The following packet includes detailed information about the onboarding process for the Accelerated Second Degree program at the University of South Florida’s College of Nursing for the Summer 2024 semester.It is essential that you read the packet in its entirety.
The Accelerated Second Degree program is a full-time program on the USF Tampa campus. Transportation for clinical experiences is the responsibility of the student, and some locations may be as much as two hours from the USF Tampa Campus. Students will be assigned a clinical region. Generally, you will have courses, clinicals, and labs during the day Monday – Friday, although you may be assigned clinicals on the evening or weekend. You will have Preceptorship in your last semester that may include overnights and weekends. The College of Nursing reserves the right to require clinical/lab participation on weekends as well as overnight. You will have common test times throughout the program that may take place during evenings or weekends.
All students admitted to the Accelerated Second Degree pathway have an academic program plan that is structured sequentially over four consecutive semesters: Summer 2024 (12 weeks); Fall 2024; Spring 2025; Summer 2025 (12 weeks). The anticipated graduation date is Summer (August) 2025.
In addition to University tuition and fees, there are other costs associated with the nursing program. Please ensure to review the estimated costs for incoming students
All students must adhere to pre-licensure program plans and academic continuity:
Each student must adhere to the program plan received upon admission.
Should a student break progression due to earning a non-passing grade or withdrawal, per the College of Nursing Progression Policy found in the College of Nursing Student Handbook, the student must petition and receive permission from the Baccalaureate Admissions and Progression Committee to remain in or be readmitted to the program. The student’s program plan will be reviewed by the Program Director and/or Associate Dean for any courses, clinicals, or labs that need to be repeated and to determine when there will be room in the next available cohort. Students in the Accelerated Second Degree pathway must remain at their home campus for which originally admitted.
Should a student break progression due to a withdrawal with cause (WC), failure to register, or cancelation of enrollment by the University for financial reasons will be considered grounds for progression violation or dismissal. Students may not progress in their pathway if they voluntarily withdraw or withdraw with cause from any pre-licensure course, lab, or clinical in their designated pathway. The withdrawal will be considered a failed course and grounds for progression violation or dismissal.
The student acknowledges that breaks in progression for any reason may result in pause for up to two years.
If the break in progression causes the student to be outside of the graduation timeline outlined in the USF System Policy 10-505: Degree Progression and Completion Deadline for Undergraduate Students, permission must be received by Undergraduate Studies for the student to be readmitted to the major.
Action Items - Required of you to Complete:
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The College of Nursing would like to know if you will accept or decline the offer for admission, no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, March, 15, 2024. Please click here to submit Intent to Enroll survey . If you accept the offer, you will then proceed with your Onboarding Packet. In order for the Intent to Enroll to be received and valid, the submission date/time must show no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, March 15, 2024. Submissions after the posted deadline will not be valid and will cause the admission offer to be rescinded. Please be sure to submit the Intent to Enroll using the link provided in this message. |
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All College of Nursing students are required to complete a Background Check, Verification of Health Insurance, Immunization Verification, and Drug Screening for the College of Nursing via CastleBranch.com. This is not the same as the Medical History Form from USF Student Health Services. The Castle Branch requirements are required for all undergraduate students in the College of Nursing.
Verification of health insurance must be submitted to Castle Branch and the College of Nursing must have clearance on your drug test, fingerprints and background checks by Friday, April 12, 2024 or your seat in the program will be forfeited. All other Castle Branch requirements need to be completed by the first day of classes. Please start the process IMMEDIATELY.
