University of South Florida (USF) Nursing Program: A Comprehensive Overview

The University of South Florida (USF) offers a variety of nursing programs designed to prepare students for successful careers in this critical field. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the USF nursing program, focusing on admission requirements, curriculum, research opportunities, and recent expansions.

Expansion of Nursing Education at USF St. Petersburg

USF is committed to expanding nursing education to meet the growing demand for healthcare professionals. Starting in the fall of 2026, the USF College of Nursing will offer a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program on the USF St. Petersburg campus for incoming freshmen. This initiative represents a significant step forward in addressing the nursing shortage and providing more opportunities for students in the region.

Regional Chancellor of USF St. Petersburg emphasizes the importance of this new pathway, stating that it will help meet the increasing need for healthcare workers and care professionals. The program will be housed within the College of Nursing, also on the St. Petersburg campus, ensuring access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources.

Accelerated Second-Degree Program

Since 2019, USF St. Petersburg has offered an accelerated second-degree program in nursing. This program allows individuals with a bachelor's degree in another field to earn a second degree in nursing in just 16 months, enabling them to transition quickly into nursing careers. College career.

USF Nursing Program Features

USF nursing students benefit from a comprehensive and hands-on educational experience. They train in a simulation lab, gaining practical skills and experience in a safe and controlled environment. The program also emphasizes research opportunities, allowing undergraduate students to participate in mentored research activities.

Students will have access to laboratories in the Children’s Research Institute on campus and will be located next door to premier healthcare institutions, providing valuable exposure to real-world clinical settings.

On October 9, USF St. Petersburg partnered with Pinellas County medical magnet programs, further strengthening its commitment to nursing education and community engagement.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the USF College of Nursing is competitive and requires meeting specific criteria. Any student applying to the undergraduate program is initially coded as “Pre-Nursing” until officially accepted into the College of Nursing.

General Requirements

Admission to the University of South Florida (Tampa) as a degree-seeking undergraduate student.
Completed application to the College of Nursing by the published deadline.

Accelerated Second Bachelor’s BSN Requirements

Completion of a first bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Accreditation must be from one of the following: the Higher Learning Commission, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the New England Commission of Higher Education, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, or the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on all undergraduate work.
Completion of at least seven of the eight Nursing prerequisite courses by the published deadline. Any outstanding Nursing prerequisites must be completed by the program start date, with a minimum grade of C or better, while maintaining a cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.0.
Participation in a formal interview with College of Nursing faculty, if selected.

Important GPA and Grade Requirements

If a student receives a grade of less than C in any two prerequisite courses while declared as pre-nursing, they will be required to select another major at the University of South Florida. Grade forgiveness will not apply to this requirement. Additionally, if a student does not meet the minimum GPA to be eligible to apply for admission following 60 completed hours and all prerequisite courses attempted, they will be required to select another major. All nursing courses must be passed with a C or better in didactic coursework and an S (satisfactory) in clinical practice.

Progression Requirements

Detailed grade and progression requirements can be found in the USF College of Nursing Student Handbook.

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Required Courses

The nursing curriculum consists of required courses, state-mandated common course prerequisites, and major core courses.

State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites (27 Credit Hours)

These prerequisites must be completed before the application deadline with a grade of “C” or better and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Courses not approved by the Florida State Course Numbering System will be evaluated individually based on content, requiring a catalog course description and syllabus for assessment.

The prerequisites include courses in:

Biological Sciences:
- BSC X085C OR (BSC X085 AND BSC X085L) OR BSC X093C OR (BSC X093 AND BSC X093L) - 4 credit hours
- BSC X086C OR (BSC X086 AND BSC X086L) OR BSC X094C OR (BSC X094 AND BSC X094L) - 4 credit hours
Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Physics:
- CHM X000-X999 OR BCH X000-X999 OR BSC X000-X999 OR PCB X000-X999 OR PHY X000-X999 - 3 credit hours
Developmental Psychology:
- DEP X004 OR DEP X054 OR DEP X000 - 3 credit hours
Nutrition:
- HUN X201 - 3 credit hours
Microbiology:
- MCB X010C OR (MCB X010 AND MCB X010L) OR MCB X013C OR (MCB X000 AND MCB X000L) OR (MCB X004 AND MCB X004L) - 4 credit hours
Psychology, Sociology, or Social Psychology:
- PSY XXXX OR SOP XXXX OR SYG XXXX - 3 credit hours
Statistics:
- STA X014 OR STA X023 OR STA X122 - 3 credit hours

State Mathematics Pathway - College of Nursing (6 Credit Hours)

The College of Nursing uses the Statistical Reasoning Mathematics Pathway:

STA 2023 - Introductory Statistics I Credit(s): 3
Three (3) credits in any other mathematics course for which STA 2023 is a prerequisite or any additional math course necessary for the degree

Any of the STA X014 or STA X023 or STA X122 courses taken for state common prerequisites can meet this statistics requirement.

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Major Core Courses (22 Courses; 62 Credit Hours)

The major core includes a variety of courses designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of nursing practice. These courses cover essential topics such as patient-centered care, health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and evidence-based practice.

NUR 3026 - Patient Centered Care: Essentials of Nursing Practice Credit(s): 3
NUR 3026L - Patient Centered Care: Essentials of Nursing Practice Clinical Credit(s): 2
NUR 3027L - Patient Centered Care: Essentials of Nursing Practice Lab Credit(s): 1
NUR 3066 - Health Assessment, Wellness, and Prevention Across the Life Span Credit(s): 2
NUR 3066L - Health Assessment, Wellness, and Prevention Across the Life Span Lab Credit(s): 1
NUR 3125 - Pathophysiology for Nursing Practice Credit(s): 3
NUR 3145 - Pharmacology in Nursing Practice Credit(s): 3
NUR 3225 - Complex Health Nursing I Credit(s): 4
NUR 3225L - Complex Health Nursing I Clinical Credit(s): 3-4
NUR 3825 - Introduction to the Profession of Nursing Credit(s): 2
NUR 4165 - Evidence-Based Practice Credit(s): 3
NUR 4227 - Complex Health Nursing II Credit(s): 4
NUR 4227L - Complex Health Nursing II Clinical Credit(s): 3-4
NUR 4467 - Nursing Care of Women, Children, and Families Credit(s): 4
NUR 4467L - Nursing Care of Women Children and Families Clinical Credit(s): 3
NUR 4535 - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Credit(s): 3
NUR 4535L - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Clinical Credit(s): 2
NUR 4635 - Public Health Nursing Credit(s): 3
NUR 4635L - Public Health Nursing Clinical Credit(s): 0-3
NUR 4827 - Role Transition and Leadership in Nursing Credit(s): 2
NUR 4888 - Coordination of Care in Nursing Credit(s): 2-3
NUR 4948L - Preceptorship Credit(s): 6

Research Opportunities

Undergraduate students in any degree program are able to participate in undergraduate research. Several options exist to show mentored undergraduate research activity on a student’s official transcript. Students who wish to enroll in an undergraduate research course should consult with their academic advisor to understand how the credit will apply towards the degree requirements. If no credit is needed, students may be eligible to enroll in the 0-credit IDS 4914 course. This course will not impact degree credits or GPA but will show on an official transcript and document the experience.

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