How To Become An Rn In Florida
Individuals seeking a Florida nursing license must earn a two-year associate degree in nursing or a four-year bachelors degree in nursing . Program duration depends on the degree and a students previous academic experience.
Candidates can protect their investment by enrolling in programs with accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Graduates of accredited programs can apply for licensure by endorsement or exam.
Full Time Vs Part Time
If you are able to dedicate yourself to your education on a full-time basis you will complete the program in the shortest period of time, but your personal responsibilities or financial situation may make that impossible.
Fortunately, studying part-time offers a solution to both of those challenges, reducing the costs and providing the flexibility to continue working, caring for your family, or attending to whatever other commitments you have.
Determine Which Nursing Credential To Pursue
There are so many types of nurses out there that it can be hard to know what your exact end goal even is. Whether youre intrigued by surgery, interested in working with babies in the neonatal intensive care unit or passionate about seeing older adults live their best lives, theres a place for you in nursing. Many nurses work in variety of specialties throughout their careers. With that kind of flexibility, you dont need to decide which specialty you would most like to work in before you start nursing school. Instead, whats important is deciding which credential to pursue.
Your desired credential will help you determine which kind of programs you should be researching. Lets walk through your options:
Licensed Practical Nurse
Many LPNs work in outpatient clinics or home healthcare settings. They can take patients vital signs, medical history, assist with patient hygiene, collect test samples and administer medication.
- Education or training needed: Post-secondary certificate or diploma program
- Florida 2020 median annual salary:3 $46,710
Registered Nurse
In addition to the duties of an LPN, RNs can also assess patient needs, recommend care plans and educate patients. RNs are more likely than LPNs to work in a specialty clinic or hospital department.
- Florida 2020 median annual salary:2 $69,510
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
- Education or training needed: Masters or doctorate degree
- Salary information: Varies depending on specific role.
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Associate In Science In Nursing Degree
The Program for the Associate in Science in Nursing combines course work on campus with guided clinical experiences in health care agencies in both Manatee and Sarasota counties. There are two methods for completion of the program, the basic approach for students who have no previous nursing course work, and the transition approach for the Licensed Practical Nurse.
Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination to become licensed as a registered nurse. On entry into practice, the Associate in Science Degree Nursing graduate is able to use the nursing process to administer care for a group of patients in acute and chronic settings. The graduate functions effectively within the health care team and provides guidance to less-skilled workers in the implementation of nursing care.
Tammy Sawmelle, Ph.D, MSN, RN Chief Nurse Administrator Assistant Dean of Nursing
SCF Nursing DepartmentPhone: 752-5209
The Associate in Science Program is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing.
The Associate nursing program at State College of Florida is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate nursing programs is Continuing Accreditation
Rn To Bsn Nursing Career Ladder
Credits earned in the ASN program will count towards the related baccalaureate Nursing degree completion program under the provisions of Florida Rule 6A-10.024. This creates a career ladder so that students can proceed toward their educational objectives as rapidly as their circumstances permit. Please note that ASN graduates will be required to complete all General Education, Program Specific Courses, Foreign Language competence, and earn the Florida Registered Nursing RN credential before admission to the RN to BSN program at FSW. For more information, please refer to the RN to BSN Academic Program Page.
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Research And Apply To Nursing Programs
Once you know exactly what path youre pursuing, its time to narrow down your search. There are hundreds of nursing schools out there, but finding the one that fits you best can be challenging.
Factors like class schedules and program lengths will need to be weighed against your current commitments and your own timeline when evaluating schools. Many programs offer online courses that can give you more flexibility in your schedule.
Program length will vary heavily depending on which credential you choose. An LPN diploma program can be completed in as few as 12 months while a BSN can take anywhere from two to four years depending on the program and the students previous academic experience.4
While doing your research, be sure to note start dates for specific programs. Some may have extensive wait lists or limited start dates so be sure to take those into account when researching programs and planning your education timeline.
How Long Is A Doctor Of Nursing Practice Program
Nurses who earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree represent the highest level of nursing expertise and leadership. They may serve in a variety of roles, including working in a clinical setting, in administration, in education and in the field of healthcare policy.
Though the requirement has not yet been implemented, there is a growing consensus that the DNP degree should become the standard for direct care Advanced Practice Nursing positions, but DNP degrees are also valued in indirect care settings such as nursing informatics, organizational leadership and health care policy.
The time that it takes to complete a DNP program varies from 2 years for nurses who already have an MSN, all the way up to 5 years from nurses starting at the ADN level.
