In this article, we learn about the top online nursing programs in Florida. These programs are best suited for those who are working already or have some commitments they have that will prevent them from undergoing traditional classroom education.
Numerous people are drawn to Florida for its lifestyle in addition to the great need for nurses. According to U.S. News, the state is home to 8 of the top 27 beaches in the country.
The climate is pleasant all year round, Disney World and other theme parks are nearby, and cruise ships leave from all beaches.
The towns’ diverse cultures draw visitors from all over the world each year, in addition to the large populations of locals who proudly represent their Caribbean and Latin American backgrounds.
Duties And Responsibilities Of A Nurse
In the modern healthcare sector, registered nurses are extremely important. On the front lines of the medical workforce, they are in charge of providing direct patient care in a range of settings, such as clinics, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and outpatient health facilities.
- Perform physical examinations to determine the needs and issues related to patient health
- Execute medical directives, start IVs, deliver medications, and interpret specialized testing.
- Give injured, crippled, unwell, or recuperating individuals direct care.
- Examine and keep medical records
- Create and implement nursing care plans
- Educate patients and their families on disease prevention and maintaining health
- Evaluate the circumstances and requirements of patients, order and review diagnostic tests.
- Control the activities of assistants, nursing aides, and licensed practical nurses.
- Informing patients about their illnesses and recommended treatments
- Uphold a clean and safe working environment
- Prepare facilities, medical equipment, and instruments.
- Provide emotional and psychological assistance
Also see 10 Top Nurse Requirements in USA: NCLEX, Licensure&Certification
Professional Roles:
- Critical care nursing
- Mental health nursing
- Pediatric Nursing
- Advocacy
- Legal nurse consultant
- Occupational health nursing
- Nurse midwife
- Neonatal nurse practitioner
- Nurse Entrepreneur
- Pediatric nurse practitioner
- Advanced practice nurse
- Oncology Nursing
- Neonatology
- Travel Nursing
- Cardiac Nursing
- Family nurse practitioner
Where Do Nurses Work
Nurses work in a wide range of industries you wouldn’t have thought they would. Just as they evolved and made advancements, they reached out to different industries where they would be needed as their roles in helping people seemed more highlighted among other roles.
This is a short list of where nurses work:
- Hospitals
- Schools
- Public Health Clinics
- Military Facilities
- Birth Clinics
- Law Firms
- Emergency Management Facilities
- Correctional Facilities
- Nursing Homes
How Much Do Nurses Earn In Florida?
Nursing salaries in Florida vary by location of the state. The highest-paying area for registered nurses is Fort Lauderdale, where the average RN income is $74,220 and 53,110 registered nurses are now employed. Gainesville ranks second, with an average RN pay of $73,980 and 6,010 registered nurses employed.
RNs in Florida earn less than nurse anesthetists ($170,950), nurse practitioners ($104,830), nurse midwives ($91,160), physical therapists ($90,630), and dental hygienists ($73,180) on average. They usually make higher money than licensed practical nurses ($47,860) and pharmacy technicians ($36,040).
How will an online nursing degree in Florida benefit you?
- Cloud-Based Education
The convenience of having all of your classes, assignments, notes, transcripts, grades, and projects digitally recorded and available around-the-clock is a major benefit even though documentation may not sound all that thrilling. Online learning makes it so everything you need is always just a few keystrokes away. Forget forgetting a textbook in a locker or leaving paperwork behind on a desk.
- Choose Your Own Speed
Some people learn more quickly than others, while others take longer to pick things up. It just indicates that everyone moves at their own rate and does not elevate one person above another. A regular classroom setting can easily make those who learn more slowly feel behind.
However, studying online allows you to go at your own pace. You can pause a lecture to look something up or rewind a video to hear a crucial explanation one more time.
- Respect
Some people might be concerned that getting a degree online somehow “means less” than getting a nursing degree in a conventional setting. But the number one thing to remember is this:
No matter the route they traveled to get there, everyone must pass the same test—the NCLEX-RN—to become a certified nurse, and those who do so leave the room.
