SPC's Nursing B.S. Degree prepares you for jobs in demand
St. Petersburg College was the first to become a four-year institution in Florida and is a top provider of online education in the state. The college is home to a diverse body of students from a variety of geographic, ethnic, religious and socio-economic backgrounds, and is committed to the highest academic standards in undergraduate education. Getting your Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from SPC's Walter L. Schafer, MD and Vivian B. Schafer, RN College of Nursing Baccalaureate Program gives you a solid foundation for advancing your career and improving your skills. If you're already a registered nurse, you can take our flexible program online or face-to-face.
Workforce Need for nurses with B.S.N. Degree
Nurses are returning to college to pursue their bachelor of science in nursing degree in record numbers. Increasingly, employers are requiring RNs to have attained a BSN before they are hired or within two years of their employment start date. Many research studies over the past 30 years have shown that patients cared for by RNs with bachelor’s degrees have better health outcomes. Successfully completing a BSN opens up a wealth of career opportunities for the registered nurse and lays the foundation for continuing on to graduate studies.
This academic program prepares you for the following careers. All job data is provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Registered Nurses
Salary Data
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metro Area Average
Florida Average
Projected employment for Florida
2019 Employment
189,820
2029
220,350
Percent Change
16
Projected Job Openings
14000
Features of SPC's Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree
- Builds on your current R.N. credential, education and experience
- Fits your schedule
- Takes three semesters to complete attending full time
- Opportunity to take courses one at a time or up to four courses each semester in fall and spring
- Option to take your classes online or in the classroom
- Ability to complete your practicum hours at approved agencies in your community
- Focuses on leadership, management, theory, research and community and public health
ACCREDITATION
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at St. Petersburg College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org)
St. Petersburg College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC) to award selected bachelor's degrees in science and bachelor's degrees in applied science; associate degrees in arts, associate degrees in science, and associate degrees in applied science; as well as certificates and applied technology diplomas.
Nursing Bachelor of Science
printNURS-BS
Effective Beginning Catalog Term: Fall 2020 (580)
The requirements shown below are valid beginning Fall 2020 (580), and may not reflect degree requirements for current students. Current students should visit My SPC and view My Learning Plan to see specific degree requirements for their effective term.
Program Leadership Information
Louisana Louis, DNP, RN
Dean, College of Nursing
Clare Owen, PhD, RN
Assistant Dean
owen.clare@spcollege.edu
Program Summary
The RN to BSN Program at St. Petersburg College affords registered nurses the opportunity to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing delivered in either a face-to-face or online format. The program gives nurses a solid foundation for advancing their career or preparing for graduate nursing study. The program focuses on leadership and management, evidence-based practice, health promotion and risk reduction in communities, ethical issues, and healthcare needs of diverse populations.
The Academic Pathway is a tool for students that lists the following items:
o the recommended order in which to take the program courses
o suggested course when more than one option exists
o which semester each course is typically offered
o if the course has a prerequisite
o courses that may lead to a certificate (if offered in the program)
If you are starting the program this term, click here to access the recommended Academic Pathway.
If you have already started the program, click here for the archived Academic Pathways.
Please verify the Academic Pathway lists your correct starting semester.
Florida CIP Code
1105138012: NURSING (BS)
Federal CIP Code
51.3801: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse.
Admission Rules
Please review the Nursing B.S.N. Admission Guide.
The Admission Guide outlines the admission criteria specific to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) program. Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale in all post-secondary coursework. Please review this information carefully to ensure you submit a complete application.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Admissions Checklist
Applicants must complete the online college application in MySPC, pay the non-refundable fee and submit documentation of an:
o Active, unrestricted, unencumbered (i.e. clear/active) RN license on admission and throughout the program.
o Official, unopened (sealed) high school transcript(s) or GED transcripts.
o Official transcript showing completion of an AS (or AAS) Degree in Nursing from a regionally accredited institution (see https://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx) or a Diploma in Nursing from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing ACEN (formerly, National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission NLNAC see http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm).
o Official transcripts from all accredited college(s) and universities currently or previously attended.
