Why Become A Nurse In Florida
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Florida ranks as the third highest employer of nurses by state, second only behind California and Texas. The demand is also expected to rise in the coming years.
The cost of living in Florida is slightly less than average in the U.S., supported in part by the taxes from the tourist industry. The state offers a unique blend of beautiful weather, recreational activities, and diverse culture. Florida is known for attracting seniors during their retirement years. However, there are several factors that make the state appealing to all age groups.
Florida excludes state income tax, and housing costs remain lower than in many other parts of the country. Beautiful beaches and opportunities for outdoor activity and entertainment borders the state on the east and west.
The projected employment growth rate is much higher than the average growth rate in the United States. This could signal poor nurse-to-patient ratios until staff openings can be filled.
According to the American Nurses Association, to date, there are no staffing regulations or laws in Florida. This means no mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios must be met. Florida was one of the country’s first right-to-work states and is an “at-will” employment state. The right-to-work law means that an employee can quit without giving notice, and an employer can terminate employment without giving any reason. Although, the termination must not violate any anti-discrimination laws.
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Florida Rn Licensing Requirements
Before gaining licensure, prospective RNs are required to enroll in a nursing program that is approved and/or accredited by the Florida Board of Nursing. Similar to other states, Florida has an approval process for nursing programs within the state. Candidates can obtain licensure through exam, endorsement, and in some cases, through an education abroad.
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Accredited Nursing Schools In Florida
Accreditation is one of the most important criteria to consider when selecting your college. An accredited institution offers courses that meet strict criteria and professional standards. This is important because:
- It creates a standardized level of education.
- Students must study at accredited institutions to receive financial aid from the government.
- If you wish to transfer your credits later, the accreditation status of your current school is essential.
- Employers will consider the accreditation status of the institution when hiring you .
Tuition And Costs Of Bsn Programs In Florida
The total cost of attendance for a BSN degree in Florida can vary significantly depending on whether you attend a public state college or have another option in mind. Additionally, tuition credits are given regularly to in-state residents. Consider that beyond tuition, you’ll be responsible for housing, food, equipment, and books. To provide an estimate, the Jacksonville University annual tuition is just under $40,000 not including housing, food, and additional fees.
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Rn License For Nurses Educated Abroad
Candidates who were trained in a country other than the United States are not in the jurisdiction of the NSCBN and are required to complete the NCLEX exam. This does not include all Canadian RNs who took the CNATS before August 8, 1995. They may apply for licensure by endorsement. Candidates are responsible for having their education evaluated and English competency will be evaluated if the coursework was not completed in English.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3252
How Is The Job Market For Nurses In Tampa
Nurses who have worked in the field for many years are choosing to return to school and further their education as a way of broadening their horizons. Even though they are already working in the field, furthering their education may open up opportunities that will allow them to go after management level jobs that they may not have otherwise qualified for. The additional schooling will prepare them for the extra responsibilities and will offer them much-needed skills in terms of organization and communication.
As a nurse becomes more familiar with their job, they may be able to choose a specialization that allows them to choose a distinct career path in which they can follow their passion. Surgical nursing, emergency or trauma care, critical care, or pediatric nursing specialties that are extremely rewarding. Nurses who choose to pursue a specialized field are truly passionate about what they do and will always go the extra mile to provide the level of care that surpasses expectations. The right school will provide nurses with the guidance they need to pursue the type of nursing program they need to succeed.
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University Of South Florida
Heading up the best nursing schools in Tampa, FL is the University of South Florida. This school offers nursing programs at every level from the bachelors level to the doctoral level. There are six pathways to the BSN degree: accelerated second degree, RN to BSN, upper-division, veteran to BSN, USF/HCC concurrent, and the freshmen nursing pathway. The MSN program has seven concentrations to choose from. Graduate students can also choose to pursue a DNP, DNP in Nurse Anesthesia, or PhD in Nursing Science.
The USF Health College of Nursing is working to prepare nursing students for tomorrows nursing positions. The school strives to use clinical training, education, and research to train nurses to tackle the healthcare needs of their communities. The College of Nursing has over 1,000 clinical partners and students perform over 110,000 hours of clinical training each year.
HIGHLIGHT: The USF Health Simulation Consortium uses realistic simulation experiences to provide hands-on training to nursing students.
Programs: BSN DNP/PhD
Adn Program Admission Requirements In Florida
It’s important to remember that each of your school choices likely has slightly different admissions criteria, however, the following is a general list that will help give you an idea of what they may be looking for:
- Be of good standing in the college of your choice
- Have a GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Complete the online application
- Have up to date vaccinations and health forms completed
- Satisfactorily pass all background inquiries
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Nursing Salaries In Florida
Registered nurses in Florida are going through a transformation and recently proposed regulation requires RNs to complete a BSN within 10 years of graduation. There are approximately 6,800 registered nurse positions remain vacant within the state of Florida. The shortage is expected to continually decrease. It is predicted that Florida will have 50,000 full-time openings by the year 2025. A few reasons for such tremendous shortages include retiring nurses, an aging population, and the expansion of services to millions of citizens across the nation due to the healthcare reform.
