Graduation from the approved nursing school is a must to build a career in the field of the health care. Registered nurse schools in Florida provide students with the requisite caliber needed to become a successful nurse. The Florida Board of Nursing is the authority that approves RN program programs in the state. Generally, several institutes conduct two types of programs- a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing and a 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Some program programs also offer diploma courses. Accredited programs offer quality instructions and also meet the standards established by the accrediting body.
Eligibility Criteria
An applicant must meet the following requirements, in order to get admission in an RN school.
- The mandated age for pursuing program is 18 years or above.
- An aspirant must complete his/her high school or GED.
- The candidate needs to submit a fingerprint clearance card.
- The student must not hold any criminal record and s/he must pass the drug test. If criminal background check or drug test is found affirmative, then the candidate will be dismissed from the coursework.
- It is necessitated for a student to provide his/her photo identification.
- An applicant must obtain 75% or higher score in the English language and 80% or higher in Math.
- An aspirant is expected to provide a valid e-mail address.
- It is obligatory to submit complete residency verification form.
Education
An RN program comprises of rigorous practice and intensive module that demands hard work and dedication. A variety of degree programs are available to the aspirants. They are:
- Associate Degree in Nursing: An ADN degree bestows students with profound knowledge of nursing fundamentals and develops skills required to become a competent RN. It is a 2-year program that combines classroom sessions and clinical practicum which prepares the aspirants for the NCLEX-RN exam.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing: BSN is a high-level intricate program that prepares nursing experts who can provide finest care to the individuals and community. It is a four-year program that offers courses in liberal arts, social science, humanities and incorporates a detailed study of nursing fundamentals. Besides the sound theory, it provides practical program at variety of clinical settings.
- Diploma: The diploma in nursing basically takes 2 years to complete. The fees of this course is around $9,000 per year.
- Accelerated BSN Degree: BSN equips students with a strong base for entry-level nursing practice, so that, they could provide adequate care in therapeutic, acute and long-term settings. It is specially designed for those students who have a bachelor degree in other discipline and want to become a registered nurse. It takes 12 to 18 months to complete this coursework.
- LPN to RN: It is a bridge designed for licensed practical nurses who want to purse an advance course and wish to pursue their career as an RN.
- RN to BSN Program:RN to BSN program is a perfect track to expand the professional scope of RNs. It is designed for registered nurses with a diploma or an associate degree. It inculcates advance competency and prowess which results in improved services.
After completing any of these courses, nurses can take the NCLEX-RN exam. Besides this, some advance degree programs are also available that utilize and enhance previously earned education and skills.
- Master of Science in Nursing: MSN degree is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The main purpose of this program is to provide better services to community by improving health care sector. The coursework incorporates a variety of topics such as advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, and health care research, etc.
- Doctor of Nursing Practices (DNP): DNP is a practice-oriented degree that focuses on creating professional nurses with advanced skills and knowledge that is indeed required for fulfilling the demands of the complex health care environment. It is the highest educational program in nursing.
State Approved Registered Nurse School in Florida
Before enrolling for a registered nurse program in Florida, the aspirant first needs to confirm if the institute is state-approved or not. You must choose a state recognized institute in order to complete your program and obtain the RN licensure. A list of accredited institutions is given below.
List of Nursing Schools in Florida Offering Associate Degree in Nursing
- Broward College
Address: 111 East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida- 33301
- College of Central Florida
Address: 3001 Southwest College Road, Ocala, Florida- 34474-4415
- Daytona State College
Address: 1200 West International Speedway Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida-32114
- Edison State College
Address:8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers, Florida- 33919
- Florida State College
Address: Downtown Campus, 101 West State Street, Jacksonville, Florida– 32202
- Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences
Address: 601 East Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs, Florida- 32701
- Gulf Coast State College
Address: 5230 West Highway 98, Panama City, Florida– 32401
- Keiser University
Address: 900 South Babcock Street, Melbourne, Florida- 32901
- Florida Gateway College
Address: 149 Southeast College Place, Lake City, Florida– 32025
- State College of Florida
Address: 5840 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida-34207
- Miami Dade College
Address: 950 Northwest 20 Street, Miami, Florida– 33127
- Indian River State College
Address: 3209 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, Florida– 34981
- Hillsborough Community College
Address: 10414 East Columbus Drive, Tampa, Florida– 33619-7850
- Valencia College
Address: P.O. Box 3028, Orlando, Florida- 32802
- Seminole State College of Florida
Address: 100 Weldon Boulevard, Sanford, Florida– 32773
- Palm Beach State College
Address: 4200 Congress Avenue, Lake Worth, Florida– 33461
- Pasco-Hernando State College
Address: 10230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey, Florida– 34654-5199
- Polk State College
Address: 999 Avenue H Northeast, Winter Haven, Florida- 33881
- Pensacola State College
Address: 1000 College Boulevard, Pensacola, Florida- 32504
- St. Petersburg College
Address: P.O. Box 13489, Street Petersburg, Florida- 33733-3489
List of Schools in Florida Offering Bachelor Degree in Nursing
- Barry University
Address: 11300 Northeast 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores, Florida- 33161-6695
- Bethune- Cookman University