Online or otherwise, education should assist you pass your licensure exam and get you ready for whatever comes after. A nurse with an online degree has the same opportunity to change someone’s life as a nurse with a traditional classroom education.
Where you sat while studying doesn’t matter. What you do with what you learn is what counts.
- Social Distancing
Social distance has not always been the primary consideration, but in 2020, it will be. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, conventional classrooms are either closed down or subject to strict regulations to stop the coronavirus from spreading.
Everybody from businesses to schools are relocating as much as they can online to help secure their employees and pupils because going outside, driving to school, filling up the gas tank, and other daily activities are now dangers.
Therefore, the time is now more than ever for online education. It is safer for you to study at home with a laptop because you are less likely to unintentionally infect others. Win-win!
Becoming an online nurse in Florida
It is the responsibility of the Florida Board of Nursing to provide licenses to aspiring nurses, renew licenses, and issue licenses to nurses who already possess licenses from other states.
In order to provide students with a well-rounded education in the healthcare industry, Florida nursing programs emphasize biology, anatomy, chemistry, physiology, and nutrition.
With the highest concentration of nurse anesthetists, the second-highest concentration of nursing assistants, the third-highest concentration of registered nurses, the fourth-highest concentration of LPNs, and the fifth-highest concentration of nurse practitioners, Florida is one of the top nursing employers in the country.
How to Get a Registered Nurse (RN) License in Florida online
Graduates of a recognized nursing program who want to get their Florida RN licensure must also fulfill the prerequisites stated below. Those who already hold an RN license from another state are eligible to apply for endorsement licensure.
Requirements for RN Licensure:
- Send a completed application and $110 application fee to the Florida Board of Nursing.
- Pay the $200 exam fee and register for the NCLEX-PN.
- Transmit fingerprints via a Livescan Service Provider.
- Obtain a test authorization.
- Set a test date, then ace the NCLEX-RN.
The exam can be retaken, however, after failing it three times, the student must finish another educational program before trying again.
Every two years, RN licenses in Florida expire. Continuing education requirements, a completed renewal application, and a $75 fee are all needed for nurses to renew their licenses.
Licensed RNs collaborate as essential members of medical teams while working in a variety of medical settings, such as hospitals, schools, and care facilities.
RNs do a variety of tasks including evaluating medical problems, treating patients, observing and documenting health data, operating medical equipment, and instructing patients and their families on how to treat illnesses and injuries.
The average RN salary in Florida is $69,510 per year, and employment possibilities are anticipated to grow by 9% nationwide between 2020 and 2030.
The List of Best Online Nursing Programs In Florida
The online nursing programs in Florida aid in preparing students for a range of healthcare careers.
To assist prospective nursing students in finding the best courses, from practical nursing certificates to BSN, MSN, and DNP degrees, we have put together a comprehensive list of colleges.
AdventHealth University
Nurses are innately committed to and compassionate toward their patients. And at AdventHealth University, they’ll help you develop that compassion, combining it with training that focuses on treating the whole person with an excellent bedside manner.
Leading nursing authorities who can direct you toward your selected job will train you. Their online bachelor of science in nursing program is among the best in Florida for a number of reasons, including excellent student assistance and an abundance of networking possibilities.
You will improve your knowledge of the nursing techniques required for employment as a clinical educator or nurse manager through this online BSN program.
Click here for more information.
Seminole State College of Florida
The Seminole State College offers an online associate in science (A.S) degree for those preparing for a Registered Nurse (RN) license.
During your study period at the Seminole State College of Florida, students are prepared to sit for an NCLEX-RN examination while observing student convenience through their online and part-time programs.
The online associate degree in nursing program at the University is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing and is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Also, Seminole State College of Florida topped the nationwide pass rate of 86.6 with a 97.0 percent pass rate for students attempting their first trial during the 2020 NCLEX-RN examination.
The Seminole State College of Florida offers convenience, an industry-experienced faculty, industry-driven curriculums, an all-web enhanced nursing course, and a 94.9 percent job placement rate for its graduates.
Broward College
The Associate of Science in Nursing program is intended to help students get ready for careers as registered nurses. The goal of the program is to produce competent, caring, and culturally sensitive entry-level nursing graduates whose professional practice includes making moral and legal judgments in the interest of community health promotion.
