RN Programs in Florida
Florida RN Programs at a Glance
RN Programs Offered in Florida
- ADN Programs: 55
- BSN Programs: 47
ADN Program Stats
- NCLEX-RN Average: 77%
- NCLEX Rate Range: 30.77% to 97.71%
- Average Net-Price $11,965.30
- Net-Price Range: $1,846.00 to $41,527.00
- Average Student Loan : $9,528.40
BSN Program Stats
- NCLEX-RN Average: 86.42%
- NCLEX Rate Range: 57.59% to 98.89%
- Average Net-Price $14,540.18
- Net-Price Range: $1,846.00 to $31,164.00
- Average Student Loan : $13,413.09
Florida RN Program Guide
Nursing is a profession that requires a wide knowledge base. It covers a wide selection of variables that affect health and wellness. The nurses in Florida are knowledgeable of the multicultural influences and social issues have on health. Nurses must be prepared to provide expert nursing services, define greater responsibilities, and prove that you are ready for bigger responsibilities. This will ensure that you are providing the best nursing care to Florida residents that is possible. RN to BSN programs build on knowledge gained while working in the field and enables nurses to meet the challenges of the field head on.
In our Florida RN program guide, you will find both ADN and BSN Degree program rankings, tuition costs, enrollment information, NCLEX passing rates, and more. You will find key Florida RN Program information to help you compare programs metrics and apply to best RN program(s) for the advancement of your career.
In the State of Florida, nurses are helping to change the face of healthcare. To ensure that they have the best education and preparation for future health care challenges, registered nurses need to graduate from a state-approved associate’s degree in nursing program or a BSN degree program.
Nurses who graduate from an RN program are able to then obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties.
ADN Programs in Florida
RN programs are abundant in Florida. Unique to Florida is that many of their community colleges and small colleges also offer BSN programs, which are actually limited to RNs seeking their BSN degree. This is useful to the RN who is looking to further his or her education but does not necessarily want to attend a large university to do so.
NCLEX Passing Rates for Florida ADN Programs
State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota has the highest NCLEX-RN rate in Florida of 97.71%. Attending this stellar school will cost you about $10,461.00 a year.
- ADN Programs Offered in Florida: 55
- Average NCLEX-RN Passing Rate: 76.92%
- NCLEX Passing Rate Range: 30.77% to 97.71%
How Much Do ADN Programs Cost in Florida?
We compiled the net-price costs for RN Programs in Florida so that you can find RN programs to meet your budget expectations.
When comparing ADN vs BSN programs, the average net-price per year for an Associate Degree in Nursing program is considerably less than for a Bachelor Degree in Nursing.
The lowest cost ADN program in Florida is offered by Indian River State College at about $1,846.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 89.66%. The highest cost ADN program is offered by Florida Career College-Miami and it will cost about $41,527.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of N/A%.
- Average Net-Price for ADN Programs inFlorida: $11,965.30
- Net-Price Range for Florida ADN Programs: $1,846.00 to $41,527.00
Median Student Borrowing for ADN Programs
- Average Student Borrowing for Florida Schools: $9,528.40
- Student borrowing range for ADN programs in Florida: $3,125.00 to $22,253.00
ADN Programs at Public or Private Institutions
- Public Institutions: 28
- Private For-Profit Institutions: 21
- Private Not-for-Profit Institutions: 6
BSN Programs in Florida
A typical BSN program focuses on theory-based concepts and high-level nursing services for individuals, families, and communities. Specialized coursework in research, evidence-based practice and leadership models helps in expanding critical thinking skills. Courses may require students to complete courses both online and in a school setting. Courses included may be:
- Professional nursing role transitions and management strategies
- Advanced health care assessment and evaluation skills
- Healthcare for diverse populations
- Care of clients with chronic health conditions
- Nursing diagnostics and reasoning
- Psychology, sociology, and microbiology
NCLEX Passing Rates for Florida BSN Programs
The University of Tampa wins the highest NCLEX-RN passing rate for BSN programs offered in Florida with a score of 98.89%. Attending this influential program will cost you about $26,735.00 a year.
- BSN Programs Offered in Florida: 47
- Average NCLEX-RN Passing Rate: 86.42%
- NCLEX Passing Rate Range: 57.59% to 98.89%
Prepare for to pass the NCLEX-RN exam with our NCLEX practice questions with rationales.
