Nursing: V-CARE B.S.N.

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TOTAL DEGREE HOURS: 120
Plans of Study

The Veteran to BSN (V-CARE) major allows service members and veterans with medical training experience as medics and corpsmen the opportunity to receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The V-CARE major is typically completed in consecutive semesters (after prerequisites, Foreign Language, and General Education requirements). Graduates may then take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to earn their RN license. Prerequisites can be completed at an institution accredited by either 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 with completion of nursing coursework at the Tampa campus.

Specialized Admissions

THIS MAJOR HAS ADDITIONAL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS AS LISTED IN THIS SECTION.

This is a full-time, specialized admissions program, as mandated by the state, and is structured sequentially. Admission is competitive.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the University of South Florida (Tampa campus) as a degree seeking undergraduate student.
Completed application to the College of Nursing prior to the published deadline for the intended term of entry.
Applicants must have U.S. Army Medic, U.S. Air Force Medic, or U.S. Navy Corpsman training and experience to be a candidate for the V-CARE major.
Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on all undergraduate coursework.
Completion of the Nursing prerequisite courses by the published application deadline for the intended term of entry.
- Students who do not have all prerequisite courses completed by the intended term of entry may be eligible for conditional admission.
- Note: Any outstanding Nursing prerequisite courses must be completed by the program start date, with a C or better, while maintaining a cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.0.
Completion of English Composition I, English Composition II and State General Education Mathematics requirement by the published application deadline.
Participation in a formal interview with College of Nursing faculty, if selected.
Completion of the University’s foreign language entrance requirement (FLENT) and University General Education requirements.
Submission of a professional resume.

University Admissions - College of Nursing

Admission to the University is based on the University’s Undergraduate Admission Requirements that may be found by clicking on the following urls:

Freshman: https://www.usf.edu/admissions/freshmen/admission-information/requirements-deadlines.aspx
Transfer: https://www.usf.edu/admissions/transfer/admission-information/index.aspx
International: https://www.usf.edu/admissions/international/admission-information/index.aspx

Progression Requirements - College of Nursing

Please refer to the USF College of Nursing Student Handbook for grade and progression requirements.

Transferring to USF Nursing

The University’s Enhanced General Education requirements and College of Nursing’s prerequisite/support courses may be completed through the A.A. degree from a Florida College System institution. If a student wishes to transfer without an A.A. degree and has fewer than 60 semester hours of acceptable credit, the student must meet the university’s entering freshman requirements including ACT or SAT test scores, GPA, and course requirements. The A.A. degree satisfies admission requirements only if courses are carefully selected and include the required major prerequisite/support courses.

State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites

The state-mandated nursing common pre-requisites are required to be completed before the published application deadline for the intended term of entry. A grade of ‘C’ or better is required while maintaining a cumulative GPA equal to or greater than 3.0.

The College of Nursing requires certain courses within the Enhanced General Education requirement for the natural, social and behavioral sciences, and mathematics. Students must complete the prerequisite courses listed below prior to being admitted to the V-CARE major. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher.

All courses not approved by the Florida State Course Numbering System (includes all Florida public colleges, universities, and College System institutions) used to satisfy these prerequisite requirements will be evaluated individually on the basis of content and will require a catalog course description and a copy of the syllabus for assessment.

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
CHM XXXX or BCH XXXX or BSC XXXX or PCB XXXX or PHY XXXX - 3 credit hours
DEP X004 or DEP X054 or DEP X000 - 3 credit hours
HUN X201 - 3 credit hours
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
PSY XXXX or SOP XXXX or SYG XXXX - 3 credit hours
STA X014 or STA X023 or STA X122 - 3 credit hours

NOTE: Epidemiology (3 credits) is recommended but not required.

Required Courses: (68 credit hours)

Major Core Courses: 24 courses; 64 Credit Hours

Note: Up to 4 hours will be awarded for military medic or corpsman experience. Please consult with a College of Nursing Academic Advisor for your path of study within this program.

NUR 3825 - Introduction to the Profession of Nursing Credit(s): 2
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 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 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 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 4165 - Evidence-Based Practice Credit(s): 3
NUR 4285 - Healthy Aging: Nursing Care of Older Adults Credit(s): 2
NUR 4227 - Complex Health Nursing II Credit(s): 4
NUR 4227L - Complex Health Nursing II Clinical Credit(s): 3-4
NUR 4937 - Nursing Seminar Credit(s): 3
NUR 4888 - Coordination of Care in Nursing Credit(s): 2-3
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 4948L - Preceptorship Credit(s): 6

Additional Information- Nursing: V-CARE B.S.N.

Grading Requirements

All Nursing courses must be passed with a C or better in didactic and an S in clinical.

Research Opportunities - College of Nursing

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. Those 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. The O ffice of High Impact Practices and Undergraduate Research (HIPUR) is able to assist with further inquiries.

Advising Information - College of Nursing

USF students can schedule advising appointments online through USF Archivum Platform. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor to discuss course planning, degree progression, and career preparation.

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