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 haven’t 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. It’s also possible to earn an MSN or doctorate in nursing from an online program.
When choosing from the nursing schools in Florida, it’s 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. It’s vital to choose an accredited school because it’s 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.
Featured Programs
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.
Mentorship is part of the equation for looking for the top nursing schools in Florida. A person wants a school that offers mentorship. This allows prospective graduates to receive guidance from those who’ve worked in the field.
When a person is choosing to complete a program that requires clinicals, it’s important for a person to understand that not all clinical programs are the same. A person should read the website to learn about the clinicals, such as where they’re at and who directs them. A person should look at reviews online about the school because previous students may have left remarks about their experiences in clinicals.
How We Ranked the Best Nursing Schools in Florida
To find the best value and opportunity for nursing students in Florida, Nursing School Hub ranks accredited, trusted institutions according to their Cost, Salary Expectation, and Student Satisfaction, using data from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and Niche.
1. University of Miami
The University of Miami School of Nursing & Health Studies is recognized among the best schools for nursing in Florida, according to US News and World Report. As one of the best schools in Florida for nursing, U f M’s graduate and doctoral nursing programs are ranked by US News as the best nursing schools in Florida and the country. U of M’s School of Nursing offers a BSN degree program, an MSN degree program, and the advanced nursing degrees of a Doctor of Nursing Practice and a Ph.D.
The University of Miami was founded in 1925. The school’s twelve schools/colleges serve more than 17,000 students on U of M’s 230+ acre campus in South Florida. U of M’s football team has been national champs four times in the last several decades. The University of Miami’s library system boasts nearly 4 million volumes, with remarkable items covering the history of Cuba.
Degrees: BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD
2. Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida Gulf Coast University’s School of Nursing is considered one of the best nursing schools in Florida. FGCU’s School of Nursing offers a pair of academic nursing programs – a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program and a Doctor of the Nursing Practice degree program. MSN degree candidates earning a graduate degree from one of the best schools in Florida for nursing can opt to specialize in education or anesthesia. DNP students from one of the best schools for nursing in Florida can apply holding only a bachelor’s or master’s degree to qualify for the program.
Florida Gulf Coast University was established in 1991 and is a member school of the State University System of Florida. FGCU’s suburban campus covers more than 750 acres and serves about 15,000 students each year. Florida Gulf Coast University is recognized among the top regional colleges in the South by US News.
Degrees: MSN, DNP
3. University of North Florida
The University of North Florida’s School of Nursing is ranked among the best schools in Florida for nursing and across the southern United States. UNF’s School of Nursing, as one of the best nursing schools in Florida, offers a Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing degree program (a BSN), a Master of Science in Nursing (an MSN) degree program, and the advanced nursing degree of a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (the CCNE), as well as the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs (COA), accredit these nursing programs provided by one of the best schools for nursing in Florida.
The University of North Florida was established in 1965. Most of the school’s 17,000 students live off-campus in the Jacksonville, FL area. The Princeton Review recognizes UNF among the five best value schools in the country. The University of North Florida is one of the twelve schools that make up the State University of Florida system.
Degrees: BSN, MSN, DNP
4. Florida State University
Florida State University operates one of the best schools for nursing in Florida – its College of Nursing. FSU’s College of Nursing, recognized among the best schools in Florida for nursing, offers three quality nursing degree programs – a BSN -Bachelor of Science degree program, an MSN – A Master of Science in Nursing, and the DNP degree program in Doctor of Nursing Practice. As one of the best nursing schools in Florida, FSU’s BSN and DNP have received accreditation from the CCNE – the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Florida State University was established in 1851. FSU’s campus in the state’s capital is home to more than 41,000 students. US News recognizes Florida State University among the top 20 public institutions of higher education in the country for national universities. FSU is a senior member of the twelve school State University of Florida system.