Top Nursing Schools In Florida
NCLEX score: 100%
Tuition rate per year: $6,118
Florida Gulf Coast University is located in Fort Myers, Florida, and offers nursing students a great opportunity to learn and grow into the role of a nurse. The undergraduate nurses spend their time in clinicals gaining hands-on experience with patients. Graduate students have a chance to work in primary care settings and participate in internships. Additionally, the school has a high-fidelity and assessment lab for students.
The school offers the following programs to nursing students:
- BSN
NCLEX pass rate: 94.04%
Tuition rate per year: $6,410
The University of South Florida is located in Tampa, Florida, and is home to one of the most prestigious nursing programs in the nation. Its nursing program is ranked in the top 50 on the 2022 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools list. The nursing program itself has just over 1,400 students and 250 faculty members. This provides students with an intimate learning environment where they can develop the necessary skills to become a nurse.
The school offers the following programs for nursing students:
- BSN
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Shelton State Community College Nursing Programs
It is a public community college in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Shelton is one of the largest two-year colleges in the state. The college is currently in good standing with its regional accrediting body SACSCOC.Address: 9500 Old Greensboro Rd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405, United StatesWebsite: http://www.sheltonstate.edu/
How Many Nursing Programs Are In Florida
Over the past decade, there has been an increase in available nursing programs in Florida to meet the demands of the nursing shortage. Strong employment prospects and competitive pay for nurses have fueled the growth in programs. Nearly every metropolitan area now includes nursing schools that graduate ADN, BSN, and MSN-prepared nurses. For example, the Cape Coral-Fort Myers area offers 10, and Fort Lauderdale offers 32 nursing programs.
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Lpn To Rn Programs In Florida
It is not uncommon for Licensed Practical Nurses to pursue registered nursing. In this instance, interested practical nurses can enroll in an LPN to RN program. The LPN to RN pathway takes into consideration a student’s prior practical nursing education and experience, making the total program length shorter than a traditional RN program.
The University Of Alabama
Most well-known school in the state on account of its sports, the nature of the University of Alabamas scholarly projects is now and then neglected, including the nursing program. The conventional BSN track comprises four semesters of lower-division courses followed by five semesters of nursing school. On top of educational costs, understudies should pay different charges, including travel costs, CPR confirmation, and protection.
You may check the highest paying jobs in Alabama to get clear idea about what will make you more money in the long run.
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Best Nursing Schools In Florida
Selecting the best nursing school in Florida can be difficult. To make the process easier first look for a school that supports students towards licensure and beyond. A great way to measure this is through NCLEX-RN “pass rates.” We have ranked the top 50 nursing schools in Florida by analyzing current and historical NCLEX-RN “pass rates”, meaning the percentage of graduates who pass the exam, out of the 148 RN programs in the state. Programs reviewed include schools that offer an Associate in Nursing , BSN, or Direct-Entry MSN Degree.
For more information on our top nursing school rankings, see our Methodology Page .
See Our list of the Best Nursing Programs in Florida
The state of Florida has established a well-documented dedication to the enhancement of skills and qualifications in the realm of nursing. Florida is on an upward trend of requiring nurses at an approximated rate of 20% per annum, which translates into about 6,000 new nursing positions per year. Nurses that have their Bachelor of Science in Nursing are earning on average 40% more than nurses with a diploma only. The upward trend of these positions shows a growing need for nurses with a more skill-specific education, and are being compensated with more career advancement opportunities, higher pay scale, and diversity of specialties.
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How Long Does It Take To Become An Rn In Florida
BSN-prepared nurses go to school for four years. However, you may start your nursing career with an ADN degree that can be completed in two years. Some programs allow you to complete a BSN in as little as nine months after graduating from an ADN program. The advanced degree increases your salary potential and improves patient outcomes.
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Msn Programs In Florida
How do you differentiate your resume in a sea of RN licensures? Try pursuing your MSN or Master of Science in Nursing. MSN programs are blooming across the country as our healthcare system undergoes radical personnel and policy changes while the medical field makes new gains in knowledge every month. These pressures have shown that there is a great opportunity for highly educated nurses to act as facilitators and administrators, as well as nursing in advanced care roles such as Nurse-Midwifery or Advanced Practice. Similarly, to the BSN achievement structure, RN to MSN programs are flexible in their offerings and scheduling and are increasingly available. Florida offers more than 10 MSN programs – some of which are on-campus, online, or part-time to accommodate busy individuals.
