Accelerated Second Degree Student Onboarding Packet Summer 2024

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 Submissions after the posted deadline will not be valid and will cause the admission offer to be rescinded.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.

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.

IMPORTANT: Watch this Compliance Video: UG Compliance Orientation Video

IMPORTANT: Along with the video above, the College of Nursing has created a Guide to Castle Branch (click to access guide) to assist you in the compliance process. Please reference both of these guides in its entirety, as it contains crucial information and will answer questions on completing College of Nursing compliance requirements. 

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 College of Nursing has created a Guide to Castle Branch (click to open) which can assist you in the compliance process. Please ensure to review this guide in its entirety, as it contains crucial information and may answer questions on completing College of Nursing compliance requirements. 

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.

Click here for specific instructions: MyClinicalExchange Instructions Deadline for account to be created is April 15th

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.    

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. 

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

• 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.

  • Va.gov Link  
  • Benefits Request Process PDF  

Submit a Clockwork Application

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:

• Attached to the Application for Accommodations in electronic format (e.g. PDF, DOC)
• Emailed to: sas-info@usf.edu
• Faxed to: (813) 974-7337
• Hand delivered to SAS office (SVC 1133)
• Mailed to: Students Accessibility Services
                    4202 East Fowler Avenue, SVC 1133
                    Tampa FL 33620

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

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.


Recommended Devices & Purchasing Instructions:
To purchase the following recommended devices from the USF Computer Store:
1. Login to the Online Catalog | USF Computer Store
2. Choose a purchase option
• Windows Laptops:
https://www.govconnection.com/IPA/Shop/Product/Search?CatId=202851&Sort=Availability&DefSort=Y
• Apple Products:
https://www.govconnection.com/category/apple/203596?cm_sp=MegaMenu-_-Products-_-
Apple

The USF IT Service Center has certified Apple and Dell technicians. If you purchase a Mac or Dell laptop, you will be able to bring your laptop to the Service Center and only pay for replacement
parts, if needed.

Contact the USF Computer Store for additional assistance at 813-974-1779.

Windows (PC) Minimum Requirements
Hardware Requirements:
• Intel Core i5/i7 series of processors OR AMD Ryzen series processors purchased in the
last 2 years
• 14” or higher display running 1366 X 768 resolution or higher
• 512 GB Solid State Hard Drive
• 16 GB RAM

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
separate USB Ethernet adapter cable)
• Ethernet cable
• Wireless B/G/N Wi-Fi connection
• Power Adaptor
• Must have an HD webcam with at least 2 megapixels (if purchasing an external webcam,
please buy a Logitech C615 or Logitech C920)
• Headphones with microphone capability

Software Requirements:
• PC - Windows 10 64 bit, Windows 11 64 bit recommended
• Microsoft Teams and Office 365. (Microsoft Office products are available for free
download in the Office 365 portal with a USF Account - https://portal.office.com/Home)
• Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
• Windows media player

MAC Minimum Requirements
Hardware Requirements:
• MacBook Air / MacBook Pro with M1 or M2 chip OR MacBook Air / MacBook Pro with
Intel chip purchased in the last 2 years
• 13” or higher display running 1366 X 768 resolution or higher
• 512 GB hard drive
• 16 GB RAM
• USB/Ethernet port adapter
• Ethernet cable
• Wireless B/G/N Wi-Fi connection
• Power Adaptor
• Must have an HD webcam with at least 2 megapixels (if purchasing an external webcam,
please buy a Logitech C615 or Logitech C920)
• Headphones with microphone capability

Software Requirements:
• macOS 12.6 (Monterey) or macOS 13.4 (Ventura)
• Microsoft Teams and Office 365. (Microsoft Office products are available for free
download in the Office 365 portal with a USF Account - https://portal.office.com/Home)
• Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

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 must purchase your tops in person at the bookstore, and can purchase your pants online or in person at the 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

Nursing Scrubs Order Form

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

Manufacturer Size Chart

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:

1. Click File > Options > Mail > Signatures.
2. Click the signature you want to edit.
3. Remove the current signature in the edit area and copy and paste the above info into the signature box.  
4. Change the information to reflect your information.  Be sure to update the hyperlink for the phone number and email by right-clicking on each and editing the text display area and email address area.
5. When you're done, select Save > OK.

Mac Directions

1. Outlook > Preferences > Signatures.
2. Click the signature you want to edit and click edit.
3. Remove the current signature in the edit area and copy and paste the above info into the signature box.  
4. Change the information to reflect your information.  Be sure to update the hyperlink for the phone number and email.
5. When you're done, select Save > OK.

If you need assistance in creating your USF Email Signature Line, please contact USF IT 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.

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.

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:

1. Complete the online ID card application on the USFCard Request Site. (idnow.it.usf.edu) 
2. Submit a photo of yourself and a photo of your driver's license or passport. (Smartphones make it easy!!) 
3. Wait for the approved email 
4. Visit the ID card center to pick up your card 
5. Activate your card usf.edu/activate-card (ATTENTION: Your card will not work for door access or payments until activated)

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, 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 June 1, 2025 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 Florida Civics Literacy Examination in Semester 1 at USF Testing Center or other Approved testing site.  The deadline for meeting the exam requirement is June 1, 2025. If you need to complete both the assessment AND course the assessment must be satisfied by June 1, 2025 and the course (AMH 2010, AMH 2020 or POS 2041) must be taken in Semester 1.

Those students with the Civics Literacy requirement outstanding will also receive an email from their Academic Advisor prior to the start of the semester.

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:

• Completing POS 2041 American National Government with a grade of “D-“ or higher.
• Completing AMH 2020 American History II with a grade of “D-“ or higher.
• Completing AMH 2010 American History I (taken Fall 2024 or later) with a grade of "D-" or higher 
• Receiving accelerated credit through completion of one of the following:
  • Advanced Placement Government and Politics: United States exam with a score of 3 or more (Course and Assessment)
  • Advanced Placement United States History exam with a score of 4 or more (Course and Assessment)
  • CLEP American Government exam with a score of 50 or more.(Course and Assessment)
  • CLEP History of the United States I with a score of 50 or more.(Course and Assessment)
  • CLEP History of the United States II: 1865 to present with a score of 50 or more (Course only)
  • Cambridge AICE History, US History (AS-Level) with a score of A-E. (Course only)
  • IB History: History of America with a score of of 5-7. (Course only)
  • Dual Enrollment POSX041 or AMH X020 or AMH X010 (if taken Fall 2024 or later) (Course Only)

The assessment requirement may be met by doing one of the following:

• Scoring 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement Government and Politics: United States exam.
• Scoring 4 or higher on the Advanced Placement United States History exam.
• Scoring 50 or higher on the CLEP American Government exam
• Scoring 50 or higher on the CLEP History of the United States I exam
• Scoring 60% or higher out of 100 on the US Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Test (Civic Literacy Exam) is available through Canvas. There is not cost to students for the test itself.

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 1, 2025