University of Central Florida University of Central Florida

Academics

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The college offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) -- the basis of professional nursing practice -- that is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The bachelor's degree program is an upper-division, limited-access major. The B.S.N. graduate is prepared to provide comprehensive care in a variety of acute, community and rehabilitative settings. Program emphasis includes clinical nursing practice, health promotion and maintenance, hands-on experiences across the continuum of care and preparation for leadership roles. The program also provides a foundation for graduate studies. Click here to visit the Undergraduate Catalog to find out more information.



Accelerated Second Degree Bachelor of Science

The Accelerated Second Degree B.S.N.option prepares students with a bachelor's or higher degree in another field for initial licensure as a registered nurse. The intensive program is built on a solid foundation of prior study and specific prerequisite courses in the areas of statistics and behavioral, natural and social sciences. Admission to the program is competitive. This program is an upper-division, limited-access major. Click here to visit the Undergraduate Catalog to find out more information.



Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Two options are available for RNs to earn a BSN: the traditional RN to BSN and the AS to BSN in both programs, the school validates previous education and may award up to 28 credits for prior learning. RN to BSN courses are offered on the Orlando campus and at regional campuses in Daytona Beach, Cocoa, Leesburg and Ocala. BSN course work is also available online. An accelerated RN to MSN program is available for qualified students.

The RN to B.S.N. program is for Florida-licensed registered nurses who want to earn a B.S.N. Students must meet all UCF general education requirements or have an associate's degree from a Florida community college. Click here to visit the Undergraduate Catalog to find out more information.

For information regarding the web-based RN to BSN program please send an email to kmscott@mail.ucf.edu

Associate Degree in Science to B.S.N.
The A.S. to B.S.N. option is a B.S.N.-completion program for individuals who received an associate's degree in nursing from a Florida public community college after December 2000, and who are current Florida RN licensees. Students may be admitted without the associate's degree but must complete required general education courses concurrent with nursing courses. Click here to visit the Undergraduate Catalog to find out more information.



Graduate Degree Programs

Master of Science in Nursing

The Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) program prepares advanced practice nurses for leadership positions in a variety of health-care settings. Many of the program's core courses are available online. Students may choose one of the following tracks:

  • Adult Nurse Practitioner
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Leadership and Management (completely Web-based)
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Master of Science in Nursing - Leadership and Management Track

The Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) Leadership and Management (NLM) track prepares nurses for a variety of leadership or administrative roles within health-care agencies and organizations. Electives and clinical experiences can be tailored to meet individual learning objectives. Students may specialize in one of the following areas:

  • Nurse manager/executive
  • Case manager
  • Educator Individualized

Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Practitioner Track

The College of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.), which has three nurse practitioner tracks: Adult (47 credits), Family (49 credits) and Pediatric (47 credits). Graduates are eligible for licensure as an advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) in the state of Florida and to take national certification exams in the field.

Curriculum:

Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Specialist Track

The Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) track prepares nurses with an in-depth understanding of complex clinical problems, as well as interventions to manage and improve patient care. CNS students are expected to focus on a clinical specialty area throughout their program.

Curriculum:

Master of Science in Nursing - Clinical Nurse Leader Track

The Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNL) track prepares advanced practice nurses to provide leadership and to manage care at the point of care to individuals, clinical populations and communities. The CNL is a new role that has been developed to create a new delivery model that provides optimal outcome-based patient care in the complex health-care environment. This delivery model should provide for continuity of care and optimize staff’s ability to provide high-quality care in a cost efficient manner. The CNL designs, implements and evaluates client care by coordinating, delegating and supervising the care provided by the health-care team, including licensed nurses, technicians and other health professionals.

Curriculum:

Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Educator Track

The Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) Nurse Educator track is designed to prepare nurse educators to teach in nursing and health profession programs, health-care institutions and agencies, and the community.

Curriculum:

Registered Nurse TO M.S.N.

The RN to M.S.N. program allows RNs to achieve both a B.S.N. and M.S.N. in a shorter period of time than it would normally take to earn both degrees. This program is designed for students who have met general education requirements, have demonstrated above-average performance in prior undergraduate course work (minimum 3.0 GPA) and have the potential for success in graduate school.

The RN to M.S.N. program is available for all tracks in the masters degree program. To reduce the program length, up to 15 credits can be applied toward meeting requirements of both the B.S.N. and M.S.N. programs.

RN to B.S.N. program courses are offered on UCF's Orlando campus and at regional campuses in Daytona Beach, and Cocoa. B.S.N. course work is also available online. Selected M.S.N. courses are available online, and the Nursing Leadership and Management track is fully Web-based.



Doctor of Nursing Practice

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is designed to prepare nurse clinicians, nurse practitioners, and educators for leadership roles in specialized areas of advanced nursing practice. The essential features of this program include the following: prepares nurses at the highest level of practice for the current healthcare 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 the residency project during the capstone clinical residency year.

The objectives of the DNP program are to prepare graduates to:

  • Critically analyze complex clinical situations and practice systems.
  • Assume leadership roles in the development of clinical practice models, health policy and standards of care.
  • Demonstrate advanced diagnostic reasoning skills and clinical judgment through scholarship and nursing practice.
  • Analyze the social, economic, political, epidemiological and other scientific data to improve individual, aggregate and population health.
  • Demonstrate information fluency and advanced communication skills to lead quality improvement initiatives to improve patient care and health care systems.
  • Design, implement, and evaluate comprehensive care to clients within an area of advanced practice specialization.


Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Ph.D

The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (Ph.D.) program prepares nurse scientists to assume positions as nursing faculty members, 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 their research.

The doctoral program has three areas of focus:

  • Vulnerable populations within Florida's multicultural environment
  • Application of innovative technologies to nursing education and clinical care
  • Health-care systems and policy

The objectives of the doctoral program are to prepare nurse scholars who:

  • Possess a body of knowledge about the theory, processes and methods of inquiry in the discipline of nursing
  • Contribute to disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge in nursing and health care from the basis of sound conceptual, methodological and ethical decision-making
  • Contribute to knowledge generation and testing in the nursing care of vulnerable populations,application of innovative technologies in nursing and health care, and clinical and executive leadership in health-care systems and policy


Graduate Certificate Programs

Graduate certificates are offered to enhance a student's education and preparation. The following certificate programs are available:

Post-Master's Clinical Nurse Specialist

Curriculum:

POST-MASTER'S NURSE PRACTITIONER CERTIFICATE
The Post-Master's Nurse Practitioner Certificate prepares nurses who already have a master's degree in nursing as either an adult, family or pediatric nurse practitioner.
Students who complete the certificate are eligible for licensure as an ARNP (advanced registered nurse practitioner) in the state of Florida and to take national certification exams in the field.

Curriculum

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