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Program Overview

Nursing, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) (RN-BSN)

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) program is offered online and is designed for the associate of science degree nursing (ASDN) graduate who has a current Registered Nursing (RN) license. Consistent with the mission of Florida Gateway College (FGC), the mission of the RN-BSN program is to prepare registered nurses with an affordable, high quality, generalist baccalaureate nursing education to meet the present and future healthcare needs of their community and engage in life-long learning to advance the nursing profession. The program allows ASDN graduates to develop skills necessary to prepare for leadership and administrative roles in coordinating and directing nursing practice and management of care teams. Students could choose to enroll full-time (3 semesters) or part-time (6 semesters). There are 10 upper-division nursing courses totaling 31 credit hours. These courses include nursing theory, pathophysiology, health assessment, cultural diversity in healthcare, pharmacology, ethical and legal aspects of care, research and informatics, leadership, health care policy and economics, and community health.

Locations

Florida Gateway College (Nursing and Health Sciences at 149 S.E. College Place Building 103 Lake City, Fl. 32025-2007)

Testing Entrance Requirements

To be officially considered for admission into this program, a student must:

  • Hold an active, unrestricted license to practice as a registered nurse (RN) or its equivalent in at least one U.S. state. You must have earned a nursing (hospital) diploma or Associate’s degree in Nursing from a regionally accredited or approved nationally accredited college or university.
  • Complete and submit to the FGC Office of Enrollment Services a Baccalaureate Admission Application along with all required, supporting documents (see program brochure/application packet for details)
  • Complete an RN-BSN program application and submit to FGC Nursing and Health Sciences Department

Hours

This program is online. Semester sequence may vary based on full or part-time status and fall or spring entry.

Costs

  • Tuition $3,730.00
  • Lab Fees $545.00
  • Textbooks $850.00
  • Total estimated Program costs: $5,125.00

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online

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Completion Rate

100%

job placement rate

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Careers at a Glance

Starting Salaries

The national average beginning salary is $77,000, and the average beginning salary in Florida is $68,000.

Employment Opportunities

The online RN to BSN program from the Florida Gateway College is designed for registered nurses who are ready to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree for career advancement and increased earning potential. BSN graduates will be qualified for supervisory positions such as nurse managers and patient unit coordinators.

Employers of FGC Graduates

  • Lake City Medical Center
  • Lake City VA Medical Center
  • Shands Lake Shore Regional Medical Center
  • North Florida Medical Center
  • UF Health Shands Hospital
  • Malcom Randall VA Medical Center
  • Public health Departments
  • Various Long Term Care Centers
  • Various Home Healthcare Agencies

Program Details

Admission Requirements
  • Applicants must have an Associate of Science degree in Nursing (ASDN) awarded from a regionally accredited college and a current, valid, unrestricted, unencumbered Florida RN license.
  • Two (2) completed applications: the FGC Baccalaureate Application and the RN-BSN Program Application.
  • A letter of interest describing reasons for pursuing a BSN degree and future career goals.
  • One (1) professional, signed letter of recommendation written on paper.
  • Documentation of a current, valid, unrestricted, unencumbered Florida RN License which must be current throughout the duration of the program.
  • A photocopy of a current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support for Health Care Provider Card/Letter or Professional Rescuer for American Red Cross(ARC) Card/Letter. Please note that no other CPR cards will be accepted. CPR card must be current throughout the duration of the program.
  • A brief, professionally written resume.
  • Copies of transcripts from all colleges attended.
  • Documentation of earning a grade of ‘C’ or better in all general education requirements and a GPA of 2.5 or higher in all ASDN prerequisite courses.
  • Upon acceptance to the RN-BSN program, a Level II background check, and paperless drug screening (10 Panel) plus, an alcohol test must be completed prior to clinical practicums using the program’s contracted vendor and current status must be maintained throughout the program.