A health program advising request can be made here: https://web.spcollege.edu/survey/16998/
Graduation Rules
RN to BSN students must complete a total of 40 semester hours of upper-division coursework. Thirty-two (32) credit hours will consist of major core nursing courses and eight (8) credits will be completed via elective coursework. Ten (10) semester hours may be met by transfer from another institution. RN to BSN students must complete each NUR/NSP upper division course with a grade of "C" or better in order to receive credit and progress in the program.
STATE MANDATED PREREQUISITES
Complete 15 credits. All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher.
AA GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Complete 27 credits.
COLLEGE LEVEL CREDITS
Complete 39 credits.
MAJOR CORE COURSES
Complete 32 credits.
MAJOR ELECTIVE COURSES
Complete 8 credits
* Acceptable substitutes: BSCXO93C or BSC XO93/XO93L
** Acceptable substitutes: BSCX094C or BSC XO94/XO94L
*** Acceptable substitutes: MCBX013C, MCBX013/L, MCB X000/X000L, OR MCB X004/X004L
**** Acceptable substitutes: STAX014, STAX122, or STAX022
Important information
RN-BSN Program Goals
- To prepare graduates to function and excel in a variety of nursing roles while providing safe, evidence-based care that reflects sound ethical judgement
- To facilitate the graduate’s ability to contribute to the profession of nursing by engaging in leadership, scholarship, and practice activities.
- To graduate individuals with the necessary foundation for further education and specialization within their chosen career path and who demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning for personal and professional growth.
RN-BSN Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
- Integrate theories, knowledge, and ethical perspectives from nursing science and liberal arts to guide the delivery of culturally sensitive care to clients, groups, and communities within the professional scope and standards of nursing practice.
- Formulate nursing practice decisions utilizing scientific research and evidence-based protocols to ensure that best practices are incorporated into the care of patients, groups and communities.
- Integrate the principles of leadership into the design, management, coordination and evaluation of health care delivery.
- Incorporate principles of disease prevention, risk-reduction and health promotion in providing care to individuals, groups, and communities
Resources
- Courses by Semester
- Estimated Costs for BSN Program
- FAQs about the BSN Program
- Non-degree seeking and transient student admission and registration process
- RN to BSN Guidance for Students
- Sample Schedule for BSN program
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at St. Petersburg College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org)
St. Petersburg College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC) to award selected bachelor's degrees in science and bachelor's degrees in applied science; associate degrees in arts, associate degrees in science, and associate degrees in applied science; as well as certificates and applied technology diplomas.
Walter L. Schafer, MD and Vivian B. Schafer, RN College of Nursing Baccalaureate Program
This program is named in honor of Walter L. Schafer, MD and Vivian B. Schafer, RN in appreciation for their many efforts on behalf of St. Petersburg College.
Continue your education at SPC
SPC's associate degrees in nursing transfer to our Bachelor of Science in Nursing completion degree for RNs. These include:
- Nursing Associate in Science Degree
- Nursing Associate in Science Transitional Degree for LPNs
- Nursing Associate in Arts Transfer Plan
To be admitted to our BSN program, you need an active, unrestricted, unencumbered RN license; an A.S. degree in Nursing from a regionally accredited institution; and to have completed certain prerequisite courses.
HEALTH CONTINUING EDUCATION
We also offer health and health continuing education through the Workforce Institute.
RN TO BSN ADMISSIONS SELF-CHECKLIST
To be admitted to our BSN program, you need an active, unrestricted, unencumbered RN license and an AS/AAS degree or Nursing Diploma from an accredited institution, among other requirements.
Please answer the following questions to get started on your application process to our RN to BSN program:
I am
New student at SPC
Returning to SPC
Official transcripts
AS/AAS degree or Nursing Diploma
Cumulative GPA
RN License
Nursing BSN application
Please apply to SPC as a New Undergraduate Student.
You will need to re-apply to SPC.
Submit official, unopened (sealed) high school transcripts or GED transcripts as well as those from all regionally-accredited college(s) and universities currently or previously attended. You can request your transcripts be submitted electronically from a previous Florida public college or university. Learn more about transcripts.
You will need an A.S. or A.A.S. or Nursing Diploma to be admitted to the BSN program. SPC offers an Associate in Science Degree in Nursing.
You will need a cumulative GPA of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale in all postsecondary coursework to be admitted to the BSN program at SPC.
You will need an active, unrestricted, unencumbered (i.e. clear/active) RN license information.
You will hear from us soon.