Choosing A Great Nursing School
The nursing program you select can have a big impact on your future. That’s why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Nursing rankings. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for nursing schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
What Its Like To Attend Nursing Schools In Florida And Other Faq:
What are average tuition costs in Florida?
The average undergraduate tuition & fees for colleges in Florida is $4,100 for in-state students at public institutions, $16,100 for out-of-state students at public institutions, and $19,000 for students at private institutions.
Cheapest nursing degree program in Florida
University of South Florida has an average net price of $10,004 making it the least expensive nursing degree program in Florida that made our list.
Easiest nursing degree program to get into in Florida
Florida Atlantic University has an acceptance rate of 75%, with an SAT range of 1060-1220, making it the least exclusive college with nursing program on our list.
Nursing degree program with lowest student debt in Florida
Florida Atlantic University has a median total debt after graduation of $17,500. This is the typical debt for a student who completed their undergraduate degree.
Florida International University Nicole Wertheim College Of Nursing And Health Sciences
Florida International University has 20 different degrees and certificate options to meet the diverse needs of its student body. The schools goals are to prepare tomorrows nurses for leadership roles in an increasingly multicultural and multiethnic society. Therefore, many of the faculty focus on creating culturally competent healthcare systems and how public health policies can be improved to serve all patients better.
FIU gives students flexible study options. For example, in addition to a traditional on-campus BSN degree, FIU also offers a fully online track for existing RNs who want to advance their career with a BSN. Students can even take classes full-time or part-time, depending on their schedule. In fact, in 2020, TheBestSchools.org ranked FIU as being #8 in a list of best online RN to BSN programs in the country.
In 2021, U.S. News and World Reports declared that the FIU Masters program was #56 in Best Nursing Schools, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice programs was rated #40. Whats more, U.S. News has nationally ranked the FIU graduate nursing program every year since 2015.
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Key Factors That Affect Nursing School Tuition
Keep in mind that colleges and universities reserve the right to change tuition rates at any time. The yearly tuition rates listed here will vary for each individual student depending on various factors including,
- Transfer credits
- Amount of credits taken per year
- Financial aid awards
Check with the specific school for current tuition rates.
How To Get An Aprn License In Florida
Florida advanced practice registered nurse licenses can be obtained through the Florida Board of Nursing. APRN licenses are only awarded to those who already hold an RN license, have completed a master’s degree or higher in nursing, and received certification in their chosen nursing specialty.
Florida recognizes a nurse practitioner , clinical nurse specialist , certified nurse midwife , and certified nurse anesthetist as APRN specialties.
To apply for APRN licensure, candidates need to complete the steps listed below.
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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.
Indian River State College
Students at Indian River State College who want to take their career to the next level should earn a BSN, a program that builds on the knowledge, skills, and experience of an RN. Graduates of the BSN program become nurse generalists and are able to be employed in a variety of settings such as hospitals, clinics, nursing centers, schools and more. Students will learn from the evidence-based practice nursing model throughout their educational experience at Indian River State College. This model incorporates the best research-based evidence and clinical experience and teaches students to be sensitive to patient preferences and values while providing optimal nursing care.
- Location: Fort Pierce, Florida
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Obtaining A Florida Nursing License
In Florida, all nurses receive their licenses through the Florida Board of Nursing, including RNs and advanced practice nurses. In addition, the board monitors and educates licensees to ensure they are providing quality care to patients. The agency also disciplines nurses who have been reported for professional violations. The initial licensing process is detailed below:
Lake Sumter State College
Established in 1962, Lake-Sumter State College is consistently ranked among the best colleges in Florida and nationally. The institution takes pride in transforming its students for academic excellence driven by innovation to achieve a rewarding career.
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The department of nursing at the college offers two nursing programs an Associate Science in Nursing degree and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in different tracks on a part-time basis and that can be completed between 1-2 years.
At A Glance:
- Student to teacher ratio: 24:1
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 97%
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Tuition And Costs Of Adn Programs In Florida
Its critical to understand how much an ADN program costs, both in terms of tuition and associated expenses like room and board, equipment, uniforms, and other school fees. Some schools roll these costs into the total cost of attendance however many do not, citing greater transparency for students and parents when costs are listed separately. Students are encouraged to check each year for updated costs.