The COVID-19 vaccination documentation has been added to the Castle Branch immunization tracker. At this time we do not require COVID vaccinations for students to enroll in any of our nursing pathways/programs. While we do not require a vaccination many of our clinical partners require vaccinations of students based upon the federal mandate. We expect that most if not all of our clinical sites will require COVID vaccinations by the end of February to comply with the federal mandate. Medical and religious exemptions may be granted but this is at the discretion of our clinical partners. We cannot guarantee an exception will be made. Purchase your CastleBranch account IMMEDIATELY using your USF email ($222): For fingerprinting purposes, you must purchase your CastleBranch based on where you are currently residing and will be doing your fingerprints (this is not your state of residency). If you will be getting your fingerprints done outside of Florida, you must purchase the out of state fingerprinting package (Code UE01osfp). Go to https://portal.castlebranch.com/UD98 Select Place Order –> College of Nursing –> Undergraduate Program –> SECOND DEGREE Select Code UE01: I am a new student ordering for the first time (in state fingerprint code) If you are currently residing out of state* Select Code: UE01osfp: I am new student ordering for the first time and need an out of state* fingerprint Once purchased you will receive instructions from CastleBranch within 48 hours The urine drug screen must be completed within 72 hours after receiving your instructions If the drug screening is not completed within 72 hours of purchase, an additional cost will be required as the drug screen package will need to be re-purchased *Out of State Coding: Out of state is considered where you are currently physically residing and not your state of residence Purchase, complete, and upload your HIPAA Compliance in Castle Branch: Go to https://portal.castlebranch.com/UD98 Select Place Order –> College of Nursing –> Undergraduate Program –> Second Degree UE01hipaa: HIPAA eLearning Tracker Please contact Castle Branch at 888-723-4263 with any questions regarding the uploading of documentation or requirements for your profile. The USF College of Nursing Compliance Team con-compliance@usf.edu can assist you if the Castle Branch Customer Service cannot resolve an issue. Please ensure to email through your USF email and include your name, program (Accelerated Second Degree), and cohort (Summer 2024). Due to military documentation not being in line with civilian documentation, there is the possibility that your military documentation will be rejected. If this happens, please contact the College of Nursing's Student Academic Compliance Officer, con-compliance@usf.edu). Each rejection will be reviewed by on a case-by-case basis. Please remember to include your U-ID in your email. Please note that this is not a one-time process. You, the student, must monitor all requirements and keep them up to date during the time of your enrollment in The College of Nursing. Failure to keep the programmatic and clinical requirements up-to-date can result in being restricted from attending clinicals. |
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Click here for specific instructions: MyClinicalExchange Instructions Deadline for account to be created is April 15th |
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Per USF Policy 33-002, it is mandatory for USF students to submit all required immunization documentation and sign the official Medical History Form prior to course registration. A hold preventing registration will remain on your account until you have fulfilled the following requirements.
If you are missing any vaccine and/or labs, please contact your current healthcare provider or schedule an Immunization Compliance Appointment by clicking here. For an exemption request, please contact our office directly. Please refer to the tabs on the left side for additional information particular to your student status/population. For questions on USF Compliance, please contact USF Student Health Services directly at 813-974-4056 |
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We are very excited for you to start your nursing journey with us and officially welcome you at the College of Nursing's Student Orientation on Friday, April 19 from 9am-4:00pm In-Person CPH 1023 (College of Public Health). Those who do not attend will forfeit their seat in the program. The College of Nursing's Student Orientation is mandatory. Attire: Business Casual Check-in will begin at 8:30am as orientation will begin at 9:00am sharp. Lunch will be provided. If you have any dietary restrictions please be sure to bring your own lunch/snacks. If you do not have a USF Parking Decal you will need to park in the Laurel Garage- 6th Floor. The garage is located off of Holly Drive and USF Laurel Dr- Parking Map If you do have a USF decal you will need to reference the Parking Map for the closest parking location based off of your decal. You will need to bring the devices you intend to use during the program with them for computer checks (E.g. Laptop and mobile devices- cell phone/tablet). Additionally, there will be a mandatory Clinical Onboarding - TBD |
