GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A new online program offered by the University of Florida will make it easier for registered nurses throughout Florida to earn a bachelor's of science degree in nursing, advancing their careers with limited disruption to their personal and professional responsibilities.
The newest addition to UF Online's array of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the "RN to BSN" program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and will accept students for the Spring 2016 term.
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"The bachelor's degree is the foundation of the professional nursing career and will open up many more opportunities for these nurses," said Anna McDaniel, dean of the UF College of Nursing. "We are excited to offer this program to registered nurses so they can complete their bachelor's degrees while maintaining a professional and personal balance in their lives."
The new online program launches in the wake of an Institute of Medicine recommendation for an increase in the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree from 50 to 80 percent by 2020. The institute argues that the heightened rigor is necessary to meet the growing needs of an aging population and an increase in the number of people with chronic diseases.
The RN to BSN program is designed to offer experienced registered nurses in Florida who have earned an associate's degree in nursing a flexible and affordable pathway to earn an accredited bachelor's degree. It can be completed in as few as five semesters with no on-campus requirements.
For more information about the curriculum or admissions requirements for the online RN to BSN program, go to ufonline.ufl.edu.
The University of Florida has been offering online bachelor's degree programs since 2001-02. UF Online is ranked No. 13 in the country by U.S. News & World Report for Best Online Bachelor's Programs.