Florida Gateway College, located in Lake City, Florida, has a tuition cost of around $103 per credit hour for in-state residents. Out-of-state residents have additional costs. Books, equipment, and housing are separate for each individual.
Acceptance Rate Of The Top
The acceptance rate is crucial because it demonstrates two things:
- How picky the admissions board is Schools maintaining a higher academic average usually have stricter entry requirements. However, its not always the case, as the schools popularity may prompt admission boards to relax the standards.
- The schools popularity The more popular the school, the lower the acceptance rate. A low acceptance rate and high admission standards show that the school is popular because of its academic standards.
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Nclex Pass Rate Of Top
The NCLEX pass rate will vary from one year to the next. Therefore, students should look for schools with a higher-than-average pass rate. While this score is no guarantee that every student will pass, its a good indication of how well the college prepares you for the exam.
Its also important to check the NCLEX rate for the past few years. It gives you an indication of whether the institution maintains high standards. A rate that improves year to year is a positive sign. If it goes the other way, it should be a red flag.
Best Rn Programs 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 20 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 150 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 .
- Phone: 201-7350
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Lpn & Rn Bridge Programs
Our RN programs in Orlando, combined with the LPN bridge programs offer excellent options for our students.
Florida International Colleges LPN and RN Bridge programs are designed to help licensed practical nurses and registered nurses transition into more advanced roles in the nursing field.
These programs offer both classroom and clinical instruction, so students can learn both the theoretical and practical aspects of nursing.
The program is accredited by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and students can earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree after completing the program.
Best Bsn Programs In Florida In 2020
Florida not only has plenty of sandy beaches but also has more opportunities for nurses than any other state. So we created a list of the best BSN programs in Florida to help you get started! With an increasingly large retired population, the demand for highly educated and trained nurses is needed more than ever. That demand is expected to continue to grow for the next two decades. With increased demand comes a need to receive an education that aligns with nursing career goals and expectations of employers. It is critical to attend one of the best nursing schools in Florida that have the programs and specialization you need to match your goals. Luckily Florida is home to some of the best nursing programs in the nation.
The largest area predicted for job growth in the healthcare industry of Florida is, not surprisingly, critical adult care, nursing centers, assisted living facilities, and home health care. Florida is home to some of the nations largest health care agencies and they are constantly on the lookout for educated, qualified individuals to hire within their nursing positions.
While there are many nursing programs in Florida, some are definitely better than others. Each program has its strengths, so be sure to find the one that provides what you want and need. We even provided a list of accelerated nursing programs in Florida.
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Why You Should Care About The Nursing Programs Accreditation
Accreditation is how schools can prove that their programs are high-quality. If a school is unaccredited, you may not be eligible for forms of financial aid. Nurses also might be turned away from potential employers if their degree is from an unaccredited school.
The two nursing accreditation organizations to look for are
If a school is accredited by one of these institutions, then their nursing program adheres to strict national standards.
Are You Ready To Discover Your College Program
As of the 2010 Census, 23 percent of Florida’s 18 million-plus people were 60 or older compared to 18 percent nationally. Unsurprisingly, older populations have more healthcare needs, which translates to a greater demand for nurses. RNs and advanced practice nurses who can see themselves in Florida should keep reading to get the inside scoop on state licensure, schools, salaries, and employment trends.
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Florida Gulf Coast University School Of Nursing
U.S. News ranks Florida Gulf Coast University among the top 160 nursing schools in the United States. In addition, the school is also ranked as Floridas #1 RN program by RegisteredNurse.org.
The FGCU Marieb College School of Nursing places a strong emphasis on community outreach and hands-on learning. The curriculum stresses that students need nursing skills in addition to soft skills like good communication, critical thinking skills, understanding diverse cultural viewpoints, and the ability to solve complex problems. Therefore, the school has built several community partnerships in support of its demanding clinical internship expectations. In addition, all undergraduate students must devote 4 or 5 semesters to clinical learning. And actually, students at FGCU receive more hands-on learning in clinical settings than at many other universities.