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Please ensure to check and remove all holds prior to registration. You can view registration holds in your myusf: OASIS; Student; Student Records; View Holds. Only the office that placed the hold on your account is authorized to remove the hold. Therefore, if you have questions regarding how to remove a hold, please directly contact the office that placed a hold. The earliest any student can register for in Nursing courses for the Summer and Fall semesters is April 19, even if your registration day/time assigned by the University is earlier. Please note that no matter when you register, you will be guaranteed a seat in all nursing courses, clinicals, and labs. Registration instructions will be sent to your USF email by the close of business on April 19. The registration times varies for current USF students and new USF students: If you are a current USF student, you will be assigned a day and time when you can register for classes by the University. You may register for classes on Friday, April 19 or on/after your assigned registration day by the University; whichever is sooner. If you are a new USF student, within two weeks after you register for USF Orientation, you will be assigned a time ticket to register for classes. You can then register for classes on or after April 19. Dr. Cheryl Zambroski, Tampa Campus Director, will go over you first-semester schedule in detail at Nursing Student Orientation, as OASIS does not display complete information. Therefore, we request that you save scheduling questions for Nursing Student Orientation. You will be assigned a clinical region and will need to onboard with the respective hospitals within that region. Please note that the College of Nursing cannot provide any guarantees on any specific clinical regions. Transportation for clinical is the responsibility of the student and may be as much as two hours from the USF Tampa campus. All of our clinical partners provide excellent opportunities to our students. You will find out your clinical region via USF as soon as they have been finalized. |
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The College of Nursing has created a Base Guide to help familiarize our military-connected students with University, College, and Tampa Bay resources. If you are using VA Benefits, after you register for classes, you will then apply for your VA Education Benefit and Submit a Clockwork Application. For questions on applying for VA Education Benefits and submitting Clockworks, please contact the USF Office of Veteran Success directly at 813-974-2291. Apply for Your VA Education Benefit
Submit a Clockwork Application To request to use your VA education benefits each semester (Chapter 33, 35, 30, or 1606), you MUST complete steps 1-5 on your Clockwork application EVERY SEMESTER. If you make ANY changes to your class schedule AFTER OVS has certified you, complete a Change in Benefit Request by clicking the button at the top left of your original Clockwork application. Out of State Student Waiver *FOR STUDENTS BEING CHARGED OUT-OF-STATE FEES ONLY* You MUST complete an online Out of State Fee Waiver with the Office of Veteran Success EVERY SEMESTER that you qualify. Keep in mind that this waiver DOES NOT change your residency status at USF, but instead waives 100% of your out-of-state charges each semester. |
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Students seeking support services from Student Accessibility Services (SAS) on the basis of a previously diagnosed disability are requested to submit documentation that verifies their eligibility under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act. First-year and transfer students may apply for accommodations once admitted to the University of South Florida. Current students may apply at any time, however accommodations are not retroactive. Students are responsible for identifying themselves to SAS and present proper medical documentation to receive academic accommodations. Students must complete the online Application for Accommodations and supply supporting medical documentation. Documentation can be submitted through one of the following:
The review process takes 7-10 days to review application and supporting medical documentation, then a coordinator will e-mail the student's @usf.edu email account to set up an intake appointment. Intake appointments are approximately 1 hour, and must be completed before accommodations are approved. Register here |
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You will need your first semester textbooks by the first day of classes. Textbooks are available for purchase or rent through the USF Bookstore. Your Program Director will go over first semester textbooks and required technologies at Nursing Student Orientation. The Bookstore Advance Purchase Program (BAPP) allows students to charge books and supplies at any USF campus bookstore using your financial aid before it is paid. In addition to textbooks, there are other materials that you must purchase for the program that are not available through the USF Bookstore. You will be requried to purchase ATI. Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) is an online learning platform designed to supplement the curriculum with resources to help nursing students learn, improve, apply, and test for NCLEX success.You will be required to enroll in ATI. The cost of ATI is about $1000 spread out over 4 payments. More information about purchasing ATI will be provided at orientation and again at the beginning of the semester. All USF College of Nursing students are required to have a laptop/notebook computer with wireless internet connection and a web browser. Students are also required to have a compatible webcam and microphone; the webcam and microphone should either be built into your laptop/notebook or be a portable model. Students in all nursing courses are expected to meet these requirements to successfully participate in their courses. Failure to meet these technology standards may result in inability to complete program requirements. It is the student's responsibility to ensure all requirements are met prior to the start of the semester. The College of Nursing's Student Computer Requirement has specific information on hardware requirements. The USF Computer Store offers laptop "bundles" and discounted software for registered students. For more information, visit USF Computer Store. Contact the USF Computer Store for additional assistance at 813-974-1779.
