NURSG:BSN - Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Traditional Program

Program Objectives 

Upon completion of the BSN, graduates will be able to:  

(1) Synthesize knowledge from nursing and related disciplines in the provision of care to clients within the health-illness continuum throughout the life span. 

(2) Utilize creative leadership to promote quality health care and patient safety in a rapidly changing multicultural, multiethnic, and global environment. 

(3) Synthesize and apply evidence and research findings from nursing and from other disciplines to improve or change nursing practice. 

(4) Use appropriate and current technology and skills in the delivery of safe and effective patient care.

(5) Function as an advocate and change agent in influencing healthcare policies, delivery, economics, and health disparities to improve the quality of health for diverse populations. 

(6) Collaborate and communicate with members of the health care team in the delivery of individualized, cost-effective and ethical health care services. 

(7) Demonstrate an understanding of accountability, responsibility, values, and standards of moral, ethical, and legal conduct that impact on the role and practice of the professional nurse. 

(8) Utilize theoretical knowledge and clinical competencies in caring for culturally diverse populations in a variety of clinical settings.

Program Policies 

Students who enter FIU without an Associate of Arts (AA) degree, transfer from out-of-state, or transfer from a private community college must meet the FIU core curriculum requirements. See a nursing advisor (305) 348-7703 in the Office of Student Services for admission information. 

Nursing students are responsible for transportation expenses related to clinical experiences. They are required to carry health and accident insurance.  To safeguard the health of clients, nursing students are required to submit proof of health examination and immunizations upon entry into the nursing program. Students must submit proof of basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification (American Heart Association) prior to entering clinical courses in the nursing major.  This CPR certification must cover the period of enrollment in the program.  

The Florida Board of Nursing and clinical agencies require the disclosure of arrest and conviction records for misdemeanors and/or felonies; therefore, this information will be required at the time of application.  Applicants are required to submit to criminal background checks and drug testing. Expenses associated with background checks and drug testing (including repeat testing) are the responsibility of the student. Findings may affect a student’s ability to participate in clinical experiences and complete the program, and/or obtain registered nurse licensure.  

In addition to undergraduate tuition and fees, nursing students may be charged a fee for courses with an “L” suffix for laboratory supplies. 

Students who request a transfer from another nursing program must provide a letter of good standing from the nursing program in which they were enrolled. 

The College reserves the right to terminate a student from the nursing program for reasons related to the inability to carry out professional responsibilities safely.  

Note: The programs, policies, requirements, and regulations listed in this catalog are continually subject to review in order to serve the needs of the University’s and College’s various 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 may be made without advance notice. Please refer to the General Information section for the University’s policies, requirements, and regulations. Please refer to the College's website for updated information on nursing.

Scholastic Requirements

To remain in good academic standing students must: 

(1) Achieve a grade of ‘C’ or higher in nursing courses. A student who earns less than a ‘C’ in any nursing course will be required to repeat the course in order to progress in the nursing program. A student may repeat a course one time only. Students who have failed two nursing courses or have two failures in the same nursing course will be dismissed from the program.

(2) Pass required examinations: Traditional program students are required to take specific nursing achievement examinations (To be announced at the beginning of each academic term). In addition, students are required to pass a nursing synthesis (exit) exam as a BSN graduation requirement. This examination is given during the last semester of the program.

Specialized Admissions Requirements for the Bachelor in Science in Nursing (Traditional Program)

Applicants for the Traditional Nursing Program must submit an application for admission to the University and must follow the regular University procedures. Applicants must also complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program application.

All admission documents must be submitted, and courses must be completed by the end of the semester prior to the semester in which the student is applying. Students interested in the nursing program should contact the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing Health Sciences to make an appointment with the Office of Student Services as early as possible. The College’s main office is located on the Modesto A. Maidique Campus, (305) 348-7703, and assistance is available on the Biscayne Bay Campus, (305) 919-4421.     

The Traditional Program is a specialized admissions status program; and therefore, admission is competitive based on previous academic performance, utilizing a holistic student approach, and additional criteria for entry into the BSN Program.  A criterion-based point system is used for the admission evaluation of applicants to the traditional RN-BSN program.

To be admitted to the Traditional Program, applicants must:

(1) Have an overall GPA of 3.25 or higher

(2) Have completed science courses within the past 10 years;

(3) Have met all the lower division requirements, including a “C” or better grade for all nursing pre-requisite courses. Students earning a grade of “C minus” or below in any science prerequisite course may repeat that course only once. A student who earns a grade of “C minus” or below in any science pre-requisite course for a second time will be redirected to another major within FIU. Advisement relative to other majors/options will be provided;

(4) Completed a minimum of 54 semester hours;

(5) Be recommended for admission by the Undergraduate Nursing Admissions Committee.

(6) The Florida Board of Nursing and clinical agencies require the disclosure of arrest and conviction records for misdemeanors and/or felonies; therefore, this information will be required at the time of application. Applicants are required to submit to criminal background checks and drug testing. Expenses associated with background checks and drug testing (including repeat testing) are the responsibility of the student. Findings may affect a student’s ability to participate in clinical experiences, complete the program, and/or obtain registered nurse licensure.

Applicants must apply by the published deadline to be considered for admission. Once a class fills, there are no deferred admissions. Previous applicants wishing to be considered for admission in the following application cycle must submit a new application, along with any supporting documentation. For applicants to the AO program and the RN-BSN program, these programs have separate catalog program sections that include admission requirements.

There are no tracks, specializations, concentrations, areas of emphasis, or other curricular offerings associated with this program.

There are no majors associated with this program.