RN-BSN Track

Acccreditation
The College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CNHS) offers a professional program of study leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The BSN program was approved by the Board of Regents of the State University System in 1982. The program is open to non-RN (basic/generic) and RN students. The CNHS BSN & MSN programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One Dupont Circle, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036-1120, (202) 887-8476, and approved by the Florida State Board of Nursing, (4052 Bald Cypress Way, BIN CO2, Tallahassee, FL 32399, 850-245-4125).

The College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CNHS) offers a baccalaureate program for registered nurses to complete the BSN degree. To accommodate the adult learner, nursing courses in the curriculum are often offered web enhanced or completely online.  The RN-BSN degree requires 123 semester hours of credit for completion. In addition to 60 lower division semester hour credits, the degree requirements include 27 upper division nursing credits, a 30 semester-hour clinical proficiency evaluation (completed by the Excelsior College equivalency exams-EE), and 6 semester hours of upper division electives. The last 33 credits must be upper division, of which 30 credits must be taken at FIU.

Admission Requirements
For admission to the upper division RN-BSN track, students must meet the following requirements:

• Be licensed by the State of Florida as an registered nurse (RN).
• Have completed at least 60 credit hours of academic course work with a minimum GPA of 2.0 from a regionally accredited college or university. Applicants with fewer than than 60 transferable credits must satisfy the lower division coursework as beginning freshmen. Graduates of diploma nursing programs who do not have transferable college credit must complete FIU lower division credit requirements. Transcripts must reflect the following:
  • Completion of Florida mandated Gordon Rule requirements (writing and computation).
  • Passing scores on the CLAST examination or exemption from the CLAST exam through academic performance in selected courses.
  • Completion of FIU core curriculum requirements (unless prior Associate in Arts (AA) degree).
• Completion of RN-BSN prerequisite courses.
• Have submitted the required application, essay of professional goals and copy of RN license to the CNHS.
• Have submitted the University application to the University Office of Admissions. 
• Have submitted official copies of transcripts from high school and all colleges/universities attended to the 1) University Office of Admissions and the 2) College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
• Have submitted evidence of Florida residency to qualify for in-state tuition.
• If international student, have submitted a minimum score of 500 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

In addition:

• To safeguard the health of both students and their clients, students must submit proof of FIU and College of Nursing and Health Sciences required immunizations.  CPR certification, immunizations, and health insurance must be current during enrollment in the clinical courses.
• Students are required to submit to state and federal background checks before entry into clinical areas.  Clinical agencies may also require drug testing on entry to the agency. Findings in background checks may affect a student's ability to participate in clinical experiences and complete the program. For FIU's policies and procedures related to substance abuse, click here If you have questions about the background check or drug testing, contact Dr. Kathleen Blais, Director of Academic Programs, 305-348-7712.
• RNs must have professional liability insurance in order to register for NUR 4636L and NUR 4945L.
• The College of Nursing and Health Sciences reserves the right to terminate a student from the nursing program for reasons related to the inability to safely carry out professional responsibilities.

Advanced Placement and Progression for RNs
The CNHS individually evaluates each applicant’s educational record. To progress through the curriculum, the RN must successfully complete prerequisite, co-requisite and required courses recommended in the curriculum plan in effect upon admission. Transition to Professional Nursing, Professional Nursing I: Socialization, and Client Assessment may be taken while completing prerequisites.  It is possible to complete the nursing sequence in one year of full-time study after all prerequisites and challenge courses have been completed, and the RN has been fully admitted to the track.

Advanced placement in both nursing and non-nursing courses is facilitated by earning 30 transfer credits through examination, i.e., challenge or equivalency exams (EE) such as Excelsior College Examinations.  The equivalency exams are Adult Nursing, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Maternal Child Nursing baccalaureate.  Students must attain a “C” or above to be awarded credit. An RN student may elect to complete a course by matriculation in a nursing course (theory and clinical) rather than take the challenge examination. Clinical nursing courses have space limits mandated by the Florida Board of Nursing.  Priority for this space is for admitted basic (generic BSN) students.

RN-BSN students must have one year of registered nurse experience prior to enrolling in clinical nursing courses (NUR 4636L, NUR 4945L).

Admission Consideration: Steps to Be Completed:

• Make an appointment to attend a general information session on the University Park Campus. Call (305) 348-7703.
• Complete and submit the online FIU application with the required application fee.  An applicant can also obtain an application from the Office of Admissions and return it to the FIU Office of Admissions, Miami, FL 33199-0001 with the required application fee.  NOTE:  Please complete and/or send the FIU application before requesting transcripts.  NOTE: RNs with an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree or a diploma must attend an information session or meet with a nursing advisor before applying to the University.
• Complete and return the CNHS undergraduate BSN application (DOWNLOAD BSN application) to the FIU CNHS, University Park Campus, Undergraduate Nursing Program, HLS 2, Room 492, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL 33199. Include essay of professional goals.
• Request two (2) copies of official transcripts of all previous academic work from the respective colleges/universities to be sent to the
  • (1) FIU Office of Admissions, Miami, FL 33199-0001 and
  • (2) FIU College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University Park Campus, Undergraduate Nursing Program, HLS 2, Room 485, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL 33199. NOTE:  The transcript sent to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences must be a "paper" transcript.
• Once file is complete, make an individual advising appointment with the Coordinator, Academic Support Services at the University Park Campus Campus, (305) 348-7703. Bring copies of all transcripts to the advising appointment for evaluation of deficiencies in state mandated requirements and/or nursing prerequisites.

• Students are responsible for transportation and other expenses related to clinical experiences (such as the purchase of a uniform, name badge, and goggles). Students must meet clinical agency requirements related to immunizations and CPR certification.
• Financial aid may be available to nursing students. For information on whether you qualify for financial aid through FIU, click on the following link: FIU Financial Aid   For FIU scholarships, click on the following link: FIU Scholarships  For nursing scholarships available through the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, click on the following link: CNHS Nursing Scholarships

For information on the BSN admission process, contact:

• Coordinator, Academic Support Services
  HLS 2 Room 485 University Park Campus
  (305) 348-7703

NOTE: Florida International University and College of Nursing and Health Sciences' policies, procedures, requirements and regulations are continually subject to review in order to serve the needs of the University/College’s publics and to respond to the mandates of the Florida Department of Education, Board of Governors, the Legislature, and other regulatory and accrediting agencies.  Changes in programs, policies, procedures, requirements, and regulations may be made without advance notice.