Degrees: BSN, MSN, DNP
5. University of Florida
The College of Nursing at the University of Florida (UF) is recognized among the best schools in Florida for nursing, according to US News. The University of Florida’s College of Nursing offers three of the most sought-after nursing programs in the state – the undergraduate degree in nursing (BSN), and the advanced nursing degrees of a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and a Ph.D. in nursing. As one of the best schools for nursing in Florida, UF’s program seeks to address gaps in the healthcare system. The University of Florida is the flagship school of the Sunshine State and offers programs from one of the best nursing schools in Florida to state residents and out-of-state students.
The University of Florida was established in 1851 as the result of the Morrill Land Grant Act. UF also holds the distinction of being a sea-grant, space-grant, and flagship school. The school’s Gainesville campus is home to approximately 56,000 students. The University of Florida is the third-largest university in the Sunshine State in terms of enrollment.
Degrees: BSN, DNP, PhD
6. Nova Southeastern University
The Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is considered among the best schools in Florida for nursing offering a nursing program at the undergraduate level (BSN), the graduate-level (MSN), as well as the advanced degrees of a nursing Ph.D. and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). As one of the best nursing schools in Florida, Nova Southeastern University’s College of Nursing offers nursing degrees accredited by the CCNE – the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Recognized as one of the best schools for nursing in Florida, UF’s nursing programs speak to compassion, courage, integrity, and stewardship.
Nova Southeastern University was established in 1964. Nova Southeastern University’s campus covers more than 450 acres, serves about 20,000 students each term, and is built on a former outlying land field that once belonged to the US Navy. Nova Southeastern University operates satellite campuses in North Miami Beach, Dania Beach, and Tampa Bay, FL.
Degrees: BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD
7. Palm Beach Atlantic University
Palm Beach Atlantic University’s School of Nursing is recognized as one of the best schools for nursing in Florida. PBA offers Christian-based nursing education in its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, its Master of Science in Nursing Program (MSN), and the Doctor in Nursing Practice (DNP) program. Among the best nursing schools in Florida, PBA offers a distance learning option for its RN to BSN degree program. The DNP programs offered by one of the best schools in Florida for nursing offer four specializations – Mental health, Family NP, Executive Leadership, and Gerontology.
Palm Beach Atlantic University was established in 1968. The school is affiliated with an interdenominational Christian Church. The school’s urban campus is home to about 3,700 students studying for degrees offered by PBA’s nine colleges/schools. PBA’s West Palm Beach campus is located downtown and about a mile from the famous Worth Avenue, Palm Beach.
Degrees: BSN, MSN, DNP
8. Florida International University
The Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences at Florida International University (FIU) is considered one of the best schools for nursing in Florida and the country. Florida International University offers three nursing programs – the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, the graduate degree program in Nursing (MSN), and the Doctor in Nursing Practice (DNP) program. As one of the best schools in Florida for Nursing, FIU’s nursing programs have been ranked among the best nursing degree programs in the country by US News. CCNE accredits each of the nursing degrees offered by the nursing school recognized among the best nursing schools in Florida.
Florida International University was established in 1965. FIU is now considered the largest of any institution of higher learning in the Greater Miami metro area. The school’s 550+-acre campus is home to nearly 59,000 students. US News recognizes FIU among the country’s top 105 public universities classified as national.
Degrees: BSN, MSN, DNP
9. University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida’s College of Nursing, among the best nursing schools in Florida, offers four nursing degrees – – the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), the Doctor in Nursing Practice (DNP), and the nursing Ph.D. degree program. Ranked as one of the best schools for nursing in Florida, UCF’s nursing programs are nationally accredited by CCNE – the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. US News recognizes the College of Nursing at UCF as among the best schools in Florida for nursing and across the country.
The Florida Legislature, 1963, established the University of Central Florida as a space-grant school by the Florida Legislature. The school’s urban setting and campus are home to nearly 70,000 students hailing from more than 150 countries. The University of Central Florida holds the distinction of having the most students enrolled in a one-campus school in the United States.
Degrees: BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD
10. Florida A&M University
The School of Nursing at Florida A&M University (FAMU) is considered one of the best schools for nursing in Florida offering two quality nursing programs. Florida A&M University offers a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) degree program and an MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) degree program. These programs provided by one of the best schools in Florida for Nursing are accredited by the ACEN – the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. As one of the best nursing schools in Florida offers a fast-track RN to BSN degree program.
