Florida Gulf Coast University Nursing School Review

Founded in 1997, Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) was opened to meet the need for a state university in Southwest Florida. The college prides itself in providing quality education to its 12,000 students, employing a dedicated faculty and staff and promoting education and community involvement in the Southwest Florida area.

Student life at Florida Gulf Coast University is exciting as students can attend free lectures and concerts, and even take a trip to the on-campus beach. The Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits Florida Gulf Coast University.

Review of Florida Gulf Coast University Nursing Degree Programs

The College of Health Professions at Florida Gulf Coast University is home to the School of Nursing (SON) and School of Health and Rehabilitation (SHR). The School of Nursing at Florida Gulf Coast University seeks to train nurses to work in the ever-changing, diverse and increasingly technologically reliant nursing profession. Nurses are educated in a caring, culturally-sensitive and dedicated environment in which faculty serve as comprehensive guides through all aspects of learning the nursing profession. The College has six nursing programs at the undergraduate, graduate and certificate level. Programs at Florida Gulf Coast University are approved by the Florida State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Florida Gulf Coast University Undergraduate Nursing Programs

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program

The BSN program at Florida Gulf Coast University seeks to educate and train nurses to improve patient health. The college focuses on educating nurses in key skill areas including cultural competence, critical thinking, communication and health promotion. The course is designed according to state and general guidelines for nursing education practices. The curriculum is focused on learning and integration with the community. Admission requirements include earning a grade of “C” or better in prerequisite courses such as Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry and Microbiology. Students must have a GPA of 3.0 or better to earn the BSN qualification upon completion of the program. Students who apply to this program must first meet all the prerequisites or are admitted as “pre-nursing” students. After being admitted, the BSN program requires approximately two years to complete.

Florida Gulf Coast University Graduate Degree Programs

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program

Florida Gulf Coast University offers 3 options for nurses interested in pursuing a Master of Science (MSN) degree in Nursing:

MSN Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP)

Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (ACNPs) are trained to provide care to critically or chronically ill patients in various healthcare settings. Students who complete this course are eligible to take the national certification exam for acute care nurse practitioners (ACNPs).

MSN Nurse Anesthesia

The MSN Nurse Anesthesia program is the only one of its kind in Southwest Florida. The program is 28 months and trains nurses to become experts in administering and understanding patient anesthesia. Upon completion of the program nurses can take an exam to become nationally certified nurse anesthetists.

MSN Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner

Nurses in the Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner program are trained to become advanced practice nurses that can offer care in a variety of settings. Nurses can choose to gain national certification by specializing as an Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) or Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP).

MSN Nurse Practitioner programs at Florida Gulf Coast University can be completed in approximately 2 years.

Florida Gulf Coast University Certificate Programs

Nurses with an MSN qualification who would like to further their education can do so by earning a specialization as either an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) or Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PCNP). The certificates require 37 to 45 semester study hours.

Contact:
Florida Gulf Coast University
10501 FGCU Boulevard South
Fort Myers, FL 33965

[wpgmza id=”234″]