BSN- New Student Orientation
Congratulations, Nole Nurse in the making!
Welcome to Florida State University College of Nursing! You will be immersed in a top-tier learning environment for your nursing practice and professional development. Your education will serve as the foundation for a rewarding healthcare career!
Still need to apply? Visit our BSN Apply page!
Let's Get Started!
Question or concerns? Reach out to your (advisors link)
1) Be Prepared
- University Application (Transfer Students)
Make sure your application is complete at the University level. Admissions will not refer your application to the College of Nursing if incomplete. Contact the FSU Admissions office if you have any concerns about your FSU admission status. - Activate FSU email
Once you have been accepted to FSU, make sure to activate your FSU email account. You will need to have this email to start your clinical clearances and begin applying for FSU scholarships. If you are current FSU student, your FSU email will remain the same. - Class Registration
No worries registering! Class registration is handled by the college. Your advisor will provide schedules as soon as finalized. - Major Change/Certification
FSU Nursing NFA Students- The College of Nursing will change your major
Other Majors- Complete Major Change Form and send to Nikki Ross Davis jacquelin.davis@fsu.edu - Scholarships and Financial Aid
Apply for College of Nursing Scholarships. Concerns about University Financial Aid should be directed to the FSU Financial Aid Office.
2) Orientation
- University Orientation (Transfers Only)
Transfer Students will need to sign up for a transfer orientation. If you have not received an acceptance letter from the University, contact the FSU Admissions office. - College of Nursing Orientation
BSN Orientation is Mandatory. The orientation is held in-person at Duxbury Hall, usually one week before start of the semester. Be on lookout for an email announcement!
3) Clinical Clearance
To attend clinical in the FSU nursing program, you are required to complete a clinical clearance process. Our clinical partners require this documentation, and we are responsible for verifying this information. Refer to the Student Policies packet (Student Policies S-2, S-4, S-5 relate to clinical clearance) as you complete this process.
EXXAT Clinical Clearance Management System
EXXAT is the College of Nursing’s comprehensive clinical clearance management system. EXXAT facilitates student placement at clinical sites, student entry of clinical experiences, evaluations, and reporting. EXXAT is a $185 cost. Be on the lookout for an email from an EXXAT team member to activate your account. It is imperative that you complete clinical clearance requirements as quickly as possible. Your advising team will inform you of due dates.
All of the following documents below must be uploaded to EXXAT and verified by a representative of the EXXAT Team. Your background check, fingerprinting, and drug screen need to be ordered and completed through CastleBranch. Once results are received, please upload them into EXXAT for approval. All forms and documents are located in EXXAT. Please download, complete, and upload into EXXAT.
Upload the following documents into your EXXAT account:
- Requirements associated with Policy S-2 Criminal Background Check
- All required forms provided online via CastleBranch
- VECHS Waiver Agreement and Statement
- Requirements associated with Policy S-5 Substance Abuse Policy
- 10-Panel Drug Urinalysis screening (Register for the drug screening process through Castle Branch. Included in “Initial Package”)
- Requirements associated with Policy S-4 Clinical Clearance
- Health Examination and Immunizations
- TB/PPD Test Results
- Essential Functions/Technical Standards Required of Nursing Students form
- Physical Examination and Functions Required of Nursing Students form
- Authorization for Protected Health Information
- Notarized Affidavit of Good Moral Character form- Free of charge on-campus notary option is available. Contact Jared Miller (jsm22o@fsu.edu) to schedule.
- Copy of your driver’s license (front and back)
- Copy of your health insurance card (front and back)- With proof from the insurance provider that you are covered as a dependent of the policy holder if your name is not on the card.
- Copy of current American Heart Association CPR certification (2-year healthcare provider certification required) *please note ONLY AHA is approved
DO NOT SEND DOCUMENTS TO THE COLLEGE OF NURSING.
All documents must be scanned and uploaded to your account through the EXXAT website. If you have any questions, contact CON advising team
CastleBranch Background Check and Drug Screening
You are required to complete FDLE Level II background check and Drug Screen upon admission into the program and annually. Your background check, fingerprinting, and drug screen need to be ordered and completed through CastleBranch, then upload to EXXAT for approval. The price for your initial background check/drug screen is $128.25 ($95.25 background/$33 drug screen), your 2nd background check and drug screen (a year later) cost is $123.25 ($90.25 background/$33 drug screen).
- Complete the FDLE/FBI Background Check and Drug Screen through Castle Branch via the portal: portal.castlebranch.com/FM03
- Select the “Initial Package” (“out of state” if you do not primarily live in Florida and will not until the program begins)
- If you are not currently living in the state of Florida, you will need to be mailed an out-of-state fingerprinting kit. Email Jared Miller (jsm22o@fsu.edu) to begin this process.
4) Materials and Supplies
- Uniform
Scrub top x 2, Scrub pants x 2, Polo shirt, Lab coat, & Name tag- The College of Nursing typically covers cost. Your advisor will be reaching out coordinate sizes. - Elsevier/HESI Review
Elsevier/HESI is the standardized testing platform across nursing curriculum--8 specialty exams--in addition to individualized support materials to enhance classroom and clinical learning and readiness for NCLEX. The end of program NCLEX review is included in this package. The cost is distributed over four semesters: $170-200/semester. Your advisor will be in contact about the payment process. - Laptop & Books/Electronic Resources
A laptop or notebook computer is required for curriculum. You will have the option of buying your textbooks and electronic resources bundled each semester from the FSU bookstore. With the bundle option, there is a discount applied versus buying the products individually. Nearly all your resources will be used across the curriculum—simulation products, charting products, pharmacology references, and adaptive quizzing programs. If you buy your required textbooks or course resources elsewhere, make sure you can enroll in the online components for your required courses. - Additional Required Items
- Adult size Nylon blood pressure cuff (sphygmomanometer)
- Stethoscope
- Hemostats (1 pair, 5”)
- Bandage scissors (1 pair, 5”)
- Penlight
- Closed-toed white nursing shoes