RN TO BSN INFORMATION PACKET

Dear RN to BSN Nursing Applicant:

Thank you for your interest in attending Florida International University College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Please call the College of Nursing and Health Sciences office at (305) 348-7703 to make an appointment for an
Information Session where all your questions about the Basic (Generic BSN) track will be answered.

Information for prospective applicants to the undergraduate nursing program at Florida International University is
attached. The packet includes guidelines for enrollment to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Visit
http://nursing.fiu.edu to download our application.

Best wishes in your pursuit of a nursing career.

Sincerely,

Divina Grossman, PhD, RN, ARNP, FAAN

Dean, College of Nursing and Health Sciences

1 Revised 01/09/2008
 FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES
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 CNHS Nursing BSN program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting
Commission (NLNAC), (61 Broadway, New York, New York 10006, 1-800-669-1656 X153) and approved by the Florida
State Board of Nursing, (4052 Bald Cypress Way, BIN CO2, Tallahassee, FL 32399, 850-245-4125).

The CNHS offers a baccalaureate program for registered nurses to complete the BSN degree. To accommodate the adult
learner, nursing courses in the curriculum are offered web enhanced or completely online. The BSN degree requires 125
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 8 semester hours of upper division electives. The last 33 credits must be upper
division, of which 30 credits must be taken at FIU.

Graduates of the BSN program are eligible for masters level study. Information about the College of Nursing and Health
Sciences nursing programs can be accessed on the internet at http://www.nursing.fiu.edu

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 a registered nurse (RN).

Have completed at least 60 semester 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:
o Completion of Florida mandated Gordon Rule requirements (writing and computation).
o Passing scores on the CLAST examination or exemption from the CLAST exam through academic
performance in selected courses.
o Completion of FIU core curriculum requirements (unless prior Associate in Arts (AA) degree).
o 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 CNHS 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. If you have questions about the
background check or drug testing, call 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 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

2 Revised 01/09/2008
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 score a “C”
or above to be awarded credit. An RN students 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) 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. A student can also obtain an
application from the University application 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. 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 nursing application to the FIU College of Nursing and Health
Sciences, 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 492,
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 for Recruitment and
Retention at the University Park Campus, (305) 348-7703. Bring copies of transcripts to the advising appointment
for evaluation of deficiencies in state mandated requirements and/or RN-BSN prerequisites.

In addition:

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, go to the following web address: http://www.fiu.edu/orgs/finaid/ For FIU scholarships, go to:
http://www.fiu.edu/scholarships/ For nursing scholarships, go to: http://nursing.fiu.edu

3 Revised 01/09/2008
 ADMISSIONS APPLICATION CHECKLIST

Complete the following:

 Florida International University Undergraduate Admission Application

Did you include the required application service fee?

Did you sign and date the application?
Did you make a copy for your records?
Did you send it to: FIU Office of Admissions, Miami, FL 33199-0001?

 CNHS RN-BSN Admission Application (See attached)

Did you complete the personal essay in the application?

Did you sign and date the application?
Did you make a copy for your records?
Did you send it to FIU College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University Park Campus, Undergraduate
Nursing Program, HLS 2, Room 485, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL 33199?

 Transcript Request for each prior school attended to be sent to:

Florida International University; and

College of Nursing and Health Sciences. NOTE: The transcript sent to the CNHS must be a "paper"
transcript.

NOTE: Send the applications THEN complete and send the transcript request(s).

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 Board 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.

4 Revised 01/09/2008
 PLAN OF STUDY

The BSN degree requires 125 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 8 semester hours of upper division electives.
The last 33 credits must be upper division, of which 30 credits must be taken at FIU.

RN-BSN Prerequisite Courses:

LOWER DIVISION REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS TRANSFERRING WITH AN ASSOCIATE OF ARTS (AA)
DEGREE FROM A FLORIDA PUBLIC COMMUNITY COLLEGE OR BACCALAUREATE DEGREE OR HIGHER FROM
AN ACCREDITED REGIONAL INSTITUTION

Transfer students who have been awarded an AA degree from a Florida (public) community college or baccalaureate
degree or higher from an accredited regional institution have met the Gordon Rule (as mandated by the State of Florida).
These transfer students must successfully complete the following prerequisites for the FIU nursing program:

Common Prerequisites Manual (CPM) for 2007-2008

Course # Course Title Credits
BSC (1) X085C Anatomy/Physiology I w/Lab 4
BSC (2) X086C Anatomy/Physiology II w/Lab 4
CHM (3) X033 Survey of Chemistry w/Lab 4-5
DEP (4) X004 Principles of Development 3
HUN (5) X201 Human Nutrition 3
MCB (6) X010C Microbiology w/Lab 4
PSY (7) X012 General Psychology 3
STA (8) X014 Statistics 3
PHI (9) 2600 Ethics 3
COM (10) 3461 Intercultural/Interracial Communication 3

Footnotes from CPM Manual 2007-08

(1) BSC X085C or any Human Anatomy & Physiology I or Human Anatomy
(2) BSC X086C or any Human Anatomy & Physiology II or Human Physiology
(3) CHM XXXX must be Survey of Chemistry
(4) DEP X004 or any Human Growth & Development Across Life Span
(5) HUN X201 or any Human Nutrition
(6) MCB X010C or any Microbiology w/ Lab
(7) PSY X012 or any General Psychology
(8) STA X014 or any Statistics course
(9) Required by nursing program
(10) Required by nursing program

See Equivalency Course Numbers for Required Prerequisites (attached): Florida International University, Broward
Community College, Miami Dade College, Broward Community College, and Florida Atlantic University.

