FIRST SEMESTER STUDENTS ONLY* Visit https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/ to either APPLY FOR or UPDATE your VA education benefits. Click the green "Find your education benefits form" button, complete the application, and save a screenshot of the "Claim received" page at the end to upload onto your Clockwork application. In 4-6 weeks, you will receive your first Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in the mail.
Dear Student:
This packet includes detailed information about the on-boarding process for the Accelerated Second Degree pathway at the University of South Florida's College of Nursing for the Fall 2024 semester. It is essential that you read the packet in its entirety.
The Accelerated Second Degree pathway is a full-time program on the USF St. Petersburg campus. Transportation for clinical experiences is the responsibility of the student, and some locations may be as much as two hours from the USF St. Petersburg 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 Fall 2024 Accelerated Second Degree pathway have an academic program plan that structured sequentially over four consecutive semesters: Fall 2024; Spring 2025; Summer 2025 (12 weeks); and Fall 2025. The anticipated graduation date is Fall (December) 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 their 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 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 Assistant 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
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, July 12, 2024. Please click here to complete the Intent to Enroll. 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, July 12, 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. |
All College of Nursing students are required to complete a Background Check, Fingerprints, 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. If background check and drug screening results are not free and clear, your admission to the College of Nursing may be recinded. Please download the Technical Standards form here and upload it to your Castle Branch account. This form must be completed by a medical provider and submitted by the Friday of the first week of classes. Failure to submit the completed form prior to the deadline may result in your admission to the program being rescinded. Note: If you do not have a medical provider, you can see student health services. Please note that their services will not be available to you until the first week of classes.
Please start the College of Nursing compliance process IMMEDITATELY. The deadline for uploading verification of health insurance and for starting your your background check, fingerprints, and drug test is Monday, July 22nd. STUDENTS WHO FAIL TO MEET THIS DEADLINE WILL FORFEIT THEIR SEAT IN THE NURSING PROGRAM. All other compliance requirements have a deadline of the first day of classes. 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).
*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:
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 Team (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 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 Officer (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 (Fall 2024). 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. |
Click here for specific instructions: MyClinicalExchange Instructions |
If you are a brand new University of South Florida degree-seeking student, welcome! You MUST attend the University's General Orientation (Tampa campus) in addition to the Nursing Student Orientation. You can register for USF Orientation at http://usf.edu/orientation/. Once you register and pay for a USF Orientation session, you will be assigned a registration time ticket within two weeks. Please note that your registration time ticket is created within two weeks after you register and pay for a USF Orientation session, not after you attend your USF Orientation. The University mandates new students make academic advising appointments; however, your mandatory Nursing Student Orientation will count as your new student advising and there is no need to make a separate appointment with an Academic Advisor. You will need to sign up for the USF Orientation through USF Tampa campus. The College of Nursing has no preference on which session you attend your USF Orientation; therefore, please select a date that is most convenient for you however it must be before classes begin. University policy mandates that brand new University of South Florida degree-seeking students MUST attend a University orientation before the start of classes for the semester; those students that fail to do so will have their enrollment canceled by the University, which will result in cancellation/forfeiture of their seat in the nursing program. |
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 |
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, July 26 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The College of Nursing's Student Orientation is mandatory. Those who do not attend will forfeit their seat in the program. The Nursing Student Orientation is for admitted students only and there is no room for guests. You will attend in person at USF St. Petersburg Campus: Harbor Hall (HBR) 110. Those who do not attend will forfeit their seat in the program. Attire: Business Casual Parking: You will be emailed a parking permit for the orientation session to park in the parking garage levels 2-4. You must display it on the driver's side dashboard. To purchase a parking decal for use while in the program, please visit USF Parking and Transportation Services: https://www.stpetersburg.usf.edu/resources/administrative-and-financial-services/parking/index.aspx Check-in and computer checks will begin at 8:30am as orientation will begin at 9:00am sharp. 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). |
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 Fall is after the Nursing Orientation, 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. The registration times varies for current USF students and new USF students: If you are a current/returning USF student, you will be assigned a day and time when you can register for classes by the University. 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. The St. Petersburg and Sarasota Manatee Campus Director, Dr. Allyson Duffy, will go over your first-semester schedule in-detail at Nursing Student Orientation. Therefore, we request that you save scheduling questions until 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 as soon as they have been finalized. Register with Student Accessibility Services Register with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) (if appropriate) if you need to request accommodations for your didactic coursework as the registration process can be lengthy. |
The College of Nursing has created a Base Guide to help familiarize our military-connected students with University, College, and Tampa Bay resources.