The student is qualified to have their name submitted to the Florida Board of Nursing to be considered as a candidate for the National Council Licensure Examination if they satisfy all academic and institutional requirements for an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing from Broward College.
The LPN-RN Transition Option and the Generic Option are the two full-time program options available through the Nursing Program. For individuals who must work Monday through Friday, there is also a part-time generic option.
Click here for more information.
Also see 16 Best PA Schools in Florida-Tuition & Requirements
Care Hope College
At care Hope college, students are trained to actively participate in the movement to meet the healthcare needs of the state of Florida, the United States, and the world at large.
The faculty which offers both in-class and online ASN programs are fully committed to the development of the student and the nursing profession by preparing the graduates of its bridge track to be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX-RN) for a license as a Registered Nurse.
Graduates of the Care Hope College are trained to be the best passing candidates at the NCLEX-RN licensure examinations, practice good work ethics by providing professional Nursing care for patients, and combine knowledge, empathy, values, and commitment.
During the duration of this program, each student is expected to sit for and pass the Nursing Qualifying Exam with at least a composite score of 60 before starting the core nursing classes and complete 27 general education and 45 core nursing credit hours which translates to 72 semester credit hours.
Also, depending on the number of credits that a student transfers in, the program is normally expected to run for at least 24 months.
Applications and information
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Not all courses offered online for healthcare education are made equal. Building an online university takes time, and transferring traditional classroom-based courses to a virtual setting is not a straightforward process.
Getting the correct people, procedures, and technologies as well as learning how to use them all effectively in an online environment need time and expertise.
As a university solely focused on the field of medicine, Chamberlain has a long history of successfully delivering and providing access to a wide range of online nursing and health professions offerings to educate, empower, and inspire a variety of healthcare professionals who advance the health of individuals, families, communities, and nations.
Chamberlain University awards online degrees from its Addison, Illinois, Main Campus.
Click here for more information.
College of Central Florida
There has never been a better moment to obtain a degree in nursing as the healthcare industry experiences a transitional period and the demand for highly skilled nursing personnel keeps rising.
To aid in the education and development of the upcoming generation of healthcare leaders, UCF Online offers fully online nursing programs at all academic levels, from bachelor’s to doctoral.
Their online nursing degrees will introduce you to the most recent developments in technology and the healthcare industry and provide you with the knowledge and abilities necessary to become a leader in patient care.
Their totally online programs, which were created with working nurses in mind, provide the same demanding, high-quality education as their on-campus nursing degrees with the convenience and flexibility of an online format.
Click here for more information.
Also, see 10 Best Medical Schools in Florida-Tuition & Requirements
Daytona State College
The registered nurse to bachelor of science in nursing (RN to BSN) program was created for nurses who are just starting out or who want to expand their careers. For the working adult, the program offers a flexible timetable.
It is intended for nurses who have a registered nursing license in their state of residence and a nursing associate degree or diploma as their highest academic qualification.
It facilitates a smooth transition from an associate to a bachelor’s degree and equips graduates with the skills necessary for a wider range of nursing practice.
Click here for more information.
Eastern Florida State College
The Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Nursing RN to BSN) program’s objective is to give local service area residents access to a bachelor degree that is both affordable and available.
Any professional nurse with the necessary Florida Registered Nursing license can enroll in the program because it is entirely online, which meets the needs of both traditional full-time students and working adults.
The RN to BSN program at Eastern Florida State College (ESFC) is intended for registered nurses (RNs) who have already completed an associate’s degree in nursing or are completing one in their final semester and will hold a Florida registered nursing license when the program begins.
Click here for more information.
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
With an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Florida A&M University, you may increase your income and acquire the training necessary to diagnose, prescribe, and treat patients (FAMU).
The curriculum prepares students to start a new profession as Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and earn credentials in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NPs.
Additionally, you’ll complete your degree more quickly because only 42 credits are needed, as opposed to the 57 credits required by other programs.
They have gone to considerable lengths to incorporate a curriculum that equips graduates with the reality of the primary care sector.
