College of Nursing

The following programs of study are offered:

Family nurse practitioner and nurse educator. The post master's program offer focused studies in nurse educator roles.

Academic Resources. The College of Nursing has varied and abundant resources to support graduate study.

The Nursing Technology Lab (NTL) is a suite that houses equipment and supplies for skill practice in areas such as advanced health assessment. The adult and pediatric human patient simulators provide unique opportunities to refine special skills.

Clinical Facilities. Acute care hospitals, county public health units, indigent care clinics, private physicians offices, health maintenance organizations, walk-in clinics, state-level health agencies, and educational facilities are used for clinical experience. Students have input into the selection of sites for clinical experience to meet their specific learning needs and practice interests.

Upon graduation from the program, the student receives a MSN degree, which allows nursing practice in specialized areas with advanced practice. Graduates in the role area of family nurse practitioner may apply for licensure as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) in the state of Florida. Certification in specialty areas may be sought after graduation. Employment opportunities in advanced nursing practice are available for the graduate.

Financial assistance in the form of assistantships, scholarships, traineeships, and loans is available for qualified students through the College of Nursing or the University financial aid office.

Federal nurse traineeships may be awarded by the graduate committee of the College of Nursing for full-time study. Applications for financial support are considered each semester. A variety of research and teaching assistantship funds Is available each year.

Applicants to the graduate program in nursing are expected to meet the general requirements of the University for graduate study. Established admission requirements include:

1.  1. Baccalaureate degree in nursing from a program accredited by the National League Accrediting Commission, Inc. or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
2.  2. A minimum score of 1000 on the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE);
3.  3. A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in upper-division course work in the baccalaureate nursing program;
4.  4. Current and unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in Florida;
5.  5. CPR Certification;
6.  6. Two letters recommending the applicant for graduate study;
7.  7. Written statement of professional educational goals; and
8.  8.  Evidence of current professional liability insurance.

Note: The Florida Board of Nursing, as well as other state and private agencies used for clinical practice, requires the disclosure of conviction records for misdemeanors and/or felonies; therefore, this information will be required at the time of application. A level II criminal background check (includes FDLE and FBI) is required and must be on file at the College of Nursing before admission. Applicants will be provided with fingerprint cards and waiver forms at the time they apply to the College of Nursing. The cost of the background check is approximately $50.00 and must be paid by the student.

While enrolled in the College of Nursing graduate program, the student is expected to demonstrate conduct and behavior which conforms with the Nurse Practice Act of the State of Florida, the Florida State University Student Conduct Code, Workplace Violence Guidelines, the Academic Honor Code and all other applicable rules and policies of the University. The College of Nursing reserves the right to refuse or discontinue the enrollment of any student whose conduct or behavior is so negative, disruptive, or destructive as to compromise the work of fellow students, the effectiveness of the faculty, and/or the ability to work positively in a collaborative environment consistent with the aforementioned policies and guidelines.

Faculty members continually assess each student's professional performance. All College of Nursing graduate students are evaluated formally at the end of each semester. Any student who, in the opinion of the faculty, fails to maintain appropriate standards, will be placed on probation or dismissed from the program after receiving written notification.

College of Nursing graduate students are expected to make satisfactory academic progress consistent with the University's minimum retention standards for graduate studies. Student and faculty responsibilities for maintaining academic honesty and integrity are outlined in The Florida State University Academic Honor Code and Student Conduct Code. The College of Nursing graduate program reserves the right to refuse or discontinue the enrollment of any student who fails to maintain the academic integrity of the program as described in these codes.

No clinical course for which a student receives a grade of "B–" (2.75 quality points) or below may count toward any graduate degree in the College of Nursing.

Students in the graduate program are required to maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all nursing course work each semester. Failure to do so will result in the student's placement on academic probation. During the semester in which the student is on academic probation she/he is expected to improve the nursing GPA to a 3.0 or greater. The inability to meet this expectation will require that the student be dismissed from the program.

In order to be reinstated into the College of Nursing graduate program after having been dismissed for academic reasons the student is required to do the following:

1.  1. Submit a written request for consideration of reinstatement to the graduate program director;
2.  2. Provide written justification for reinstatement to the College of Nursing Admissions Committee; and
3.  3. Upon reinstatement the student will be expected to successfully complete a prescribed plan of study in her/his first semester while achieving a semester GPA of 3.0 or greater.