Florida Career College Boynton Beach Campus
Part of a network of ten campuses, Florida Career College offers students a plethora of medical-oriented programs including ones for nursing. Since 1982, Florida Career College has been providing individuals in the Boyton Beach area with career training with their convenient locations in Boynton Beach, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach and Lauderdale Lakes, Florida Career College provides flexible times for their classes, proven instruction and up-to-date equipment and facilities. In addition to being accredited, the college is recognized by CHEA, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
- Nursing Programs: Associate of Science in Nursing
- Total Program Cost: Program cost was $18,184 for the 2013-2014 school year and included uniforms, books, tuition, testing fees and other supplies as applicable
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
- Accreditation: Accrediting Council of Independent Colleges and Schools
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Is A Bsn Program In Florida Right For You
Any of the BSN programs we discussed above should make a fine choice if you decide to enroll in an undergraduate nursing program in Florida.
Keep in mind, however, that online degrees permit you to advance your education faster, for less money, and with a more flexible schedule.
If youre considering enrolling in an online program but youre not sure where to start your search, then !
Florida National University At Miami
Next on our list of top BSN programs in Florida is Florida National University at Miami with a 2021 NCLEX pass rate of 95.35%
This school offers three different ways to earn your Bachelors degree:
- Traditional BSN
- Foreign Physician BSN
The traditional BSN track is designed for students with no prior nursing degree or experience. General education courses begin every eight weeks, and Nursing Core courses begin every 16 weeks.
The RN to BSN program requires that you hold an active RN license to apply. Both general education and Nursing Core courses begin every eight weeks.
Finally, foregin students that graduated as a medical doctor from another country and practiced as a physician for at least two years are eligible to apply to the Foregin Physicians BSN track.
Unfortunately, GradReports has no data on this school. However, one reviewer on Niche said:
My experience with this University is awesome! The entire faculty is dedicated to assisting students with all of the necessary tools with which to succeed in completing their degrees and in their personal lives with additional advising, counseling/recommendations.
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University Of West Florida
The seventh school on our list of top 10 BSN programs in Florida is University of West Florida with a 2021 NCLEX pass rate of 94.35%.
This university offers both a traditional BSN pathway as well as an RN to BSN track.
To enroll in the traditional BSN track, youll first need to complete your prerequisite courses. From there, you can apply to the program and complete it in four semesters . Finally, keep in mind that youll need to take the TEAS test before you can apply.
The RN to BSN program, on the other hand, is taught online and can be completed in less than a year.
- The employment rate for graduates from this program is 97%
- Median debt after graduation is $11,790
- Median alumni salary is $58,370
- This salary outcome earned the school a 25/100 salary score
Florida Atlantic University Christine E Lynn College Of Nursing
The Lynn College of Nursing is focused on caring science, which reflects the interconnectivity of health and whole-person wellness in relationship to family members, the community, and the greater good of society. Through evidence-based research, the colleges faculty promote caring science to the students to truly understand nursings balance between science and art form.
Even the colleges building reflects these principles of caring and is a visual representation of the intersections of health, self-care and healing, and the built environment. The green building is LEED-certified and follows the design principles of Feng Shui, also reflecting the colleges commitment to global perspectives.
For example, the building has spaces for classroom instruction and labs as well as meditation and reflection areas. In fact, the college even has an Archives of Caring in Nursing, which collects scholarly research aimed to advance the understanding of caring and its impact on the nursing profession. Lynn College is actually the first institution in the country to have such an archive.
FIUs nursing doctorate program was ranked #60 by U.S. News and World Report in 2022.
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Best Florida Nursing Schools
The best Florida nursing schools have programs for new nurses and working nurses interested in earning a higher degree. For those looking to become a nurse in Florida, the first step is to choose from the nursing schools in Florida. Those who havent been to nursing school in the past will have to attend an on-campus program first to complete clinical practice. Those who already have an LPN or RN can choose to complete a BSN program online from one of the accredited online nursing schools in Florida. Its also possible to earn an MSN or doctorate in nursing from an online program.
When choosing from the nursing schools in Florida, its important to look for accredited online nursing schools in Florida. These schools have received recognition from a leading organization who evaluates the school and program for how well they can prepare students for a career in nursing. Its vital to choose an accredited school because its the only way a person can sit for the NCLEX and earn his or her license to practice. It also ensures the person will be able to adequately care for patients.
Another aspect to consider when choosing from the top nursing schools in Florida is to consider how well a nursing school is known. Often, a person can find information about the rate of students who find employment within a year of graduation. Ultimately, a person wants to select nursing schools in Florida based on their ability to prepare students to find a career.