Program Details
Average starting salary is $47,480 *median*
*Salary information provided by Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Program Overview
The Associate in Science in Nursing Bridge Program at Santa Fe College is a 14-month program (3.5 semesters, not including the time necessary to complete prerequisite courses). ASN Bridge coursework is completed mainly in the classroom, laboratory and clinical settings; however, some content is delivered online. Upon completion of the program, students are prepared to sit for the Florida Licensure Examination according to Florida Statutes, Chapter 464. Upon successful completion of the exam, the graduate may be licensed as a Registered Nurse. Santa Fe College placement data indicate program graduates are employed in a field related to their degree. Graduates consistently score at or above national and state licensure exams. The Bridge Program takes up to 10 students per application cycle. Individuals may also apply to the generic AS RN Nursing Program.
Licensure statement:
For the ASN and PN program, completion of program requirements may make you eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) RN or NCLEX-PN in Florida or one of the other 27 nursing compact states if you apply for a multi-state license under the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). A list of current compact states can be located on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website (https://www.ncsbn.org/nurse-licensure-compact.htm) If you are a student who resides outside of Florida or one of the compact states, Santa Fe College cannot confirm whether this degree program meets educational requirements for professional licensure in your state. If you wish to take the NCLEX exam in a non-compact state, please contact the board of nursing in the state to determine whether this degree or certificate program will meet their licensure requirements.
Accreditation:
The Associate in Science in Nursing Program and the Associate in Science in Nursing Bridge Program are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Rd. NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA, 30326.
The Associate in Science in Nursing (A.S.N.B) Bridge Program is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing (FBON), and meets the requirements of the Statewide Career Ladder Articulated Programs as outlined in the Statewide Articulation Manual.
Florida Board of Nursing 4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin C-02 Tallahassee, FL 32399-3252 850-488-0595 or 850-617-6457 fax floridasnursing.gov/the-board/
Requirements for Admission
The following requirements must be met by the deadline in order to receive an application to the Program:
- Possess a 2.50 overall College GPA.
- Current LPN license with no restrictions.
- Completion of a Florida PN program within 5 years of applying to the SF ASN Bridge Program or current Florida LPN license within 3 years of application.
- Complete program prerequisites with a 'C' grade or higher:
- BSC 2085/L Anatomy & Physiology I with lab (4 credit hours)
- BSC2086/L Anatomy & Physiology II with lab (4 credit hours)
- MCB 2010/L Microbiology with lab (4 credit hours)
- MAC 1105 College Algebra or STA 2023 Statistics (3 credit hours)
- PSY 2012 General Psychology (3 credit hours)
- ENC 1101 English Composition (3 credit hours)
- NOTE: A Humanities/Fine Arts course must be completed prior to graduation.
- Complete an interest essay at time of application (Essay must be 500 words or less. Criteria and submission instructions noted on the online application screen).
IV Therapy Certification Course: All A.S.N.B. students must complete a 30-contact hour IV Therapy Certification Course prior to entry into the Bridge program. Students lacking this course will not be admitted to program.
General Education Requirements: Students selected to the A.S.N.B. program must complete a Humanities/Fine Arts course prior to graduation. HUN 1201 must be completed during the first term of the program and DEP 2004 must be completed by the end of the third term of the program, if not completed prior to entry. Students must complete General Education requirements as scheduled in order to remain in the program.
Program Cost, Scholarships and Aid
All tuition and fees are estimated costs and subject to change without notice.
| Tuition 62 credit hours | |
| In-State ($106.77 per credit hour) | $6,619.74 |
| Out-of-State ($382.90 per credit hour) | $23,739.80 |
| Program lab fees | $1,098.00 |
| Uniform, Shoes, ASN Program Patch | $225.00 |
| Books/software | $1,450.00 |
| Health Physical and Required Immunizations | up to $450.00 |
| American Heart Association BLS/CPR card (2 person infant/child) health care provider course and card required; on line CPR training not accepted. | $55.00 |
| Level 2 and Expanded National Background Screening; drug test | $185.00 |
| IV Therapy Certification Course for LPNs (30 contact hours) | $450.00 |
| Laptop computer (recommended; not required) | $400.00 |
| Miscellaneous clinical expenses while in program (flu immunizations, additional screenings and related costs) | $200.00 |
| Total In-State | $11,127.74 |
| Total Out-of-State | $28,238.80 |
| Scholarships: |
| There are many scholarships available for Santa Fe students to apply to. Please visit the Scholarships webpage for more information and how to apply. |
| Financial Aid: |
| There are many options to finance your education. You may be eligible for Federal Grants, Work Study, State Grants, Federal Loans, and Institutional Scholarships. Please visit the Financial Aid webpage for more information and how to apply. |
Selection Criteria / Points System
Selection criteria and points system is subject to change. It is the applicant's responsibility to check with the Health Sciences Advisement Office for up-to-date requirements and information.