Jacksonville University Keigwin School Of Nursing
The nursing programs at Jacksonville University blend a liberal arts education with clinical experiences to educate tomorrows nursing professionals. Several bachelors, masters, doctoral, and post-graduate programs meet the needs of the schools diverse student body. The school makes the list of the top 200 nursing schools in the nation, according to U.S. News.
The faculty at the Keigwin School is very focused on individualized student success. And as such, the nursing programs at Jacksonville University are designed to give students the flexibility and individual attention they need to succeed. For example, class sizes are kept small to ensure good faculty-to-student ratios. Whats more, undergraduates can choose from a traditional track or accelerated 12- or 16-month tracks for career-change students who already have a degree. Plus, a flexible and online RN-to-BSN program is available as well the program can take as little as 9 months and is offered at a very low tuition rate.
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Top Nursing Schools In Florida 2022
Florida is home to gators, beaches, Disney World, and a handful of excellent nursing schools to choose from. For nurses seeking to advance their careers or start in the field, Florida is an excellent state to live in.
Some of the more common degree types are:
However, accelerated degree programs and bridge programs are offered to nursing students that can significantly reduce the amount of time spent in school.
Choosing a nursing program may feel stressful and confusing. To help, weve created a list of the best nursing programs in the state of Florida.
In this post, we will explore the following:
To capture the best schools in each state, we applied a rigorous formula, isolating five variables that were weighted equally:
- Graduation rate
- Tuition
Salary And Job Outlook For Nurses In Florida
The job outlook for registered nurses and APRNs in Florida is bright. This is likely fueled by a rapidly growing population. The median salary for an RN is $67,510 in Florida as compared to the $75,330 national figure. Florida ranks 35th out of all states for its RN median and average salary.
The median salary of an APRN in Florida is $100,930, while the national number is $111,680. Additionally, the projected employment growth for APRNs in Florida is 36.9%.
While the overall cost of living in Florida is slightly below the U.S. average, some areas come with higher living expenses. The following metropolitan areas offer an above-average salary.
| Top Paying Metropolitan Areas |
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Best Ranked Nursing Schools In Florida
To help nursing students in their search for a top RN program, the education experts at RNCareers.org publish their annual findings of the best nursing schools for both Florida and the country. Schools ranked on our list have proven their ability to educate highly competent nurses.
To create our rankings, we evaluated 48 ADN degree programs and 31 BSN degree programs in Florida. We obtained each institutions first-time NCLEX-RN passing rates, the number of students taking the test, the program nursing accreditation and more. We then compared the results against other nursing programs in Florida to provide our state rankings. View our methodology.
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The Orlando metropolitan area is home to a number of institutions with high-quality nursing degree and certificate programs. It is therefore crucial to understand the different pathways available for a nursing career.
There are around 7,830 certified nursing assistants in the Orlando area. Although a CNA holds an entry-level position, the job nevertheless requires professional responsibility and calls for excellent interpersonal skills. Students who wish to attend a CNA program can apply to public higher education institutions such as Orlando Tech.
Becoming certified as a licensed practical nurse can open the door to an array of employment opportunities, including hospitals and correctional facilities. Those interested in attending an LPN program may be eligible for Floridas Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness Program, created to encourage qualified nurses to seek employment in state areas where there is a critical shortage of nursing employees. LPNs working in Orlando have a median income of $39,630.
A career as a registered nurse can allow students to work for a variety of employers, both within and beyond the traditional healthcare industry. Current practical nurses may enroll in an LPN-to-RN bridge program, which provides them advanced placement towards an associate or bachelors degree. Many colleges also offer a generic prelicensure track for students with no prior nursing knowledge.
2022 NURSING SCHOOL RANKINGS
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Best Nursing Schools In Tampa Florida For 2022
Research and compare nursing programs in Tampa.
We can help you find the best nursing schools located in the city of Tampa, the state of Florida, across the nation, or offered online.
In total the state of Florida offers 81 nursing schools consisting of 27 private schools which generally will be more expensive than the 39 public schools which will have lower in-state tuition costs.
Within the the city of Tampa there are 7 nursing schools with 4 private and 2 public schools in Tampa to choose from.
Whether you are looking for an entry level or advance nursing degree, Tampa offer 12 nursing degree levels including: Bachelor Degree, Associate Degree, Master Degree, RN to BSN, Accelerated BSN, APRN Certificate, BSN to DNP, BSN to PhD, DNP, Doctor of Nursing, MSN to DNP and Post Master’s NP Certificate.
To meet the diverse needs of Tampa healthcare needs, nursing programs in Tampa offer 6 nursing degrees to specialize in, including Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, CNL, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nursing.
Options for earning your nursing in Tampa have never been more flexible. Tampa nursing programs have become adept at offering effective alternatives for you to earn your nursing degree, no matter your life situation or schedule. You will find 2 different paths to earn your nursing degree in Florida including Campus and Hybrid.