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Freshman Nursing Pathway

FNR

From freshman to future nurse—complete your BSN in just four years!

The Freshman Nursing Pathway (FNR) is designed to offer incoming freshmen the unique opportunity to be admitted as nursing majors. Students interested in nursing who meet the SAT/ACT scores and high school GPA will be offered admission to the Freshmen Nursing Pathway (FNR).

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Program Overview

The Freshman Nursing Pathway provides a structured progression plan—typically completed in four years, with an accelerated three-year option available for eligible students. With successful progression, students are offered admission to the Upper Division program within the USF College of Nursing. Students who break progression will be required to reselect their major and apply to the Upper Division nursing program with a competitive pool of applicants after they complete their state-mandated nursing prerequisites and general education requirements. This pathway will prepare students to become Nurse Generalists and take the National Certification Licensure Exam (NCLEX) to become Registered Nurses (RN).

If you are interested in living amongst your peers in the major, consider living in the College of Nursing Living Learning Community. More information regarding the Nursing Trailblazers LLC can be found here along with the application process.  

Accreditations - Visit our Accreditation page to learn more.

PLEASE NOTE: Current USF students are not eligible to enter the Freshmen Nursing Pathway; therefore, we do not offer or facilitate major changes to nursing. If you are interested in being part of this program, you must request a major change prior to your freshman orientation date.
FNR Program Snapshot

Program Snapshot

Degree type: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Length of program: 4 years

Modality: In-person

Location start date: 

  • Tampa campus: Starts Fall semester
  • St. Petersburg campus: Starts Fall semester
Accelerated FNR

Accelerated Freshman Nursing Pathway (for Florida AA Graduates)

If you earned or will earn an Associate of Arts (AA) degree from a Florida public institution by the time you graduate high school, you may be eligible to complete your BSN in just three years through USF’s Accelerated Freshman Nursing Pathway. 

Simply apply to the Freshman Nursing Pathway (FNR) — no separate application is required. Select Tampa campus and Nursing (Pre) as your major on the USF application. If you indicate that your FL AA will be awarded and meet minimum admissions criteria, your admission letter from the USF College of Nursing will include details about the three-year option.

You’ll follow the same admissions process, requirements, and deadlines as all FNR applicants. If admitted, you’ll have the opportunity to choose between the three-year and four-year BSN pathway program plans. Admission for the three-year pathway in Fall 2026 is offered exclusively at the Tampa campus.

Minimum qualifications include:

  • AA degree from a Florida public institution
  • 3.9 weighted high school GPA (per USF Admissions)
  • Test scores: ACT 24, SAT 1180, or CLT 81

Application Deadlines for Fall 2026:

  • Regular Deadline: December 15, 2025
  • Final Deadline: March 1, 2026 (space permitting)

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