Best Nursing Schools in Florida

Best RN Programs in Florida

Florida Nursing RN Programs – Diploma, ADN, and BSN Degrees

Are you interested in becoming a registered nurse but not sure where to start? The specific degree that future nurses choose to aim for heavily relies on their specific professional and educational goals. By and large, many nurses choose to go with an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN), a nursing diploma, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) due to their low cost and fast timeline. Learn the differences between these, and many other types below.

Comparing RN Diploma vs. LPN-to-RN vs. ADN Programs

If you have no experience as a nurse and you’re looking for the fastest entryway point into a nursing career, the ideal degree is an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN). This option and a nursing diploma both take a year or two to complete. If you do have nursing experience (as an LPN) you may be able to enroll in an LPN to RN bridge program to get either an ADN or BSN.

Common admissions requirements for ADN and diploma programs in Florida include:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Minimum GPA, typically 2.5 or higher
• Some programs require scores from the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) or HESI Admission Assessment

For further admissions requirements and more information, check out our page on ADN degree programs.

More information on RN diplomas, LPN to RN, and ADN programs:

ADN, LPN to RN, and nursing diploma programs require hands-on clinical training hours under supervision in order to be eligible for RN licensure. These will need to be completed in person, even if you opt for an online or hybrid program. Not sure if you’re ready for an RN career? Consider an LPN or CNA program in Florida.

Comparing Traditional BSN vs. RN-to-BSN vs. ABSN Programs

At the entry level, the most attractive degree to employers is generally considered a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). These degrees take about 4 years to complete and supply you with in-depth training an education, however, if you have some experience already, you may want to go for an RN to BSN program. If you have a bachelor’s degree already, but you want to pivot into a nursing career, look for an Accelerated BSN program.

Admissions requirements for BSN programs in Florida typically include:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Minimum GPA of 2.5-3.0
• Completion of prerequisite courses

For more information on BSN admissions requirements and more, see our BSN degrees page.

Several alternative pathways are also available to qualified students who want to pursue a BSN. Compare your options below:

RN to BSN

Florida RN to BSN programs can be a real lifeline to nurses who are already working in the field and want to secure a little more training. If you have an ADN, an RN license, and a little experience in the field, you can enroll in this bridge program and get your BSN degree in only two years. This is around half the time that it takes to complete a traditional BSN program.

Accelerated BSN (ABSN)

Some students may decide later on in their careers that nursing might be a better fit. If you have a bachelor’s degree already and you’d like to switch your major to nursing, you can easily do this through a Florida ABSN program which can take as little as a year to complete.

Advanced Practice RN & Nurse Practitioner Programs

For some students, graduate school is the ultimate goal. A Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN), a Nurse Practitioner (NP) program, a bridge program to enter advanced practice, or even a doctorate degree such as a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) are all great options for students looking to increase their value as a job applicant along with higher salaries and more independence. The typical admissions requirements for nursing graduate programs are a BSN (or higher) and an RN license.

Earning a graduate-level degree in nursing opens the door to numerous Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) roles, leadership roles, and even careers in academia or research. Read more about APRN pathways in Florida:

• Florida Nurse Practitioner Programs
• Florida MSN Program
• Florida RN to MSN Programs
• Florida Post Master’s Nursing Certificate Programs
• Florida DNP Programs

Getting an RN License in Florida

Following your education, getting licensed as an RN is a crucial part of the process. To get licensed in Florida, you’ll need to graduate with at least an ADN pass the NCLEX-RN, and submit an application to the Nursing Board of Florida. Once you’re licensed, you’ll also need to keep up with continuing education to maintain it.

Requirements for RN Licensure in Florida

• Completion of an accredited RN program (ADN or BSN)
• Passing the NCLEX-RN exam
• Application to the Florida Board of Nursing
• Renewal: 36 hours of CE every three years for license maintenance

Why Choose an Accredited RN Program?

Crucial to receiving licensure is graduating from an accredited program. RN program accreditation in the US is handled by both the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). If a program is accredited by one of these two programs, it means that it has passed the state’s requirements concerning training and curriculum. If it has not been accredited, you will not be able to get licensed upon graduation.

Getting a Florida Nursing License

Florida requirements for nursing licensure by examination or endorsement are as follows:

Licensure through application must include the following documentation:

• Completed application - fees paid
• Proof of graduation from a state approved institution
• Electronic fingerprints - Live Scan

Applying for endorsement of licensure can be done by providing the following information:

• Completed application - fees paid
• Electronic fingerprint scan - Live Scan appointment
• Request current state licensure board to send verification to Florida Board

Accelerated Nursing Programs in Florida

Taking a degree program can advance your career quite rapidly, which means if are looking to become a nurse you may want to consider taking an accelerated degree program. If you are already practising as a Registered Nurse, you may want to look into a bridged degree program. These programs are offered at a few colleges throughout the state and most can be completed within 12 to 16 months. Accelerated programs can be quite intense in nature and are full-time, on campus commitments. Entrance requirements vary from one program to another and can impact the cost of tuition, as some eligibility criteria might require additional courses.

• Florida Accelerated BSN Programs
• Florida Accelerated MSN Programs

Continued List of All RN Programs in Florida

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