While those who enter a DNP program after earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing will need to spend three-to-four years to complete the program, candidates that have already earned their Master of Science in Nursing will be able to complete the program in two years.
Registered Nurses who gained licensure through an ADN path will require supplemental baccalaureate education and may need five years to complete a DNP program.
Other variables to the amount of time that a program takes to complete will include whether a student is pursuing their studies on a full-time or part-time basis, and the specialty area that they are focusing on.
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How Long Does It Take To Be Approved For The Nclex Examination
There is no set timeframe for approval of an application. We process applications in date order received. Applications are processed as quickly as possible, but timeframes vary based on the number of applications received and on the length of time it takes receive all necessary documentation.
This status allows the holder to practice nursing under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse if they meet the following qualifications:
- It has not been more than three months since you have graduated from an approved program
- You have been authorized by the Board to practice as a graduate nurse or graduate practical nurse and have received a Graduate Nurse or Graduate Practical Nurse letter
- You have been authorized to test by the examination vendor
Any applicant who fails to appear for the first examination for which they have been made eligible shall not practice nursing until such time as the applicant passes the NCLEX examination. Only RN applicants by examination who have been approved by the board may use the term Graduate Nurse or the abbreviation G.N.. Only PN applicants by examination may use the term Graduate Practical Nurse or the abbreviation G.P.N.. GN and GPN statuses expire at the date listed on the Graduate Nurse letter or when the applicant takes the examination, whichever comes first.
Why Must I Pay A $500 Student Loan Forgiveness Fee To Obtain A License Or Renew My License
The Florida Legislature established the Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness Program in 1989 to encourage qualified personnel to seek employment in areas of the state where critical nursing shortages exist. The program provides funds to assist in the repayment of nursing education loans. All nursing licensees pay this $5.00 fee as part of their initial license fee and license renewal fees.
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How Do I Send My Transcript To The Board Of Nursing
Many Florida nursing programs are approved to send a list of eligible graduates or can send an official transcript upon graduation. If submitting a transcript, your program is required to submit an official transcript bearing your date of graduation and degree conferred directly to the Board office. The Board office is unable to accept emailed, uploaded, or faxed copies of transcripts from the applicant. Transcripts that are sent through a secure electronic service or mailed directly from the program are accepted by the Board.
Paper Transcripts are accepted at: Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance Bureau of Health Care Practitioner Regulation, Board of Nursing 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-02 Tallahassee, FL 32399-3252
The Florida Board of Nursing does not complete a primary source verification of education for all of its Advanced Practice Registered Nurse .
We do not maintain a list of approved APRN programs.
Florida APRN applicants are required to hold an active Florida RN license or an active multistate RN license from another jurisdiction, a masters degree or post-masters certificate in a nursing clinical specialty area and national advanced practice certification from an approved nursing specialty board. The certification requirements for all the Board approved certifying bodies mirror the licensure requirements for Florida. Therefore, we only require proof of the applicants national certification.
Start Your Nursing Journey In The Sunshine State
Seem like a lot to navigate? Its ok! Tens of thousands of nurses have made this journeyand youve already taken the first step to becoming a nurse in Florida by reading this article and researching the process that lies ahead. Your next step is to determine the best academic program for you and research your options. Visit the School of Nursing page to start learning how Rasmussen College could help you on your path to becoming a nurse in Florida.
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Best Hospitals To Work At In Florida
Nursing students on the hunt for a job can make use of the US News best hospitals in Florida rankings. To compile the rankings, the US News evaluated patient outcomes and the processes of care and resources such as patient experience, nurse staffing, and clinical services. Below find the top five hospitals in Florida:
How Long Is A Nurse Practitioner Program
A Nurse Practitioner is one type of Advanced Practice Registered Nurse that is available as a career to those who complete either an MSN program or a DNP program. There are many different specialty areas in which a Nurse Practitioner can practice, including Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Gerontology, Cardiology and Psychiatry.
Completing a Nurse Practitioner program takes from two-to-four years after qualifying to enter the program. Nurse Practitioner programs offer either a Master of Science in Nursing program that takes two years to complete or a Doctor of Nursing Practice program that takes four years to complete.
Before applying to a Nurse Practitioner program, candidates will need to have become Registered Nurses, and those who have done so by earning an ADN degree will need to pursue an RN-to-MSN program that supplements their nursing training with a baccalaureate education program.
Nurse Practitioners who choose to work in a specialty area will need to seek certification through the appropriate certifying board for their area of practice and to maintain their certification through both continuing education and retesting depending upon that boards requirements and criteria.