5 Revised 01/09/2008
LOWER DIVISION REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS WITHOUT AN ASSOCIATE OF ARTS (AA) DEGREE FROM A
FLORIDA PUBLIC COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

RN graduates who do not have an Associate of Arts (AA) degree from a public Florida community college are strongly
encouraged to complete the AA degree before transferring credits to FIU. Students who enter FIU without an AA
degree, transfer from out-of-state, or transfer from a private community college must meet the FIU core curriculum
requirements.
Graduates of diploma nursing programs who do not have transferable college credit will be required to complete the
lower division credit requirements at a community college or FIU. See a nursing advisor for details.
Students must complete all nursing prerequisites prior to full admission to the nursing major. See a nursing advisor
(305-348-7703) for program information.

University Core Curriculum (UCC)

First Year Experience

SLS 1501 First Year Experience
English Composition
ENC 1101 English Composition I
ENC 1102 English Composition II
Humanities with Writing
XXX XXXX Historical Humanities with Writing
PHI 2600 Introduction to Ethics
Quantitative Reasoning
MGF 1106 Finite Mathematics (or higher level math)
STA 3145 Statistics for Health Care Professionals (STA 3145 may also be used as an upper division elective)

Social Inquiry
PSY 2020 Introduction to Psychology
DEP 2000 Human Growth & Development
COM 3461 Intercultural/Interracial Communication (COM 3461 may also be used as an upper division elective)
Art
XXX XXXX Arts Requirement
Natural Sciences
MCB 2000
Introduction to Microbiology & Lab
MCB 2000L
ZOO 3731
Human Anatomy & Lab
ZOO 3731L
PCB 2099
Human Physiology & Lab
PCB 2099L
CHM 1033
(Human) Chemistry & Lab
CHM 1033L
Other Prerequisites
HUN 3122 Nutrition and Culture (HUN 3122 may also be used as an upper division elective)

6 Revised 01/09/2008
RN-BSN Upper Division Nursing Courses:

Equivalency Examinations (EE)*

NUR 3226
NUR 3226L
Adult/Gerontological Physiological Nursing (EE-Excelsior)** 12
NUR 3227
NUR 3227L
NUR 3535
Adult/Gerontological Psychosocial Nursing (EE-Excelsior)** 6
NUR 3535L
NUR 4355
NUR 4355L
Maternal-Child Nursing (EE-Excelsior)** 12
NUR 4455
NUR 4455L

Semester I
NUR 3081 Transition to Professional Nursing 3
NUR 3825 Professional Nursing I: Socialization 3

Semester II
NUR 3065C Approaches to Nursing IB: Client Assessment 3
Upper Division (3000/4000) Elective 3
Upper Division (3000/4000) Elective 3

Semester III
NUR 3165 Professional Nursing II: Research Consumer* 3
NUR 4827 Professional Nursing III: Leadership 3
Upper Division (3000/4000) Elective 3

All prior coursework, equivalency exams, and CLAST must be completed before progressing to
semester IV.

Semester IV
NUR 4636** Approaches to Nursing IV: Community Nursing 3
NUR 4636L** Approaches to Nursing IV: Community Nursing Clinical*** 3

Semester V
NUR 4945L** Senior Clinical Practicum*** 6

*Statistics must to successfully completed with grade of "C" or above before taking NUR 3165 Research Consumer.

**The CLAST and the Equivalency Examinations (EE Excelsior) MUST be successfully completed before registering for NUR
4636/NUR 4636L and NUR 4945L

***NOTE: In addition to undergraduate tuition and fees, nursing students are charged an additional fee of $83/credit hour for
clinical courses (courses with an L suffix). The additional fee supports clinical instructional costs and laboratory/technology
supplies and costs.

7 Revised 01/09/2008
 EQUIVALENCY NUMBERS FOR PREREQUISITE COURSES

Florida Broward Florida

Miami-Dade
International Community Atlantic
College
University College University

Math MGF 1106 MGF 1106 MGF 1106 MGF 1106

Statistics Any Intro Stats Any Intro Stats Any Intro Stats Any Intro Stats

ZOO3731/3731L BSC 2085/2085L BSC 1085/1085L BSC 2085/2085L

Anatomy & Physiology & Labs
PCB 2099/2099L BSC 2086/2086L BSC 1086/1086L BSC 2086/2086L

Microbiology & Labs MCB 2000/2000L MCB 2010/2010L MCB 2010/2010L MCB 2004/2004L

Chemistry & Labs CHM 1033/1033L CHM 1033/1033L CHM 1032/1032L CHM 1030/1030L

Nutrition HUN 2201 HUN 1201 HUN 1202 HUN 1201

Growth & Development DEP 2000 DEP 2000 DEP 2004 FAD 3220

Ethics PHI 2600 PHI 2604 PHI 2600 PHI 4661

Psychology PSY 2020 PSY 2012 PSY 2012 PSY 2012

Intercultural/Interracial
COM 3461
Communication
Any two (2) semesters of the same foreign language (e.g., Spanish, French,
Foreign Language American Sign Language) or high school transcripts validating that two years of the
same language were completed.

Students who are attending FIU must meet with an advisor before registering for courses at
NOTE:
other institutions.

8 Revised 01/09/2008