The College of Nursing's Student Computer Requirement has specific information on hardware requirements. The USF Computer Store offers laptop "bundles" for registered students. • Port for Ethernet wired connection (if a port is not provided you will need to purchase a |
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All undergraduate students participating in clinicals and lab must follow the College of Nursing's uniform and dress code, which can be found in the College of Nursing Student Handbook. You will need a minimum of one nursing scrub top, and nursing scrub pant. You will be required to wear your nursing scrub top and pants for all nursing clinicals and labs. Nursing labs will begin the first week and will be held 2-3 times per week. You may purchase your uniforms in-person at any USF campus bookstore. You can purchase your order in-person through the USF Bookstore or by submitting your order to them via email. Pick-up at the bookstore is free; delivery is an additional fee. If you want your order delivered, you should order a minimum of two weeks prior to the beginning of the semester For questions regarding uniform stock, sizing, pricing, or ordering, please contact the USF Bookstore directly at 813-974-2631. Order Forms Completed order forms to be emailed to t.gainous@follett.com Pricing (as of 3/15/2023) Nursing Scrub Top - $42 Nursing Scrub Pants - $30 Size Chart |
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You will create a signature line in your USF email. Do not include U-ID in your signature line, but ensure to manually insert it when emailing your Academic Advisor. Your signature line will consist of your name, major (Accelerated Second Degree), your cohort semester and year (Summer 2023). Do not change your cohort as you progress through the program. USF Signature Line Template: Name Accelerated Second Degree, Summer 2024 How to create your email signature: PC Directions:
Mac Directions
If you need assistance in creating your USF Email Signature Line, please contact USF IT at 813-974-1222. |
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Payment in full or approved deferment is due on the fifth day of the semester. You will not be sent a bill. The University will cancel the registration of a student whose registration fees have not been paid in full by the deadline as indicated on the university's academic calendar. Students who have a financial aid Tuition Deferment, Veteran's deferment, or Florida Prepaid will not be subject to cancellation. Please review the estimated costs for incoming students and ensure to finalize your financial aid or method of payment. USF's Office of Financial Aid can assist you with any questions you have regarding the Financial Aid process. Additionally, you can also contact the USF Health Office of Financial Aid for assistance. All students are strongly encouraged to file a FAFSA, as many scholarships require a current FAFSA on-file for consideration. College of Nursing Scholarship Application- AwardSpring To be considered for additional scholarships in the 2024-25 academic year, you should submit the USF Foundation scholarship application - applications for those scholarships are typically open November – April. There may be additional scholarships opportunities listed on the USF Foundation Scholarship Office Facebook page. Supplemental College of Nursing Scholarship Application The College of Nursing has supplemental scholarships. Please be sure to have a FAFSA on file and submit the following application to be considered: https://usf.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_42ueznZNsfNteCy To be considered for additional scholarships in the 2024-25 academic year, you should also submit the USF Foundation scholarship application when it opens - applications for those scholarships are typically open November – April. There may be additional scholarships opportunities listed on the USF Foundation Scholarship Office Facebook page. If something arises while in the program you can also apply for Emergency Scholarships: Emergency Scholarship Application |
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The USF Photo ID card is the official identification card of the University of South Florida. The USF Photo ID Card is a multi-functional card. College of Nursing students will use the USF Photo ID Card as part of their Nursing badge required for clinicals and labs. Therefore, you must obtain the USF Photo ID Card by the first day of classes. Note: If you are a current USF student with a valid USF Photo ID card, do not purchase another one. Please visit your MyBullsPath account for information on how to order your USF Photo ID Card: Process:
For detailed information including payment information please refer to our website: 4202 E. Fowler Ave., SVC 1032 Tampa, FL 33620 PHONE, EMAIL, FAX Phone: (813) 974-2357 Email: idcard@usf.edu Website: USF Card Center |
