Aug 21, 2025  
2025-2026 Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Catalog

RN - BSN., Nursing [8019] ‡


Bachelor of Science

(120 Credit Hours)

Dean of Nursing

Dr. Tammy Sawmelle, Ph.D., MSN, RN

For more information about the program contact:
BSN Program Manager

Dr. Katie Tinley
Tinleyk@SCF.edu

Program Description and Goal

The Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN.) Program is designed primarily as a 2+2 program for current Florida registered nurses (RN) who would like to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN.). This program incorporates prior nursing education and experience in nursing practice, theory and concepts. BSN. coursework addresses topics related to leadership and management, informatics, community and public health, nursing theory and research. This program is approved by the Florida State Department of Education.

This program is approved by the Florida State Department of Education.   The Baccalaureate nursing program at State College of Florida is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326  (404) 975-5000.

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Baccalaureate nursing programs is Continuing Accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm

The goal of the RN to BSN nursing program is to develop nursing professionals who excel in leadership and effective communication, as well as critical thinking and evidence-based practice. The program aims to enhance understanding of healthcare policy, finance, and ethics, while integrating advanced technology. Additionally, it fosters resilience and innovative qualities, preparing graduates to navigate and lead in the dynamic healthcare environment, and opening numerous career advancement opportunities.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Apply critical thinking to provide holistic nursing care for people and communities of all ages and backgrounds.
  • Synthesize nursing theory, research, and best practices to improve patient safety and outcomes.
  • Analyze healthcare policy, finance, ethics, and global issues to ensure fair and high-quality care.
  • Evaluate the impact of technology to improve patient safety and outcomes.
  • Demonstrate effective communication, leadership, and resilience supporting the role of nurse leader.

 

Separate Application


‡ Degrees/programs will require a separate application and acceptance notification from the specific department before enrollment in the desired program.

Admission Requirements


  1. A 2.0 GPA on a scale of 4.0;
  2. A current, unencumbered, unrestricted Florida RN license or eligible for Florida RN licensure.
  3. Completion of at least 60 hours and completion of all prerequisite courses listed below.  Courses transferred with fewer credits than listed will be evaluated on a case by case by case basis.

RN-B.S.N. Program Requirements


 

Prerequisite Courses: 36 Credit Hours


Completion of all or part of the academic courses required does not guarantee acceptance into the RN to B.S.N. Program.

Additional Academic Requirements: 12 Credit Hours


Courses from the prerequisites (+) count toward the 36 credit hours needed in general education requirements, Areas I - V .

To complete this requirement, students will need to complete the following courses:

Postsecondary Civics Literacy and Foreign Language


Must meet State of Florida requirements for civic literacy and foreign language. Details are outlined in the general education requirements, Associate in Arts Degree  section of the catalog.

BSN Electives: 6 Credit Hours


Minimum of two courses from this list:

Lower/Upper Level Electives: 3 Credit Hours to meet 120 Credit Hours graduation requirement


  • Any A.A. elective course

Validated Nursing Credits


Upon validation of an unrestricted, unencumbered Florida RN license up to 30 credit hours will be awarded at the completion of the upper division nursing core courses and application for B.S.N. graduation.

Notification on Professional Licensure


Notification on Professional Licensure (USDOE Regulation 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v) and National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity (NC- SARA):

Current and prospective students for certain programs at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) that lead to professional licensure are hereby notified that SCF programs fulfill education requirements for specific professional licensure required for employment in the state of Florida.

Professional licensure requirements vary from state to state and are subject to change. Students presently living in Florida who plan to obtain licensure in another state must contact their Program Manager via email to assist in determining if SCF’s program will meet the requirements for your intended state of residence. SCF licensure programs do not accept students presently living outside of the state of Florida.

 

Licensure Requirement


Students must submit a current, unencumbered, unrestricted Florida RN license by 2/28 for students admitted for Spring, 6/30 for students admitted for Summer, and 9/30 for students admitted for Fall, and maintain their license throughout their study in the RN to B.S.N. Program

Graduation Requirements for Bachelor’s Degrees


The following general requirements for graduation from SCF must be met by all candidates for the Bachelor of Applied Science and Bachelor of Science degrees. Additional requirements may exist for individual programs.

  1. Students must satisfactorily complete 120 credit hours. For residency purposes, a minimum of 30 credit hours required for graduation must be completed at SCF. All other specific degree requirements also must be met. Developmental education (formerly college preparatory) instruction may not be counted toward fulfilling the total number of credit hours required for residency purposes or graduation.
  2. For purposes of conferring the bachelor’s degree, students must complete at least 30 credit hours of courses numbered 3000 level or above. Of these, at least 15 credit hours must be taken at SCF.
  3. Students must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher on a 4 .0 scale for all work completed at SCF and a 2.0 grade point average or higher for combined coursework with SCF that includes all transferable credits.
  4. Students must earn a grade of C or better in all upper division program requirements.
  5. Students must complete the general education requirements (36 credit hours) as defined in the Associate in Arts degree. Students who transfer to SCF with either an Associate in Arts degree or a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution are considered to have met the general education component of the degree. Courses will be reviewed for equivalency for students who transfer without an Associate in Arts or bachelor’s degree.
  6. Students must have completed Florida’s foreign language requirement prior to the completion of the bachelor’s degree. Students may meet this competency by:  A) successful completion of two years (four semesters) of the same foreign language officially documented on a high school transcript; or B) successful completion (grade C or better) of two semesters of the same foreign language at a college or university officially documented on a college/university transcript; or C) education completed outside the United States as documented on an official foreign high school transcript that reflects a primary language other than English; D) or Successful completion of two foreign language equivalents through Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), or UEXCEL exams.  One or more of these exams can be in combination with successful completion of college/university credit in the same foreign language subject area.  Official transcripts from a high school, college and/or university and/or official examination results must be submitted to the educational records office.
  7. For students wishing to pursue another bachelor’s degree, the student must complete a minimum of 15 additional credit hours beyond the first bachelor’s degree as well as any other degree requirements and graduation requirements listed above for the second program. 

SCF reserves the right to make changes in the regulations, offerings, requirements and any provisions announced in this Catalog at any time as circumstances require.