How Much Do BSN Degree Programs Cost in Florida?
We compiled the net-price costs for BSN Programs in Florida to give you an idea of how much nursing school will cost.
The lowest cost BSN degree program in Florida is offered by Indian River State College and will cost you about $1,846.00. The highest cost BSN degree program is offered by University of Miami and will cost you about $31,164.00.
- Average Net-Price for BSN Programs in Florida: $14,540.18
- Net-Price Range for Florida BSN Programs: $1,846.00 to $31,164.00
Median Student Borrowing for BSN Programs
- Average Student Borrowing for Florida Schools: $13,413.09
- Student borrowing range for BSN programs in Florida: $3,500.00 to $24,000.00
BSN Programs at Public or Private Institutions
- Public Institutions: 26
- Private For-Profit Institutions: 10
- Private Not-for-Profit Institutions: 11
MSN Programs in Florida
RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.
Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in Florida offering the following high paying nurse practitioner specialties:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.
Online Programs in Florida
Today there are very few disadvantages to earning an online RN degree in Florida. With advances in online learning coupled the need to educate more nurses because of the nursing shortage, many nursing schools are offing online nursing programs.
For nurses needing to complete clinicals, nursing programs usually help a nurse to find one.
Be sure to choose an accredited program that meets quality standards set by either the ACEN or CCNE accrediting agencies. An accredited online RN Nursing program will help ensure that your units pass can transfer to another accredited college and help you in gain employment. Learn more about online RN programs.
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.
RN License by Exam
Once nursing candidates have completed the educational requirements through an approved and/or accredited program by the Florida Board of Nursing, they are required to take a licensing exam. However, before a nursing candidate can have authorization to take the exam, he/she must apply to the Board. In addition, candidates must submit the following:
- Fingerprinting completed through Livescan sent to the correct Originating Agency Identification
- A combine and application and licensing fee of $175
When the state has reviewed the application, the candidate will be given instructions to register for the NCLEX through Pearson VUE, which costs $200. If the candidate fails to pass the exam after three attempts, he/she will need to take an approved remedial program.
RN License by Endorsement
Applicants who are already licensed in one of the other fifty states may apply for licensure through endorsement. With the application they must submit the following:
- License verification from their current state
- $175 check or money or paid to the order of The State of Florida
Fees for fingerprinting vary depending on the fee set by the home state. Military spouses may also apply for licensure under the same requirements but for a smaller fee. They must submit military orders and proof of marriage.
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.
RN 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.
Florida Registered Nursing Salaries
The Miami-Fort Lauderdale metropolitan area has the highest annual median wage.
| Area name | Employment | Hourly median wage | Annual median wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | 4,800 | $29.17 | $60,670 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | 1,150 | $27.65 | $57,510 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | 4,060 | $26.99 | $56,150 |
| Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Deerfield Beach, FL Metropol | 14,420 | $33.12 | $68,880 |
| Gainesville, FL | 5,610 | $28.83 | $59,980 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 13,890 | $29.48 | $61,320 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | 4,380 | $27.57 | $57,340 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL | 51,860 | $30.41 | $63,250 |
| Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, FL Metropolitan Division | 26,340 | $28.89 | $60,100 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | 2,600 | $30.41 | $63,260 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | 5,380 | $29.80 | $61,970 |
| Ocala, FL | 2,090 | $28.01 | $58,260 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 19,050 | $29.68 | $61,730 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 4,090 | $29.41 | $61,180 |
| Palm Coast, FL | (8)- | $31.36 | $65,230 |
| Panama City-Lynn Haven-Panama City Beach, FL | 1,420 | $25.69 | $53,430 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | 4,040 | $25.79 | $53,640 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 2,290 | $28.77 | $59,840 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | 1,350 | $26.90 | $55,950 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL | 1,190 | $27.37 | $56,930 |
| Tallahassee, FL | 3,010 | $27.51 | $57,220 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 25,180 | $29.58 | $61,520 |
| West Palm Beach-Boca Raton-Boynton Beach, FL Metropolitan | 11,100 | $31.88 | $66,300 |
| Northwest Florida nonmetropolitan area | 840 | $25.29 | $52,610 |
| Northeast Florida nonmetropolitan area | 2,920 | $26.98 | $56,130 |
| South Florida nonmetropolitan area | 1,690 | $28.39 | $59,060 |
Source: http://www.dol.gov/, 2014 Data
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