College of Nursing

The College of Nursing is the 12th college to be established at the University. It was established as a Department of Nursing and graduated its first class in 1981. The college has achieved prominence as an innovator in nursing education, responding to a changing population with complex health care needs. The faculty of the college values access to education and embraces opportunities to utilize advanced technology, innovation and creativity to provide graduates with the highest quality education at the baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral levels.

Today’s challenging health care environment provides unique opportunities for nursing. Nurses are needed more than ever to provide evidence-based patient care, serve in leadership roles, teach, engage in research, and influence policy.

The mission of the College of Nursing is to offer high quality undergraduate and graduate academic programs designed to prepare nurses to practice in a continuously changing health care environment; to provide innovative access to education and research; to develop nurse clinicians, leaders and scholars who promote the health of diverse populations in local, national and global communities; and to touch lives lead by example and make a difference through clinical excellence, research and community service.

The College of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, the basis for professional nursing practice. The program has three tracks: basic, accelerated and RN to BSN. The basic and accelerated tracks prepare students for initial licensure as a registered nurse. The basic program is also offered at the Cocoa and Daytona regional campus sites. Students with a prior baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university are eligible for the Accelerated Second Degree BSN option. The BSN graduate is prepared to provide comprehensive care in a variety of acute, community, and rehabilitative settings. The program emphasis includes clinical nursing practice, health promotion and maintenance, and preparation for assuming leadership roles. The baccalaureate curriculum provides the foundation for graduate study in nursing.

The RN to BSN track offers registered nurses with an associate degree or diploma in nursing an opportunity to earn a BSN. Each applicant is reviewed individually and guided to prevent repetition of previous coursework. RNs may submit applications during any semester. Contact the College of Nursing for specifics on the RN to BSN program. Courses are offered in Orlando, Cocoa, Daytona Beach, Leesburg and Ocala campuses, as well as online.

The goal of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree is to prepare advanced practice nurses to assume leadership positions in a variety of healthcare settings. Program tracks include Nurse Practitioner (Family, Adult, or Pediatric), Clinical Nurse Specialist, Clinical Nurse Leader, Nurse Educator, and Nursing Leadership and Management. Minimum hours for the degree are 36-49 hours of graduate work depending on the major. An evidence-based scholarly project is required. Students must be a licensed Registered Nurse to enter this program. A certificate in Nursing Education is available for students with a bachelor’s degree in nursing or a related health field.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) program prepares nurse scientists to assume positions as nursing faculty, leaders in the application of innovative technologies to nursing education and clinical care, executive leaders in health care systems and scientists who contribute to the body of nursing knowledge through research.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) prepares nurse clinicians and nurse practitioners for leadership roles in specialized areas of advanced practice nursing. This program prepares nurses at the highest level of practice for the current health care environment based on a strong scientific foundation for practice; flexibility and emphasis on evidence-based practice, leadership, and organizational analysis; and analysis of practice including completion of a residency project during the capstone clinical residency year.

The College of Nursing BSN and MSN programs are accredited by The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The BSN Program is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. All programs are limited access and require a separate application to the College of Nursing.

General Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree

• Programs in the College of Nursing are upper division, limited access programs.
• Acceptance by or registration at the university does not constitute admission to the College of Nursing.
• Application must be made to the appropriate program in Nursing.

Additional information regarding prerequisites and minimum grade point averages may be obtained from the college Web site: http://www.nursing.ucf.edu

Academic Advisement

Office of Undergraduate Student Services

The College of Nursing Office of Undergraduate Student Services assists students in understanding matters relating to college and university requirements and procedures, as well as coordinating orientation, registration and graduation certification. Students interested in pursuing limited access programs are encouraged to meet with advisors in the college to take the appropriate prerequisite requirements. Advisors are available through the Outreach Program for students on probation or for those having academic difficulty. Questions concerning university and college academic policies should be directed through this office.

Programs and Degrees

Program Academic Learning Compacts (student learning outcomes) for undergraduate programs in the College of Nursing are located at: http://oeas.ucf.edu/alc/alc_students_con.htm