Florida nursing outlines the educational, licensing, and career prospects for nurses in the state of Florida. Are you interested in how to become a nurse in Florida? Becoming a nurse in Florida gives a person an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. Additionally, careers in nursing are in demand and can offer a person a lucrative salary. However, a person may have many questions about becoming a nurse, from choosing a nursing school in Florida to getting a job.
Can You Earn an Online Nursing Degree in Florida?
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A person can earn a nursing degree in Florida online if he or she already possesses an LPN or RN. However, a person can’t obtain his or her initial licensure with an online degree since a person must complete an accredited LPN or RN program, which requires a person to complete clinicals. Clinicals may only be completed through on-campus programs either through a nursing school, university, college, or vocational school.
Once a person has either an LPN or RN, he or she can opt to take an online nursing program. An LPN can complete either an LPN to ASN or an LPN to BSN online. An RN may complete an RN to BSN or an RN to MSN online. A person may complete a master’s or doctorate program online as well.
How Do You Choose a Nursing School in Florida?
When choosing a nursing school in Florida, a person first must determine what degree type he or she needs to earn. Someone interested in becoming an LPN can earn a degree in a technical school or from a community college while a person will need to attend a college with a nursing school or a nursing school to earn an RN. Both of these programs must be completed in a classroom setting since an initial nursing degree requires a person to complete clinicals. Someone interested in going from an LPN to a BSN or an RN to a BSN may complete a nursing degree online. A person wanting to earn a master’s or a doctorate in nursing may do so online as well.
Once a person finds schools that offer his or her degree program, a person should sort through his or her options by Florida NCLEX pass rates by school. Comparing based on Florida NCLEX pass rates by the school can help a person to understand how well a program can prepare him or her for the NCLEX. Keep in mind that NCLEX Florida pass rates are important because a person must pass the NCLEX to earn his or her license.
It’s important to look into accreditation. A person can only sit for the NCLEX if he or she completes an accredited program. Additionally, it also helps to look for schools with Florida Board of Nursing endorsement. The schools that have the Florida Board of Nursing endorsement have gained approval from the Board for being able to educate a person well, so he or she can flourish in his or her career as a nurse.
How Often Do You Need to Renew Your Nursing License in Florida?
Once a person earns his or her LPN or RN, he or she must keep renewing the license to continue practicing as a nurse. The Florida Board of License renewal is every two years for both RNs and LPNs.
The Florida Board of Nursing License renewal process may be completed online. A person must complete the necessary continuing education credits before he or she can renew his or her license.
In addition to continuing education credits, a person must fill out an application, which may be done online. The person must also pay the necessary fees to maintain his or her license.
If a person should happen to possess a master’s and is an advanced practice nurse, he or she will also need to go through the same process.
How Much Can You Make as a Nurse in Florida?
Before a person makes a commitment to attend nursing school, he or she may question what the average salary of a nurse is in Florida. On average, an LPN in Florida earns $44,400 per year. LPNs in nursing homes tend to make the highest wages when compared to other medical facilities. However, if a person can find a position with an insurance agency or a junior college, he or she can make an even higher salary.
An RN in Florida makes an average of $66,210. An RN earns a higher salary if he or she works in a hospital or an outpatient care center as opposed to a nursing home or doctor’s office. RNs who have a specialty in psychiatric or substance abuse tend to earn a higher annual wage than an RN without a specialty. If a nurse can find a position with a pharmaceutical company or a medical manufacturing company, he or she can earn more.
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