Address:640 Dr Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida- 32114
- Edison State College
Address:8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers, Florida- 33919
- Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Address:Tallahassee, Florida- 32307
- Florida Atlantic University
Address: 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida- 33431
- Florida Gulf Coast University
Address:10501 FGCU Boulevard, South, Fort Myers, Florida- 33965-6565
- Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences
Address: 601 East Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs, Florida- 32701
- Florida International University
Address: AHC 3, 11200 Southwest 8th Street, Miami, Florida- 33199
- Florida State College
Address: Downtown Campus, 101 West State Street, Jacksonville, Florida– 32202
- Indian River State College
Address: 3209 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, Florida– 34981
- Jacksonville University- School of Nursing
Address: 9417 Princess Palm Avenue, Tampa, Florida-33619
- Florida Southern College
Address:111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, Florida- 33801
- Northwest Florida State College
Address:100 College Boulevard, Niceville, Florida- 32578
- Nova Southeastern University
Address: 3301 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Davie, Florida- 33314-7796
- Palm Beach State College
Address: 4200 Congress Avenue, Lake Worth, Florida– 33461
- South University
Address: University Centre, 9801 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach, Florida- 33411
- St. Petersburg College
Address: P.O. Box 13489, Street Petersburg, Florida- 33733-3489
- University of Central Florida
Address: 12201 Research Parkway, Suite 300, Orlando, Florida- 32826
- University of Florida- College of Nursing
Address: 1225 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida- 32611
- University of Miami
Address: Coral Gables, Florida- 33124
- University of South Florida
Address: 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Tampa, Florida
- University of Tampa
Address: 401 West Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, Florida- 33606-1490
- University of North Florida
Address: 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, Florida- 32224
- University of West Florida
Address: 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, Florida- 32514
Note- All above institutes provide RN to BSN track except Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences, Indian River State College, Jacksonville University, Palm Beach State College, University of North Florida, University of West Florida.
List of Nursing Schools in Florida Offering LPN to RN Programs
- Broward College
Address: 111 East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida- 33301
- Hillsborough Community College
Address: 10414 East Columbus Drive, Tampa, Florida– 33619-7850
- Pasco-Hernando State College
Address: 10230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey, Florida– 34654-5199
- Pensacola State College
Address: 1000 College Boulevard , Pensacola, Florida- 32504
- Polk State College
Address: 999 Avenue H Northeast, Winter Haven, Florida- 33881
- Seminole State College of Florida
Address: 100 Weldon Boulevard, Sanford, Florida– 32773
- St. Petersburg College
Address: P.O. Box 13489, Street Petersburg, Florida- 33733-3489
- State College of Florida
Address: 5840 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida-34207
- Valencia College
Address: P.O. Box 3028, Orlando, Florida- 32802
List of Schools in Florida Offering Accelerated Second Degree BSN or Fast Track BSN
- Barry University
Address: 11300 Northeast 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores, Florida- 33161-6695
- Florida Atlantic University
Address: 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida- 33431
- Florida State College
Address: Downtown Campus, 101 West State Street, Jacksonville, Florida– 32202
- Jacksonville University- School of Nursing
Address: 9417 Princess Palm Avenue, Tampa, Florida- 33619
- Miami Dade College
Address: 950 Northwest 20 Street, Miami, Florida– 33127
- Remington College
Address: 660 Century Point, Suite 1050, Lake Mary, Florida- 32746
- University of Central Florida
Address: 12201, Research Parkway, Suite 300, Orlando, Florida- 32826
- University of Florida- College of Nursing
Address: 1225 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida- 32611
- University of Miami
Address: Coral Gables, Florida- 33124
- University of North Florida
Address: 1 UNF Drive,Jacksonville, Florida- 32224
- University of South Florida
Address: 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Tampa, Florida
List of Nursing Schools in Florida Offering Master Degree in Nursing
- Barry University
Address: 11300 Northeast 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores, Florida- 33161-6695
- Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University
Address:Tallahassee, Florida- 32307
- Florida Atlantic University
Address: 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida- 33431
- Florida Gulf Coast University
Address:10501 FGCU Boulevard South, Fort Myers, Florida- 33965-6565
- Florida International University
Address: AHC 3, 11200 Southwest 8th Street, Miami, Florida- 33199
- Florida State College
Address: Downtown Campus, 101 West State Street, Jacksonville, Florida– 32202
- Florida SouthernCollege
Address:111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, Florida- 33801
- Jacksonville University- School of Nursing
Address: 9417 Princess Palm Avenue, Tampa, Florida-33619
- Nova Southeastern University
Address: 3301 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Davie, Florida- 33314-7796
- South University
Address: University Centre, 9801 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach, Florida- 33411
- University of Central Florida
Address: 12201, Research Parkway, Suite 300, Orlando, Florida- 32826
- University of Florida- College of Nursing
Address: 1225 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida- 32611
- University of Miami
Address: Coral Gables, Florida- 33124
- University of South Florida
Address: 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Tampa, Florida
- University of Tampa
Address: 401 West Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, Florida- 33606-1490
- University of North Florida
Address: 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, Florida- 32224
- University of West Florida
Address: 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, Florida- 32514
Note- Except Florida Gulf Coast University , South University, Florida Southern College, University of Tampa and Jacksonville University, all other institutes offer Doctorate Nursing Programs.