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How Long Is An Rn To Msn Program
Nurses who have earned their ADN can pursue an RN-to-MSN program that supplements the MSN program with the baccalaureate education that they are missing. This type of program can be completed in two-to-three years.
Similarly, those who already have earned a baccalaureate degree outside of nursing can complete an entry-level MSN program that supplements the MSN program with the nursing education that they are missing can complete it in two-to-three years.
How Long Is A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Program
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists are a type of Advanced Practice Registered Nurse that specializes in providing anesthesia-related care before, during and after surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic and obstetrical procedures. They are among the highest-paid nurses, and this is a reflection of the level of knowledge and skill required to perform their duties.
Though they frequently work alongside anesthesiologists, surgeons, dentists and other medical staff, they are also the primary providers of anesthesia in areas that are medically underserved.
Completing a CRNA program generally takes two-to-three years after spending several years qualifying for entry to a program. Deciding to become a CRNA requires a significant level of commitment. Before applying to a CRNA program, nurses will need to have earned their Bachelor of Science in Nursing and have a minimum of one year of experience, though most will need to have worked in a critical care setting for three to five years in order to be admitted to a CRNA program.
Though nurse anesthesia programs were once MSN programs, the standards are changing and in 2025 CRNAs will be required to have a Doctorate level of education, meaning that in 2022 all CRNA programs will switch to Doctorate programs.
Following the completion of a CRNA program, a nurse anesthetist candidate will need to pass the three-hour-long National Certification Examination which evaluates their knowledge and skills.
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How Long Is A Phd In Nursing Program
Earning a Ph.D. in nursing is the final degree available for those who want to conduct nursing research or become a nursing educator.
Though a nurse who has pursued and completed this level of education may provide hands-on care, in most cases they do not pursue these responsibilities.
Completing a Ph.D. in Nursing program generally takes a minimum of three years if pursued full-time, and five-to-seven years if pursued part-time.
The program requires up to 70 credit hours of classroom education and the preparation of a dissertation at the end of the program. Entry into a Ph.D. in Nursing program requires having graduated from an accredited Masters in Nursing Program, as well as nursing experience.
Nurses who pursue a Ph.D. do not generally have a certification that requires renewal unless they have an advanced practice degree that they wish to maintain.
Is Keiser Nursing Hard To Get Into
As you can see from the data above, Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale is exceptionally difficult to get into. Not only should you be aiming for a 3.15 but also SAT scores around -. Getting into Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale is no easy feat and you will need to set yourself apart with more than just numbers and data.
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I Endorsed In From Another State How Many Contact Hours Do I Need To Renew My License
Most initial licenses are not valid for the full 2 years. One contact hour is required for each month, or partial month, of the licensure cycle, including two hours on Prevention of Medical Errors and two hours on Laws and Rules that govern the practice of Nursing . HIV/AIDS is now a one-time, 1-hour CE requirement to be completed prior to the first renewal. Domestic Violence CE is now a 2-hour requirement for every third renewal. For example, if you renew your license on July 31, 2008 and completed DV during the 2006-2008 licensure cycle, you are required to complete the Domestic Violence CE before the July 31, 2014 renewal. Applicants who took the exam during the current renewal cycle should see the FAQ that asks I passed the NCLEX in the last year. How many contact hours do I need to renew my license?
If I Have A Multistate License From Another Compact State When Should I Apply For Licensure By Endorsement In Florida
When moving to a new NLC state, it is the nurses responsibility to apply for licensure by endorsement. This should be completed upon moving and the nurse should not delay. There is no grace period. The nurse may not wait until the former license expires to apply in the nurses new state of legal residency. The nurse may practice on the former home state license only UNTIL the multistate license in the new NLC home state is issued. Proof of residency such as a drivers license may be required. Upon issuance of a new multistate license, the former license is inactivated.
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Northwest Florida State College
Located in the heart of Okaloosa County, Florida, Niceville is home to Northwest Florida State College. With a renowned two-year ADN program, NWFSC has flexible options for all pre-service and returning nurses. The program’s real-life clinical experiences and state-of-the-art simulations give students the hands-on skills needed to succeed in the field.
Can I Challenge The Licensed Practical Nurse Examination
Applicants who have successfully completed courses, equivalent to practical nursing education in a professional nursing program, may qualify for NCLEX-PN based on practical nursing equivalency . All professional courses taken must have been successfully completed with a grade of C or better and must have included theory and clinical instruction.
The professional or practical nursing curriculum must document clinical experience and theoretical instruction in medical, surgical, obstetric, pediatric and geriatric nursing. Each curriculum plan must document clinical training experience in appropriate settings that include, but are not limited to, acute care, long-term care and community settings.
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