In order to graduate with the BSN degree, students must complete the following BSN program graduation requirements in addition to the Bachelor of Science Graduation Requirements: 

  • Fulfill the requirements of the BSN program.
  • Fulfill the foreign language requirement by completing two credits of the same foreign language in high school or completion of a postsecondary course at the elementary 2 level (meaning the second course in a foreign language sequence) in one foreign language or American Sign Language (ASL), or passing scores on the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) for the elementary 2 level course.
  • Complete at least one core course from each of the general education subject areas of communication, humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, and social sciences. General Education core course options are identified in Rule 6A-14.0303.
  • Successfully complete all courses required for the program with a “C” or better.
Program Notes
  • Students are accepted into the program twice per year. During the fall semester (deadline for application is March 31st) and in the spring semester (deadline for applications is September 30th).
  • There are 90 total required hours of clinical (practicum) and lab in this program. Nursing Assessment course has a virtual simulation lab and Community Health has virtual simulation combined with planned assignments in the student’s own community.
  • The Baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Florida Gateway College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
  • This program has:
    • Excellent retention and graduation rates.
    • Faculty who are academically and experientially qualified.
    • Real-life assignments that benefit the students’ workplace.
    • Clear expectations for students and faculty.
    • Supportive and caring faculty who respond quickly to students.

Career Advancement Opportunities:

  • Prepared for graduate nursing programs (Masters and doctoral degrees).
  • Change in nursing practice with enhanced clinical reasoning and clinical judgment skills.
  • Promotion.
  • Eligible to take various certification courses in nursing.
  • Enhanced nursing leadership skills with a focus on quality and positive outcomes.
  • Broader perspective about nursing and healthcare.
  • Enhanced soft skills: professionalism, caring, compassion, respect, ethics, empathy.
  • Ability to assume more responsibilities in nursing and healthcare.
Program Guide & Syllabi

Lower Division Nursing Courses: 42 Credit Hours

  • Lower level (1000-2999) NUR Courses from ASDN Degree

Prerequisites Earned in ASDN Degree: 30 Credit Hours

These courses were completed as part of the ASDN degree:

  • BSC 2085 – Anatomy and Physiology I 3 credits
  • BSC 2085L – Anatomy and Physiology I Lab 1 credit, 3 Lab hours weekly
  • BSC 2086 – Anatomy and Physiology II 3 credits
  • BSC 2086L – Anatomy and Physiology II Lab 1 credit, 3 Lab hours weekly
  • ENC 1101 – Freshman Composition I 3 credits
  • DEP 2004 – Human Growth and Development 3 credits
  • Any Gen Ed HUM 1000-2999 course 3 credits
  • HUN 1201 – Human Nutrition 3 credits
  • Any Gen Ed MAC or MGF course 3 credits
  • MCB 2010 – Microbiology 3 credits
  • MCB 2010L – Microbiology Lab 1 credit, 3 hours lab

Any Gen Ed SPC course 3 credits

BSN Prerequisites: 9 Credit Hours

Prerequisite courses must be completed before taking any 3000 or 4000 level NUR courses.

  • STA 2023 – Elementary Statistics 3 credits (*MAT 1033 is a required pre-requisite to this course.)
  • SYG 1000 – Introduction to Sociology 3 credits or
  • SYG 1310 – Human Relations 3 credits or
  • SYG 1320 – Deviant Behavior 3 credits or
  • SYG 2300 – Introduction to Social Psychology 3 credits or
  • SYG 2430 – Marriage and the Family 3 credits
  • PSY 2012 – General Psychology I 3 credits

BSN Corequisites: 9 Credit Hours

Corequisite courses may be completed prior to entering the Nursing Program.

  • ENC 1102 – Freshman Composition II 3 credits
  • AMH 2010 – United States History to 1865 3 credits or
  • AMH 2020 – United States History from 1865 3 credits or
  • WOH 2012 – World History I 3 credits or
  • WOH 2022 – World History II 3 credits or
  • EUH 2000 – Western Civilizations 1 3 credits or
  • EUH 2001 – Western Civilizations II 3 credits

Gen Ed Humanities Group 1 or Group 2 course (Individualized per student) 3 credits (*Must take a different humanities group course than the group you completed in your ASDN program.)

