The College of Nursing at St. Petersburg College is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Next reaccreditation due June 30, 2032
SPC's Nursing BSN Degree prepares you for high-demand careers
St. Petersburg College was the first community college 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. Our program is ideal for employed nurses because it is offered completely online.
Nurses with BSN Degrees are in demand
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
2023 Employment
202,780
2033
228,070
Percent Change
13
Projected Job Openings
14110
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
- All classes are online
ACCREDITATION
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at St. Petersburg College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.ccneaccreditation.org)
Nursing Bachelor of Science
NURS-BS
Effective Beginning Catalog Term: Fall 2025 (655)
The requirements shown below are valid beginning Fall 2025 (655), 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 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 an online format. The program gives nurses a solid foundation for advancing their career or preparing for graduate nursing study. The program focuses on evidence-based practice, health promotion, cultural humility, technology, and leadership to meet the health needs of diverse populations.
Graduation Requirements
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.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE: If you have not completed two consecutive years of the same foreign language in high school or 8 credits in college, you will need to complete 8 credits of foreign language before completing the B.S. program.
CIVIC LITERACY: As per Florida Rule 6A-10.04213, baccalaureate degree students entering a Florida College System (FCS) or State University System (SUS) institution in the 2021-2022 academic school year and thereafter must demonstrate competency through successful completion of a civic literacy course AND by achieving a passing score on the Florida Civic Literacy Examination (FCLE).
Academic Pathways
The Academic Pathway is a tool for students that lists the following items:- the recommended order in which to take the program courses
- suggested course when more than one option exists
- which semester each course is typically offered
- if the course has a prerequisite
- courses that may lead to a certificate (if offered in the program)
Please verify the Academic Pathway lists your correct starting semester.
Program Leadership Information
Florida CIP Code
1105138012 - BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
Federal CIP Code
51.3801 - Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse.
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)
- Apply evidence-based practice via provision of safe nursing care within a global, evolving health care system.
- Facilitate health equity via care delivery focused on health promotion, risk reduction, disease prevention, and illness management.
- Practice cultural humility when delivering nursing care to individuals and groups across the lifespan.
- Use data and technology when collaborating with the interprofessional health care team to improve care quality and favorable patient outcomes.
- Demonstrate leadership and advocacy through professional, legal, ethical, and fiscal accountability.
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 (https://www.ccneaccreditation.org)
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.
Admission Guide
Nursing Program Among Tampa Bay Times 2023 ‘Best of the Best’.