Since many of the MSN program’s graduates are from underrepresented groups, the program values cultural sensitivity, which is appreciated by many of its students.
Click here for more information.
Florida Gateway College
Florida Gateway College offers an online bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN) program designed especially for the associate of science degree (ASDN) graduates with a Registered Nursing (RN) license.
The program consists of a full-time Program that runs for three semesters and a part-time program that runs for six semesters, ten upper division nursing courses that have a total of thirty-one credit hours and cover courses like pathophysiology, ethical and legal care, pharmacology, nursing theory, health assessment, healthcare policy, community health leadership, research, and informatics.
The program is 100% percent online, has a 100% percent competition rate, 100% percent job placement, and its program estimated cost is $5,125.00. The school also has an NCLEX-RN examination pass rate of 77.67%.
Candidates for this program are expected to meet all these requirements before acceptance:
- Each candidate is expected to obtain and possess an active license as a Registered Nurse (RN) or equivalent.
- Each candidate is expected to have obtained a nursing diploma or associate degree from an accredited college or university.
- Each candidate is expected to submit their Baccalaureate Admission Application together with all supporting documents to the Florida Gateway College Office of Enrollment Services.
- Each candidate is expected to have completed and submitted to the Florida Gateway College Nursing and Health Sciences department, an RN-BSN program application
Keiser University
The Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner program offers 49 graduate semester credit hours of coursework covering injury, health promotion, and illness prevention.
This program is specially designed for Registered Nurses who’ve obtained a bachelor of science in Nursing (BSN) degree from one of the accredited universities. And is a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
The program which takes a family-oriented approach to train nurses for an advanced nursing practice prepares students to take the family nurse practitioner board examination upon graduation, for a license to practice as a family nurse.
The program guidelines follow that of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) as authorized in the Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing and with the National Organization/Nurse Practitioner Faculties, Population Focused Nurse Practitioner Competencies.
This program runs for 18-24 months, is composed of 8 terms, offers financial aid which is granted to its qualifiers, and also offers 19 courses.
Miami Dade College
To address the rapidly expanding demand for registered nurses in Miami Dade County, Miami Dade College established a nursing program more than 50 years ago.
Nearly 20,000 nurses have graduated from this school of nursing as of today, and they are glad to report that they had a top-notch education there.
Their graduates comprise a sizable portion of Hispanic nurses nationwide and are employed by every hospital and the majority of outpatient institutions in the area.
A large number of their former students went on to get their BSN, MSN, DNP, and/or PhD degrees. Several of their 69 active faculty members are happy to program grads.
This Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) is the eighth most cheap program in the US.
Click here for more information.
Pasco-Hernando State College
The Associate in Science in Nursing (ADN) degree program or diploma program graduates will be prepared for the next stage of their nursing careers by the fully online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program.
The CCNE fully recognized BSN program is designed for nursing professionals who already hold a registered nurse (RN) license and want to advance their careers by gaining new management, leadership, theoretical, and research abilities.
If not already completed, some general education requirements can call for an in-person or hybrid course.
Click here for more information.
Pinellas Technical College-Clearwater
The hybrid online curriculum for practical nursing is provided by Pinellas Technical College. With the following two exceptions, the traditional on-site program is identical to the online program:
- Instead of having face-to-face classroom education, the majority of the 675 hours of academic theory training in the program is delivered via computer (with a few scheduled campus-based activities).
- The remaining 675 clinical hours are arranged at various sites in the nearby and neighboring counties, primarily on weekends and in the evenings.
The clinical and laboratory hours are dispersed across the course of the 15-month program, with the majority taking place in the second half.
Click here for more information
University of West Florida
The online Master’s in nursing education at the University of West Florida consists of 39 credit hours of coursework which includes common core courses: Foundations of Nursing Science, Integration of Evidence in Advanced Nursing Practice, Health Systems Leadership, and Policy Strategies, and Population Health Promotion and Management. And these core courses make up 12 credit hours.
