Degree Requirements
The Florida State University will confer the bachelor's degree when all Departmental and University requirements and conditions have been met. The program is designed to capitalize on the RN's prior learning and experience and offers the opportunity to complete a bachelor's degree in approximately four to seven consecutive semesters of part-time study.
Departmental Requirements
The RN to BSN program consists of 30 credit hours of core and elective nursing courses. The course work will include content that is unique to baccalaureate education and will not duplicate the learning experiences from the associate degree program in Nursing. A grade of "C" or better must be earned in all core and elective course work. The student may receive up to 30 hours of validated departmental credit that will be awarded prior to the final semester of enrollment.
For additional information about these requirements, students should contact the RN to BSN Academic Advisor.
University requirements
In addition to the RN to BSN program requirements, students must also meet the University requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree:
Note: Students entering FSU with an Associate of Arts degree from a Florida public institution earned after Spring 1971 have satisfied FSU's Liberal Studies and Gordon Rule requirements. Students without the Florida public institution AA degree or an AA degree earned prior to Spring 1971 should complete these requirements prior to beginning the online degree program as they are not available online.
For details of these requirements, students should refer to Undergraduate General Bulletin or contact the RN to BSN Academic Advisor.
Course Descriptions
NUR 3065C Health Assessment, Wellness and Prevention Across the Life Span (4)
This course introduces the nursing student to concepts and models of wellness and health promotion of individuals, families and communities. Included are communication and interview techniques in compiling a health history, technical skills in performing a physical exam, and critical reasoning skills in doing a health risk appraisal and formulating nursing diagnoses appropriate to identified problems. Client’s cultural differences, development stage, family structure, economic situation, and health behaviors are considered when evaluating health status.
NUR 3125 Pathophysiological Concepts in Nursing (4)
This course is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of pathophysiological concepts and their clinical presentation in humans. Consideration of physiologic changes across the lifespan, genetic and sociocultural and environmental influences on the expression of disease and injury is included.
NUR 3655 Multicultural Factors and Health (3)
A comparative analytical approach to the study of communication, current problems, issues, health care beliefs, values, and practices of different systems and cultural norms as they affect health care practices that conflict with ethnic or cultural communication related to standards and value systems.
NUR 3822 Professionalism and Research in Nursing (4)
The course introduces the nursing student to the history and image, roles, ethics, values and legal issues of the nursing profession. Scientific inquiry, the research process and the relation to evidence- based practice are examined. This course satisfies the University computer competency requirement.
NUR 3678 Nursing Care of Vulnerable Populations (4)
The course examines the application of nursing and related theories to the care of vulnerable populations throughout the life cycle. Emphasis is placed on nursing care of the elderly, clients with psychosocial disorders, and at-risk culturally diverse populations in the community. The impact of poverty, environment, support networks, health policy, and community resources on vulnerable populations and health outcomes is explored. The focus is on promoting client independence and maximizing quality of life of vulnerable individuals, families and communities.
NUR 4642 Substance Abuse and the Effects on Health, Family, and Profession (3)
Broad-based approach to substance abuse and the effects on health, family, and the profession; identifying groups at risk, prevention activities, and help approaches.
NUR 4888C Nursing Leadership in Systems of Care (3)
This course focuses on concepts, principles, and theories of leadership, management, role development and administration in a variety of culturally diverse health care delivery systems at local, regional, national and global levels. Skills required by the professional nurse leader, including delegation of responsibilities, networking, facilitation of groups, conflict resolution, case management, collaboration, budgeting, cost effectiveness and resource allocation, risk management, quality and performance indicators, teaching and professional development are emphasized and applied in relevant settings.
NUR 4XXX Current Issues in Nursing (3)
This seminar course for the RN-to-BSN student analyzes current issues and trends influencing the role of the professional nurse within the context of the healthcare system at the local, regional, national, and global levels. The content is aimed at exploring the environment in which the professional nurse practices and analyzing socio-economic, ethical, legal and political trends that shape nursing’s future.
NUR 4XXX Professional Nursing Practicum (2)
Students will complete a practicum experience through the selection of a community agency of interest with a focus on a select patient population. Current ethical, legal and health care issues will be addressed that are pertinent to the practicing professional and will be summarized as the student formulates guidelines to deal with selected issues. Political action, community service and professional image will be promoted as activities that contribute to the professional growth of the nurse and the profession of nursing.