College of Nursing The purposes of the College of Nursing are to conduct undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Nursing, to create the structure and climate that will promote collegial relationships in the broad health field, to conduct nursing research, and to conduct continuing education programs in nursing. The establishment of the College of Nursing within the framework of the Health Science Center at the University of Florida permits it to provide collegial and professional development for nursing students in an important university setting. Shands Hospital at the University of Florida houses outpatient clinics, an ambulatory care unit, a psychiatric unit, and hospital units for seriously ill patients. The Veterans Adminis- tration Medical Center and other community facilities, such as public health agencies, com- munity hospitals and outreach clinics are also used to prepare students for beginning profes- sional nursing positions. The student has oppor- tunities for supervised observation and practice in selected phases of health care. Practiced within the context of a helping relationship, nursing is a dynamic interactive process to promote, maintain, and restore well- ness, to prevent illness, and to treat human responses to illness throughout the life span. Nurses apply the scientific method to assess health patterns, derive nursing diagnoses and problems, formulate objectives and plans, implement interventions, and evaluate out- comes. Their interventions are directed toward resolving actual or potential health problems, promoting positive health states, and rehabili- tating clients to optimal levels of functioning. Nursing requires critical thinking and judg- ment; the creative application of the science of nursing; and the integration of caring, nurtur- ing, and comforting. The program of the College of Nursing is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing and is approved by the Florida State Board of Nursing. The college is a member of the Council of Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Programs of the National League for Nursing, the Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing of the Southern Regional Education Board, and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Admission The University of Florida and the College of Nursing encourage applications from qualified applicants from all racial, cultural, religious, and ethnic groups. Preparation for professional nursing practice requires a very careful selection of learning experiences and adequate supervision and guid- ance. Admission to this college is a selective process; the satisfaction of minimum require- ments does not automatically guarantee admission. The minimum requirements for university of Florida students for admission to the College of Nursing are: Completion of 64 semester hours of required General Education and preprofes- sional course work. All applicants must have completed two sequential courses of foreign language in secondary school or the equivalent of 8-10 semester hours at the postsecondary level. An overall GPA of at least 2.8. A GPA of at least 2.8 in required prepro- fessional courses. A grade of C or better in all required pre- professional course work. A score on the College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) as required for admis- sion to upper division status. Certification in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Satisfactory completion of communication and computation requirement (Gordon Rule). Completion of annual health examination including immunization requirements. Health insurance Completion of all University of Florida admission requirements. Transfer students must complete an Associ- ate of Art degree from a Florida public college and meet all other admission requirements list- ed above. Postbaccalaureate students must com- plete preprofessional courses and meet all other requirements for admission. Applications must be received by the Uni- versity of Florida Office of Admissions by March 1 to be considered for admission to the summer semester. Students beginning their nursing studies are admitted annually for the summer semester (Summer C). Part-time RN/BSN students are admitted each semester, and full-time RN/BSN students are admitted each fall semester in compliance with University of Florida admission dates. Upon receipt of transcripts and application information required by the College of Nursing, all applicants will be individually screened. Fac- tors given consideration in evaluating appli- cants include cumulative grade point average; performance in the preprofessional courses; extent to which applicant exceeds minimum requirements; extracurricular, civic, military, or employment activities; and evidence of commit- ment to the health field. Students who fail to meet admission requirements may petition the admissions committee for consideration. Applicants with the highest overall rankings are accepted in order until the class is filled. If vacancies occur prior to the date of clinical placement, the next applicants will be accepted. Florida residents are given priority. Financial Aid Information relating to sources of financial aid, as well as information relating to student employment, may be obtained from the univer- sity's Office for Student Financial Affairs, Criser Hall, University of Florida. General Academic Regulations HEALTH POLICY The College of Nursing requires the student to have specified immunization and health screening tests periodically. Immunization records are maintained at the Student Health Service and in the College of Nursing Office of Admissions. Students must be appropriately immunized and have had a health examina- tion-prior to the first day of class. These requirements are subject to change depending upon current knowledge and practice relating to health care. An annual health examination is required while in the program. Each student registered in clinical nursing courses is expected to have adequate health and hospitalization insurance. The Student Govern- ment health insurance plan may be purchased at registration. UNIFORMS In order to participate in the activities of the first clinical course, all nursing students will be required to have a name pin, white uniform, College of Nursing emblem for uniform, white nursing shoes, bandage scissors, a watch with a second hand, a stethoscope, and pen light. More detailed equipment and uniform information is sent upon admission to the college. EXPENDITURES The student is referred to the Expenses sec- tion in this catalog for information about regis- tration expenses. Other expenditures in nursing studies cours- es include the items listed under Uniforms. Stu- dents are assessed a laboratory fee for selected courses. Some nursing courses require experi- ence away from campus. For such courses, the student will need to provide transportation. Achievement exams during the senior year are required and are paid for by the student. An annual health examination including immuniza- tions and current certification in basic cardio- pulmonary resuscitation are required. Student Nursing Associations SIGMA THETA TAU, INC. Sigma Theta Tau International, Inc., is the honor society of nursing. The Alpha Theta Chapter at the University of Florida was estab- lished in 1964. The purposes are to recognize the development of leadership qualities, to foster high professional standards, to encourage cre- ative work, and to strengthen commitment on the part of individuals to the profession of nurs- ing. Students are chosen for this organization on the basis of scholastic average and leadership ability. COLLEGE OF NURSING STUDENT COUNCIL The Nursing Student Council works cooper- atively with the faculty and students of the Col- lege of Nursing to promote unity within the