While nursing education specialization courses which are made up of 27 credit hours include: Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Nursing Practice for the Nurse Educator, Nurse Educator Advanced Clinical Practicum, Nursing Education Seminar I, Nursing Education Practicum I, Nursing Education Seminar II, and Nursing Education Practicum II.
For nurses wanting to increase their salaries, educate others in the educational sector, or working registered nurses wanting better job opportunities, the online Master’s in nursing education at the University of West Florida is a sure bet as it combines common core and specialization courses which helps to give you a well-grounded knowledge in advanced nursing topics and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
The course length ranges from 8-16 weeks, the cost of the program is set at $425 per credit hour, and accepts up to 9 transfer credits.
Excelsior university
The online bachelor of science in Nursing program at Excelsior university has a general education requirement that helps students develop competence in art, Science, and humanities.
The general education components of this program include Humanities which is composed of humanities and ethics core, social sciences/history which is composed of history psychology, and sociology core requirements, and natural sciences which composes of human anatomy and physiology core, microbiology core, statistics core, sciences supportive of nursing core and natural sciences.
The program requires 121 credit hours and also requires 30 credits for prior learning and the completion of the NCLEX-RN examination.
This program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and also, and the school of nursing at the Excelsior university was awarded the Center of Excellence in Nursing Education- National League of Nursing.
The University of West Coast
The Master of Science (MSN) Degree (Generalist) at the University of West Coast is an online program that requires 36 credit hours and runs for 6 trimesters which covers 96 Instructional weeks and takes 24 months to complete.
The Master’s program may also be unavailable to some states and its length will vary between student situations. The clinical hour requirement of the Master’s program at the University West coast is 135 precepted clinical hours.
The Masters of science in Nursing advanced generalist online curriculum is designed to allow students to have access to a vast knowledge base in their area of specialization and they are as follows:
Online Masters of Science in Nursing Advanced Generalist Curriculum – (Core)
- Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice – 3 credit hours
- Policy, Organization, and Financing in Healthcare – 3 credit hours
- Ethics in Healthcare – 3 credit hours
- Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology – APRN – 3 credit hours
- Principles of Learning & Teaching – 3 credit hours
- Research Utilization – 3 credit hours
- Health Promotion & Disease Prevention – 3 credit hours
- Advanced Pharmacology- 3 credit hours
- Advanced Health/Physical Assessment – 3 credit hours
- Advanced Clinical Concepts – 1.5 credit hours
- Advanced Clinical Concepts – 1.5 credit hours
- Advanced Clinical Practice Practicum- 1.5 credit hours
- Advanced Clinical Practice Practicum – 1.5 credit hours
- Culminating Experience I – 1.5 credit hours
- Culminating Experience II – 1.5 credit hours
The generalist Master’s program at the university of West Coast has comprehensive courses that are built on a solid knowledge base that is employed in teaching its students.
Also, the program and every other nursing program at the University of West Coast is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Application and information
Online Nursing Programs in Florida Tuition and NCLEX Pass Rate at a Glance
- University of West Florida
Annual tuition – $19,241
NCLEX pass rate – 95.97%
- University of Florida
Annual tuition – $28,659
NCLEX pass rate – 95.93%
- University of Central Florida
Annual tuition – $22,467
NCLEX pass rate – 95.24%
- AdventHealth University
Annual tuition – $12,840
NCLEX pass rate – 83.7%
- City College
Annual tuition – $14,618
NCLEX pass rate – 90.91%
- College of Central Florida
Annual tuition – $10,517
NCLEX pass rate – 88.07%
- Daytona State College
Annual tuition – $11,994
NCLEX pass rate – 93.04%
- Broward College
Annual tuition – $8,952
NCLEX pass rate – 95.4%
- Florida Southern College
Annual tuition – $37,640
NCLEX pass rate – 94.44%
- Florida SouthWestern State College
Annual tuition – $12,979
NCLEX pass rate – 79.89%
- Florida State College at Jacksonville
Annual tuition – $9,992
NCLEX pass rate – 87.42%
- Gulf Coast State College
Annual tuition – $8,633
NCLEX pass rate – 82.17%
- Indian River State College
Annual tuition – $10,201
NCLEX pass rate – 89.5%
- Florida State University
Annual tuition – $18,786
NCLEX pass rate – 94.74%
- Chamberlain College of Nursing
Annual tuition – $19,638
NCLEX pass rate – 88.32%
- Rasmussen College-Ocala
Annual tuition – Not Provided..fees might vary time to time
NCLEX pass rate – 82.41%
FAQs
These are questions people ask about the online nursing programs in Florida:
Are there nursing programs in Florida online?
