Discover student life at the UCF College of Nursing
In addition to nationally accredited and recognized undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the College of Nursing offers students innovative experiences both in and out of the classroom that contribute to a ‘golden’ collegiate culture.
Student Organizations
Association of Pre-Nursing Students
The Association of Pre-Nursing Students provides information, support and fellowship for students seeking admission into the UCF College of Nursing.
Student Nurses’ Association
Connect with the community through volunteer activities, strengthen leadership skills, and network at state and national conventions with the SNA at UCF – recognized as a Stellar Chapter from the NSNA and five-time FNSA Diamond Chapter Award winner.
SNA Chapters are at the UCF Orlando, Cocoa and Daytona campuses.
Sigma: Honor Society
UCF’s Theta Epsilon Chapter of Sigma, the international honor society for global nursing excellence, has more than 500 active members. The chapter fosters leadership, excellence, community service, and research scholarship.
Graduate Nursing Student Academy
Sponsored by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the GNSA is a collective voice for graduate nursing students. Their mission is to foster collaboration, innovation, and excellence in academic nursing and healthcare.
GNSA Liaison: Dr. Dawn Turnage, a faculty member, ’15DNP alumna and current Nursing PhD student.
Institute for Healthcare Improvement
Members of this organization are able to learn, network and connect with peers and experts, as well as participate in quality improvement research and events.
Academic Opportunities
Community Nursing Coalitions
Through 17 Community Nursing Coalitions, Knight nursing students make a big impact in our Central Florida community while, at the same time, gain valuable hands-on experience with service-learning. Learn more.
Honors Thesis Program
Undergraduate nursing students have the opportunity to participate in the prestigious Honors Undergraduate Thesis* program. A tradition of student research excellence since 1998 at the college, today the College of Nursing represents the highest proportion of students engaged in the program university-wide. Learn more.
*Formerly known as the Honors in the Major (HIM) program.
Living Learning Community
Through Nursing @ Nike, UCF Nursing-Pending undergraduate students have an opportunity to live and learn together on-campus during their first year of college. Learn more about this unique opportunity.
Medical Service & Study Abroad Opportunities
Studying abroad or participating in global health medical service trips provide nursing students the opportunity for interdisciplinary teamwork while caring for medically underserved and culturally diverse communities. Learn more.
Simulation Learning Labs and Classrooms
Thrive as a student and learn in a state-of-the-art simulation center, hands-on learning labs, and spacious, smart classrooms. There are also quiet study rooms and lactation privacy rooms. Learn more.
Showcases & Awards
College of Nursing students have the opportunity to network and showcase their work to UCF faculty, alumni and community representatives in several university-wide and national collegiate events, including:
- UCF Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence (SURE), where nursing students have received awards for ten years in a row and counting.
- UCF Service-Learning Showcase, where several nursing teams recently earned awards and one earned the top honor.
- UCF Founders’ Day, where one student from each college is recognized for excellence in academics, leadership and community service.
- Sigma: Honor Society of Nursing Scholarship Day
- UCF Graduate Research Forum
- UCF Order of Pegasus, UCF’s highest honor and has been bestowed to four nursing students and counting.
- UCF President’s Leadership Council, where several nursing students have served.
VALOR
Senior BSN students have the opportunity to apply to the national Learning Opportunities Residency (VALOR) program through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The competitive one-year residency provides students with a valuable learning opportunity where they gain hands-on clinical experience at the Orlando VA Medical Center in Lake Nona. The annual application cycle opens in January, and students are notified via their Knights email account.