GPA in Five Prerequisite Courses: Maximum Points = 30 | |||
| 3.75 - 4.00 | 30 points | 3.24 - 3.00 | 15 points |
| 3.74 - 3.50 | 25 points | 2.99 - 2.50 | 10 points |
| 3.49 - 3.25 | 20 points | below 2.50 | no points |
| Overall College GPA: Maximum Points = 15 | |
| 3.50 - 4.00 | 15 points |
| 3.00 - 3.49 | 10 points |
| 2.50 - 2.99 | 5 points |
| Prior degree: Maximum Points = 5 | |
| AA degree or higher. Degree must meet SF standards. | 5 points |
| Grades in Coursework: Maximum Points = 15 (B grade or higher)(Retakes will earn less points) | |||
| DEP2004 Dev. Psych. | HUN1201 Human Nutrition | BSC2086/L A&P II | |
| 1st Attempt A | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 1st Attempt B+ | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 1st Attempt B | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 2nd Attempt A | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 2nd Attempt B+ | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 2nd Attempt B | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 3rd Attempt Any Grade | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Practical Nurse Experience: Maximum Points = 10 | |
| 12 months or more in LPN clinical setting | 10 points |
| All work experience must be concisely documented and signed by supervisor. Incomplete documentation will not count towards points consideration. Part-time work experience will be converted to full-time hours based upon a 40-hour work week. Documentation must include dates, hours worked, PT or FT status and duration of employment. Falsifying documents is grounds for revoking application to program. | |
| Military Service: Maximum Points = 5 |
| Military Service - 5 points will be awarded to US Armed Forces active duty and honorably discharged veterans. Includes recent Reservist and National Guard combat deployments. DD-214 or proof of current service required. Minimum of 1 year active duty service required. Part-time Reservist or National Guard service must be documented separately and equal 365 active duty days (i.e., weekend service, annual 2-week assignment and deployment). Service dates may be combined with proper documentation. Veterans who receive a general discharge must be classified without misconduct. |
Program Length, Format and Curriculum
The Associate in Science in Nursing Bridge Program (A.S.N.B.) at Santa Fe College is a 4.5 semester program including the time necessary to complete prerequisites. A.S.N. Bridge coursework is completed mainly in the classroom, laboratory and clinical settings; however, some content is delivered online.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUR1280C | OLDER ADULTS | 3.0 |
| NUR2037C | MED SURG 1 | 2.0 |
| NUR2140C | PHARMACOLOGY | 3.0 |
| NUR2212C | MED SURG 2 | 6.0 |
| NUR2265C | CONCEPTS 3 | 6.0 |
| NUR2310C | PEDIATRIC NURS Prerequisites: NUR2212C | 3.0 |
| NUR2420C | MAT/INFANT NURS Prerequisites: NUR2212C | 3.0 |
| NUR2520C | PSYCH/MENTAL | 3.0 |
| NUR2943C | TRANS PRACTICUM | 3.0 |
| HUN1201 | NUTRITION 1 | 3.0 |
| DEP2004 | DEV PSYCHOLOGY | 3.0 |
Program Performance Standards
The Registered Nursing Bridge Program (A.S.N.B.) is a practice discipline with cognitive, sensory, affective and psychomotor performance requirements. Based on these requirements, the following list of Program Performance Standards has been developed. Each standard has an example of activities which a student will be required to perform, with or without an accommodation, while enrolled in the A.S.N.B. program. The Program Performance Standards should be used as a guide to assist applicants in determining whether or not accommodations or modifications are necessary in order to meet program participation requirements. Applicants who identify potential difficulties with meeting the Program Performance Standards should communicate their concerns to the Academic Chair for Nursing Programs. If the concern is related to a documented disability, applicants are responsible for contacting the Disability Resource Center. Determination of reasonable and appropriate accommodation will be made on an individual basis in consultation with the Disability Resource Center. Additionally, applicants should assess their aptitude and ability to perform professional duties by reviewing the Program Performance Standards below and discussing them with their healthcare provider.
| Issue | Standard | Examples |
| Critical Thinking | Critical thinking sufficient for clinical judgment. | Competent assessment of patient in timely manner; correct interpretation of assessment; readily respond with appropriate intervents and treatment plans; ability to work alone and to make correct independent decisions as needed. |
| Interpersonal | Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. | Life and death situations; working with families stressed by the condition of a loved one; working with other healthcare providers in stressful situations. |
| Communication | Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form. | Ability to follow verbal and/or written instructions. Must communicate patient response to therapy with others; document therapeutic procedures performed on patient; consult with other healthcare providers in a professional manner. |
| Mobility | Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and walk in hallways; maneuver in small spaces; Includes the strength necessary to lift patients as needed. | Walking to and from departments to patient rooms; walking room to room to take care of all patients on a team; assisting in patient transport. |
| Tactile and Motor Skills | Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to safely and effectively perform nursing care. Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment and to provide nursing intervention. | Perform vital signs, CPR, transporting patients, physical assessment, manipulating equipment. Perform palpation; give injections; intravenous initiation; provide sterile and non-sterile dressing changes; urinary catherizations; assist patient with daily activities. |
| Hearing | Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. | Auscultation of BP, breath sounds, heart sounds, bowel sounds; hearing alarms in units, call bells, telephones, and conversing with patients, family, and staff. |
| Visual | Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment. | Reading patient charts/flow sheet/monitors; drawing up and administering medications; assessing patient skin color; reading thermometers. |
Program Effectiveness
Per ACEN Policy #29. The Nursing Programs Student Achievement Outcome Data can be viewed on the Health Sciences Program Effectiveness page.
Program Mission
The Nursing Programs of Santa Fe College provide quality nursing education that is student-oriented and accessible to a diverse student population, in response to the current healthcare needs of our community. We add value to the lives of our students and enrich our community through excellence in teaching and learning, innovative educational programs, student services, community leadership and service in healthcare.
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