Yes !, There are lots of online nursing Programs Being offered by many universities and colleges in the state of Florida. These schools also offer on-campus programs.
These programs were created for the convenience of students who might already be working, especially registered or practicing nurses, which makes it the reason why most online nursing Programs are Masters in Nursing programs.
Although there are provisions for online nursing schools for bachelor’s and associate degrees in nursing awarding programs.
What is the best online school for nursing?
With the constant change and modifications in the nursing profession came developments that influenced the nursing practice in diverse ways thus, making the learning and Practice of the nursing Practitioner more advanced.
There are many good online schools for nursing that would fit your preference and description of the “best” or “perfect” depending on your choice.
You can check the list of online nursing schools and make research on which best suits you, your budget, and your schedule.
How long does it take to become a nurse in Florida?
For you to become a nurse, depending on what level you are at, the time frame will differ.
An LPN program takes up to 1 year, an associate degree takes up to 24 months, a bachelor’s degree also takes up to 24 months, and a Master’s in nursing also reaches 24 months.
Other factors that affect your period of study are the required credit hours and a student’s choice of either a full-time or part-time mode of attendance.
Does UCF have online nursing programs?
To aid in the education and development of the upcoming generation of healthcare leaders, UCF Online offers fully online nursing programs at all academic levels, from bachelor’s to doctoral.
What nursing school has the highest Nclex pass rate in Florida?
University of Florida
Over the previous ten years, graduates of the BSN program have passed the NCLEX-RN exam with an impressive 93% first-time pass rate.
About 300 graduate nursing students receive their education from the College of Nursing, which offers BSN and MSN entrance points to both its DNP and PhD programs.
How many years does it take to be a registered nurse?
The quickest and frequently most economical way to become an RN is to obtain a nursing associate degree.
AND courses typically last two years and prepare you to sit for the NCLEX exam to become a registered nurse. Typically, a BSN curriculum lasts four years.
How much an RN makes in Florida?
Florida’s average yearly salary for registered nurses is $72,000, or $34.62 per hour.
Florida registered nurses make $82,750 year, which works out to $39.78 per hour, which is 12% less than the national average for RNs.
Is being a nurse in Florida worth it?
One of the states that hire the most nurses countrywide is Florida. Florida is the third-highest employing state for nurses, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The fact that Florida is one of the states where people most often retire also contributes to the high demand for nurses.
Can you train to be a nurse while working?
As a nursing degree apprentice, you can now pursue your nursing degree while working for the NHS.
You will enroll in a university on a part-time basis and pursue a degree while receiving permission from your job to take these days off. Normally, this takes four years. Employers provide funding for apprenticeships.
How do I become an LPN in Florida?
- Finish a nursing education program at a school with Florida approval or accreditation.
- Electronic fingerprinting must be submitted.
- If applicable, disclose any criminal history.
- Take the NCLEX-PN exam and succeed.
- Maintain the validity of your license and complete the necessary continuing education.
How long is BSN to UCF?
The RN to BSN program can be completed in person on a few regional campuses or online.
Depending on the number of classes taken per term, the program’s 30 credit hours of the curriculum can be finished in as little as three semesters or as much time as one course per semester.
How do you become a nurse?
Obtain a degree. You must have a degree from an approved university in order to work as a registered nurse.
Ace the NCLEX test and acquire a state license.
Which nursing course is best?
Undoubtedly, the B.sc. Nursing program is superior to general nursing and midwifery if a person wants to have a distinguished career in the field of healthcare.
The value of a B.sc. Nursing degree exceeds that of a General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) course in terms of career advancement, further education, and salary. Do you have suggestions about the online nursing programs in Florida?