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You will be contacted shortly after admission to advise if you need to complete the Civic Literacy requirement. If you have been advised that you must complete the Civics Literacy requirement, you must complete the assessment by June 1, 2024 or a hold will be placed on your account. If you need to complete both the assessment and course, you must complete the assessment by June 1, 2024 and the course during Semester 1 of the Nursing program. You can also check your DegreeWorks account to determine if you need to complete the Civic Literacy requirement. All undergraduate degree-seeking students who enroll in a Florida public institution for the first time in Fall 2018 and thereafter must demonstrate civic literacy. Amended legislation in 2021 now requires undergraduate degree-seeking students to meet the State of Florida’s Civic Literacy requirement by passing BOTH an approved civic literacy course and a passing score on a designated civic literacy assessment BEFORE graduation from USF. Please talk to your academic advisor about whether you need to enroll in a course and take the assessment. The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes to require students initially entering a Florida College System institution or state university in 2018-19 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy. This means beginning in Fall 2018 students who are first enrolled in a Florida public institution in Fall 2018 or later must meet the new state civic literacy requirement regardless of residency or past post-secondary enrollment. The goal of the civic literacy initiative is to ensure a level of understanding among all graduates in the principles and practices of American democracy through an understanding of the U.S. Constitutions and other founding document as well as landmark Supreme Court cases and legislation and their impact on law and society. If entering Florida public college or university as an undergraduate seeking student for the first time in the beginning of Fall 2018 through Summer A 2021, must earn credit in an approved Civic Literacy course OR achieve a passing score on a designated civic literacy assessment (not both) If entering Florida public college of university as an undergraduate seeking student for the first time in the beginning of Summer B/Fall 2021 or after, must earn credit in an approved Civic Literacy course AND achieve a passing score on a designated civic literacy assessment (both) More information regarding the Civic Literacy requirement can be found here Due to the rigor of the nursing program, students must complete the Civics Literacy assessment before the nursing program begins. The deadline for meeting the exam requirement is June 1, 2024. If you need to complete both the assessment AND course, the assessment must be satisfied by June 1, 2024 and the course (AMH 2020 or POS 2041) must be taken in Semester 1. We strongly recommend that you consider the CLEP option if needing to satisfy the Course requirement. Those students with the Civics Literacy requirement outstanding will also receive an email from their Academic Advisor shortly after admission. How to meet this requirement: Students entering Summer B/Fall 2021 and later must satisfy BOTH the Civic Literacy course and assessment requirements. The course requirement may be met by doing one of the following:
The assessment requirement may be met by doing one of the following:
How to satisfy the Civics Literacy Assessment: There are several ways to satisfy the Civics Literacy Requirement. Completing the Civics Literacy quiz in Canvas is recommended as there is no cost and accessible starting the first week of the semester. You must score a minimum of 60 on the quiz to satisfy the requirement. Please note that the score will not be reflected in GPA nor be on your transcript. If you prefer to take a course to meet the requirement, please ensure to contact your Academic Advisor prior to doing so. The Civics Literacy requirement can be satisfied by completing the Civics Literacy quiz in Canvas. There is no cost. You must score a minimum of 60 on the quiz to satisfy the requirement. Please note that the score will not be reflected in GPA nor be on your transcript. In addition to the Civics Literacy modules in Canvas, you may access Civics Literacy resources and study materials through USF Libraries to help prepare for the quiz. |
Dates to Remember:
Intent to Enroll Deadline:
Friday, March 15, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
Verification of Health Insurance Deadline:
Friday, April 12, 2024
Drug, Background and Fingerprint Deadline:
Friday, April 12, 2024
Mandatory Nursing Student Orientation:
Friday, April 19, 2024 (9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.)
Civic Literacy Exam Deadline (if needed)
Monday, June 1, 2024
Mandatory Clinical Orientation (face-to-face):
TBD
First Day of Summer Classes:
Monday, May 13, 2024