University of Florida

Nursing Programs Offered

Accelerated BSN Programs
BSN Programs
DNP Programs (Doctor of Nursing Practice)
Nursing Science - Doctor's degree
RN Programs
RN to BSN Programs

BSN Program Details

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is the critical first step for a career in professional nursing.

The UF College of Nursing offers nursing students access to a unique variety of educational and clinical experiences as well as a wealth of expert nursing faculty and technological resources. UF nursing students have excellent opportunities to explore nursing research and science, be professionally involved with student and professional governance, and have access to clinical experiences with patients across the life and cultural span. A UF nursing education is unparalleled, with access to the six colleges of the UF Health Science Center and their associated health care delivery network, which provide students access to an integrated system of community hospitals and clinics, home health care and quaternary care.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the national voice for baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs, recognizes the BSN degree as the minimum educational requirement for professional nursing practice. Recommendations by AACN state that education has a significant impact on the knowledge and competencies of the nurse clinician, as it does for all health care providers.

Nurses with BSN degrees are well-prepared to meet the demands placed on today's nurse. BSN nurses are prized for their skills in critical thinking, leadership, case management, and health promotion, and for their ability to practice across a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings. Nurse executives, federal agencies, the military, leading nursing organizations, health care foundations, magnet hospitals, and minority nurse advocacy groups all recognize the unique value that baccalaureate-prepared nurses bring to the practice setting.

MSN Program Details

Our Master of Science in Nursing program's specialty tracks are transitioning to our Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. We already have 7 tracks available in our Postmaster's DNP program and four of our advanced practice tracks have now transitioned to our postbaccalaureate BSN to DNP program. In keeping with national recommendations from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, we will phase all of our advanced practice specialty tracks to the DNP level by 2012.

Even after we have phased our specialty tracks to the DNP level, we will continue to offer our Clinical Nurse Leader program, an advanced nursing generalist, at the master's level. It will be our only track available at the MSN level once all specialty tracks are phased to DNP.

Accelerated BSN Program Details

Attempting to combat the growing crisis of the nationwide nursing shortage, the University of Florida College of Nursing has implemented creative strategies to draw from a diverse pool of potential nurses. The College of Nursing offers an accelerated course of study for students with a baccalaureate degree or higher in another field to pursue a baccalaureate and master's degrees in nursing. Graduates of accelerated programs are prized by nurse employers who value the many layers of skill and education these graduates bring to the workplace. Employers report that these graduates are more mature, possess strong clinical skills, and readily acclimate to the clinical demands of a new job.

As part of a world-class health science center and network of interdisciplinary health care centers, the UF College of Nursing offers students access to a unique variety of educational and clinical experiences as well as a wealth of expert nursing faculty and technological resources. Nursing students at UF have excellent and challenging opportunities to explore nursing research and science , be professionally involved with student and professional governance , and have access to clinical experiences with patients across the life and cultural span.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Details

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is a practice-focused doctorate designed to prepare expert nurses in specialized advanced practice. The DNP is an advanced educational credential for those who desire advanced practice knowledge but do not need or want a research focus.

The focus of DNP program is on innovative and evidence-based practice. Universities have traditionally offered master’s degrees in nursing to prepare for advanced practice. Due to the growing complexity of health care, the growth of scientific knowledge, and the increasing sophistication of technology, master's degree programs in nursing now have credit hours far beyond those in other fields.

To prepare advanced practice nurses with the knowledge, skills and abilities needed in today's and tomorrow’s complex health care environment, and to provide advanced practice nurses with educational backgrounds comparable to health care practitioners in other fields, practice-focused doctoral (DNP) programs are being developed across the country.