE or ACEN (formerly NLNAC) accredited. In some instances, schools may hold such accreditation now but did not when the candidate was enrolled. Questions may be directed to the program directors listed on the Contact Us page. 

  This question does not apply to the PMHNP or generic post-MSN DNP tracks as they require a MSN and national certification for application.

• May I attend part-time?

  Part-time enrollment is available in the School of Nursing's graduate tracks for post-MSN DNP, BSN-DNP FNP, and PMHNP DNP.  Full-time enrollment is required for the Nurse Anesthetist DNP track and the PMHNP Certificate track as well as for both MSN tracks.

  For the tracks that allow for part-time enrollment, you will be able to indicate your enrollment preference on the application, but the program will notify you of your enrollment offer upon admission.

• What is the schedule like for the BSN-DNP CRNA track?

  The BSN-DNP CRNA degree track at ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ follows a full-time, cohort-based enrollment plan.  Students will enroll in distance learning (DL) courses for their first term and for some of their subsequent terms.  The courses that are offered in the DL format tend to be those that are core DNP courses shared across our various DNP degree tracks.

  Students will begin synchronous, on-campus learning in their second semester, followed by many in-person lectures during the third semester.  Starting in the fourth semester, the track is considered a hybrid format.  Those with clinical sites near Jacksonville are expected to attend in-person lectures on the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ campus while those who are at clinical sites in other cities will attend by distance access.  The program currently enjoys 17 different clinical sites, and all students rotate through many of them.  However, sometimes, a student will spend a larger portion of his or her clinical time at one site if it is a distance site such as Halifax in Daytona, etc.

• May I transfer in graduate-level work from another institution or have course requirements waived?

  Generally, those admitted to the School of Nursing's MSN and DNP tracks may be approved to waive up to 12 credits based on previous successful completion at the graduate level through a nationally accredited program at a regionally accredited institution.  Credits cannot be waived in the PMHNP Certificate track.  Upon admission to a graduate Nursing track, candidates will be added to program "homepages" in Canvas.  The waiver request form is available in Canvas to all admitted candidates and should be submitted prior to enrolling; if this is not possible, the form may be submitted within the first term of the program.  Directions are included on the form.

  The School of Nursing developed a list of courses that may not be waived; these courses must be taken through the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ School of Nursing toward the prescribed degree plan:  NGR6740 Role Development; NGR5003C Health Assessment; NGR5810 Research Methods; NGR7843 Statistics; NGR7850 Evidence-Based Practice I; NGR7851 Evidence-Based Practice II; NGR7946 Residency; NGR7974 Project; any clinical courses identified with a "C" at the end of the course number.

  Admits for the generic post-MSN DNP who hold active national certification as a CRNA or admits who have at least five (5) years of experience in an advanced nursing role may receive three (3) credits of Residency waived for the experience.  No additional credits of Residency may be waived by any students.  However, if these students wish to waive other courses instead, they are welcome to do so and will then take all nine (9) credits of Residency.  The automatic Residency waiver is first identified upon admission, but it may be re-evaluated mid-program if a student gains the necessary experience prior to the final Residency enrollment.  Additionally, those who hold active national certification as a CRNA will also have Advanced Pharmacology waived for three (3) credits, which leaves six (6) other credits that may be waived excluding additional Residency credits and the above list of courses that must be taken in the program.

• How often is admission offered for the graduate tracks?

  Admission periods vary by the graduate track. The MSN, BSN-DNP FNP, and generic post-MSN DNP tracks each admit for the Fall semester annually, while the BSN-DNP CRNA, post-MSN PMHNP DNP, post-MSN PMHNP Certificate, and generic post-MSN DNP tracks admit for the Spring semester annually.  None of the tracks offer summer admission.

• I do not possess the necessary national certification in a specialty area. May I still apply for the PMHNP or generic post-MSN tracks?

  Generally, no; all admission requirements must be met and documented with appropriate forms by the materials deadline. However, the PMHNP DNP and Certificate tracks will allow applicants who are not nurse practitioners, but who are licensed as APRNs and nationally certified (must be active) in one of the following roles:  CRNA, CNM, and CNS.  These applicants must have graduate-level coursework already in assessment, advanced pathophysiology, and pharmacology with a B or better.

  Additionally, the post-MSN DNP degree program will allow non-certified MSNs apply under the administrative track, but to apply under the practice track, the applicant must be licensed as an APRN and nationally certified (must be active) in one of the following roles:  CRNA, NP, CNS, or CNM.

• Is financial aid available for enrollment in the graduate nursing programs?

  Financial aid is generally available for those enrolled in the MSN and DNP tracks.  Financial aid eligibility and borrowing limits may apply.  Questions regarding aid should be directed to Financial Aid. 

  Since the PMHNP Certificate is not a degree program, financial aid is not available for this track.  This should be taken into consideration when deciding between the PMHNP Certificate and DNP tracks.

• May I take graduate Nursing courses at ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ prior to program admission?

  Yes, candidates seeking our CRNA, FNP, and PMHNP DNP tracks may wish to obtain non-degree seeking (NDS) admission to ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ ahead of formal program matriculation since these tracks only admit for one (1) term of the year; those seeking future generic Post-MSN DNP enrollment have multiple application terms to increase their enrollment options and do not generally enroll NDS ahead of the program.  NDS enrollment is no longer available for future MSN candidates as the MSN Education track will not admit after Fall 2024, and the MSN Leadership track is currently undergoing the approval process for major track revisions; as such, the proposed curriculum does not include any courses in which the School of Nursing allows NDS enrollment.

  Under the NDS status, individuals may take up to 12 total credits ahead of formally starting in one of our graduate degree tracks.  This requires separate application through the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ Graduate School under one of our specific NDS options, commonly referred to as "Pre-FNP," "Pre-CRNA," "Pre-MSN," and "Pre-PMHNP."  Permissions are not awarded by the SON for non-Nursing coursework.  Financial aid is not available in the NDS status.

  All courses offered to NDS Nursing students are taught in the asynchronous, distance learning format.  While not all courses are available each term, the following are available to take under the NDS status:  NGR5110, Nursing Theory; NGR5141, Pathophysiology; NGR6673, Epidemiology; NGR6892, Public Policy; NGR6894, Global Health Care & Culture; NGR7871, Health Informatics.  

  Those seeking NDS for Nursing courses must apply through the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ Graduate School by the following annual deadlines set by Nursing in concert with the Graduate School (and they differ from those for other NDS populations):  Fall term, August 1st; Spring term, December 1st; Summer term, April 15th.  The department will run weekly reports to see who is applying under the SON's NDS enrollment codes.  Once someone appears on the report with admission, his or her name will go on the internal NDS student roster.  The department will reach out with NDS course choices, registration details, and the deadline by which to register for courses under an upcoming term.  Note that SON NDS deadlines may differ from ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ deadlines, and SON deadlines are the ones observed.  Late applications will not be permitted since NDS courses are offered each term of the academic year.

  Questions?  Please contact Dr. Beth Dibble at nursingadmissions@unf.edu.