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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 |
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 to purchase a Nursing scrub top, and Nursing scrub pants through one of the three USF Bookstores: USF Tampa Bookstore, USF St. Petersburg Bookstore, or USF Sarasota-Manatee Bookstore. You must purchase your tops in person at the bookstore, and can purchase your pants online or in person at the bookstore. The lab coat will be given at the White Coat Ceremony scheduled on September 26 at 6pm at University of South Florida Marshall Student Center. More details will be provided regarding the White Coat Ceremony. 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. You will need your uniforms, consisting of a minimum of scrub top and pants, for all labs and clinical experiences. Labs begin week one, so you will need to purchase your uniforms prior to the beginning of the program. Please do not wait until the last-minute to purchase your uniform, as the bookstores cannot guarantee stock in all sizes at all times. Order Forms Completed order forms to be emailed to t.gainous@follett.com Pricing (as of 3/14/2022) Nursing Scrub Top - $42 Nursing Scrub Pants - $30 Size Chart Save the Date: The White Coat Ceremony is scheduled for September 26 at 6pm. More details to follow |
You will need your first semester textbooks by the first day of classes. Textbooks are available for purchase or rent through the USF Bookstore. The USF St. Petersburg and Sarasota Manatee Campus Regional Director, Dr. Allyson Duffy, will go over your the textbooks required during orientation. Therefore, it is recommended you wait until after College of Nursing Orientation to purchase your textbooks. Textbooks for online classes may be purchased through the USF Bookstore in three different ways:
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 arenot availablethrough 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. Specific information on requirements can be found below. 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 before the semester starts.
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 |
You will create a signature line in your USF email. Be sure 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 (Fall 2024). Do not change your cohort as you progress through the program. USF Signature Line Template: Name, Student ID # Accelerated Second Degree, Fall 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 IS at 813-974-1222. |
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. 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 2025-26 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. |
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. Payment: Students and Distance Learning students will no longer have to pay for the USF Photo ID Card at the time of issue. Instead, students will be conveniently billed through their university account. The cost of your original card is $10. Replacement cards are $15. Please visit the USF Card Services website for information on obtaining your USF Photo ID: https://www.usf.edu/it/resources/usf-card Process:
For detailed information including payment information please refer to our website: If you have any questions, please contact USF Card Services directly at 813-974-2357. |
DegreeWorks does not accurately reflect the Civic Literacy requirement until you being courses. You will be contacted shortly after that time 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 September 15, 2025 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 September 15, 2025 and the course during Semester 1 of the Nursing program. 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) Students awarded an associate or baccalaureate degree by a state institution who initially entered prior to Fall 2018 are required to meet the civic literacy requirements should they return to seek an additional undergraduate degree if they did not meet the requirements as part of their initial degree (Course AND Exam) More information regarding the Civic Literacy requirement can be found here Due to the rigor of the nursing program, students must complete the Florida Civics Literacy Examination in Semester 1 at USF Testing Center or other Approved testing site. The deadline for meeting the requirement is September 15, 2025. How to meet this requirement: Students entering Summer B/Fall 2021 and later, or returning for another degree who initially entered prior to 2018 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: Students entering the University of South Florida in Fall 2024 or later must take the Florida Civics Literacy Test if they have not already met the assessment portion of Civics Literacy through one of the above mentioned acceleration mechanisms. This is an in-person exam offered through the USF Testing Center. Students should contact the USF Testing Center with questions regarding registering for the test. There will be a proctoring fee of $48.50. If you prefer to take a course to meet the requirement, please ensure to contact your Academic Advisor prior to doing so. Deadline to complete the Assessment is June 15, 2025 |
Dates to Remember
Intent to Enroll Deadline
Friday, July 12th at 5:00 p.m.
Mandatory Nursing Student Orientation
Friday, July 26th, 8:30am - 4:00 pm, Harbor Hall 110 - St. Pete Campus
Deadline to Complete Drug Test, Background Check, and Fingerprints
Monday July 22nd
Deadline to Upload Verification of Health Insurance in Castle Branch
Monday July 22nd
Civics Literacy Exam Deadline
Friday September 15th
Deadline to Register in Fall Classes Without Late Registration Fee
Friday August 23
First Day of Fall Classes
Monday August 26
Deadline to submit Technical Standards Compliance Form:
Friday August 29
Contact Us:
Academic Advisor
Kristen Blandford
College of Nursing Compliance