First Semester Core Courses: 6 Credit Hours

  • NUR 3846 – Nursing Theory 3 credits
  • NUR 3125 – Pathophysiology 3 credits

Second Semester Core Courses: 12 Credit Hours

  • NUR 3826 – Ethical and Legal Issues in Health Care 3 credits
  • NUR 4655 – Nursing in Diverse Cultures 3 credits
  • NUR 3145 – Pharmacology 3 credits
  • NUR 3065C – Nursing Assessment with Clinical 3 credits

Third Semester Core Courses: 13 Credit Hours

  • NUR 3164 – Nursing Research and Informatics 3 credits
  • NUR 4636C – Community Health 4 credits
  • NUR 4837 – Health Care Policy and Economics 3 credits
  • NUR 4827 – Leadership and Management in Professional Nursing 3 credits

Nursing, B.S. Total 121 Credit Hours

*Semester sequence may vary based on full or part-time status and fall or spring entry

Learning Outcomes
  • Graduates will be able to integrate knowledge from a variety of disciplines to inform decision making in the professional practice of nursing.
  • Graduates will be able to apply leadership and management principles in the coordination of high-quality safe patient care.
  • Graduates will be able to implement evidence-based practices to improve patient outcomes through the application of basic research principles.
  • Graduates will be able to facilitate the application of patient care technology skills that support safe nursing practice.
  • Graduates will be able to provide service to the community by advocating for policies aimed at reducing health disparities.
  • Graduates will be able to collaborate with other healthcare professionals to coordinate high-quality safe patient care.
  • Graduates will be able to apply knowledge of health promotion and disease prevention to improve the health of individuals and the community.
  • Graduates will be able to influence the practice of nursing through leadership behaviors that evidence mutual respect and understanding.
  • Graduates will be able to promote holistic, culturally competent care for people from diverse backgrounds.
  • Graduates will be able to design innovative approaches to manage complex and evolving care needs.
Book List & Materials
  • APA Manual 7th Edition ISBN 978-1433832160 
  • Nursing Physical Assessment Title/Edition: Bates’ Nursing Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking 2ndEdition. Authors: Beth Hogan-Quigley, MSN. RN, CRNP, Mary Louise Palm, MS, RN & Lynn Bickley, MD, FACP.  ISBN:978-4963-0556-5
  • Pharmacology Title/Edition: Focus on Nursing Pharmacology, 7th Edition Authors: Amy M. Karch ISBN: 978-1-4963-1821-3       
  • Leadership Title/Edition: Leading and Managing in Nursing, 6th Edition Authors: Patricia S. Yoder-Wise, RN, EdD, NEA-BC, ANEF, FAAN ISBN: 9780323185776    
  • Pathophysiology Title/Edition: Understanding Pathophysiology, 6th Edition Authors: Sue E. Huether, MSN, PhD, RN and Kathryn L. McCance, MSN, PhD, RN ISBN: 978-0-323-35409-7 
  • Nursing Research Title/Edition: Understanding Nursing Research, 6th Edition Authors: Susan K. Grove, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, GNP-BC; Jennifer R. Gray, PhD, RN, FAAN; and, Nancy Burns, PhD, RN, FCN, FAAN. ISBN: 9781455770601     
  • Nursing informatics: Scope and Standards of Practice ISBN 978-15581057-99   
  • Health Care Policy and Economics Title/Edition: Policy & Politics in Nursing and Health Care, 7th Edition Authors: Diana J. Mason, RN, PhD, Deborah B. Gardner, PhD, RN, FAAN, FNAP, Freida Hopkins Outlaw, PhD, RN, FAAN, and Eileen T. O’Grady, PhD, NP, RN ISBN: 978-0-323-24144-1      
  • Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing, 6th Edition Author: Ginny Wacker Guido, JD, MSN, RN ISBN: 978-0-13-335587-1
  • Foundations of Nursing in the Community: Community-Oriented Practice, 4th Edition Authors: Marcia Stanhope, RN, DSN, FAAN, and Janette Lancaster, RN, PhD, FAAN ISBN: 978-0-323-10094-6   
  • Nursing Theory Title/Edition: Conceptual Foundations, 6th edition. Elizabeth E. Friberg, DNP, RN and Joan Creasia, PhD., RN ISBN: 978-0323299930
  • Nursing in Diverse Cultures Title/Edition: Cultural Diversity in Health and Illness, 9th Edition.  Author: Rachel Spector, PhD, RN ISBN: 9780134413310