Florida A&M University was established in 1887. Florida A&M University’s campus is situated on the highest point in Florida’s capital and is home to about 10,000 students. A Portion of FAMU’s campus is listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places. Florida A&M University is a recognized historically black college/university (HBCU) and land grant school.
Degrees: BSN, MSN
How is the Job Market for Nurses in Florida?
RN jobs in Florida are plentiful. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that there were 177,600 nursing jobs in Florida as of 2018. Florida is one of the top five states in the country for the number of RN jobs. The demand for nurses in Florida is only expected to increase over time. The BLS projects that the number of jobs for registered nurses is expected to increase by 17 percent from 2018 until 2028.
RN jobs in Florida aren’t the only type of nursing jobs that are in demand in the state. The best nursing jobs in Florida are often nurse practitioner positions because they pay more and offer individuals a higher level of responsibilities. The demand for nurse practitioners is expected to grow by 26 percent from 2018 until 2028. As of 2018, there were 10,590 jobs for nurse practitioners in Florida.
For those who are just starting out and want to become an LPN, some of the best nursing jobs in Florida are available at this level. The demand for nurses in Florida at this level is high, considering there were 47,450 jobs for LPNs in Florida as of 2018. The demand for nurses in Florida at this level is expected to increase. The number of LPN nursing jobs everywhere in the U.S. is expected to grow by 11 percent from 2018 until 2019.
How Much Do Nurses Make in Florida?
When a person is thinking about entering into the field of nursing and determining the level of education they want to obtain, they may wonder what the average Florida nurse’s salary is. First and foremost, a person may want to know how much a LPN makes in Florida. The average LPN salary in the U.S. is $47,050, but when a person considers how much an LPN makes in Florida, the figure is slightly less at $44,400.
The nursing in Florida salary is higher for registered nurses. The average RN salary in the U.S. is $75,510 while the average Florida nurse’s salary for RNs is $66,210. The average RN salary in Florida per hour is $31.83. A new grad RNs salary is slightly less than this. However, the new grad RN salary in Florida will increase over time with experience. Another way to increase the RN salary in Florida per hour is to earn a BSN. When a person searches for “BSN salary Florida,” they’ll see that an RN makes nearly $10,000 more per year than an RN without a BSN. When a person searches “BSN salary Florida,” he or she will discover that someone with a BSN usually makes around $76,420 per year.
The nursing in Florida salary is much higher for those who become nurse practitioners. The nursing in Florida salary is also higher for nurses who specialize or who become advanced practice nurses. In addition, nurses with doctoral degrees earn even more.
How Much Do Nurse Practitioners Make in Florida?
Before a person chooses to earn a master’s, a person may wonder what the average nurse practitioner salary in Florida is. On average, nurse practitioner salaries in Florida are around $101,100. This is lower than the national average of $110,030 This nurse practitioner’s salary in Florida is the same as $52.90 per hour.
Some nurse practitioner salaries in Florida are higher. The top-paid nursing practitioners in the country earn $150,320 or more. The salary of a nurse practitioner in Florida can be lower than the average as well. That’s because the average salary of a nurse practitioner in Florida is based on salaries around the state. The salary of a nurse practitioner in Florida can be $78,300 or less.
It’s important to understand what affects the average salary of a nurse practitioner in Florida. For one, specializing can earn a person more. For instance, a family nurse practitioner’s salary in Florida is higher than a standard nurse practitioner’s. The family nurse practitioner salary in Florida isn’t the only high-paying specialty, either.
If a person searches the average salary of a nurse practitioner in Florida or the average nurse practitioner salary in Florida, a person will see that nurse practitioners in outpatient care centers tend to earn the most. Additionally, searches for the average salary of a nurse practitioner in Florida or the average nurse practitioner salary in Florida will discover that nurse practitioners in surgical and general hospitals tend to earn more.
Related:
